Please can anyone advice me as I feel I am being messed about…
In several consultations I was told that as I have a large area of imtermediate DCIS with suspicion of some invasion I must have a mastectomy. Fine so far and this will happen this Thursday 17/11. I was alos told that three lymphnodes would be removed as a minute bit of cancer was found (biopsy), so they think just outside my first lymphnode. Nobody knows whether there is any cancer in the node although the MRI showed healthy nodes apparently and no cnacer under the arm. So I believed that three nodes would be taken and more if they were cancerous. However, the letter to the GP I saw yesterday stated that I need an axillary lymphnode clearance.
In confusion I rang the breast care nurse who told me that I misunderstood and that it was always going to be a clearance of 15 nodes. This was never ever mentioned to me before!!! I am worried and upset. Surely I can’t get 3 and 15 mixed up. My partner was alwasy with me and heard the same as me.I was told this is standard procedure. Is it really? I heard form so many women that first of all 3 nodes would be taken unless of course it is already clear that there is cancer in some nodes.
I really dont know what to do…
I almost feel as if they are not telling me the whole truth about my situation but surely they have to tell what they know???Such an awful shock three days before the scary op…
Hi Sabine. First of all I have WLE on Thursday tô so I’m right there with you! Although i can’t actually advise all I can say is I have experienced the same. I get told one thing by the consultant and another (often worse outlook by the BCN) so I’m just trying to go with what the consultant said at the moment. In your case it sounds like there has been a miscommunication by the medical professionals though. Sorry I can’t help anymore. X
Hi Sabhope, I’m sorry you are having to face such a stressful time my love, they generally take the first few nodes that the cancer would drain too to check for any spread via a radioactive dye injected near your tumour which would highlight the closest nodes, this is known as a sentinel node biopsy ( SNB) often between 1-3 nodes, I had 2 removed . It certainly isn’t routine to do a total node clearance unless cancer is detected in your SNB so I would ask them to clarify exactly their reasoning behind it , it may well be as they have found cancer around your first lymph node so there could be further spread to others, Never be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to, it’s an awful enough time without feeling like you don’t understand what the hell is going on! Please try not to panic about it , Many ladies here have had full node clearance and to be honest if there is any chance they may have cancer in them then your best rid of them Hun , please let us know what happens and wishing you all the very best Xx Jo
Thank you for your answers. It is true if there is any chance there may be cancer better out with the lot, however I was told there was only the tiniest amount near the first node…
I will ring the helpline this am too. Op is day after tomorrow feels like a lot of pressure