Well, I thought I was in the clear regarding my PET scan---sigh :(

Axillary Lymph Nodes
From what I understand about axillary lymph nodes, there are 3 levels. When they remove lymph nodes with a dissection with the initial diagnose it is from level 1. You had 23 removed at level 1. I had 27 removed at level one. My surgeon told me to imagine grapes, I don't count them when I buy them do I? They grab a bunch of nodes, some have more than others.

Four years later, I had a tumor in the axillary and insisted it be removed. My surgeon wasn't keen on it as we knew it was near the axillary vein (large vein in arm) and had sucked in a nerve (caused of pain and that how it was discovered). He removed the tumor wrapped around the large axillary vein and level 2 nodes, then reached up, taking a sample few of level 3 nodes. I was lucky the large arm nerve was buried in scar tissue at level one. He cut the two nerves from the tumor.

I should never have insisted on that 2nd dissection, it has caused neuropathy in that area.

Here is a where you can see an illustration of all the levels of axillary lymph nodes along with other nodes in color:

http://www.breastcancer.org/pictures/breast_anatomy/axillary_lymph_nodes

Hoping it is inflammatory node caused by your surgery last summer.

Wishing the best, Renee,

Doris

Sending positive thoughts & vibes your way
Hope it is nothing dear Renee. What day is your appointment? Keep us posted.

xoxo,
Jean

Renee, I am praying that this is benign. Sending good thoughts!

Hope
they left a few stray nodes when they did the mastectomy. I am choosing to stay positive as your tumors have been so responsive, and I am sending you lots of positive energy! Spend time with that beautiful baby this weekend and hopefully you won't think about it.

Hugs Renee,
Carol

camul said:

Hope
they left a few stray nodes when they did the mastectomy. I am choosing to stay positive as your tumors have been so responsive, and I am sending you lots of positive energy! Spend time with that beautiful baby this weekend and hopefully you won't think about it.

Hugs Renee,
Carol

Yes your beautiful baby will help you to stay in the moment
Cancer ghost never let us go. Sending positive thoughts and hoping for false alert .
Hugs

heart-in-hand said:

This is just too much.
Let me guess...the surgeon didn't say that to you...his nurse did? or his secretary? I am so sick of the way they treat the patients. We need to talk crap? Why can't we just talk now? hmmmmm? I am sorry that you have to go through this waiting game because he/she could not talk right now! Kay wishing karma back on them......Is the office visit fee just so damned important to them?

I am so sick of this kind of unemotional unfeeling, non-human treatment!
GGRRRRRRRR

Kay

Miss Renee --
I would be a little concerned, and confused by the comments made. After loosing a
night or two of sleep, I would be calling the doctor's office -- repeatedly.
Insisting that I get an appointment ... NOW.

I understand that many women, and men are suffering -- going thru treatment, needing
guidance, however, YOU are important. YOU, are not just a number -- YOU, need
information, and his medical expertise, NOW.

Congratulations on the positive, new regarding the being in remission on previous
growths.

Waiting the most difficult things for me to do.

Gentle hugs ..

Vicki Sam

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Renee, I am not a very patient person. I don't think I could wait till next week "to talk"...give me the news now. I don't care about the method of delivery, email, phone, in person...just don't make me wait. I applaud your patience, but I'm very sorry you even have reason to practice patience. I'm also glad your onc and your surgeon are being thorough. Please let us know what the surgeon says.

Hugs,

Linda

I agree they cant just drop
I agree they cant just drop a bomb and leave you dangling, its cruel. I am loving hearing that the bones and other organs look clear. They may need to talk to you about what you want to do about the other area. i doubt they know for sure what it is.

Renee - -I am sorry you are worried about this new development. I wonder if this is due to the fact that there are other nodes missing, causing additional fluids not to flow? I always wonder about this because I had edema in my breast. I have a friend who has a similar problem, her node (from her back, affected area) got enlarged. She did a biopsy and it was OK. I too had an enlarged node under my arm and it was also biopsied and it was b9. I know nodes can enlarge for different reasons, so I pray that yours will turn out OK.

Please keep us posted and try to stay positive at all times.

Hugs

Thinking of you
Renee,

I hope your appointment is early this week and you get the answer to your questions. It may just be a follow up appointment to let you know why it looks that way. I had a CT scan done and the oncologist said everything was good. I still wasn't feeling well so I went to my thoracic surgeon and he told me my liver which had been pinned down when I had surgery had come "unpinned" and if I wanted they could go in and fix it. I was glad to find an answer, my oncologist didn't say anything about seeing the surgeon. I thought it may just be scar tissue. My point is he may just want to explain what the oncologist can't because it's not her area of expertise. Here's praying you get good news. Hugs.

Terry