Good News for the most part BUT a bit scary too........

Mary Jo · 01-02-2007, 02:32 PM

Hi All,

Well I had my PET/CT scan Saturday morning. This afternoon my radiation onc. called to tell me that my body showed no cancer HOWEVER there was a "suspicious lymph node" under my LEFT arm. My breast cancer was right side. Had ONE microscopic cell in 1st sent. node (right side) second node was clear. That side was fine. I did have my left breast removed March of 2006 because of "suspicious calcifications" in left breast. Stereotactic biopsy said benign and after left breast mastectomy and pathology all was "clear" No cancer in left breast at all. So.............it all sounds a bit wierd.

So, now the PET/CT is being digitally sent to Froedtert where my "team" exists. They will look at it and see what they think and possibly node biopsy will be in order. My surgeon's nurse said "You should be rejoicing in the good news that your body was clear AND be mildly cautious with the suspicious node." She said it would be "a very unlikely place for recurrence and with the left breast having no cancer it would be strange." She also said "once you've had cancer ANYTHING suspicious will be looked at." She too is a breast cancer survivor so UNDERSTANDS the journey.

She said my surgeon will be calling me back this afternoon yet with the, what next, step.

I am very optimistic............not nearly as fearful as I thought I'd be and happy (kind of) I had the PET. If it is nothing I TOTALLY understand now why they don't encourage scans looking for cancer. The false positives aren't a fun experience. HOWEVER, God forbid it is anything, I am thankful I had it and that is all that is found.

I'll keep you posted.

God Bless each of you with His peace,

Mary Jo

tousled1 · 01-02-2007, 05:23 PM

Mary Jo,

Congratulations on the good news. I wouldn't worry too much about the lymph node. It could be a lot of things that made the lymph node show up. Just try not to worry - I know - difficult to do. I'm sure it's nothing so just relax.

VaMoonRise · 01-03-2007, 02:41 PM

Mary Jo,

That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you. Lymph nodes can show up at any time for sooo many different reasons. Lymph nodes are the filters for the body and any tiny bacteria can cause them to be more prominent, hopefully that is all that is going on. I will say a prayer and keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Be sure to let us know the results.

Love & Hugs,
Nicola

julierene · 01-03-2007, 03:47 PM

With having a clear left breast path report on a suspecious calcification, I wouldn't worry about the PET. I doubt that anything would travel to a lymph node and be missed by a pathologist and the host of tests prior to that to determine there were calcifications. You probably already know that stage 0 (which is what I would think calcifications would be classified) practically NEVER goes anywhere. I don't think you even need to worry about anything from the right traveling over to the left lymph node either. I had 2 primary breast cancers... but the 2nd side was considered Stage 0. Try not to worry. If you had this surgery recently, I would think the natural healing process could be to blame.

rinaina · 01-04-2007, 02:13 PM

Sounds like good news Marejo. I am praying for you and hope all stays well.