Regional recurrance in internal mammory lymph hodes anyone?

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BeachyQueen
BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hello all,

I am new to this forum. Just found out about my recurrance a month ago from pet scan. I was experiencing pain in the area and asked to have it checked out. I was 3 mos. into my 4th year of being disease free. I honestly feel that this is a punch in the gut. I am having a very difficult time coping this time. Moving forward has never felt so hard for me and I am not sure why. Just can't seem to get a grip on this. I feel so alone right now even though I have wonderful familial support. I am experiencing alot of unanswered questions right now and I am feeling angry. Unless I find others with this sort of cancer progression, I don't think I can move forward again. Please help me if you can....

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  • redwolf8812
    redwolf8812 Member Posts: 2,463
    edited March 2011

    I didn't "progress" to the internal mammary node - I had it there at initial diagnosis (didn't feel a thing).  It stinks, but you'll be fine.  God provides.  Thank the Lord that you felt "pain" and had it checked out.  Now on to your plan of attack.  Did your doctor tell you the course of action?   

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  • BeachyQueen
    BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    Was on Tamoxifen for 3 yrs. Now that I am postmenopausal was started on AI Fulvestrant 10 days ago.Will have another round in 10 days and then monthly for 2 mos. After that we will do another pet scan and if no change then chemo again. I had a surgical incision biopsy done 2 weeks ago and 4 lymph nodes were involved. This AI makes me feel extremely tired and had some flu-like symptoms but they were short lived.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2011

    I'm so sorry you're having to revisit this fight again.  Sometimes we don't win the fight in the first round and cancer gets up off the mat for another round.  I know you have it in you to do this,  you did it once.  We're all here for you.  Sending hugs and prayers your way.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited March 2011

    Deborah,

    I was dx with a recurrence last October. It had spread to an infraclavicular lymph node - not an internal mammary node. They couldn't get it surgically so I'm doing chemo. It is scary be dx with a recurrence but I just take it one step at a time.

    There are a few posts in the Second or Third BC forum you may find helpful. One on people with recurrences and how long after they were NED. There were some heartening responses there.

    The chemo regimen I'm on this time is easier than AC and Taxotere. I'm doing Gemzar and Abraxane. I'm halfway through and started to get a little tired but that is my main complaint, so not too bad.

    I wish you the best and hope the hormonals do the trick so you can avoid chemo if possible.

    Hang in there,

    Annie

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  • BeachyQueen
    BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    Thank you ladies for your responses. I am hopeful too regarding the hormonals for treatment. I already did AC and I was allergic to both Taxol and Taxatere. I hope I will not have to do chemo again but of course I will do whatever is necessary.I think this Fulvestrant has completely taken away my appetite. I just cannot eat... I am hanging.

    Deborah

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited March 2011

    I also had an allergic reaction to Taxol. Did ok with Taxotere. Abraxane in the same family and I'm doing okay with it. Just info that I hope you won't need.

    When I was stressed and didn't want to eat, I made milk shakes with bananas and milk. It helped.

    Best,

    Annie

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited March 2011

    KK- I wondered if I may ask where your original tumor/calcifications were? Mine was at the inner lower quadrant of my left breast. I had lvi and worried that I would have spread into my internal mammaries but my sentinals went into the axilla. I asked for them to sample the internal mammaries but they wouldn't cuz they said it would require a thoracic surgeon and that if there were spread that the chemo would get it. I am sorry that it came back... it sucks but I have faith that the chemo will destroy it.

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  • BeachyQueen
    BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    KK,

    My original  6cm tumor was on the upper outer right quadrant of the breast. I also had a smaller tumor on the lower outer quad and another on the left outer lower quad. Sentinol node biopsy confirmed that 12 of 23 axilla nodes on the right side were also positive.  I had faith that a bilateral masectomy with reconstruction, chemo and radiation wouldtake care of my cancer. That is why I am  feeling so angry right now.... I also asked about radiation on my imln's but Dr. says no can do because this area has already been radiated. Cannot perform surgery on these because it is too dangerous and would have to crack open chest cavity which takes months to recover from. :(

    Deborah

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  • BeachyQueen
    BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    Bonnie and Kathy,

    Chocolate cake and milkshakes sound great!!!! :))) I will try them. The timing on this could not be worse for me regarding my diet. I have gained 40 pounds from my treatments, etc. I have never been overweight a day in my life. I went through an entire year of terrible depression after treatments and so on. In January of this year, I decided I was sick of being overweight and started taking action to do something about it. I went on a strict but sensible diet and started walking every day. I had lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks right before my surgery and I was pretty happy about that. I will be going back on the diet tomorrow but have kept up with my daily walking. i went from 3/4 mile to 11/2 mile per day and even some intermittent running.

    Deborah

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2011

    I don't know why I didn't mention this in my first response, blame it on chemo brain....but I had internal nodes in my initial dx. that's another reason I'm 3C.  My dr. said the same thing about surgery but said we'll get them with chemo hopefully but most likely with rads.  I'm on arimidex and I have no appetite with it either, I have small kids so I eat when I feed them even though I'm not hungrey.  I do hope the AI's do the job...what did the dr say about rads?

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited March 2011

    Deborah,

    Isn't that frustrating. I was on a diet/exercise plan and had 5 -10 lbs left to lose, did a sprint triathalon last August. Dx in October and re-gained the 15 I lost last year. Sigh. With spring sort of here, I've started walking again, but I'm eating way too much junk.

    It's great that you've kept up your walking. I did no exercise for months and ate and drank non-stop for months except when recuperating from surgery. :(

    Best,

    Annie

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  • BeachyQueen
    BeachyQueen Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    Jennyboog and Annie 62,

    Good morning! I was already radiated in that area so cannot do it again. Also, bc sucks with the weight issues!! It is so important to keep your weight down blah blah blah.... You are increasing your chances for recurrence by being overweight and yet the treatment themselves are what has made me overweight! I know the tamoxifen caused weight gain but don't know about the Fulvestrant yet? I still have no appetite and quite a bit of nausea esp. at night when I lay down. I see onco this Fri. so I will be dicussing these new se's.

    Deborah

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited March 2011
    I wonder what is riskier.  Carrying the extra abdominal fat or getting it sucked out.  Undecided
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