There are no right or wrong decisions when it comes to some of the choices we have to make with bc. All we can do is listen to all that our medical team can tell us and weigh that up with what seems to feel right for you. It sounds like you have done this but I think many of us have lots of those what if moments during and after treatment.
I was diagnosed stage 3 bc in May 2013. It was pretty scarey seeing those words metastatic cancer found in lymph nodes on the pathology report and a bit confusing too. My GP wrote metastatic cancer on my referral and that terrified me at the time. But like you I was told that it was Stage 3 not 4 when confined to the lymph nodes only.
I finished active treatment and went onto Tamoxifen and now Femara. My life is wonderful and I feel very well now.
As for Lymphoedema, the main thing is to be aware of the risk and find a good therapist who can monitor you and get onto treating you promptly if you have any problems. There is a lot you can do to help yourself through exercises and self- massage which really reduces your risk. Even if you do show signs of it lots can be done if it is caught early.
Wishing you all the best for your surgery and further treatment. Take care. Deanne xxx
