So many lymph nodes

Just to put in my two cents, I have a 6mm lung nodule found at dx that they are watching. Four doctors have now told me that they are very common. It just because we have bc that they are looking at them so much. Still, it is very difficult not to be worried about it.

Good news about the CT scan.  No growth on the lung nodules!!!  The MO did lots of blood work with tum makers and said my blood work was perfect.  Hard to believe it is perfect, with BC.  I start my chemo treatments Tues.  TCH 6 treatments every 3 wks. and herceptin for a yr.  My path report changed after surgery. 

Such good news!yay!

At home from work recovering from recconstruction surgery.  I guess too much time to think about my cancer is crippling me.  Wish I could get past this feeling that cancer will be back sooner than later

I had 15/23 positive nodes 8 1/2 years ago and am doing great. Anything over 10 nodes is all lumped together into stage IIIC if mets aren't involved. Most of us get the big guns re: chemo/rads and herceptin/hormonals if they apply. Do everything you can. Also, be diligent with the lymphedema. I developed a slight lymphedema but immediately went to a lymph specialist who did lymph drainage massage 3 xs a week for weeks. I wrapped my arm and hand for 4 months then wore a sleeve and glove for 2 more months. Since then I've been fine and that was 6 years ago. Good luck to you all! My thoughts and blessings are with you. 

My cancer appeared between yearly mammograms.  I found it myself.  When they told me it was about 2 cms., I thought, OK, I will get through treatment and be done with it.  When I had surgery, they found 15/23 nodes positive.  I was TOTALLY SHOCKED.  That was 2 1/2 years ago.  I am checked every 4 months.  I am cancer-free.  I live every day to the fullest.  I do not let myself fear the future.  I have survived so much.  I am moving forward.

Your story sounds so much like mine.  I found mine also after having a mammogram that did not show anything.  Mine was about 2.5 cm, but at surgery had 18 positive lymph nodes.  I had my first chemo treatment Tues. Stories like yours, give me HOPE!!!! Would love to hear more. 

Hey Aryas

It's lovely to hear your encouraging words and how much the women in this thread have helped and supported you throughout your treatment and surgery. 

Warm thoughts to you and your family

from the Mods

One year ago yesterday I had my last chemo.  In few weeks it will be one year since my BMX.  I felt I'll when I heard I had 19 pos. Lymph nodes.  I lost 10 lbs in two weeks.  Here I am however amd I'm feeling everyday.  Congratulations AryaS and Marie on one year.  Thank you for sharing hope here.

I knew I was lymph node positive and headed to radiation from the beginning.  That and I think the surgeons' general preference now for using body tissue resulted in a a very strong recommendation not to do implants.  They wanted to put in TE's anyway, and I don't understand why.  Knowing that I would have only 4 weeks for fills and they could be in for a year, I said no.  I could not get my head around the length of surgery for DIEP or similar and rejected it outright.  I'm not sure if they would have done that at the time of BMX or not.  It seemed to me that they would have only done TE's.  I had so much on my mind at the time and was changing between A/C and Taxol the next day.  The PS barely met with me, was very negative and showed me no pics although he's very well known for good work.  So I said "forget it."  BS was not really happy and still wants me to do the recon.

I'm not sure I'm willing to take the risk now with implants.  It seems like my skin is good, but what is not good is my pectoral muscle.  It is stiff like beef jerkey.  Both sides are bad, but the radiated side is horrible, so I think that TE's behind the pecs and expansions would be horrible.

I can now have tissue recon like DIEP whenever I want to do so.  I just have other things I want to do, and I still don't have my mind wrapped around the length of surgery and number of surgeries.  

We are a small group of those who have to have all of the treatment modalities.  Most of the women having rads are lumpectomy patients.  

AryaS,

What a difference a year makes! You started your chemo a week after I completed mine. My last chemo was May 21, 2013. It took me several months to have any energy but it is all behind us now! I think those of us with any positive nodes were and are worried about the future! It is a scary thing to be told it is in your nodes. My PET scan prior to chemo was clear and I insisted on a bone scan about 5 months after chemo because I was paranoid about every little ache and pain I had, most of it was related to chemo and tamoxifen and my arthritis that was irritated by it all. My bone scan was clear also! I cried tears of shear joy and relief. I am happy for you and wish you many years of happiness and health! 

yay, life-2! where ya been?

Victoriasecret, your post cracked me up.  I'm trying to picture your surgeon slapping you around after sharing the pathology news.  I can relate.  I told mine I felt like I was drowning. 

But...YAY for the other side!  Each day IS a gift, whether we've been through breast cancer treatment or not. 

Doesn't it feel a bit odd, when talking about radiation with someone who was DCIS or Stage I?  My friend told me it took her longer to take off her top and climb onto the table than it did for the radiation treatment.  My treatments lasted about 20 minutes and I thought I could smell the meat frying.  My pectoral muscle will never be the same--stiff and tight, not much stretch.  But I'm here to fuss about it!

I updated my therapy to femara, so you would know i passed my "use by" date!