Hi Ned22

I too have just had a lumpectomy and snb, no results until Wednesday though,  did they initially just take the sentinel I'm not much help to you to be honest, however I'm wondering if they just take the ones showing up with cancer cells, leaving the healthy ones.

I don't think it would automatically mean that the cancer has spread, it may just be in a couple of the nodes and if so they will remove them.

it is such a scary and worrying time every step there seems to be something else to worry about, I'm only a week out of my op and still in pain there seems to be no end to it.

do you have a breast care nurse that you could call, she may be able to answer some of your questions regarding how many and recovery time.

wishing you all the best.

Sarah x

They took 3 nodes, one was positive for cancer. I'm now having auxiliary clearance when they remove all remaining nodes as they can't guarantee it hasn't jumped along onto another node. 
 

The breast cancer nurses are brilliant but they can only see what treatment you're having and explain it. 
 

it's incredibly scary, fingers crossed for you x

Hi, my wife has two lymphs involved. From her oncology appointment on Monday, no it doesn't mean it's spread to other parts of the body. It's classed as "localised". Because of the lymph involvement, she had to have a bone scan, an mri and ct. All came back clear. No evidence of disease elsewhere.

For a lot of people, not just breast cancer, under arm lymph or lymphs located next to the cancer wherever that may be involvement means it's began to break away from the primary tumour, not that it has spread to other parts. It's why my wife is now receiving systematic treatment (chemo and some sort of hormone thingy. Aye, I forgot the name of that) so they can sweep up any rogue cells in her system that may have escaped.

I was hoping to avoid chemo, but I'm guessing that's inevitable, as it seems to be the next steps after auxiliary clearance 

Hi Ned,

When your nodes are removed they will be sent to Pathology. They will investigate to see how many other nodes are affected. This will be the decider for further treatment. I do hope that your other nodes are all clear.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you. Scary times for us all xx

Hi Ned,

It will get easier once you know exactly what you are dealing wth. It's the unknown that is really so scary.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was 12 years ago and the second 11. I still lead a busy and fulfilled life.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

It's inspiring to hear stories like yours, gives hope when there seems very little.

x

Hi Ned,

Make sure to do your exercises religiously after your auxilliary node clearance. This should help to keep Lymphoedema at bay. Unfortunately, I got bilateral Lymphoedema in both arms after my double mastectomy, despite doing this. I still attend the Lymphoedema clinic for two weeks out of every 12 and get manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging.

Despite having this, I feel that it is a small price to pay for my life - I'm still here and every day is a bonus.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I'm a personal trainer, no excuses!!

xxx