Pls help. Need positive info from anyone pls

dlittkemann
dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
edited August 2018 in Stage III Breast Cancer

hi. I'm a 43 ye old female. Was told I'm stage 1. Tiny tumour then after lumpectomy told oh sorry. It's a big tumour and stage 3 since in lymph nodes! In shock. My question is have any of u had stage 3 in nodes but not spread? I can handle chemo hair loss, losing breast radiation but I can't handle hearing it's spread. Cat scan tmrw. Any positive stories pls I need them. I have a 4 year old. I can't leave him. My tumour is long and narrow. 8cm long. And I am triple negative. Not hormonal if that makes sense. Plan is chemo. Mastectomy then radiat

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Comments

  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2018

    You might want to check in with the Stage III threads. I’m sure there is lots of good advice there. So sorry you are dealing with this.

  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2018

    Hi!

    I was diagnosed four years ago with a 5 cm+ tumor and a positive node (Grade 3, triple positive). After chemo. my surgical pathology revealed that all of the active cancer was gone. I've had PET scans, CT scans, and MRIs. The cancer never went beyond my node. There are plenty of Stage III ladies here who never progressed to Stage IV. ((Hugs)) It's hard to get the news that your cancer is worse than expected.

  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited June 2018

    I was 37 and pregnant with an 8cm tumor and positive nodes. My scans were clean.


    Best wishes for you

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2018

    I know several ladies in my group at church who are Stage III and their BC hasn’t progressed.

    I’m sure you are scared. We understand that. There are also ladies on the Stage IV forum who have been around for years and years. There just isn’t any way to know for sure whose will and whose won’t progress. That goes for those of us who are Stage 1 too like me. Stats are encouraging but there aren’t any guarantees.

    BC research and treatments have come a long way even since I was DX in 2011. It’s not the death sentence anymore.

    I’m sure your medical team will throw everything they have at your cancer. So try to keep the faith and keep us posted.

    Diane



  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    I cannot thank you all enough for these words of encouragement. So glad I joined now. I was afraid but I could hug each one of u if I could. Such a shock to be told stage 1 then oh wrong stage 3. Pls keep replies coming. I need them all ❤️❤️🙏

  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2018

    Dlittkemann, your story is very similar to MY story.

    I was older than you--56--when a tiny lump was found, estimated to be 0.8 cm. Everyone thought, no problem, let's pop it out of there, and all will be well.

    Lumpectomy, with sentinel node biopsy, and it turns out my armpit nodes have cancer that so completely filled them that they could not absorb any of the radioactive tracer or the blue dye. A full axillary dissection revealed six affected nodes. Stage III.

    When I went to my surgeon's office after the lumpectomy to get the drain out and hear the full results of the pathology report, I left there in a haze of grief and sadness. I don't know how I managed to drive myself home.

    That was almost seven years ago and I'm doing great. The treatment roller coaster was no fun, but manageable. Really. You can do this.

    My advice now is to take one day at a time. Don't try to predict or conquer the whole thing--it's overwhelming. Right now, today, you can get up, make coffee, play with your preschooler, and trust your doctors to help you. The shock will ease with a little time. And if you'd like to read about my experience, which feels like a couple of million years ago, there's a link in my signature to a blog I wrote.

    Come back and let us hold you up, whenever you need to. SB

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    thank u sooooo much. Wow that helped me immensely. What a great group. Wish I'd joined a month ago. Thank u so much. Like I said above if I could hug u I would 🙏

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    so even tho it was in your nodes it hadn't spread

  • Polly413
    Polly413 Member Posts: 124
    edited June 2018

    As one doctor put it, cancer in underarm lymph nodes is a sign of higher risk but its not indicative that the cancer has or will spread further. That is, as he explained it, the lymph node cancer is like a speedometer: it indicates but does not control/cause how fast the cancer/car is going. After you have been on this site a while you will notice that many posters on here had cancer detected in underarm lymph nodes and did not even require chemo. I had BC in one lymph node but my MO would have recommended against chemo if my Mammoprint test had not come out "high risk". Its so worrying, I know. I am glad you are getting some reassurance from the posters above and will let us know how you are as you go through the process of getting more information and a treatment plan. Polly

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    Polly thank u. Never heard it explained that way. Thank u so very much. This is helping me immensely

  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited June 2018

    Hey:

    I was told I had a cyst. After surgery, I had 7 cm tumor and 2 positive nodes. I was 41 with a 7 year old.

    Im still here, cancer free. 14 years!

    I did have a new primary on the other side last year. It was small and not in nodes - stage 1. I am on arimidex now.

    There is hope.

    wallan

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    thank u for sharing. I appreciate it so much. Good luck with this one. Glad caught early.

  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited June 2018

    I had cancer in two nodes and CT scan showed no spread. Not sure if you have your results from CT yet but my doctor warned me they pick up a lot of things that tend to be nothing. So don't freak out. Mine showed what they think is a cyst on my kidney. I had to have another CT in preparation for DIEP and its still there, same size and they still think it's just a cyst. Cancer sucks.

  • RoseRed4
    RoseRed4 Member Posts: 72
    edited June 2018

    Hello, I had a Lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed also on May 30th and found out last week the nodes were positive for cancer too, so now it's a cat scan next for me and then chemo. Yeah, it's terrifying thats for sure. My doctor had kinda made me feel confident it hadn't spread to the lymph nodes and I'd probably only have to do radiation, but it is what it is. This waiting is the hardest part..not knowing what is going on inside of me. I just wanted to say thanks for posting here and good luck to you as well! Reading this thread has helped me too. Thank you al

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2018

    I was diagnosed Stage 3 closing in on 7 years ago - 6.5 cm tumor with 10 positive nodes.

    Scans were clear and I've been cancer free all these years. It is a tough road, but worth it!!

    All my best wishes!!

  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited June 2018

    I'm over ten years out. I do have hormone positive so the anastrazole I take probably helps, but that's not saying surgery and radiation won't clean up your cancer.

    Are you going to have anything beside the CAT scan before the rest of your treatment? PET, maybe?

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    I am having a bone scan maybe that is a PET. Not sure. Thanks again ladies. I appreciate the positive stories. It's making my wait easier.

  • hollywood1968
    hollywood1968 Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2018

    Hi,

    I am 49 and recently diagnosed tn. My tumor is 7cm x 4cm x 3.5cm deep. Spread to lymph nodes under arm . Had scans and cts and had not spread anywhere else. It is very scary but you will feel better once you start a treatment plan. I have been through 1 dense dose ac chemo. Days 3 and 4 were a little rough but then started feeling better. The chemo will hopefully shrink the tumor alot and then we will see if i need radiation or just surgery. Wish you well

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    Thank you so much. It helps me so much. Can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply. Good luck with the rest of your journey too. I have chemo every 2 weeks for 4 mos. then mastectomy and then radiation for a month.

  • gocancergone
    gocancergone Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2018

    I was diagnosed as clinical stage 3c, had cancer in an internal mammary node, at least 3 axillary nodes and a rotter node, per mri. Pet scan showed no other involvemant, no spread. Path report showed a much larger tumor than they thought after neoadjuvant chemo at 10.4 cm, and 3 axillary nodes with cancer. I am still cancer free and still no spread. I had a 4 and 6 year old at diagnosis. Its a bumpy ride, but I can tell you, I worry the least about the cancer coming back.

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    Wow so good to hear. I'm so happy you are all doing well today. This has helped me so much, thank you for all the replies.

  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited June 2018

    I was diagnosed with a huge 9CM tumor (never seen on mammogram) with 2 + nodes. Stage 3A. That will be 12 years ago in November of this year. I am NED and plan to stay that way. 🙂

    Hang in there! Ask for help when you need it and come here often, especially in the beginning. Wonderful people o this board. Always ready to help.

    Bless you.

    Cyndi

  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited June 2018

    the early days are truly the worst. I had 12 positive nodes, so filled with tumor that 2 were extraecapsulated ( broke out into the surrounding tissue)

    the BC was in my ducts, lobes, nipple, nodes, lymph and vascular Channels and chest wall.

    I was fortunate to be classified as only a stage III C

    That was all. 13 years ago and I am perfectly well , beyond grateful and happy as a clam

    Come often to these boards for great accurate information and invaluable support.

    Wishing you a gentle journey on the road we've all had to travel.

  • Anna-33
    Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2018

    I was diagnosed at 31...while I was pregnant... Had a lot of positive lymphnodes... Now I am 33...with two kids... 4 and 1 year old)... No evidense of diseas

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    wow so happy you are doing well. Amazing story. Thank u. Gives me hope

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    can't thank you enough. So happy u are doing so well. It gives me such hope to read these wonderful s

  • Anna-33
    Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2018

    Hope you get your answears soon! It is hard to wait... I belive you will be fine!!!

    And...you said the tumor was long... mine too... long and laterally located... IDC+DCIS was more than 4 cm long and only 0,5 cm in diameter...

  • MamaFelice
    MamaFelice Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2018

    Praying for God's peace to wash over you!

    My journey at 47 started off with mammo in April 2017 detecting 1 cm mass, and looked at nodes via Ultrasound appearing all clear....lumpectomy revealed 2.5cm and 2/3 sentinel nodes. Darn! Decided on mastectomies which further revealed another 5cm tumor and 10 + nodes! We were all in a state of complete shock when that pathology was delivered!! PET scan was next to see about metastasis-- same place you are now. Longest 5 days of my life! Also the best news of my life to learn it hadn't gone beyond my lymph nodes! Sigh, relief, praise, gratitude all overwhelmed me, and then the plan is in place and the battle begins! So, to answer your question-- many, many nodes here and no further, and I pray daily that it stays that way. My cousin battled Stage 3 TN and is thriving 8 yeats later! You got this!!! Please let us all know how things turn out! We are all here for you-- praying for you!! 🙏🏻❤️

  • dlittkemann
    dlittkemann Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2018

    awe thank u thank u thank u. You have all helped me so much.

    Hoping they will let me know today? Last scan was yesterday and my first chemo is Monday. Would dr not call me before to tell me if it's spread? It's Friday and first chemo is Monday so I'm kind of lost. Does he look same day of my appt? Anyone have any input on this. Similar experience. I keep hoping no news means clear but it may not. Maybe he waiting to tell me mon before my first chemo appt??

  • ash123
    ash123 Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2018

    Prayers for you dilittkemann.

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