22/24 positive lymph nodes Anyone with similar?

snowman1
snowman1 Member Posts: 8
edited August 2018 in Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer

I just had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for invasive lobular cancer. My surgeon said that I had 22/24 positive lymph nodes. I am very concerned about this high number. Has anyone else had an experience with this many pos.nodes.

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  • peace4friend
    peace4friend Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2010

    I had 30 of them come back positive.It is a very scary thing to hear, but try not to worry.The lymph nodes are there to clean out your system. They are doing their job. I have been cancer free for 6 years.

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2010

    Thank you so much for your reply, it gives me hope and encouragement!

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  • pitanga
    pitanga Member Posts: 596
    edited November 2010

    The writer and cultural critic Susan Sontag had 39 positive nodes when she was dx'd in the mid 1970s. They classed this as Stage IV and believed she would not last for more than a few months.

    She lived until 2004, and her death was caused by another cancer, not related to BC. If you google her name you will find a lot about her experience.

    She is my muse.

    Hang in there,

    Lisa 

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  • cat54
    cat54 Member Posts: 77
    edited November 2010

     YES, I had 17 out of 20 positive nodes and was sent for a cat scan and pet scan immediately, I suggest you do the same, mine luckily was clear but they told me it was now stage 3 cancer... but still very treatable with a good outcome.... hope that helps, Cat

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2010

    I thank you for that reply , how amazing and very encouraging.

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2010

    I did google her biography, amazing woman and very encouraging, thank you!

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2010

     I hope this post wind up in the right spot this time, new at this! Thank you for the encouraging replies! God Bless you and watch over you!

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  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited November 2010

    11 out of 13...then i had a pet scan and they suspected two more...

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2010

    snowman1, check the Stage III forum (Forum Index above).  You will find quite a few women there who had multiple node involvement and are doing fine after aggressive treatment.   And remember that any published stats you may find pertain to women who were treated 5, 10 or more years ago -- not with today's third generation of chemo drugs and much more targeted therapy.  Just be sure that you have a medical team that believes your prognosis and outcome can be positive with proper treatment.  And if you have even a shadow of a doubt about that or anything they tell you, absolutely get a second opinion.    Deanna     

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2010

    Good advice, much appreciated!

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  • Spoonchek
    Spoonchek Member Posts: 158
    edited November 2010

    I had 29/29 lymph nodes positive for cancer. Scary for sure. The doctors will monitor you (or at least they should)  I did have spread a year later to bones (small spots) and femara kept me fine for about 15 months. Now on Aromasin and fingers crossed, it seems to be working. I am however Her2 positive and ER + and PR+. Try not to worry, just be alert and stay on top of your body and your scans.

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  • Ihopeg
    Ihopeg Member Posts: 399
    edited December 2010

    I had 19/20 nodes positive 4 years ago. I also had ILC. But, the ILC wasn't found until path report after single mast. I wish it would have been found sooner so that i could have had a double mast. I had chemo, rads,ooph( so that I would go into menopause) and have been on femara since. i would say that i am doing fine. I have a bone scan every year as well as MRI of the remaining breast. Other than that I see a dr form the team once every 4 months.

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  • jtlysiak
    jtlysiak Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011

    I was diagnosed August 9, 2000, my surgery was November 30. I had 39+ positive nodes. The cancer had eaten the nodes so badly they couldn't get an accurate count. I did some chemo and some radiation with chemo. It's been 10 years! It's kind-of-like child birth you forget. No cancer - six grandkids. Life is good.

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  • 11BC
    11BC Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2012

    I had 13 out of 31 lymph nodes test positive for cancer (3/3 sentinel node dissection + remainder axillary node dissection). That was in Sept. 2007, followed by ACT chemo and 7 weeks radiation. I've been taking Tamoxifen since July 2008. 

    I have been and am NED: No Evidence of Disease. Cancer Free.

    My best to you all!! 

    jtlysiak: I particulary am happy to hear your story!

    snowman1: How are you doing? 

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  • nfranklin
    nfranklin Member Posts: 119
    edited March 2012

    I had 11 out of 26 positive lymph nodes, and one breast removed, deciding whether or not to do chemo. Will do RAD and take FEMARA for the next 5 years.

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  • 11BC
    11BC Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2012

    nfranklin: It is a very personal decision whether or not to do chemo. A friend just went through it recently. She opted to do chemo. Another of my friends decided after doing chemo and radiation that she didn't want to take Tamoxifen.

    I did do chemo and radiation. And now I'm almost four years out and cancer free. I was unsure about what to do at the time so I followed my oncologist's guidance. At my three-year after chemo/radiation check-up, my oncologist seemed surprised I had gone almost four years without a recurrence. My risk of recurrence had been highest in the first two to three years. For me, that confirmed that my decision to do chemo was the right choice. 

    You could ask your oncologist what your risk of recurrence would be if you did/didn't do chemo. You could also ask her/him if your risk is highest in the first few years, etc. You could ask if there are chemo options (I had a few choice of types/length of chemo). You could ask if there are alternatives to chemo.

    Good luck. 

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  • nfranklin
    nfranklin Member Posts: 119
    edited March 2012

    11BC: thank you so much. You advice was very helpful. I am so glad I found this discussion board.

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  • 11BC
    11BC Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2012

    nfranklin: You're welcome. Wishing you well! I also feel fortunate to be part of this discussion board. 

    dlb823's comment from 11/15/10 is helpful, too. As she says, the level of care/treatment has (and continues) to improve w/ new generations of chemo drugs and targeted therapy.

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  • emerald0320
    emerald0320 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2012

    Hello, I had my mastectomy a month ago and had my first dose of chemo,and being 60 I decided to not get reconstruction did anyone else make that decision and are you sorry? I'm single and having second thoughts. For now just want to get through this, going for 2nd chemo tx this week and not looking forward to it.

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  • emerald0320
    emerald0320 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2012

    Hello, I had my mastectomy a month ago and had my first dose of chemo,and being 60 I decided to not get reconstruction did anyone else make that decision and are you sorry? I'm single and having second thoughts. For now just want to get through this, going for 2nd chemo tx this week and not looking forward to it.

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  • dipti
    dipti Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2012

    This has been a great discussion. There is HOPE for everyone. Many thanks for all the wonderful courageous experiences.

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  • snowman1
    snowman1 Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2012

    Lol, needing some encouragement today so I googled this topic. What came up was my original post on here right after I was diagnosed 2 yrs. ago! So sorry that I never followed through to see all of the encouraging responses but I was a bit overwhelmed. Just figured out how to sign in again. It has been a long journey which like all of you thankfully I'm still on! I'm doing well. In 2010 I had double mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I have had one failed implant due to radiation. Still deciding on whether I will persue further. It has been recommended to me that I have ovaries out because I developed blood clots in my lungs last Thanksgiving as a side effect of tomoxifen. Now on coumadin. This would allow me to go on another med. without that side effect. So I'm still here, less fearful as God has gotten me through so much and given me strength that I didn't know I had!! Every CAT has come back good. My daughter was 10 when I got diagnosed and my two older children in college. Like many of you, my children were a big motivation for me to do well! Today I'm going to persue a local support group, something I should have done long ago! I've had support from church friends and know a couple of BC survivors but I realize my need to connect to other women like myself. Thankful for all of your encouraging replies!! Lean on your faith and stay positive!

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  • CoralWoodward75
    CoralWoodward75 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2012

    I was diagnoised with breast cancer in Jan 2009.  I was concerned to hear that the cancer had spread to 22/24 lymph nodes.  I had a masectomy and chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  I am currently taking Tamoxifen....todate no reoccurence of cancer elsewhere in body.  It was good to read other people's experience when so many lymph nodes are involved.

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  • d-marie
    d-marie Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2012

    I am so glad I came to this site. I have been so afraid. I am waiting on the results of my biopsy - the doctor that did the biopsy told my husband and I that it doesn't look good because of the size (2cm) and the shape of the tumor. In my head I have been planning my funeral and how to take care of things for my family before I die. You have all given me hope. Most of the time I feel my faith has kept me strong. But my mind does wander to the dark side and it gets me feeling anxious and scared - then I feel shame that my faith isn't stronger.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2012

    d-marie, welcome. I'm sorry you are going through this worry but don't lose hope yet!



    If you do get diagnosed with cancer, it could still be early stage at 2 cm. There are many treatments available depending on the exact type, size etc of the bc a person has.



    Best advice is to stay on this site. You will find all the information you need to get through bc, and enormous support, friendship and love from everyone here.



    Best wishes. Let us know your biopsy result when you find out.

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited October 2012

    d-marie, I was diagnosed with a 1.8 cm tumour in December last year. It was very scary, but turned out to be an early Stage 1 Grade 1 cancer. I also had one positive lymph node with micromets. Today I am back to my healthy self after surgeries, chemo and radiation. I have just been told by my oncologist that my prognosis is excellent. So try not to worry so much. This stage is actually the worst because of the uncertainty of what's going on. Once you know what you are facing, and there is a treatment plan in place, you will feel better. Breast cancer these days are seen more as a chronic disease rather than the killer it was in the past. Best wishes!

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2012

    ..........a friend of mine sent me a message 'Fear knocks at the door but let Faith answer it and there won't be anyone there' when I have real down moments I think of this and feel so much stronger............

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  • Lomesh
    Lomesh Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2013

    My wife also has 21/39 nodes positive. How will be the prognosis?

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  • Lomesh
    Lomesh Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2013

    My wife has 21/39 positive nodes.

    Feeling stressed . How will be the prognosis?

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  • AryaS
    AryaS Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2013

    I just got my pathology back. It's something like 32 out of 47 positive. I am having PET and Cat Scans next week. Still planning to kick this cancer's butt however that is one scary number I got. Glad this thread exists. Please keep posting.

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