Advice please - senital lymph node

Hi JRo

So sorry you're so worried, sending you a massive hug - it's such a horrid time coming to terms with everything and knowing the best thing to do.  I was ER+ HER2-, had mastectomy and sentinel lymph node surprisingly came back showing macromets.  They only took one node out at time of mastectomy (not sure why) so they didn't know if the cancer had gone into any further nodes.  Therefore, more surgery with axillary clearance to determine how many more were positive.  I suspect with you if they've taken two and only the first was positive, they are pretty confident that it hasn't gone any further.  I lost 28 nodes (27 negative) in total, so it was an uncomfortable surgery.  The thing that got me chemo was my cancer was breaking off into little bits and leaving the main tumour.  What I'm saying is your case will be very individual and your team are treating you specifically for how your cancer is behaving. It's impossible not to compare ourselves with others, but we must trust our team, what else can we do.  But do ask questions if you're uneasy/unsure about anything.  I'm two years out from treatment, and I definitely wish I'd asked more questions during diagnosis, but I was terrified and I think had my head in the sand a bit.  As for the tamoxifen, it can give you all sorts of strange feelings, and of course stress too which a BC diagnosis provides in bucket loads!  Good luck, wish you all the best x

Hi JRo  it's so very difficult when the medical professionals talk about different options. Have you thought about having another chat with your oncologist asking specifically why they think it's ok not to have chemo in your situation, and getting them to explain, as Lullabelle says, each one is different.

And don't forget, the lovely folks here at Macmillan are just at the end of the phone if you want a chat with them. You can call them on 0800 808 0000 for a friendly listening ear or some advice. Best wishes 

Thank you yes I’m going to do that this week to settle myself before the next stage of this journey. McMillan have been amazing every time I’ve rang them. X 

Not really in the same boat (TNBC, lymph nodes not affected), but I wouldn't necessarily avoid surgery just to avoid the risk of lymphedema. My surgery was fine - barely even any scars and no lymphedema following it. But I had intensive radiotherapy (5 days at higher intensity instead of 15 days) months after and now I have some lymphedema which they said it was a result of the radiotherapy that essentially cooked the lymph nodes. I luckily can manage it with daily massage. 

My risk aversion says to take whatever treatment they are offering that does the most (or that they think will be most effective) to get rid of the cancer everywhere. Ask for detailed answers about why they are recommending a particular course of action and you may feel more comfortable with the evolving treatment plan. 

I had Er+ HER- mastectomy and 2 of 3 sentinel nodes positive. I was given choice of radiotherapy or surgery to axilla. MDT thought either option gave same outcome and shared info on AMAROS study which showed no difference in survival at 10 years.

I had some LVI so was offered and accepted chemo.

I decided not to have the additional surgery as I I was confident radiotherapy would be less invasive would avoid delays in treatment and gave similar outcome.I do sometimes think it would be good to have known for sure that other lymph nodes were clear but trust my team steered me right based on extensive experience of similar presentations.

6months on I have had no side effects from radiotherapy except skin changes. (Thickened) 

I’m also aware for micromets (anything under 2mm) they don’t usually offer any additional treatment