do you know what grade the cancer was they removed?  I had mine removed 2weeks ago and the biopsy said it was grade 1 but he took lymph nodes to check those but as a low grade he doesn't think it will be in lymph nodes.  I was thinking perhaps yours is a low grade and he just took one lymph node because he doesn't think it will be  there..xxx

reading your previous notes you do  say it's a grade 3 ...so sorry your in this position again...I had it 22 years ago so was shocked to have it return....you can phone your breast care nurse and ask her anything that is worrying you...I have to go in next year when covid is better in the area I live and have a mastectomy....good luck with your treatment  xx

Hi Louise,

I am so sorry to hear that you have had a second bout of cancer. Did your consultant discuss how many lymph nodes he was going to remove in advance of your second surgery? 

I had a lumpectomy and had 6 nodes removed 11 years ago for grade 1 mucinous breast cancer. Fortunately, all of my nodes were clear. A year later I developed a second primary cancer in the same breast and had a bilateral mastectomy. My consultant said that he would try and take a few nodes from my other armpit, but didn't want too take too many, as that would only increase the risk of developing Lymphoedema. 

When the pathology results came back post-surgery, it turned out that he had only removed a fatty lump and didn't get any lymph nodes. Perhaps your surgeon had a similar experience, but at least he got one?

I don't blame you for not wanting any more surgery. Perhaps if the node removed is clear, your surgeon may decide not to take any more?

Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx