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Breast Cancer
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Posted 4/7/2006 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
My mother in law had her surgery today.  They removed her breast and all her lymph nodes which were positive.  I'm worried.  If it is in the lymph nodes, is there still hope that she will be okay?  Please your prayers and encouragement are needed. 
Posted 4/7/2006 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Dorri,

I know this is certainly a very hard time for your MIL and you and your family! First, though, it's important to know how many lymph nodes were positive. Sometimes they take out just one or two and they can be positive or even just have microscopic cancer cells. That doesn't mean the worst! And there are women on here who have had many, many positive lymph nodes and I'm sure they can and will write and tell you things are going well for them today. Remember, everyone responds differently and every cancer is different. So, good treatment is the next course of action for your MIL, as is plenty of rest and good nutrition. Another thing that I've heard is that sometimes cancer is less agressive in older women and more aggressive in younger women <40.

We're here for you!!

Laure'
Posted 4/7/2006 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Laure' thanks for the positive encouragement. They injected 5 lymph nodes with some dye yesterday, and removed all 5. The doctor said they were positive and has some concern. How many lymph nodes are there in the underarm area?
Posted 4/7/2006 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Dorri- I know you must be worried, but positive lymph nodes doesn't mean a sentence! my aunt had 10 of 11 nodes positive in 1998 and she is still here! and i had 5 of 49 positive in 2001 and just passed my 5-year mark...so hang in there, and try to keep your chin up, i know it's hard!!
many hugs
Stefanie
Posted 4/8/2006 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for relating your story. It really helps to hear the positive side of things at this time.
Posted 4/8/2006 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Dorri,

I have heard that there are sometimes 50 lymph nodes under the arm. I also believe that there are some people with a few less, some with a few more. Thankfully, your MIL has only 5, which can be a very good thing!!!! Hang in there, hon. It will get better! Keep in touch!!!

Laure'
Posted 4/8/2006 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Dorri. I had a sentinel node biopsy with 3 showing positive, so they continued with the axillary resection (I think that is what it is called). When all was over, a total of 14 nodes were found in the breast and surrounding tissue with 5 positive nodes. I had 2 rounds of chemo therapy and 7 weeks of radiation. The path report dictates what treatment is done, so I recommend you get your MIL to ask for a copy of the path report. My onc surgeon told me that 4 positive nodes and above required the 7 weeks of radiation; that this was the "standard of care" for positive nodes. She also told me that she "hoped" I had another node positive because she really wanted me to get the radiation therapy. As it turned out, I did. It has been 15 months since my surgery. Had a clear mammo in November, and no, positive nodes does not necessarily mean a bad outcome -- just means that you will probably get more treatment. Get that report and start from there.

Judy
Posted 4/8/2006 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the encouragement. I will pass these bits of advice on to her as well. Thank you
Posted 4/9/2006 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dorri: As the other gals have said, the positive lymph nodes will probably mean that your mil will need chemo and some radiation. I had 19 of 21 lymph nodes positive. But, just because there are positive nodes, does NOT mean that she can't beat this. I met a lady during my chemo that was 78. She had a double mast., was have the a/c followed by taxol and radiation. She was amazing. Great, positive outlook. She said that she was very tired and it took her a little longer to rebound from the treatment than a younger person but she knew that once the treatments were over she would get back to her old self.

Get the path report and see what it says. Be sure that your mil takes someone w/ her when she goes for the appt.

Hugs...Deb

Posted 4/9/2006 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, her treatment will be discussed in two weeks. She was told she will be needing both chemo and radiation. I am concerned about how well she will tolerate chemo at her age?
Posted 4/9/2006 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Dorri: How well she will be able to tolerate the treatment will be something that she will have to discuss w/ her medical team...surgeon, md and onco. Remind her that if she is NOT comfortable w/ the way that the onco talks to her and the attitude, that she can interview another one. She needs to find one that she feels confidence in. Many people the age of your mil grew up to believe that they aren't to question drs or say no. (my mother is one of them) Have her write down all of her questions to take w/ her. Will you be able to go w/ her to the onco?

Deb

Posted 4/9/2006 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Deb, thanks we will be going with her when her treatment is discussed. We also received a booklet from the breast cancer centre on various questions to ask? My sister is a chemo nurse, and although she doesn't live here, I can call her and ask her as well. I know everyone is different, and there is more than one form of chemo, so it may depend on the type of chemo the doctor is planning to give her. Thanks again for your input.
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