I was diagnosed with bc in Sept 2009 and had a lumpectomy and a ‘clear’ sentinel node biopsy. I am taking Letrozole.
Today, I had my two-year oncology appointment and the doctor could feel a gland in my armpit on the bc side and so she is referring me for an ultrasound scan. I know it could be due to some sort of infection and I do have some cold sores at present but I would have thought that would have affected glands in the neck,not the armpit.
I am terrified that it is back. Has anyone else had this happen and what was the result, please?
I am in a similar situation had mastactomy march 09 had lymph nodes taken out i to went for an appointment last week, i have a lump in my shoulder, going for a scan Mon.
Is it ever ending this worry and stress, sorry not much help to you but hope it all goes well
Thanks, Ange. As you say, does it ever end? Whatever happens this time, we just know that every time there is something suspicious, we shall think the worst.
Things didn’t go well today. I was there all afternoon. I saw one doctor who examined me, then had an ultrasound scan and fine needle aspiration and then saw the doctor again. They said there is a cluster of abnormal-looking cells. They won’t commit themselves until they get the pathology report, probably Thursday, but it didn’t sound good. They want me to have a CT scan of my torso and some blood tests.
I just can’t believe it. The doctor agreed that, on paper, I was low risk for a recurrence. She said they need to find out the reason for the abnormal cells and, if cancerous, where they have originated.
I have asked for my BCN to ring through the results on Thursday afternoon, when they have them. I don’t know when the CT scan will be.
Feeling really fed up. After two years, I was just starting to move on.
Hello, yes this has just happened to me. Initially i was diagnosed in 2009 and had just gone in for a check up. Was petrified and had to wait 2 weeks for a mamogram and ultrasound, the waiting was horrendous.
BUT I found out on friday that there was nothing to be concerned about. The gland was actually what they call reactive which just means that it was fighting off infection somewhere else in the body. I had recently been a little run down but nothing too noticeable but I had just had a coldsore too! They were just being extra cautious because of my history. I really feel for you and wish the all the best. i hope my experience eases you worry a little.
The FNA showed abnormal cells but not definitely cancer (as opposed to definitely not cancer!). Anyway, I took encouragement from that. They still want me to have the CT scan (still awaiting appt), to try and find out what is going on.
After the CT scan, bone scan and core biopsy of the nodes, I received my results last week. They said the nodes do contain cancer. I could not understand how this had happened and no-one offered me an explanation. I had a clear SNB and good prognosis after WLE and rads. I took Letrozole and cannot understand why this did not work. I forgot to ask the grade but the cells are still strongly ER+. They are not removing the nodes because some are too deep and they also found a couple of ‘suspicious’ areas in my bones. I am to be given bisphosphonates and am also being put on Tamoxifen.
What did I do wrong? As puddin said elsewhere, the whole thing is a lottery!
Hi Ann
I used to see your posts in September 09 shortly after my own MX in July 2009. So sorry to hear your news.
Like you I had no nodes involved 1st time round and was considered a low risk. I had a 15 months on arimidex then just over a year oin Tamoxifen and I am now awaiting results of a second biopsy taken under ultrasound on a lump below my shoulder.
I do not think any of us do anything wrong, we take the treatment offered but unfortunately for some of us, it does not stop it coming back. As you can see I am totally negative whilst I wait another week for the results and include myself in this group.
Good luck and I hope you respond well to the new treatment.
Hi Ann
Had results of second biopsy today and have a recurrence, all signs indicate it is the same as the 1st one.
I now have to have a bone and a CT scan to check for spread and find out the results of those in 2 weeks time along with how they aim to treat it. Hopefully these will come back clear but you never know!
Hope all is going ok for you and you are getting on ok with the tamoxifen. To start with I sufferred horrendous leg cramps (Charlie Horse as they are sometimes referred as) but once I stuck with one brand they settled down and I have even managed to lose 3/4 stone!
Reb I am sorry you also have a recurrence. Good luck with your other scans. It is such a worrying time, isn’t it? The waiting is truly horrendous.
Re the Tamoxifen, as I was on Letrozole first (and had just come off HRT), I probably suffered the majority of the side effects then. I haven’t really noticed much change, just a slight discharge.