Lymph node cancer cells detected

Hi there,

i can imagine this must feel pretty awful and maybe also a bit hopeless. I had a pretty similar experience, first doctors thought my cancer isn’t too big and surgery, radiation treatments and antihormonal treatment would be the treatment plan. However the surgery revealed 6 of 18 nodes affected plus margins not clean (even though I had a mastectomy!) To be honest I felt pretty doomed. It was a huge shock.

I had chemotherapy, radiation and am now on Letrozol and Abemaciclib. I try to be physically active which helps with my side effects. I go for long walks every day. 

So far I can say all treatments are not the most pleasant experience but really doable. I feel less “doomed” now and today, about a year after first diagnosis, I started to work again. I think the diagnosis/ finding out about the lymph nodes was the worst moment, it got much better once the treatment started. My doctors told me it’s still possible to treat it in a way that it never comes back again. That’s what I try to focus on, as well as taking things day by day. 

Hello thank you Emilia08.  I think it is the waiting again both for the op and the results afterwards that seems never ending as I don’t feel I can move on.  Once I know what the new plan will be I can deal with it. 

I take a positive from the fact that the surgeon said it was non-agressive and if I was post menopausal they would have given me radiotherapy instead of operating.  So maybe that means it is not as bad as it could be?

Also 52 and premenopausal - I have had a mastectomy, axillary clearance, chemo, radio and I’m now on monthly zoladex injections to shut down my ovaries, Letrozole, Abemiciclib and six-monthly zoledronic acid infusions.  Hearing about the lymph nodes was my low point - 21/26 were cancerous - now a year on from diagnosis and side effects are hopefully starting to settle and feeling more positive.  It’s tough but it’s doable as others have said….

thank you LabradorLover it looks like you have been through a lot.  Looks like I may be in for the long haul with this but will go day to day as suggested and deal with each step as it happens.  Thank you

Hi, sorry to hear you're so worried - I was in exactly the same position at the end of last year.  I'm 52, pre-menopausal and was told cancer was confined to breast.  Had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.  Then a complete shock which knocked the stuffing out of me, the sentinel node biopsy came back positive, so they recommended full axillary node clearance, took all my nodes, and waiting for the results I can honestly say was the worst time for me in all of this.  Results came back no more lymph nodes positive, only the 1/29.  You really have no idea what the results will be, think even the medical team were expecting more, so try and remain positive, and even if many nodes are involved, the treatment is great for breast cancer.  Found the axillary clearance uncomfortable for a couple of weeks afterwards, but it was a strange, numb feeling rather than sore.  I am currently having chemo and possibly radiotherapy too, but so far this has been very manageable and I'm counting the days til my next blast so I can get rid of anything lingering.

Hang in there - once you start treatment, you feel you're doing something proactive and will soon be out the other side.

Hi

Im sorry to hear of your situation.  I had full mastectomy and full ancillary clearance 10/15.  I’ve just finished chemotherapy 4EC and 4 Doc.  It was very difficult but have today started radiotherapy 15 rounds.  I have started letrozole and will start abemaciclib after radiotherapy.  Then zoledronic infusion.  Was told today at radiotherapy that I was having ‘gold’ treatment.  Best of luck xx

Thank you Lullabelle and Tracey1977 for letting me know your experiences.  It is helping to hear what the process has been after the operation as I have not been given much information from my consultant, apart from I will need a drain.  I am not sure if I will need to stay in overnight or what the recovery times etc.  

thanks again 

Hi Bracksma, sorry to hear about u. I have just had my 2nd operation 2 weeks ago for axillary lymph nodes clearances. I was so down when I found that my cancer was spread to my lymph nodes, waiting for results is like sitting on the edge of a cliff.  Hope things go well for u. X 

Thanks Orange1.  Did you have to stay overnight following your op and have a drain?  

Hi Bracksma 

I didn't have to stay overnight but I asked to stay. I didn't have any drains. I think it's a good idea to stay the night as u are constantly checked by the nurses. I had my surgery on the 6th of march, my arm is still sore but gradually getting better. Make sure u continue with the exercises. 

Don't worry u will be fine. Stay strong.