Idc with positive lymph node

4Pink101, I was postmenopausal at time of diagnosis (I'm 61) hence going on Femara. I opted for a MX instead of LX, and as I had clear margins and the cancer in the one lymph node was fully encapsulated within it, the radiologist was categoric that I did not require radiation. He felt the surgery had more more than likely taken care of things and that the chemo I had agreed to was added insurance. It was great to hear at the time, but not altogether convinced he wasn't just a bit too optimistic, I enjoyed it in the moment though, it boosted my spirits for a while. I still worry about it coming back, but it doesn't dominate my life. It gets better when decisions are made and you can get on with it. Good luck.

Mab60, thanks for the update, thinking of you and sending positive energy your way.

4pink101, I had bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction and six rounds of TC chemo (taxotere & cytoxan). No radiation due to tumor location (close to front of breast) and surgeon got wide clean margins so it wasn't recommended. Did five years of tamoxifen as was in peri-menopause at diagnosis, now on anastrozole (generic for Arimidex) for another five.

welcome newbies to breastcancer.org, this is a great place for information & support. ((hugs))

Badger- thx for your reply. How did you handle the chemo? Did it take a long time for your hair to grow back? I'm just terrified

Mab60- I too had a BMX with 1 positive node- 9 weeks out starting more treatment soon... Scared

IDC, that is me! i just got done with 4 months of chemo and am now trying to look forward to my lumpectomy on the 28th, after herceptin and perjeta and all that chemo my surgeon and oncologist say the tumor is gone and there is no more sign of cancer and everybody is congratulating me but i still got no hair, my lashes and brows are falling out at the moment and my perfect boobs will get de-faced to say the least, i keep forgetting about the lymphnodes they will take out and the pathology test after. then radiation..will this ever end? plus, the surgeon mentioned a big needle before the surgery that is going in my boob to find the marker they put into my boob when i had the biopsy. can somebody tell me a little more about that and how scary it is? i thought they would just put me out and go and that big needle business is freaking me out..big time.

pink, I handled chemo OK, hope same for you. Have you started yet? ((hugs))

I had final infusion in June and by Labor Day had enough hair on my head to call it hair not fuzz.

vogliodipiu, I had a wire-guided biopsy, could that be what you're getting on Fri? If so, it wasn't too bad. Rads numbed my breast then put me in a mammo machine to find that little marker clip and insert a thin wire to guide the surgeon to the spot where the lump is to be taken. If you're having sentinel node mapping, that's a different process involving large needles that you can prepare for at home with Emla numbing cream and Saran Wrap.