What will happen next or “Just say No to Nodes”

On Wednesday, Feb 20 I will have a Sentinel Node Biopsy and additional margins taken from the surgery I had on Jan 31.  When the plastic surgeon removed the tumor, it was when we thought it was a cyst and he only removed the mass and did not take any margins.   His goal was to preserve as much breast tissue as possible.  When you are having something the size of a walnut (the entire walnut, not just the pieces or halves) removed from a breast, you want to keep as much as you can.

The Sentinel Node Biopsy is done to determine if the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes.  After the results of the biopsy, one of two things will happen:

1. Nodes are Negative – if the nodes are completely negative I will have 6.5 weeks of radiation, M-F (I get the weekends off) for 33 days.   That will be followed by 5-10 years of hormone therapy.

2. Nodes are Positive – If any of the nodes are positive, I will have 5 months of chemotherapy (exact cocktail to be determined.)  This will be followed by the 6.5 weeks of radiation and the 5-10 years of hormone therapy.

So my new mantra is “Just say No to Nodes!”

9 thoughts on “What will happen next or “Just say No to Nodes””

  1. Kelley Freeman

    Hi Loretta,
    Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for your biopsy on Wednesday. I can only imagine how scary this must be for all of you.

    Love,
    Kelley

    2. Cathleen Savage

      Loretta, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for the Oncotype DX test. It is a genetic test where they compare a tissue sample from your tumor with tissue samples from other people with a similar genetic makeup. The test predicts your risk for a recurrence (the thing we all hope to avoid) and tells how much you may benefit from chemotherapy. Doctors admit that 80% of patients don’t really benefit from chemo and 20 really need it. But they have a hard time determining which are the 20 who really need it. It may not apply to you but it is worth asking. I was fortunate enough to have done this test and had a really low risk of recurrence so I chose not to do chemo. I still did the radiation and am on year 6 of follow up drugs.

      So much to think about, I know. Sending much love your way.

      Cathleen

  2. Bob Elliott

    May your thoughts be positive and your nodes be negative. I think I saw that in a fortune cookie.

  3. joan campbell

    Good morning Loretta,
    You are in my thoughts and prayers, especially for Wednesday. You are one strong, healthy woman!
    You know I work just a few steps from where you live so if you need ANYTHING while you are home recovering (just company or craving something from T&C, anything), please call me.
    And by the way, cute blog design!
    Love, Joan

  4. Barbara Xenakis

    Loretta, please know that many prayers from the 757 are coming your way. Good luck on Wed. I will be thinking of you.

  5. Nicki McCraw

    Loretta,

    I will be repeating your mantra all day tomorrow……just say no to nodes! I’m thinking of you and your family. If you need anything at all in the UW Medicine world, just let me know. Now get out there and go kick this cancer’s ass!!

    Best,
    Nicki

Comments are closed.