sentinal nodes show spread

[mimsy]

Dear Anne,
I hope you are recovering well from your op! I was in the same boat as you. When my nodes were removed 2 out of 12 contained cancer cells. I was then given a PET/CT scan to see if there was any spread and there wasn`t. When I finished chemo and rads one doctor pronounced me "cancer-free".Well, I just hold on to the idea that he`s the expert, so he`s probably right, and dont think about the "what ifs".All the treatment we have to go through is tough and drastic, but designed to save our lives.I feel lucky to be having it now when they know so much more about how cancer works.This forum shows just how much reason we have to be optimistic for the future. You are in the "early days" at the moment.Good luck with the rest of your treatment,
Love,
Mimsy

[mnc]

Hi everyone

i had a sentinel node biopsy in June last year where there was one positive node. I then had to have another biopsy, bone scan and ct scan which was clear. Inhad widespread dcis but my mastectomy, reconstruction and complete lump node removal ony right side wasn't done until 17th december last year!

The results showed that I had two grade 3 tumours and am her2 positive. I wasn't strong enough to demand a mastectomy in June last year but god do I wish I had?

I had 2 out of 21 lymph nodes positive which I thought was good bit i still have to have 3 fec 3 taxotere, herceptin, radiotherapy and tamoxifen and I only had my second fec on Friday due to having a portocath fitted last week which is the best thing to come out of this!!!

Good luck everyone and my baby brother who is two years younger than me has told me to say as loud as I can to my cancer 'f... Off' . I don't swear normally but it made me feel a bit better.

Hoping to go for a massage today. I post a new post to see what other people think about massage while on chemotherapy.

[lella]

So pleased I've found this thread. I too had sentinel node sampling and cancer cells were found. I have been so frightened since hearing this news, so have been reassured by other people's experiences.

What worries me now is that I'm having 8 x FEC before having rest of lymph nodes removed - If I'd had a choice I'd have had surgery first because psychologically think I could cope better knowing they were out.

[Guest user]

To all you lovely ladies who replied to my post, thank you so much. I have finally stopped crying although I have just been to visit my oldest buddy and left her in tears. Its like spreading misery everwhere I go.You have all really lightened my spirit and am more positive for tomorrow. I am going to close now and do the normal things like ironing my husbands shirts!! If I am able I will try to post while in hospital if I am allowed to use laptop (am I being too optamistic)?
Once again thank you all and good luck to anyone who is going for surgery tomorrow.
Anne X

[RoadRunner]

Anne,

Remember that your lymph nodes are there to act as a filter, to stop the cancer spreading to the rest of your body. The fact that there is cancer in the sentinel node means that the cancer has tried to spread, but hopefully the nodes have done their filtering job well and no cancer cells have escaped anywhere else.

[finty]

I hope my story reassures you - I had spread to 27 out of 33 nodes. As you can imagine I was horrified, and waiting for CT and bone scan results was a nightmare. My breast surgeon warned me not to be optimistic. I was fully expecting secondaries everywhere, and was prepared for the worst. But, the CT scan was clear and the bone scan showed one possible but very small spot on the spine. My onc believes it will be knocked out by chemo (half way through) and then rads. If not a year on Avastin should do the trick.

Obviously I am not out of the woods by any means - and no-one knows what the future holds - I just wanted you to know that even very high nodal involvement does not necessarily mean a very poor prognosis.

Good luck xxxx

[dotchas]

I agree that it was wrong of the BCN to phone up with such news.Once you are off the phone you would think of questions to ask.Its left you worrying and panicking,whereas a thorough explanation face to face would hopefully have reassured you.
Try to put it to the back of your mind,as others have said its by no means a sign that it has spread any further.
Good luck with your op tomorrow,I had mast and recon in July 2008 and it looks great.I remember how scared I was but the op was not as bad as I feared.
Let us know how you get on,you will soon be on here reassuring others!
Love n hugs
Dot
xxx

[Guest user]

dear Anne

I understand it's very frightening to learn cnacner has spread to lymph nodes, but there are many of us on the forum who had node spread and are doing just fine. I was diagnosed six years ago and have had no recurrence since treatment, despite the fact that nodes were involved, it was an aggressive cancer plus other worrying things like vascular spread.

Best wishes for the op, and keep posting

Sarah

[Sam_BCC]

Hi Anne

As well as the support you are receiving from the other users if want to talk things through please do give the BCC helpline a call. Here you can share your concerns with a trained member of staff who will be able to offer you additional support during this difficult time. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 9 to 2pm.

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)

[Guest user]

Hi Anne, so sorry you feel so awful but we're all here to help if we can. I think it was a bit naughty of your BCN to ring up and not speak to you in person and explain things fully.
I too had positive nodes after a sentinel node biopsy, I then had a full clearance and 4 out of 12 taken were positive. It may well be that there is no further apread past the sentinel node or that only a very small number are affected, it was explained to me that the nodes are in layers if you like and cells progress through these layers before getting any further. Until you know for definite how many nodes are affected, please try not to panic, it is so hard I know but let's hope it's early and that not many nodes are affeced. I have finished active treatment and have been given an excellent prognosis so it's not all bleak. Pleanty of ladies on here to advise and see you through so please keep in touch. Big hug, Di

[rozita]

hi anne, i know how ur feeling i was told the same it was the one thing i dreaded n cudnt beleive how frightned i felt. tht was 3 weeks ago n i have since been bac in for all the nodes removin. which i imagine they will do to u now. its not as scary as first thought as that is their job to stop anything travelling further. i had 6mm in my node a pea size so was scared to death how many more were going to be involved. the results were great only 2 out of 18 . so good luck 4 tmoro u will be sore n uncomfortable take every painkiller do ur exercises n remember theyv now told me the cancer is now GONE!!! n th chemo n rads r just to make sure no stray cells n 4 our future. go get rid of the shit!!!! sorry thts what i called it let me know how u get on. rozita xxxxx

[Guest user]

Hello again. I am falling apart/ My breast cancer nurse phoned yesterday to tell me that sentinal node biopsy shows cancer cells. I am heartbroken. I havn't a clue what this means. Does it mean it could have spread anywhere. I feel lousy and can't stop crying. My husband and I had an awful evening yesterday and I am afraid to tell my sons. I feel I am not going to get through this. Usually I am quite tough but this has floored me. Everywhere I turn it seeemd to be bad news. I am haveing mastectomy and reconstruction tomorrow and all I want to do is hide away. I feel so stupid. Why didn't I find this sooner. Sorry for the self pity but I don't know what to do. Will I be OK when I come home. I feel as though my life is over.
Anne X