Scared- lymphs question?

Are you stage 2 or 3? I see this post in both forums. I am thinking if you know your stage you probably should know the lymph involvement. Have you looked at the pathology report?

You also mentioned that you have ILC on one thread and IDC on another. I would ask for a copy of that report so you know what you are dealing with.

Regarding your armpit....doesn't mean it has spread. all this stuff is scary. Ask your doctor to explain exactly what you are dealing with. It might calm you a bit.

It's possible that you have lymph nodes involved; many of us do. That doesn't mean the cancer has spread elsewhere though. It's also possible that the swelling is due to a completely different cause. Reading too much is something I think we all tend to do at first, and often it's the WORST thing we can do (although reading HERE is usually good. Just stay away from Google.) You can't accurately guess about this stuff; you won't know until you know.

MamaDarrling - I am so sorry you have found yourself here and your recent diagnosis.  It is absolutely terrifying - especially until you know what you are dealing with and until you have a plan of treatment.  It gets a little easier then because there is a path set out for you.  Your head goes in circles as you swear the cancer is everywhere until you really know.  You are experiencing normal emotions post-diagnosis.

The absolute worst part of my journey was waiting for that MRI.  I had weird symptoms that week that never returned that were all caused by the stress.  You will get through it.  You will get an official diagnosis.  It is all so much of a waiting game and it continues.  But remember, you can and will get through it.  I was an absolute medical sissy before breast cancer.  I passed out during a blood test.  But I did it and am 3 years out this week.  You can too!   Sending a hug your way!

I had a palpable node that ended up having only micromets. But there are others who have had no palpable nodes but end up with affected nodes. It's all a crapshoot.

"I am stage 2a which is a long way from a stage 3."  I'm not sure, in the context of your post, what this means. Can you explain further?

Mama, swollen lymph nodes do not necessarily mean cancer, and even with cancer in a lymph node it may not swell. Try not to get ahead of yourself, although it is so hard. 

I had 2 swollen nodes at DX. One had cancer, the other did not. As someone said further up, it is a crap shoot, especially with ILC (in the sense that ILC tends to "hide" on scans). One step at a time, and if you are freaking yourself out too much, tell your doc. I told mine and they were both understanding and helpful (xanax!), because they know very well that it is a difficult time for most people.