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Nicola · 01-11-2006, 05:35 PM

I am 37 years old and was diagnosed in March 2004 with DCIS stage 0, I underwent a lumpectomy with NO lymph nodes removed, they removed the microcalcifications and they even went in a second time a month later to re-check the margins by removing more breast tissue, it came back clean. I underwent radiation everyday for eight weeks and continued to have check-ups and mammograms every six months. I received no chemo, or any adjuvant therapy. I thought I was doing great and felt so blessed and fortunate to have caught it so early as I had lost my mother and mother in-law to breast cancer. On Decemeber 1, 2005 I went in for surgery to have my gall bladder removed as I had had a bad gall bladder attack. When my onc went in to remove it he was shocked to find extensive cancer in my liver in both lobes, he immediately did a biopsy of the liver that came back cancerous HER2++++ I also have cancer in my spine. The only thing my onc's can figure is that there must have been some invasive cells in the breast that were not found in the original biopsy. I am now undergoing chemo with Lapatinib, Herceptin and Taxol with no end in sight. Please make sure you get a second opinion and really weigh out the decision of whether or not to have the sentinel nodes checked.

I wish you all the very best.

Big Hugs,
Nicola

01-11-2006, 05:35 PM	#6
Nicola Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: King & Queen County Virginia Posts: 59	Sentinel Nodes for Everyone? I am 37 years old and was diagnosed in March 2004 with DCIS stage 0, I underwent a lumpectomy with NO lymph nodes removed, they removed the microcalcifications and they even went in a second time a month later to re-check the margins by removing more breast tissue, it came back clean. I underwent radiation everyday for eight weeks and continued to have check-ups and mammograms every six months. I received no chemo, or any adjuvant therapy. I thought I was doing great and felt so blessed and fortunate to have caught it so early as I had lost my mother and mother in-law to breast cancer. On Decemeber 1, 2005 I went in for surgery to have my gall bladder removed as I had had a bad gall bladder attack. When my onc went in to remove it he was shocked to find extensive cancer in my liver in both lobes, he immediately did a biopsy of the liver that came back cancerous HER2++++ I also have cancer in my spine. The only thing my onc's can figure is that there must have been some invasive cells in the breast that were not found in the original biopsy. I am now undergoing chemo with Lapatinib, Herceptin and Taxol with no end in sight. Please make sure you get a second opinion and really weigh out the decision of whether or not to have the sentinel nodes checked. I wish you all the very best. Big Hugs, Nicola