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Becky · 10-17-2007, 06:05 PM

When I had mine done, they took the first node but it also had a baby node there. Both, upon the quick inspection looked good. However, when pathology took a good look, I had 2 micromets to one of those 2 nodes (but not the baby node). Apparently if at least one node is positive, they need a total of 5 to be sure so I had to have surgery again for more nodes and clean margins on the DCIS side (if you remember, it was very small so the surgeon wanted a wide exicision so I could avoid radiation on that side (something that haunts me today)). So, she went in to get 3 more but they are clumped and she ended up getting 5 so I had a total of 7 removed and those 5 were negative. Your surgeon is right that 3 is 3 and the less nodes you have removed lessens your current and future chances of lymphedema or other skin problems on the affected side. Rest easy.

10-17-2007, 06:05 PM	#3
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	When I had mine done, they took the first node but it also had a baby node there. Both, upon the quick inspection looked good. However, when pathology took a good look, I had 2 micromets to one of those 2 nodes (but not the baby node). Apparently if at least one node is positive, they need a total of 5 to be sure so I had to have surgery again for more nodes and clean margins on the DCIS side (if you remember, it was very small so the surgeon wanted a wide exicision so I could avoid radiation on that side (something that haunts me today)). So, she went in to get 3 more but they are clumped and she ended up getting 5 so I had a total of 7 removed and those 5 were negative. Your surgeon is right that 3 is 3 and the less nodes you have removed lessens your current and future chances of lymphedema or other skin problems on the affected side. Rest easy. __________________ 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"