Lymph nodes

Kimmer33
Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
edited November 2015 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

hi ladies

I have begun getting scared about my final path report out of my surgery (UMX/ALND) at the end of this month. My sentinel node already shows cancer cells taken during my biopsy, and i dont know what to expect. Do any of you have experience with sentinel node involvement and having either no node involvement or alnd involvement after surgery? Just curious what most women experience and what i could possibly expect. I know we are all different but really need something to hang onto at this point. Thank you

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Comments

  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited August 2015
    I know it's scary..you are at the worst part of this journey. I am a 10 year 2x survivor of breast cancer. I was first diagnosed at age 41 in Oct 2005. I had a 4 cm Invasive tumour, grade 3 and 3 positive lymph nodes.

    My first surgery was a left breast lumpectomy, auxiliary node removal of 23 lymph nodes, 6 months of chemo (8 treatments once every 3 weeks), 5 weeks of radiation, 1.5 years of Zoladex injections to shut down ovaries (my first bc was estrogen positive) and took Armidex for 5 years. I had my ovaries removed at age 44 as the protocol for taking Zoladex is 2 years.

    I ended up having a bilateral mascetomy (was suppose to be prophylatic) with reconstruction in Dec 2013 due to high risk family history after my diagnosis ( 2 sisters diagnosed in 2010 and 2013). The pathology from that surgery found a new primary bc in my left breast.

    This journey is hard physically and emotionally but you can do this..I am proof that it can be done despite positive lymph nodes!

    My response to you is long winded because I wanted to give you HOPE and something to hang onto right now.

    Life after breast cancer is different but I am happy and enjoying being cancer free once again!


    Michele
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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited August 2015

    you are sweet, thankyou for the hope and encouragement!

    A question, as you had so many nodes taken out, have you experienced any lymphedema at all?

    And another question, in general is it an option to have ovaries completely removed instead of the Zoladex injections? Just curious, as i am thinking i would like to do this post chemo

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2015

    We should all be referred to a LymphEdema Therapist (can be a PT or OT who has had additional education) for an evaluation/measurements and education before LE presents itself. Unfortunately, many Drs have very little to no knowledge in regards to. LE. Not all will develope LE but it is important to know what to be watching for and potentially preventing. IF it does present - the sooner 'you' get in TX the better for controling/managing it.

    Any surgery (not just breast) or traumatic injury can result in lymphedema presenting. I have a friend who had minor, non-invasive knee surgery who deals with more LE in her leg than I do in my arm after 19 positive nodes removed.

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  • jojo9999
    jojo9999 Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2015

    Kimmer,

    I had one positive node out of 4 from SLN biopsy. The size was right at 2mm, the cutoff for micromets. My BS did not do an ALND. Instead, I received radiation due to the positive node. No lymphedema on the radiated side (but I did have some on my non cancer side). The oncotype DX can be given to women who are hormone+ and have 1-3 positive nodes. My score was very low so I did not have chemo. I hope you report comes back with no new surprises...

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  • marion55
    marion55 Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2015

    i have 4 sentinel lymph nodes with cancer present and my ct scan has shown up an enlarged ovary

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