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01-24-2007, 12:37 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Intramammary lymph nodes & MRI...
Tomorrow, (Wed) is the big day. I finally get my MRI of my left breast to check out these intramammary lymph nodes. (Masses) I hope this tells us more then the mammo's and US. The pain is making me misrable. I don't think they fully understand how much this hurts?
I have googled everything and then some on these "intramammary lymph nodes" and can't find much of anything to *explain* why I have the pain in my breast and axilla? Or why my breast and side of it is so enlarged? I am hoping my port that is in my upper arm that runs into my chest is causing a reaction of some kind in there? Anything but cancer again. I am thinking positive that its NOT. Its got to be anything BUT that. 
Whatever they find...I hope they plan on getting rid of the pain.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-24-2007, 09:44 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 72
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Best wishes
Good luck with your MRI today. I hope they find that all of this is a reaction to the port and it gets cleared up easily.
Skeetur
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01-24-2007, 12:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Let us know how it all works out. Big hug to you.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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01-24-2007, 12:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Massillon, Ohio
Posts: 247
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Pain, pain, go away. Good luck and keep your chin up!!! We are all here for you!!
__________________
Laurie
Diagonsed 8/10/06 (found own lump)at 35
Her 2 +++, er-/pr-
4 A/C 8-29-06 to 11-06
Lumpectomy, node dissection- 11/30/06
Pathology report stage IIIC
1 tumor 3 cm
10 of 15 nodes +
12 Taxol 12/18/06-03/06/07
Herceptin 12/18/06- 12/11/2007 done!!! yeah!!!
33 rads started 3/22/07, done!! yeah!! 5/07/07
Lymphedema diagonsed 2/1/07
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
port out 1/10/08
pregnant after 6 yeas of trying- due mid feb.
Ryder David Kessel Hunter born feb.6th 2009
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01-25-2007, 12:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Skeetur, Becky, & Laurie, Thanks for all the support. I got through the MRI today. The first part of it was fine...just layed on my back so they could MRI the axilla area. But the FUN started when they pulled me out to put me on my stomach to MRI that breast. Most of you know how they do that. FUN. lol (Not!) 
Sticking your breast in the holes and laying on your stomach is NOT very comfortable. That was hard on my ribs. But Its done. Now its time to wait again. Ugh.
That breast is getting so painful. I kind of hope it is a reaction from my port verses something that might be worse like "you know what". But if it IS the port...I will be a bit bummed as my port has worked great since day one. It would have to be removed because I can't take this pain much longer. (But I have learned one thing...take one day at a time.)
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-25-2007, 05:50 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,380
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Chelee,
Throughout this last development you have had, I have been amazed that your complaints of pain have not been addressed. You should not have to suffer, regardless of the cause. Here's hoping that you get good news AND pain relief ASAP.
Hopeful
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01-25-2007, 04:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Chelee,
I hope your scan brings good news. Hope you are doing well.
Hugs,
LEXI
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01-26-2007, 06:22 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 279
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Chelee - sorry that you are going through all this! I am praying that it resolves quickly and you get out of pain. Please keep us posted. kim
__________________
Kim
Diagnosed 7/05
Stage 3a er+(45%) pr+(68%) Her2+ (40%)
3.8 cm + .8cm multi focal - pleomorphic lobular tumors
high grade DCIS
7/20 nodes
BRCA 2 positive as of 5/07
surgeries: double mastectomy, hysterectomy (LAVH)
A/C,Herceptin for 1 year completed 11/06
femara
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01-26-2007, 08:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Chelee,
Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Hugs,
jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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01-26-2007, 08:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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The surgeons nurse called and said the MRI showed the same enlarged lymph nodes in axilla and intrammary nodes and for me to follow-up with my onc. I told her its REALLY painful! She again said to see my onc. I asked if they know for sure whats causing these lymph nodes to be enlarged and the breast pain?
She said no. I said do we know for sure its not cancer? She said "no they don't know that for sure...but now they are rating it a BIRADS 1. I said with the pain it has to be my port or something? She said she didn't know...just see my onc. (I thought since he was my surgeon he would want to biopsy one of these lymph nodes or check my port to see what it causing all this pain?
I called to see my onc and all they said I can do is see the nurse practioner Monday. How come they aren't concerned about the enlarged intrammary nodes in breast and axilla with my bc history? And now onc won't even see me. I am not paying to see a nurse practioner...she doesn't know me or what the problem is. I feel like since I am a stage III'er they could care less about me.
I give up.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-26-2007, 08:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Chelee,
Go see the nurse-practitioner. I often choose the NP when I take the kids to the pediatric office. The NP's tend to spend more time with you. I felt like the onc nurses were more focused on my treatment than the onc. You never know, she may be a good allie(sp?) to cultivate. At the very least, she can write scripts for painkillers.
I can't remember the Birad scale. I think 5 or 6 is confirmed cancer. 1 may be something is showing up but is likely normal. It sounds like your lymph nodes are unhappy but not completely angry.
So don't give up. Just go. BB
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01-26-2007, 10:17 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Chelee,
Well, I know you and you certainly don't "give up"! I agree, see the NP and get more information. Rating is a Birads1 is a good sign, although you still do not have an answer to what is causing all the pain, they must have some reason to consider it birads1. Find out why this is, and what else could be causing the pain. You sure are a trooper - hang in there!
Chris
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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01-27-2007, 07:58 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Chelee,
Go see the nurse practioner. As said previously - they usually spend more time with you. That means that you'll have more time to express your concerns. After that if you are not satisfied, insist on an appointment with the onc. Also here's a site that explains the BIRADS ratings. http://womenshealth.aetna.com/WH/iht...1/t.35906.html
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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01-27-2007, 04:09 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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I have an appt. Monday with the NP. (I've seen her before...she is very nice but could never answer my questions.) I *need* to know what is causing this? What bothers me is the surgeons office can't say for sure its NOT cancer...but yet they won't do anything? Why not biopsy it? After all with my bc history it would seem the normal protocol.
What if I have a different type of cancer in this breast? Its been let go for almost 3 months now while I sit in pain.
tousled1, I did know what the birads ratings were. Looked them up after my first mammo. But I appreciate you sending the link. Thats why I keep wondering how they can keep *down-grading* this when they say they can't tell me for sure if its cancer or not? If they don't know...why can't we find out with a biospy? My body is telling me something is awful wrong. As Cristy said, I still *don't* have a answer to this. That is exactly my point. They should have to answer me. They just pass me around & I get no where.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-27-2007, 06:34 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Chelee,
I know it's hard, but try not to worry. Wait until you see the nurse practioner Monday. Perhaps she will be able to shed some light on what's going on. I occasionally have pain in my upper chest area. My last PET/CT scan was clear. I put an ice bag on it when it bothers me a lot and that really seems to help. Keep us posted as to what happens on Monday. Best of luck to you.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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