Do you have positive sentinel nodes? Everyone who does axillary node dissection should do LVA surgery (Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) surgery): connecting the lymphatic vessels to nearby veins , allowing the lymph to drain into the veins and circulate back into the rest of the body. With this microsurgery procedure, the chance of developing lymphedema is greatly reduced.
Full pathology. The first hospital just missed it. I was also consulting with another hospital and had them check it and they found some LVI. Very high ranking hospital, so I have confidence in their findings. However, since I had opted for a double mastectomy, they felt that there was a good chance it was all removed with the surgery. Since the first hospital missed it, I had hoped it was fairly minimal.
Full pathology. The first hospital just missed it. I was also consulting with another hospital and had them check it and they found some LVI. Very high ranking hospital, so I have confidence in their findings. However, since I had opted for a double mastectomy, they felt that there was a good chance it was all removed with the surgery. Since the first hospital missed it, I had hoped it was fairly minimal.
I was very lucky that I never got sick and maintained energy. It was every week, but a smaller dose than the pre surgery rounds. My WBC did drop below normal toward the end and they had to take me off for a week. That said, I do have some concerns about long term effects of all that chemo. Living positively, one day at a time.
I was very lucky that I never got sick and maintained energy. It was every week, but a smaller dose than the pre surgery rounds. My WBC did drop below normal toward the end and they had to take me off for a week. That said, I do have some concerns about long term effects of all that chemo. Living positively, one day at a time.
Thank you for such details! I’m so worried for my lymphovascular invasion and will go back to remove armpit lymph nodes this week. Did you do chemo at the end? Did you have armpit lymph nodes removed during mastectomy?
@resort I think I provided too much detail since the answers to your questions weren't clear. I never did chemo. My Oncotype showed no benefit. I did letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor.
My sentinel nodes were negative. My LVI was focal and in the lymph vessels.
Thank you. My Oncotype is 16, negative lymph nodes ( 6 sentinel nodes removed) and lymphovascular invasion identified. Meeting the oncologist on the 25th.
@poliana22 maybe ask if your LVI is focal or extensive, and if it is in lymph or blood vessels.
Sounds like you might do hormonal meds with no chemo. Did you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. If lumpectomy of course radiation will be suggested and possibly with mastectomy, though I did not have it.
No, not large, stage 1, close to 2, but TNBC. First hospital prescribed CMF for chemo. Had 6 courses then surgery. Learned from other consulting hospitals that there is no “after surgery” protocol for CMF. Should have gotten a pill after surgery, but that pill was not compatible with CMF, so I had to consult three hospitals to get the right treatment. Doing fine right now. Tests are clear.
Note to anyone reading this, ask more questions if CMF is prescribed for initial chemo.
@poliana22 maybe ask if your LVI is focal or extensive, and if it is in lymph or blood vessels.
Sounds like you might do hormonal meds with no chemo. Did you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. If lumpectomy of course radiation will be suggested and possibly with mastectomy, though I did not have it.
I had mastectomy on my left breast. Somehow I recall the breast surgeon saying that was in lymph, focal around my second tumor. Sent a message on my portal yesterday.
No, not large, stage 1, close to 2, but TNBC. First hospital prescribed CMF for chemo. Had 6 courses then surgery. Learned from other consulting hospitals that there is no “after surgery” protocol for CMF. Should have gotten a pill after surgery, but that pill was not compatible with CMF, so I had to consult three hospitals to get the right treatment. Doing fine right now. Tests are clear.
Note to anyone reading this, ask more questions if CMF is prescribed for initial chemo.
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I have never heard of this. Wish I had known. I have battled mild lymphedema in my left arm where nodes were tested.
Such a learning experience. Did you have negative sentinel nodes? How many did you remove?
How was chemotherapy for you? 12:rounds sounds so much!
I was very lucky that I never got sick and maintained energy. It was every week, but a smaller dose than the pre surgery rounds. My WBC did drop below normal toward the end and they had to take me off for a week. That said, I do have some concerns about long term effects of all that chemo. Living positively, one day at a time.
It looks like your cancer was aggressive and big tumor. Correct? Chemotherapy before the surgery usually is for big tumor and aggressive cancer.
@resort I think I provided too much detail since the answers to your questions weren't clear. I never did chemo. My Oncotype showed no benefit. I did letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor.
My sentinel nodes were negative. My LVI was focal and in the lymph vessels.
@poliana22 maybe ask if your LVI is focal or extensive, and if it is in lymph or blood vessels.
Sounds like you might do hormonal meds with no chemo. Did you have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. If lumpectomy of course radiation will be suggested and possibly with mastectomy, though I did not have it.
No, not large, stage 1, close to 2, but TNBC. First hospital prescribed CMF for chemo. Had 6 courses then surgery. Learned from other consulting hospitals that there is no “after surgery” protocol for CMF. Should have gotten a pill after surgery, but that pill was not compatible with CMF, so I had to consult three hospitals to get the right treatment. Doing fine right now. Tests are clear.
Note to anyone reading this, ask more questions if CMF is prescribed for initial chemo.
I had mastectomy on my left breast. Somehow I recall the breast surgeon saying that was in lymph, focal around my second tumor. Sent a message on my portal yesterday.
Mine was estrogen and progesterone positive 90%, stage 1, grade 2/3, mastectomy on my left side. What is CMF pill?