Hi there
Sorry to hear your having to go through this and all the uncertainty that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I had a wide local excision to the right breast and a breast reduction on the other for symmetry. I had grade 2 cancer Er + her 2 neg . I had clear margins after my op in March but had a positive lymph node (macromestastases) I did not have an axillary clearance of the lymph nodes but had 15 sessions of radiotherapy to the right breast and lymph node area. I wasnāt suitable for the optima trial but had a KI67 test which came back low protein so it was felt chemo would not be of benefit to me . I think thereās not an all one fits all and treatment is much more targeted .i am on tamoxifen , zoladex injections monthly and biphosphonates .I do worry about reoccurrence which I think most people do ā¦ I was told that the lymph nodes are like the dusty bins and remove all the rubbish and your immune system deals with that. I suppose it makes sense that some cells would be found there. This is only my experience and thought it might help to share it . Would be good to hear how you get on . Best wishes
Thanks Bella for sharing some info based on yoir experienceš
I spoke to my breast care nurse yesterday which has put my mind at ease and interesting to hear you didnāt have node clearance.
My nurse had said that due to the risk of axillary clearance and taking into account my grade, tumor size and biology, nothing abnormal on US and sentinal nodes 4 and 5 were negative along with recent studies they did not recommond that type treatment at the moment but would visit it after chemo and radiation and would be taking hormone tablets for 10 years. If I need to have nodes taken out they would hope it wouldnt be a full clearance to prevent the risks involved. She said the lymph nodes where like dusty bins too 
I think regardless of the treatment plan I think worry recurrance is natural. If I have chemo iāll still worry for sure!
Best wishes to you soon 
xx
Hi d84,
I had my post surgery telephone call today; 2 sentinel nodes removed, one āhotā with cancer in it and in tissue around it. Other one clear. Was offered auxiliary clearance or extra radiation under the arm pit along with original plan of just on the tumour site. The choice is mineā¦gut says go with clearance.
Pre surgery I was grade 1 stage 1ā¦ I guess I am stage 2 now? Will find out more details on Friday. Also now having the Oncotype test to see if chemo beneficial. The more reading around I do, the more it seems different trusts/hospitals do things differently. How do you feel about auxiliary clearance? Definitely pros and cons there xx
Hi Morion24,
Sorry youāre going through all the aswell 
After speaking with my nurse I would rather avoid full clearance and trust the MDT recommendations that chemo would get rid of any little lurkers followed by radiation and tamoxifen. I still feel like Iām learning so much and trying to understand it all 
if after chemo I need clearance then I know itās the right thing. I have my oncology appointment next Tuesday so hopefully I will find out a bit more about it all.
I can definitely see the pros of it for a peace of mind point of view. But not sure that justifies the cons at the moment until I get more information next week.
I still donāt know my full stage. I was like you grade 1 stage 1 pre surgery and grade 2 stage 2 post surgery. Assuming because in sentinel node I am at least stage 2 but there can be stage 1b, stage 2a and stage 2b. Depending on tumor size and node involvement 
Hopefully when I get my CT results no more than stage 2 
Really wish you all the best with your BC journey 
I had 2 sentinel lymph nodes removed - one tested positive. So my surgeon decided to go for full clearance. In his words ācould be overkillā but we both agreed on it. Out of 16 removed - 3 tested positive. So 4 in total determines your treatment paln and drugs as I understand it. I agree with @naughty_boob speak to your nurse/surgeon/oncologist. Sending love