Forum Discussion
Recurrence in lymph nodes
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with TN Inflammatory BC in late Oct 2017. Treatment was 5 mths of Chemo ( 8wks fortnightly A/C, followed by 12 weeks weekly Taxol) then modified radical mastectomy (rt breast and 3 lymph nodes) which showed only a tiny amount (1.3mm) of residual disease with excellent margins. There had been evidence of activity in the lymphnodes. Surgery was followed by 5 weeks radiation and then I had what I refer to as my bonus chemo - 4 months of Capecitabine (Xeloda). That all took me to Christmas 2018.
Since then I have been feeling better each day and looking fabulous (according to my dear friends and family!). On an o/s trip in early June I noticed the onset of lymphoedema in the right arm - sad but not completely unexpected after the radiation. As soon as I got home I booked in to see my surgeon, who is wonderful and always says to see him asap if anything changes. He sent me for an ultrasound, having said he didn't expect anything sinister. Unfortunately the ultrasound shows at least three lymphnodes appear enlarged and diseased - I go back on Wednesday for a Fine Needle Biopsy, but the radiologist made it pretty clear she thinks it's not going to be good news. I have to wait until next Monday 22nd for the results and to know what I'm looking at in the way of further diagnostics/prognosis/a treatment plan etc. I know there's not much advice anyone can give at this stage, but am just having a little freak out and trying very hard to stay calm for my darling husband, so I thought you would all understand if I had a little figurative scream in this forum!!
I am searching my self for the inner strength to do this all again - in some ways easier when you know what it entails, and in some ways so much harder for the same reason.
Worried and sad, but trying to be strong.
Sally
I was diagnosed with TN Inflammatory BC in late Oct 2017. Treatment was 5 mths of Chemo ( 8wks fortnightly A/C, followed by 12 weeks weekly Taxol) then modified radical mastectomy (rt breast and 3 lymph nodes) which showed only a tiny amount (1.3mm) of residual disease with excellent margins. There had been evidence of activity in the lymphnodes. Surgery was followed by 5 weeks radiation and then I had what I refer to as my bonus chemo - 4 months of Capecitabine (Xeloda). That all took me to Christmas 2018.
Since then I have been feeling better each day and looking fabulous (according to my dear friends and family!). On an o/s trip in early June I noticed the onset of lymphoedema in the right arm - sad but not completely unexpected after the radiation. As soon as I got home I booked in to see my surgeon, who is wonderful and always says to see him asap if anything changes. He sent me for an ultrasound, having said he didn't expect anything sinister. Unfortunately the ultrasound shows at least three lymphnodes appear enlarged and diseased - I go back on Wednesday for a Fine Needle Biopsy, but the radiologist made it pretty clear she thinks it's not going to be good news. I have to wait until next Monday 22nd for the results and to know what I'm looking at in the way of further diagnostics/prognosis/a treatment plan etc. I know there's not much advice anyone can give at this stage, but am just having a little freak out and trying very hard to stay calm for my darling husband, so I thought you would all understand if I had a little figurative scream in this forum!!
I am searching my self for the inner strength to do this all again - in some ways easier when you know what it entails, and in some ways so much harder for the same reason.
Worried and sad, but trying to be strong.
Sally
68 Replies
- I just wanted to say how sad I am for you. There are no words of comfort that will ease this devastating diagnosis, just know we are here for you whenever you need us. And we are all hoping for the next miracle in breast cancer treatment for you. And also for you to prove them wrong. X
- That's just crappy, @sallylovestosing.
My only suggestion would be to think about a Portacath to make infusions and blood collection a bit easier on yourself
Sending hugs and lots of care - I'm so sorry to read your news.
That's a lot for you and hubby to cope with.
We are all here willing you along.
Please accept a virtual hug and best wishes for a smooth run through treatment
Take care - Well here we are - had a long talk with my oncologist yesterday. Disease has spread to lymph nodes in chest and neck/collarbone area, which means surgery and radiation are not an option. He said as nicely as possible that where we are at is no longer expecting a cure, but now working to give me the best quality of life for however long that may be - and his best guess was that two years would be probably what we could hope for. Working very hard to get my head round this - certainly not where I hoped or expected to be right now. So many hard questions to ask myself and my darling husband- so many hard conversations to have. Definitely NOT taking this lying down but just knocked a bit sideways at the moment.
Start Chemo tomorrow - Eribulin - 3 week cycle- 2weeks on, one week off. Any thoughts/ suggestions gratefully accepted 😘 - That's really crap @sallylovestosing and I hope that after seeing your oncologist today your head is a bit clearer. It always seems to help once you know what your facing and what they can do to fix it or at least manage it. I also have had cancer return to my Lymph nodes in my axilla and across my chest, surgery is not an option for me either so I am on round 6 of Xeloda and thankfully scans a few weeks ago show that the cancer is responding and shrinking. Please let us know how things go today x
- Sending you lots of love and light @sallylovestosing, the treatments are improving so much these days, I like to think they are getting closer to beating this dreadful disease or at least holding it at bay indefinitely!
- Sorry to hear that. Wish you all the best.
- Hello @sallylovestosing sorry to hear your news, all the best with the oncology appointment today, it will be a huge relief to have a treatment plan in place and underway. Wishing you all the best today.
- Crappy news Sally...as you and others have said...back into the fray with all the weapons your Sergeant At Arms (aka oncologist) can give you. Chin up...get that thousand yards stare going and go kick arse. Sending a big cyber hug ((( ))).
- That's a real bugger @sallylovestosing ... Thinking of you and your family as you have your Onc appointment today.
Big hugs coming your way xx
