Eleanor asked a great question about age and it got me to thinking (I know...that's dangerous) when I was reading the responses. How many have a reoccurrence after having a mastectomy? I was node neg and had a mastectomy in hopes of preventing a reoccurrence.

Hugs and Smiles,
Angela

I had a mastectomy and chemo and 21 neg nodes and a recurrence 3 years later.

I had a left mastectomy immediatly after diagnosis, 5 of 5 positive nodes. Recurrance 16 months later, which included involvement of remaining right breast. Mastectomy of right breast in April 2002, so far no recurrence, remain on Herceptin 3weekly.
Hugs,
Lolly

mom had a masectomy in aug of 99. no chemo or radiaiton needed. had recurrence in sept of 03 w spread to brain. now has liver mets and ? on weekly navelbine/gemzar.

I had a mastectomy Feb 01, 9 out of 11 nodes +, and recurrence to bones dx Dec 02 (probably earlier if I had complained about pain!) From what I have read here, individual experiences cover the spectrum.