Mastectomy/Lymph Nodes

Hi all

I have just returned from my first Taxotere, after 5 FEC Chemo (feeling slightly spaced out so bear with me)

I met with my surgeon also who says that after 2 Taxotere the liklihood is that I will have a mastectomy with level 3 Axillary clearance. As far as I’m aware there have been no showing of spread to my lymph nodes so far so why would the lymph node removal be so invasive? What are the other options? Are there not centinel node testing or something like that? I was told by my surgeon they do not really consider that, but what does that mean exactly?

I’m a bit confused. I have a plastic surgeon who specialises in this kind of thing and breast reconstruction to talk to but I’m not sure they are going to talk me into something I don’t understand and don’t feel I need.

Help! Any advice greatley appreciated.

All this having been said, it seems clear now that my lung lesion is not a spread, just an old scar from many years smoking and coughing no doubt! I’m amazed that’s all that’s in there to be quite hones… but very very happy about that.

Cecelia. x

Maybe they are not trained to do SNB, its a relatively newish procedure and they are not all qualified.Good that your lungs are fine.
Cant you explain to him that you really want to understand whats happening to you, did you have a copy of your biopsy?

Hi Cecellia

I was told from the word go (at my dx) that I would have a Mastectomy and Full Aux Clearance. I have no spread according to the scans, but as my lump was quite big I think they are just going for the ‘belt and braces’ approach. I am also Triple Neg, but having said that nobody knew that at the time of my dx.
Make sure you write down all your questions for your next appt, or phone your BCN - that’s what they are there for.
Hope you get some answers.

Love and hugs
Ali
x

Thankyou ladies

I think I have a few questions to ask. I don’t want the whole “belt and braces” approach if there are other options, so will be sure to find out all I can from the docs etc.

thanks again

Cecelia. x