Hello, I wonder If any one has had this happen the them. I was diagnosed with stage 3 last week and told I would need chemotherapy. They took further biopsies. Havent seen the chemo doc yet. Today I’v been told I have to have an op on Wed to take out the central (1st) lymph node in order to find out if it has leaked? and also to decide on chemo!! I am totally beside myself. i haven’t eaten for days and not sure how much more I can take.x
Hi bubbles40,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care Discussion Forums. While you’re waiting for replies from other forum users I thought it might be helpful to post a link the BCC Booklet Treating Breast Cancer, as it contains information on lymph node surgery including the sentinel node biopsy procedure (see page 26). Here’s the link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/treating_BCC4.pdf
If you need any additional information or would like to speak to someone in confidence please do call the BCC Helpline on 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm
With best wishes,
Anna, BCC Facilitator
Hi De De not sure what you mean by a 2nd op another go at getting better margins ( ie another WLE)? I had to have another op for better margins but had had chemo first with the hope that the lump would shrink.
I knew at the outset that I had a node involved ( found on recall u/s was just short of 59th birthday)
This is an awful and very worrying time for you. You might like to ring the help line see no. at top of pages. PM me if you need to
J xx
PS sorry do you mean Sentinel node biopsy? J
Hi Bubbles
I wonder if you misheard what they said and it was actually a sentinel node biopsy that was recommended? That would make sense with the comment about checking if the cancer has leaked anywhere else, since the first place it would probably spread to would be the lymph nodes in your armpit or collar bone. They inject you with a radioactive blue dye and a few hours later they check which lymph nodes that has reached so they know which ones would be the first to be affected by the cancer if it has spread. Initially they remove only these “sentinel” nodes and test them and if they are clear of cancer they don’t usually take any more nodes out.
Hope this helps.
Sarah x
Thank you, its all a bit clearer now. This is like being a roller coaster that you cant get off. Thank god for this web site - its like having lots of lovely sisters. x
Its a whirlwind. Noticed my records have a big red sticker with “URGENT” on them. Feeling better having met chemo doc. Aaaargh its all become so real. Chemo doc decided on cocktail and announced “FEC T”. I said I should co co I can swear with the best of them! Husband red faced - let him down again! Cant believe my stupid father ted humour is emerging at such an “insane” time. Bestest to you all XX