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A 2nd Lymph Node Biopsy after Lumpectomy?

Posted by foreverfaithful0925 @foreverfaithful0925, Jul 22 12:06pm

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with DCIS Stage 0 ER+ in May 2024.

I just had my lumpectomy on July 11, still bruised but otherwise ok and moving as normal as I can.

This journey has been overwhelming, to say the least. I am 42 with 2 young boys 13 and 8. The hardest part for me was telling my kids. But I got over that and was not as hard as I thought it would be.

I am trying to take it day by day. It’s overwhelming and sometimes just too much to overthink.

Just a few minutes ago the nurse called me and said I am scheduled again for surgery but a lymph node biopsy on July 30. I will be having a follow up appointment this week, July 24 with the surgeon to discuss my pathology results. I’m scared of not knowing what is going to happen. And confused as to why I need another biopsy when they already did a lymph node biopsy (I had a mass) which the result was benign. Has anyone had this experience before? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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annette3 | @annette3 | Oct 19 10:19pm
In reply to @foreverfaithful0925 "That is certainly good news!! Hopefully you heal pretty quick so that you can get to..." + (show)
@foreverfaithful0925

That is certainly good news!!
Hopefully you heal pretty quick so that you can get to the next phase.
I will start radiation treatments next week. I’m scared. Sometimes I ask myself if I’m making the right decision.

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I imagine I will be scared of radiation too once it is scheduled. They want me to have a total of 5 treatments - 1 every other day. At first I was really worried thinking of 3-4 weeks of radiation 90 min from my family and wouldn’t want to go & come home every day. I worried I would get fatigued and depressed from that. I will pray for you with your radiation. Keep us posted, I hope all goes well. How many radiation treatments do you need?

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1 reply
annette3 | @annette3 | Oct 19 11:03pm
In reply to @claudiaovando1 "I am 43 and I had the same procedure as you, but mine was stage 1..." + (show)
@claudiaovando1

I am 43 and I had the same procedure as you, but mine was stage 1 with clear nodes and margines in only one surgery. Stage 0 is highly curable though, so dont worry too much, anyway, I didn't developed cording until 4 weeks after the surgery and Lymphedema 3 months after radiation. My surgery recovery wasn't bad I fell fine almost the entired time after surgery, but I was able to do weights at the gym after 6 weeks. The lymphedema is a real thing after radiation. It's not as bad for me, but it goes and comes back on and off. I go to the OT (occupational Therapy) to get my lymph nodes drainage manually. I am on Lupron and Letrozole and the medication side effects has done to me more than the surgery or radiation ever did. Good luck and keep us updated.

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I understand I have Stage 1 since they found 2 mm cancer after my lumpectomy. I am rather scared of getting Lymphedema but only the Sentinel node was taken so I hope I don’t have to worry about that. I had never heard of cording but I just looked it up. Hoping not to get that either but it looks rather possible for anyone who has even had the sentinel node removed. Thought I would know shortly after the biopsy if I would develop Lymphedema but sounds like that isn’t the case. I guess I will take 1 step at a time. Thx for sharing your experiences.

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1 reply
claudiaovando1 | @claudiaovando1 | Oct 20 10:28am
In reply to @annette3 "I understand I have Stage 1 since they found 2 mm cancer after my lumpectomy. I..." + (show)
@annette3

I understand I have Stage 1 since they found 2 mm cancer after my lumpectomy. I am rather scared of getting Lymphedema but only the Sentinel node was taken so I hope I don’t have to worry about that. I had never heard of cording but I just looked it up. Hoping not to get that either but it looks rather possible for anyone who has even had the sentinel node removed. Thought I would know shortly after the biopsy if I would develop Lymphedema but sounds like that isn’t the case. I guess I will take 1 step at a time. Thx for sharing your experiences.

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The biopsy will not tell you if you will develop lymphedema or cording or both. That will be your body reaction to the procedure and like I mentioned it doesn't happened right away. It can happen months after like mine, but yes every body react diferent to the procedures, so the best you can do for yourself is take one day at a time and see how your body reacts to it. The side effects can happen right away or it can happen months after.

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1 reply
foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Oct 21 11:21am
In reply to @annette3 "I imagine I will be scared of radiation too once it is scheduled. They want me..." + (show)
@annette3

I imagine I will be scared of radiation too once it is scheduled. They want me to have a total of 5 treatments - 1 every other day. At first I was really worried thinking of 3-4 weeks of radiation 90 min from my family and wouldn’t want to go & come home every day. I worried I would get fatigued and depressed from that. I will pray for you with your radiation. Keep us posted, I hope all goes well. How many radiation treatments do you need?

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I start today and will be having 20 treatments.

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1 reply
annette3 | @annette3 | Oct 27 11:01pm
In reply to @claudiaovando1 "The biopsy will not tell you if you will develop lymphedema or cording or both. That..." + (show)
@claudiaovando1

The biopsy will not tell you if you will develop lymphedema or cording or both. That will be your body reaction to the procedure and like I mentioned it doesn't happened right away. It can happen months after like mine, but yes every body react diferent to the procedures, so the best you can do for yourself is take one day at a time and see how your body reacts to it. The side effects can happen right away or it can happen months after.

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OK. Thank you.

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annette3 | @annette3 | Oct 28 12:33am
In reply to @foreverfaithful0925 "I start today and will be having 20 treatments." + (show)
@foreverfaithful0925

I start today and will be having 20 treatments.

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How are you doing with your radiation? I won't know until at least Nov 5 when my mapping with be and when I should be receiving my radiation and how much. Take care. Keep your spirits up.

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foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Oct 29 2:13pm

Hello! Doing good so far! Have not felt any side effects. They did say it won’t really hit until 2-3 weeks into radiation. I am on week 2, so far spirits are up!
It seems more terrifying that it should be, just go through each day with gratitude is all I can say.
You take care as well!

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