Hi all. I’ve had a shock and looking for thoughts and feedback please.
I’m 6 months in to my journey; ER & PR +, HER2-. I had a lumpectomy back in February with SLNB (2/3 had cells). Oncotype 78. Started EC chemo end of May but my recent CT has shown a ‘suspicious’ lymph node and a query with another, in the same side where I’ve had SLNB. I’ve just had a biopsy which will take 3 weeks for results. I’m beside myself with worry.
Could this be reoccurrence already? Could these nodes have been missed during original surgery? I only had the radioactive tracer a few hours before surgery, could this have impacted visibility?
I feel I want full Axilla removal asap but also not sure if I should be considering a full mastectomy? Many thanks.
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Hey @sare_x
I’m 7 months into my journey with grade 3 triple negative breast cancer and had my lumpectomy for a stage 1 tumour and SLNB back in December 2025. Margins and nodes came back clear and the next step was adjuvant chemo, which started four months post surgery.
Some lumpy tissue under my lumpectomy scar that I’d had investigated the week before chemo started was unfortunately confirmed as a local recurrence just five days after starting chemo so to answer your question as to whether it could be a local recurrence already I’m afraid my experience tell me the answer is yes, it could be. But that doesn’t mean it is.
I wasn’t prepared for my cancer to have returned so soon as it was believed by everyone involved to be extremely unlikely to have done so until the biopsy results came back and when I was told, I’ll be honest I was so shocked I thought I was going to pass out.
I try to keep an open mind for anything like this now because I find the balance of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best to be the approach that most helps me cope with having no control over what I desperately want to know.
I sincerely hope this doesn’t turn out to be a recurrence for you but the good news is that your team seem to be on it so even if it does turn out to be, they will be able to act on the best course of treatment ASAP.
All the best to you. x
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Thankyou @mssteel 
. It’s completely blindsiding isn’t it? We seem to be on a similar journey so let’s stay strong and get through this 
. I chase every result, try to ask numerous questions and have a think about what’s best for me. Although being reassured everyone’s doing their best with all the latest testing, etc, it’s hard to stay positive. X
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Absolutely. I really thought my breast cancer journey was going to run exactly according to the plan and be wrapped up with a neat little bow at the end. The recurrence kicked off a whirlwind of scans, waiting for results and consultations and I’ve had to be so much more resilient than I ever thought I could be all over the course of just a few weeks!
It sounds like you’re proactive about your care which is up there with one of the best qualities you can possess when it comes to dealing with this. I always say the only consistent person throughout my treatment is me so I like to be on the ball with everything as much as possible to help my team to help me.
As for the mental and emotional side of things, it can be hard to stay positive when faced with a potential setback and I definitely have those what if moments. I tend to try to let them come and go if they’re fleeting and I always seek support if they become a bit more intense or persistent. Those dark thoughts can really do a number on you when you’re alone but they do tend to lose their power when you have backup!
Just received good news! I’ve just been told by my BCN that the biopsy showed a ‘reactive’ lymph node meaning it’s non cancerous. OMG! I can’t believe it, but super thrilled! I will go back in 3 months for an ultrasound for them to take a look again, but I’m happy for now.
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That is absolutely amazing news @sare_x! So pleased for you. 
x
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