Aa
Intramammary Node vs. Sentinel Node, course of therapy and prognosis
My mom had a mastectomy on her Right breast last week and I am a bit confused by the findings. It was a 1cm mass, grade 3 tumor and they took 16 lymph nodes for dissection. The sentinel node and all but 1 lymph node came back with no cancer cells. There was an intramammary lymph node in the general location of the tumor that came back showing some cancer cells. I am trying to figure out what this means in terms of her treatment that will be needed (ie: chemo regimen) and her overall prognosis (ie: are folks able to survive this and live for a long time afterwards? how long?). While I know that biopsies aren't supposed to spread cancer cells, her biopsy caused a very large hematoma which lasted for 10 days until the mastectormy. I am hoping that (maybe) the intramammary node was positive for cancer because it picked up cells from the hematoma as a result of the biopsy and that the mastectomy effectively got rid of all cancer. (her bone scan and CT scan came back clean). My questions are:
1.) how do you interpret the finding of the lymph node situation as described above? (ie: i know there is about 5% false negative for sentinel node and about 20% incidence of a postive intramammary node)
2.) what chemo regimen will they likely prescribe (length and type?)
3.) how hopeful can our family be at this point that mom will be around for the next 5, 10, 15 ,20 years to see the grandkids grow up?
Sorry for all the questions, but as you can see, I have been Googling like crazy for the last 2 weeks and not sleeping much. Thanks and God Bless. This is a great website.
1.) how do you interpret the finding of the lymph node situation as described above? (ie: i know there is about 5% false negative for sentinel node and about 20% incidence of a postive intramammary node)
2.) what chemo regimen will they likely prescribe (length and type?)
3.) how hopeful can our family be at this point that mom will be around for the next 5, 10, 15 ,20 years to see the grandkids grow up?
Sorry for all the questions, but as you can see, I have been Googling like crazy for the last 2 weeks and not sleeping much. Thanks and God Bless. This is a great website.
Hi Montana girl hope everything is going great for you. I think when I first tried it, it had a little punch to it but I liked it!! Probably because I had the 90% bar before though, I must have built a taste for it. I cant drink so I think chocolate and red wine have the same flavinoids or whatever. Plus now, they say women really shouldnt drink because it ups our chances of getting breast cancer. Heard that maybe about a month ago. I hope they dont take our chocolate!!!!
maa/ How are you doing? Went to the surgeon today and I have tll Nov 13th off. YES!!!!!!! I had some questions written down with me to and she saw my piece of paper and and she said "talk to me." First, I brought up the tamoxifen and since she doesnt figure the odds she cant really direct me but feels its important that I know all that. She asked me about the visit to the Oncologist last week. I told her that I saw another that he was filling in. She said Dr Smith? I said yes (like she really knows her stuff and whats going on). She asked me how he told me if I got numbers or just came out with it. I just said that he came out with it. It happens that MY oncologist is going to see her this afternoon. I mentioned to her that I have strokes in my family and she is definitely going to talk to him about me. She said that she has 2 patients who dont take it for that reason. She also said that while it is my decision, that I should know EVERYTHING about it including or especially the odds (its like she is a team player and advocate). She said that if I dont hear anything from my oncologist before I go to work to call her office. She really wants him to explain things to me-which the other guy really didnt. She said that what she took out of me was really tiny and that it was a wake up call which I agree with her. I mean, not having a mammogram for probably 15 years then finding this? Yep and I am blessed.
I asked if my hormone was positive or negative and she looked on the report, didnt see it and told her assistant to notify the lab cause its not on my report-so thats not coming up.
I asked about returning to work later and she went for it. I originally said Nov 9th, but since that was a Friday, she suggested the 12th but I said thats a holiday, and she said, ok the 13th. I thought-COOL!!!! You see, my boss called me yesterday because I wasnt there and my previous dr note said I would be. The only thing about that was, I had to see the Dr the day before to make sure (I verified that with my dr today and she said yes). Then, the Drs office called twice moving my appts. The first time it was for the 30th and then they called last week saying the 31st. My boss wanted the dr to change the wording to something like, "Changed from 10/30 to 11/13" cause as it stood, I wouldnt get paid for that day including disability (its such a hassle to work for local government). I really didnt think I had to call her because when I talked to the payroll clerk, she said that payroll keeps in contact with the Dr anyway so I thought, no big deal-then the boss calls-UGHHHHH. How was I suppose to know? I havent gone thru this before.
Today though after I got home, I couldnt wait to call her with the news (trick-or-treat). She asked are you doing ok? I said, yes that I have to see the radiation dr, and had a little bit of eczema too (it is going away but it was on my L breast there last week- the onc called it a mild case). She said, from that? I go yes. I dont really know but I didnt want to sound as happy as I felt if you know what I mean. She then wanted me to make sure the office faxes the new note over. I told her that they already have the fax number and will be doing so. That office is meticulous!!! Its a great reflection of the Dr. We said goodbye, I had some cheese-its, a banana, and went for iced coffee. Thats lunch. Crazy huh?
The steri-strips, she took them off. She looked suprised and said its already healed. I guess she means that its pretty well closed up cause you cant see anything but the skin growing on both sides. I mean, I wouldnt say its healed but Im not the surgeon and they probably have a different meaning.
Are your kids going trick or treating tonight? Hope youve taken it easy today. I havent done hardly much of anything since cleaning that fridge out. I never hand candy out Halloween. I feel its too dangerous. When I was very little I remember some older big boy probably early to mid teens forcing his way into the house and my grandman took a broom, yelled for him to get out and kept hitting him with the broom till he did. That kind of stays with me. Plus our block doesnt give candy out either. I use to be the only one, but I think they learned. We can have some meannies around here. Not that Im in the worst neighborhood but their are gang bangers, paroles, and druggies around here.
Just had to drop the good news to you, I really hope youre doing better. Every day, we are getting better. Do something fun, force yourself!!!!
maa/ How are you doing? Went to the surgeon today and I have tll Nov 13th off. YES!!!!!!! I had some questions written down with me to and she saw my piece of paper and and she said "talk to me." First, I brought up the tamoxifen and since she doesnt figure the odds she cant really direct me but feels its important that I know all that. She asked me about the visit to the Oncologist last week. I told her that I saw another that he was filling in. She said Dr Smith? I said yes (like she really knows her stuff and whats going on). She asked me how he told me if I got numbers or just came out with it. I just said that he came out with it. It happens that MY oncologist is going to see her this afternoon. I mentioned to her that I have strokes in my family and she is definitely going to talk to him about me. She said that she has 2 patients who dont take it for that reason. She also said that while it is my decision, that I should know EVERYTHING about it including or especially the odds (its like she is a team player and advocate). She said that if I dont hear anything from my oncologist before I go to work to call her office. She really wants him to explain things to me-which the other guy really didnt. She said that what she took out of me was really tiny and that it was a wake up call which I agree with her. I mean, not having a mammogram for probably 15 years then finding this? Yep and I am blessed.
I asked if my hormone was positive or negative and she looked on the report, didnt see it and told her assistant to notify the lab cause its not on my report-so thats not coming up.
I asked about returning to work later and she went for it. I originally said Nov 9th, but since that was a Friday, she suggested the 12th but I said thats a holiday, and she said, ok the 13th. I thought-COOL!!!! You see, my boss called me yesterday because I wasnt there and my previous dr note said I would be. The only thing about that was, I had to see the Dr the day before to make sure (I verified that with my dr today and she said yes). Then, the Drs office called twice moving my appts. The first time it was for the 30th and then they called last week saying the 31st. My boss wanted the dr to change the wording to something like, "Changed from 10/30 to 11/13" cause as it stood, I wouldnt get paid for that day including disability (its such a hassle to work for local government). I really didnt think I had to call her because when I talked to the payroll clerk, she said that payroll keeps in contact with the Dr anyway so I thought, no big deal-then the boss calls-UGHHHHH. How was I suppose to know? I havent gone thru this before.
Today though after I got home, I couldnt wait to call her with the news (trick-or-treat). She asked are you doing ok? I said, yes that I have to see the radiation dr, and had a little bit of eczema too (it is going away but it was on my L breast there last week- the onc called it a mild case). She said, from that? I go yes. I dont really know but I didnt want to sound as happy as I felt if you know what I mean. She then wanted me to make sure the office faxes the new note over. I told her that they already have the fax number and will be doing so. That office is meticulous!!! Its a great reflection of the Dr. We said goodbye, I had some cheese-its, a banana, and went for iced coffee. Thats lunch. Crazy huh?
The steri-strips, she took them off. She looked suprised and said its already healed. I guess she means that its pretty well closed up cause you cant see anything but the skin growing on both sides. I mean, I wouldnt say its healed but Im not the surgeon and they probably have a different meaning.
Are your kids going trick or treating tonight? Hope youve taken it easy today. I havent done hardly much of anything since cleaning that fridge out. I never hand candy out Halloween. I feel its too dangerous. When I was very little I remember some older big boy probably early to mid teens forcing his way into the house and my grandman took a broom, yelled for him to get out and kept hitting him with the broom till he did. That kind of stays with me. Plus our block doesnt give candy out either. I use to be the only one, but I think they learned. We can have some meannies around here. Not that Im in the worst neighborhood but their are gang bangers, paroles, and druggies around here.
Just had to drop the good news to you, I really hope youre doing better. Every day, we are getting better. Do something fun, force yourself!!!!
Sorry, I can't help with the onconotype and tamoxifen questions. I try to just answer biopsy questions since that's where I've done my research. I am definately a dark chocolate lover, so I'm intrigued by your info, labhusky. I will check it out. The darkest I've tried is 85%, and that took a little getting used to. Isn't 100% terribly bitter?
maa - Sorry to hear how things are wearing on you. After all you've been through it's natural to be depressed. Hopefully, the pain will resolve soon.
boninclyde - I wrote down the date for your reconstruction. Keep in touch.
maa - Sorry to hear how things are wearing on you. After all you've been through it's natural to be depressed. Hopefully, the pain will resolve soon.
boninclyde - I wrote down the date for your reconstruction. Keep in touch.
Thank you for the info on the chocolate and also tamoxifen. I will look them up tomorrow. Just cleaned the bathroom. (against dr's orders) but it has been 18 days since surgery and a girl can only take so much grime. (husband cleaned bath once since I was home) He came home grumpy today and I think all the pressure of it all coming down to him is wearing on him. I am a little pooped from doing the bath. Thanks for prayers. My prayers go with you also. Pray you get your release date and God to work a miracle and get you into the dept. you want. Boy, you are really moving 2 miles and clean a fridge. Wow! I hope my energy soon comes back like that.
P.S. I just noticed on that one chocolate website I forgot the "e" worldwidechocolate.com Also I mean belgian chocolate. I usually proofread these before I hit post tho sometimes that doesnt work. Also, with that slitti 100% one you can cook with it too, but dont go out and buy the bakers chocolate in the store thinking thats the same thing. I havent eaten that, and it seems that those are super big hunks if I remember. It would taste different than the ones Im suggesting to you.
Fellow chocolate craver. Here's some fun scoop here. The cocoa bean is actually a fruit. Its what is done with it afterward that makes it unhealthy as far as the usual candy makers are concerned. They strip the nutrients and add sugar. When you go to the grocery store and buy a chocolate bar, sometimes you want more and thats the sugar addiction.
Heres what I look for. The higher percent chocolate, the less sugar it contains. This is where you find out whether you like sugar or chocolate. I have 2 fun websites for you. The 1st is chocosphere.com which I use because I think their s&h is cheaper and they are based in Oregon. Their is also another website worldwidechocolat.com I like the brand Slitti because they hav a 100% bar but they are sold out of that right now on both websites. I also like the 90% slitti super novanta amazzonia bar. For beligian chocolate, Galler 85% extra bittersweet is delicious and thats a good place to start to work your way into the real taste of chocolate. Belgian chocolate is very creamy as it melts in your mouth, Italian chocolate is not. But a square or two of those bars at night which arent that big at all satisfies the craving and if you like coffee with it-MMM. Dont chew them, let them melt in the mouth. Yes, its pricey but you really cant down alot either and it lasts awhile.
I now have another website for you re: tamoxifen that I find quite interesting. This is the drug database for the professional talking about it and the same website also has one for the patient. The website is www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/DrugDatabase/DrugIndexPro/Tamoxifen.htm Notice not html.
After you are thru reading that for the professional side of it, if you look to the left tool bar there and look for "drug database-patient" click on that. Click on the letter "T" and hit the 1st Tamoxifen there. Very interesting since I like to get both sides.
Hope you are doing better and am also hoping and praying for WONDERFUL results from that test!!!! We are still alive, and still feeling and considering the alternative, I will take this.
Tomorrow I get to see the surgeon and "beg" her to release me next Thursday or even next Friday as I want to stress as less as possible when the radiation hits (bad wording I know). See, the longer it takes me to get back to the dr, the more time I have to think but I guess thats good. Im trying to transfer to a different department that I use to work for. If I was there, there wouldnt be all this stress and I could kick myself for leaving. I wasnt thinking straight but I figure too that I had something to learn by going and now Im ready to go back.
I finally went for a walk today. I did 2 miles and that felt good. Yesterday, woohoo I cleaned the fridge. Not fun but it sure is pretty!!
Heres what I look for. The higher percent chocolate, the less sugar it contains. This is where you find out whether you like sugar or chocolate. I have 2 fun websites for you. The 1st is chocosphere.com which I use because I think their s&h is cheaper and they are based in Oregon. Their is also another website worldwidechocolat.com I like the brand Slitti because they hav a 100% bar but they are sold out of that right now on both websites. I also like the 90% slitti super novanta amazzonia bar. For beligian chocolate, Galler 85% extra bittersweet is delicious and thats a good place to start to work your way into the real taste of chocolate. Belgian chocolate is very creamy as it melts in your mouth, Italian chocolate is not. But a square or two of those bars at night which arent that big at all satisfies the craving and if you like coffee with it-MMM. Dont chew them, let them melt in the mouth. Yes, its pricey but you really cant down alot either and it lasts awhile.
I now have another website for you re: tamoxifen that I find quite interesting. This is the drug database for the professional talking about it and the same website also has one for the patient. The website is www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/DrugDatabase/DrugIndexPro/Tamoxifen.htm Notice not html.
After you are thru reading that for the professional side of it, if you look to the left tool bar there and look for "drug database-patient" click on that. Click on the letter "T" and hit the 1st Tamoxifen there. Very interesting since I like to get both sides.
Hope you are doing better and am also hoping and praying for WONDERFUL results from that test!!!! We are still alive, and still feeling and considering the alternative, I will take this.
Tomorrow I get to see the surgeon and "beg" her to release me next Thursday or even next Friday as I want to stress as less as possible when the radiation hits (bad wording I know). See, the longer it takes me to get back to the dr, the more time I have to think but I guess thats good. Im trying to transfer to a different department that I use to work for. If I was there, there wouldnt be all this stress and I could kick myself for leaving. I wasnt thinking straight but I figure too that I had something to learn by going and now Im ready to go back.
I finally went for a walk today. I did 2 miles and that felt good. Yesterday, woohoo I cleaned the fridge. Not fun but it sure is pretty!!
I cut my response to short. I had so much depression even though I had a wonderful support group. Everyone said I needed depression meds but that just pissed me off. I had a perfectly good reason to be depressed and did not want their meds. I just needed to deal with the situation which took 1 year to sort out my normal (nothing that needed meds) feelings. You will go through so many different feelings which is normal grieving. This **** hit me out of no where. I had the perfect life. Oh there is so much I could share with you but I don't want to depress you further. I am 1 year 3 months out (got 3 little girls) and still dealing with so much. It does get easier. At first every headache was cancer mets. Good info my doctor told me if it hurts more than 8 days then its time to worry. Good knowledge. Great relief. I am sorry you are having a time with your reconstruction. I did not have reconstruction at the time I just wanted the cancer out and to make sure it stayed gone for at leat 1 year. I will have my reconstruction on January29th, 08. I wish you well.
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