TNB cancer just diagnosed huge 7 cm lymph node.feel hopeless

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Sadie5
Sadie5 Member Posts: 2

just found on last sat huge lump under armpit. Ended up being one huge 7 cm lymph node and few others with triple neg.breast cancer.I feel no hope.I can't find anyone with lymph so huge.told me will have chemo first.have not had pet scan yet but feel it will be everywhere and that I don't have long.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited May 2020

    Sadie, I'm so sorry and I understand why you are scared.

    Here's something to hang on to: The role of the lymph nodes is to stop bad stuff from travelling into the body. So maybe your nodes have just been doing their job and holding all the cancer cells, not letting them go any further.

    Will you be having scans before chemo?

  • ajminn3
    ajminn3 Member Posts: 327
    edited May 2020

    Hi Sadie,

    I’m sorry, the waiting and the unknown between diagnosis, scans, and treatment starting can be a scary and dark time. Like Beesie said, the job of the lymph nodes is to catch and stop things from traveling other places in the body. I know each person/case is unique, but my coworker had a 5cm lymph node (triple positive BC) along with a handful of other nodes with cancer detected on scans and when she did the full CT/PET there was no evidence that it had spread further.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2020

    Dear Sadie5,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that your cancer brought you here and we are so glad that you reached out to our members for support,and information. You have already received some good feedback. We hear how scary this is and we encourage you to remain active here in the good company of others who can support you and provide hope that will help you along the way. Keep us posted and let us know how we can be of help.

    The Mods

  • Sadie5
    Sadie5 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2020

    I will have pet scans and mri this week.I want to know if it has spread how long will I have.I read maybe a year.I have a daughter.Terrified.

  • Peregrinelady
    Peregrinelady Member Posts: 1,019
    edited May 2020
    Please do not read on the internet about life expectancy. There are many factors involved and no one can predict how long any of us will live. Chemotherapy is usually very effective on TNBC. As stated above, it could be that your lymph nodes are doing a great job. Please keep us updated on your scans.
  • Rosiecat
    Rosiecat Member Posts: 1,111
    edited May 2020

    Hello Sadie,

    I completely understand your fear, but you most definitely do have hope! My lymph nodes were swollen and hard prior to surgery and like you, I expected the worse. Immediately following my mastectomy my breast surgeon told me that he had needed to remove seven nodes as they were 'full' and 'hardened'. One very worrying week later, my pathology results came back and all seven swollen nodes were clear of cancer. Also, as peregrinelady points out, while TNBC is a scary diagnosis, it usually responds particularly well to chemotherapy.

    Don't rely on the internet for accurate information.



  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited May 2020

    I had a huge node of 3+ cm. Full of cancer per MRI.

    Did my chemo and was completely cancer-free by the end of chemo. pCR.

    DO NOT LOSE HOPE. FIGHT!!

  • dmh2
    dmh2 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2020

    hi Sadie. I just joined the group so that I could respond to your message. I too had a lump in my armpit last year. I was diagnosed with TNBC in Nov 2019, my tumor was larger than yours, stage 3b. I was absolutely terrified! I did almost 8 chemo infusions but stopped short of completion as it was not significantly shrinking the tumor. The surgeon recommended that I have it removed ASAP as it was hardening and shifting in shape. They successfully removed the tumor back in April and also had to take out 11 lymph nodes In my right armpit area. I am 5 weeks into radiation treatment and feeling pretty good. They tell me that the tumor was “localized", but I had another scan today and am hoping for great results.
    There is some good advice here in that you shouldn't go down the rabbit hole of searching the internet and reading worst case scenarios - you have enough anxiety already! That said, chemo doesn't work for everybody so you have to trust your care team and have faith that they will do all they can for the most positive outcome.

    Once the tumor was out of my body, I felt like I had a new lease on life and I could look forward to living again. It's like I was transformed or reborn! The road will be challenging and emotional, by you will come out the other side. Seek out support early on, I faced quite a bit of depression during chemo. I will continue with Xoloda and Keytruda treatment for months to come, so I don't know yet what my future will be health-wise. But I can say that I am in a positive head space now and that is half the battle. I wish you all the best with your treatment and pray for your full recovery! —Diane

  • Butterflies2020
    Butterflies2020 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2020

    hi Sadie

    I know exactly how you are feeling. I have literally just got home from my appointment where I have found out I have triple negative bc. I also have cancer cells in one lymph node. I have my PET scan on Monday and am terrified of what they will find. I can’t offer any advise but reading the responses to your post has given me hope. Just wanted you to know you are not alone, keep fighting we’ve got this

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2020

    Dear Butterflies2020,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry about your diagnosis. We are so glad that you reached out to share your story and join with our members. We will be thinking of you as you head towards your PET scan on Monday. Please stay connected here and keep us posted on how things go for you. Let us know if we can be of assistance as you navigate your way around the boards.

    The Mods

  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited July 2020

    For everyone here check out "Calling all TNs" a very active thread.

    There are a lot of us here who were where you are right now, got better, and can support you.

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