Path Report, Just diagnosed, Metastic Carcinoma in Lymph Node

I might have chemo brain and missed something, but you think you're a stage IV? If you haven't had the bone scans or CT chest/abdomen I'm unsure if they can stage you. My BC was in my nodes and I'm a stage 2b.

Sorry for the diagnosis! And yes this is really scary. You’re in good company here.

Jess

duncmelsmom- I have ILC so very different from TN, but I have positive nodes and I am stage 1b. I didn't get my pathological stage until after my surgery and final path. So sorry for your diagnosis,and Dr. Google is not your friend! There are great articles on this site, and these folks are a wealth of knowledge for sure. Keep us posted and ask away with any other questions. I have just started down the treatment road as I am healing from my mastectomy. It all seems so overwhelming in the beginning and does get a little better when you have a treatment plan in place.

Duncnelsmom,

No one gets their final staging until after surgery. They may think you are a stage 2, but if your breast tumor is large, you may end up as a stage 3. Conversely, if your tumor is tiny, and the axillary nodes are the only ones with cancer, you could be restated as a 1B. Since you will be treated as a TN (triple negative) you probably won't know your final staging until about May of next year, after neoadjuvant chemo and surgery.

As far as the chemo goes, it's very doable. As a TN I had the standard 4 rounds of bi-weekly Adriamycin/Cytoxan followed by 8 weekly rounds of Taxol. You will lose your hair, but that's doable as well. Wigs aren't so bad in wintertime🙂.

Good luck to you. We're here for you..

Trish

Dear duncmelsmom,,

I also realized that a grossly swollen lymph node was not normal, and went for help. I am just fine, as thankfully only one lymph node was involved. Distant metastases are what you need to be concerned about. That would be the reason for additional testing and scans.

I just did a chilly 20 mile bicycle ride in the rain which brought back memories of a similar ride 9 years ago following my first chemo. I learned on that ride that I would most likely be able to cycle all the way through chemo, but not anything too ambitious. And this proved to be true.

I also lost my hair etc. with the benefit that I now have a fab hair stylist so look much more chic than previously. As for wigs, a beret works great to keep them in place when venturing outside. I also had a cycling wool helmet liner which could do with replacing about now.

While treatment is no fun, I found that it was hardly the end of the world. 

Sending good vibes your way. If you are triple negative, it's really important to do chemo as your primary mode of attack after surgery. 

You will get your final staging after surgery, but I am guessing that you will also turn out to be 2b. - Claire 

Hi duncmelsmom,

I was you a year ago. Same exact steps, except I started on Oct 22nd 2017, and my cancer was triple positive. Breast cancer that has metastasized to your lymph nodes is not Stage IV cancer even if the biopsy says metastatic. If it is not anywhere else, it would be early stage, stage II or so, depending on size of primary tumor and other stuff. Those first weeks were terrifying and I thought I would die within months. Please take a deep breath.

I also had 4 biweekly rounds of AC, then I had Taxotere + Herceptin + Perjeta, four every-three-weeks rounds. It was hard-ish but doable. I worked (I do office work) during chemo, and went on disability for a month when I had surgery. Kept life as close as normal as possible during the chemo months. I rested a lot more than normally, though; I didn't do much other than going to the office and work out lightly. It all went fast. By March I was done with chemo. By end of June I had (very short) hair. Life is kind or normal now. Take care of yourself. Wish you best.

LaughingGull

I also want to point out that grade (speed of growth) also counts. You'll find out all that after your surgery. I echo the others: you aren't Stage IV till they tell you (and I bet you aren't), and Dr. Google is often unreliable, lies, or offers really old research to scare us all silly. What you probably read was a stat that didn't even factor in treatment for stage IV cancer. It could very well have been reporting something like "without tx, Stage IV bc patients only live 22%" etc. etc. I had to learn how to read a scientific article, how to look up definitions, how to gauge how old the research was, and I couldn't do any of that till I talked myself off the cliff of the initial shock that I had c to begin with.

If you are triple negative you'll get good aggressive treatment to kick cancer to the curb, and there is an active discussion thread for triple negative on these boards, too. Hang in there--we are here for you!

Yes, please, please, do not assume stage 4! I had 8 axillary nodes still positive after chemo, when i had my mastectomy. Out of 20 nodes removed. I was staged 3C before chemo, and 3A after chemo and surgery. We threw the entire arsenal at it, and right now...CANCER FREE! They don't say cured, but to me, I am cured! And doing GREAT, so even if it's locally advanced ( in your lymph nodes, like me,) youll be ok. Just have some challenges to get through, one by one. You will discover inner strength you didn't know you had! You are a tough girl, we all are!😚❤❤❤

I love the support on this thread! I am finished with surgery and chemo. I worked all through chemo and only took time off the day of chemo and the next day. I had treatment every other week due to TNBC status. I am now in the middle of 33 radiation treatments. I found out staging after surgery and 10 days after surgery, while my mom was at my house taking care of me, she passed away suddenly of a stroke. I thought there is no way I am going to get through all of this without her but I am doing it. One day at a time. You can do this! It is all doable if you just get through each phase.

Perez,

I am so so sorry about your mother. It is terrible to lose that bond and support.

I have found solidarity and help from the Motherless Daughters books and Facebook group.

Hang in there.

Hi Duncmelsmom, Have you been given your chemo type and schedule? I know TN is different chemo mix than mine, but want you to know, I had TAC chemo×6 every 3 wks. I wasn't working at the time but I'd say I would have wanted maybe 3 -4 days off each cycle. If you could have your chemo sessions on a Thursday let's say, recovery over the weekend you might be good to go by Mon.Just be really germ conscious, your immune system is compromised on chemo. They do your blood count before every infusion and won't do it if counts are too low. Mine were always ok. I never threw up from chemo, took anti nausea meds. But I still lost weight, food very unappealing 😜 I only wanted bland food, because nothing tasted right! Even water! I forced myself to drink my kale &berry protein smoothies. Even put ice cream in it to gain! Food took awhile to taste right. Avoid vinegar, spicy food tomato sauce, all caused major digestive and mouth problems. My lips were so sore! Keep them protected! So much more advice!😂 Can't put it all in😄😚💜