Question for the ladies who had positive IM node

Brenda_D · 08-07-2008, 02:23 PM

At my last Pet/CT scan, last Oct, a positive IM node that was on my first Pet/CT, no longer lit up. I was told that the chemo and rads had knocked it out.
Fast forward to today, and almost 1 year after that last scan, how will I know that it's still negative in the IM node chain? Should I request a new Pet/CT in October?
I see my onc for a 3 month follow up next week.
I intend to ask him about that and also what my chances are for re-occurence. At this time I'm NED. Just finished Herceptin in May.
I'm a little afraid he may say "no scans unless you have symptoms", and I never had symptoms of the a positive IM node even back then. We only found it because I had the pet/ct scan.

Brenda_D · 08-08-2008, 11:37 AM

No one here has had a positive IM node?

Ruth · 08-08-2008, 01:00 PM

Brenda ~ Are you asking about an internal mammory node? If yes, had one highly suspicious (that lit up) at diagnosis. I had additional scans after I finished treatment and it was OK. I have not had scans in 4 years (except Mammo and MRI of breast). My Onc. is one that waits for symptoms and that suits my personality better so everyone is different on what we need. Ask for what feels good for you and talk to him about your concerns.
Hugs ~ Ruth

Ruth · 08-08-2008, 01:07 PM

OOPS Brenda ~ I read your signature so I see it is a internal mammory node...so yes, I am one.

Hugs ~ Ruth

Brenda_D · 08-08-2008, 01:25 PM

Thanks so much Ruth.
But what symptoms would you look for with the IM node chain? Being under the breastbone, looking for a lump wouldn't work. I guess maybe tumor markers, but mine were always low.
I guess I'll ask him and see what he says.
I'm so happy to hear that it's been 5 years for you.
I wish you many more cancer free years.

Ruth · 08-08-2008, 02:11 PM

I remember asking the same question and my Onc. wasn't positive on me noticing any symptoms if something was going on. On a positive note, I talked to my radiation dr. about if he was able to "zap" it and he was extremely upbeat about taking care of it if there was anything left after the chemo. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry too much! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs ~ Ruth

micheleu · 08-08-2008, 10:14 PM

when i was dx in 2003 i had 35 pos. nodes. He reached as far up as he could to take them, but didn't want to take any further because i might lose some function in arm. The pos. nodes went up to that point, so he assumed I had some more pos. ones in level 2 and 3. I know they are not mammary nodes, but my point is i'm 5 years out with no recurrence. It's scary just "waiting" for the other shoe to drop, but with the Herceptin it probably won't!

Brenda_D · 08-09-2008, 01:58 PM

Michele, thanks for your reply.
I had a little bit of a skipped heartbeat moment when I just had my latest mammo. They had noticed an area under my arm that had an "area of concern" on my first "after lumpectomy" mammo, and had said it was probably benign, and this time they really looked hard at that same spot. Even to the point of doing an ultrasound, and decided it was most likely scar tissue.
I wasn't concerned at all until they asked to do the ultrasound.
then I was kind of like "what?!!", because I never had any rads under the arm because I had no positive axillary nodes.
Made me wonder if that was a big mistake.
I feel better now that they went with the "scar tissue" dx.