53 F, Invasive Lobular Carsinoma with Lymph Nodes Infected

I am a 53 female, had a lumpectomy a couple days ago on my left breast following my ultrasound biopsy and MRI. The lump was removed and lymph nodes in region 1 and 2 were also removed for pathology report during the surgery because the setinel nodes showed positve.  My question is for a size of 12mm x 11mm x 9mm invvasive lobular carsinoma, relative small, and was indicated no infection to my lymph nodes from MRI, how the nodes turned out to be positive. My doctor was surprised about the result too. The patholgy report will not be back until a week later. So, what's my next challenge and approach? Thanks.

[SueYoung55]

Hi Macklin,

I'm sorry you've received a cancer diagnosis. I had the same type of cancer and had bilateral mastectomies, chemo and radiation and two nodes positive

Most likely you'll have chemo and radiation. I had ILC as well and did a full regimen of chemo and radiation. I had bilateral mastectomies too. But your team of doctors will set this up with you and go over your options. Please ask questions ... I brought a tape recorder with me to record everything so I could replay it and make sure I hadn't missed anything.

You can do this! Best wishes and please let us know how you're doing.

[SueYoung55]

sorry, very tired... :)

[Macklin]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the advice. Definitely, I'll do my homework before my appointment and capture all I can from the doctors. The challenge for me is that I have to juggle between my new job and the new diagnosis. They both came at the same time about a month ago.  Sue, did you have your bilateral mastetomies a while ago? Was that your choice or doctor's advice? What stage you were advised? Are you doing okay now?  

Macklin

[SueYoung55]

I had my first mastectomy in March 2008 and my second mastectomy in May 2009. The first surgeon I spoke with was very pushy trying to make me do a lumpectomy and even had my hubby pushing me for that. My gut told me mastectomy and when the MRI came back showing a 10 cm mass, she backed down, in fact that was the only option I had. Needless to say, I changed surgeons. I had stage 3, two nodes positive, ER & PR positive 90%, HER2 negative and was 52 years old. By the time I had my second mastectomy (which I had asked for at the time of the first but they wouldn't do it) I had two lumps in that breast. Both were benign thank God. ILC has a tendency to go bilateral and I knew removing as much breast tissue as I could was my best option. I had 4 rounds chemo, then first mastectomy, then 4 more rounds chemo and then radiation. Then last May I had a very successful DIEP reconstruction on both (that's when they removed the second breast) in New Orleans at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery with Dr. DellaCroce. So one breast was delayed reconstruction and one was immediate reconstruction. If my cancer had been found as tiny I would have chosen this surgery to be done there, bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The overall options in doing it at the same time are beautiful reconstructions, but that's enough topic.

Macklin,
I can't even imagine doing all of this when starting a new job. I wish you the very best and believe you can get through this. Be proactive with your health and if you don't like what's been said or advised, you have the right to a second and even a third opinion.

[Macklin]

Sue, I can tell you were brave and decisive in the past couple years.I am glad that you followed your gut feeling. That was the smartest move and which has saved you. 2 rounds of chemo? What an oreal. Congrat on your endurance and beautiful reconstructions. You're a winner after all. I'll let you know when the pathology report comes out. In the meantime, I need to go back to work on Monday. This is the job I landed after 81/2 month unemployment. I have to build up some credits before the futrue treatments come. I'll be hanging strong as you were. Thanks Sue.
Macklin