Lolly, What are reactive nodes?

[Sheila]

Lolly
Read your post below and was wondering what reactive nodes are, since I have had the same problems as you.
Hugs
Sheila

[Lolly]

Hi Sheila,
My lymph nodes swell up whenever I have anything going on, even minor like just feeling blah. I liken them to an early warning system, because usually they return to normal in a day or so.
Love, Lolly

[Lolly]

Sheila, I also wanted to ask you about your problem nodes, are they in your neck and/or above the collarbone...and are they just on the primary dx side or on both sides? My primary was on the left, and the first recurrence started in the left nodes in neck and just above collarbone, then began moving into the right axilla by the time I started tx. The second recurrence this spring involved left and right axilla as well as left collarbone area. These are the same nodes that are "reactive". MY onc finds them useful as a gauge of whether I'm in remission, stable, or having a recurrence. I guess it's good they're reactive, less chance of anything sneaking up on me :)

[Lyn]

Hi to Lolly, mine are similar but don't come up unless they are positive. I am having physio on my right neck because it is so tight and still prominent gland, I re-read my MRI results today because I didn't realise that I had been given the first report back from March before treatment and even though in the second report there is no mention of the word mets it still mentions slight enhancement but overall large improvement on first MRI, and could be radiation damage? also first report talks of enlarged Paratoid, Saliva and Submandular gland which I was not aware of even I had been looking into that area when I was doing my researc, which explains numbness still in ear and down neck and slight loss of hearing in that side, all on opposite side of original BC. I am having the physio because I have been starting to get decreased movement in my right arm likened to become frozen so with my other frozen shoulder I will probably be a whreck if this goes any further, I was warned that too much radiation may cause nerve damage to my arm but at the time I just wanted to get rid of the lymph mets. So now how often should I have an MRI to my neck, last was 23rd November? The physio and deep tissue neck massage is making a difference, I could have a neck massage all day long, I have to do neck exercises every hour for 5 minutes, the big question who do I see, an orthopedic specialist or a neurologist, in my X-Ray my cervical spine has been leaning to the right from the tight neck muscles which have made the spine tender and I didn't even know until she pressed down my back, the tightness is right down to my right shoulder blade. Some trivial news today when I had my eye test, my eyes are healthy YIPEE, but I now have a stigma in the right eye, not surprised with the muscle pulling, but I am still short sighted so I treated myself to a pair of specs with all the bells and whistles, clip on sunnies, very modern, tinted for night and computer screen, not much good for the computer screen because I won't be able to read it with them on so I thought I would make good use of my health fund and they are very trendy even with a cabbage patch face and bandana. Talk to you soon.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[*_Sheila_*]

Lolly
I have had nodes above the collarbone removed, and they tested positive. This was 1 1/2 years ago, and I was placed on Herceptin. This was on my original diagnosis side. Now they are back again on the same side, same spot. These do not seem to show up in my scans, but are very palpable. I have also had frozen shoulder on that side. I continue on Herceptin until the Dr. decides to add further treatment. What a rollercoaster ride...the waiting makes me nervous.
Hugs
Sheila

[Lolly]

Sheila; at my first recurrence in 2001, I had surgery to remove the node above my collarbone but my surgeon ended up just excising enough for a biopsy(positive) as it was so close to nerves etc. he was afraid long term damage would occur. Now I feel that they do serve a useful purpose, as far as being an indication of things. I've decided I can live with a few lumps and bumps, cause it's cool when we are successful in shrinking them!

Love, Lolly

[Lolly]

Hi Lyn;
Boy, if it isn't one thing it's another! The physiotherapy sounds good, I've never gotten any yet, so far able to stay limber with housework and stretching exercises, but if I don't do the stretches I start stiffening up pretty quickly. You keep on top of that, we can't have you with both shoulders messed up. Keep me posted:)

Love, Lolly