second cancer diagnosis
HOWEVER I was just diagnosed with breast cancer in June. I found the lump the very end of April and went through all the familiar... Mammograms, ultrasounds, TWO needle biopsies, MRIs, MUGA scans, echocardiograms, sentinel node biopsy and port installed two weeks ago and last week a PET scan.
I am waiting until Tuesday for the PET scan results and my first chemotherapy. I will have to have a bilateral/reconstruct at the same time to save my poor irradiated skin. And due to the 6-8 week recovery time, they are doing chemo first and will do surgery while I have Herceptin the rest of the year.
I have invasisve ductal carcinoma. A 3cm tumor + small satellite. H2NU positive. Moderately aggressive. 2 out of 5 sentinel nodes were positive for cancer. Will be having TCH. Can't have anymore Adriamycin because I had the maximum lifetime dose LAST time and have cardiomyopathy from it.
BASICALLY I am trying not to think too much, wondering if it has spread. But my armpit is still sore and swollen two weeks after surgery and my left tricap aches and my left breast swells during the day (mild lymphedema?) and the discomfort REMINDS me of everything. I can't escape and the powerlessness is driving me batty. So I am having a hard time not freaking out. I just need to hear some good news.
"It probably isn't cancer..." SHOT DOWN!
"The MRI shows the nodes looking good, so I doubt they are cancerous..." SHOT DOWN AGAIN!
"It probably hasn't spread..." So I am waiting and just would love to hear some good news.
HELP!
Comments
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I am so sorry
I certainly wish I had some magic words or some great words of wisdom to help you and to comfort you. But, I don't. All I can offer is this, I have had bc twice, first in 1985 and this year in January, I was diagnosed again. It is hard to hear those words again, and, especially after all of the years. And, it really brings you to your knees. But, I put my faith in God and in my medical team. And, I fought and am still fighting and will continue. Just put your mind to it that you are going to fight this and that you will live a very full and long life! Cancer will not defeat you, you will defeat it!
Please keep us posted as to how you are doing. We will all support you thru this very difficult time.
Hugs, Jeanne0 -
It is good not to be aloneJeanne D said:I am so sorry
I certainly wish I had some magic words or some great words of wisdom to help you and to comfort you. But, I don't. All I can offer is this, I have had bc twice, first in 1985 and this year in January, I was diagnosed again. It is hard to hear those words again, and, especially after all of the years. And, it really brings you to your knees. But, I put my faith in God and in my medical team. And, I fought and am still fighting and will continue. Just put your mind to it that you are going to fight this and that you will live a very full and long life! Cancer will not defeat you, you will defeat it!
Please keep us posted as to how you are doing. We will all support you thru this very difficult time.
Hugs, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne I wish you had magic words too. But your reply helped because I know I am not the only one having to do this for a second time. All the waiting and the not-knowing is so hard.
I have faith in God and I know he is with me which helps. My medical team is TOP NOTCH and I have faith in them. It is just when you get tired and you are hurting anyway that it all gets extra hard. I never had to do any surgery last time, so this is different. I am not used to the pain. It isn't BAD, it just LASTS and my pain tolerance seems to flucutuate with my energy level and I need to talk to them about the swelling on Tuesday.
In my case I was told that the breast cancer was NOT the NHL back in another form. And I know that 5 years is a cure usually.
Is this a different form of breast cancer or just a really late recurrance, Jeanne? What is your prognosis?0 -
I am glad that my replycathlinberreth01 said:It is good not to be alone
Hi Jeanne I wish you had magic words too. But your reply helped because I know I am not the only one having to do this for a second time. All the waiting and the not-knowing is so hard.
I have faith in God and I know he is with me which helps. My medical team is TOP NOTCH and I have faith in them. It is just when you get tired and you are hurting anyway that it all gets extra hard. I never had to do any surgery last time, so this is different. I am not used to the pain. It isn't BAD, it just LASTS and my pain tolerance seems to flucutuate with my energy level and I need to talk to them about the swelling on Tuesday.
In my case I was told that the breast cancer was NOT the NHL back in another form. And I know that 5 years is a cure usually.
Is this a different form of breast cancer or just a really late recurrance, Jeanne? What is your prognosis?
I am glad that my reply helped. There are other women on here too that have dealt with bc more than once and I am sure they will respond to you too and help in anyway that they can. The waiting is hard, but, you will get thru it.
You will get tired, you will get down, you will be depressed. Having cancer once is awful, but, a diagnosis twice, is unimaginable. Noone can know until they are there. You just have to take good care of yourself. Allow yourself time to cry, allow yourself time to seek out conseling if needed, let others help you. Get lots of rest, try to eat right and just take it as easy as you can. This takes a huge toll on you physically and mentally.
No, my breast cancer this year is not a recurrence. It is a totally new cancer in my other breast. It has been, as I said, 23 years plus since the first diagnosis. I had a very small tumor, so, I had a lumpectomy with 37 radiation treatments. I finished those in May of this year. YEA! lol I am ER and PR positive so they have brought up putting me on hormone treatment, Tamoxifen, for 5 years. But, I am undecided if I will take it or not.
As far as my prognosis, my oncologist says I am cured! So, that is what I am. Cured!
I wish you the best. Please post and keep us updated. We are with you!
Love, Jeanne0 -
Cathlin
I am so sorry for the reason you are here, but since we have to be , just know that you are in the company of the most amazingly courageous, supportive, caring sisters in the world, plus they can be outrageously funny, and bring a smile to your lips and hope to your heart! you are with kindred spirits here and we will be here 24-7 for you.
I was dx'd Nov. 08, with IDC, 2.6 tumor, 6 of 26 pos. nodes, Her2nu pos., Left side mastectomy, I had 6 rounds of chemo with a year of Herceptin still going on, finished rads. IT IS DOABLE AND YOU WILL SURVIVE!!
Keep us posted and I will keep you in my prayers.
hugs, jackie0 -
Thanksrjjj said:Cathlin
I am so sorry for the reason you are here, but since we have to be , just know that you are in the company of the most amazingly courageous, supportive, caring sisters in the world, plus they can be outrageously funny, and bring a smile to your lips and hope to your heart! you are with kindred spirits here and we will be here 24-7 for you.
I was dx'd Nov. 08, with IDC, 2.6 tumor, 6 of 26 pos. nodes, Her2nu pos., Left side mastectomy, I had 6 rounds of chemo with a year of Herceptin still going on, finished rads. IT IS DOABLE AND YOU WILL SURVIVE!!
Keep us posted and I will keep you in my prayers.
hugs, jackie
Thanks for the support! You sound very upbeat and it is good to hear that this network of women has been so amazing for you! I feel encouraged and am looking foward to getting to know some of you more...
thanks for the prayers!0 -
Waiting Together
I have joined this site a couple of days ago and I am not a tearful person. But with every line I read I find Hope and Inspiration and cry. count to 10 and we will all yell kick and scream together. One of my friends gave me a teddy bear to hug my husband and daughter can't keep up with the hugging I find myself crying for no reason. I'm here, we are all here I wish I found this site 2 months ago
Deb0 -
Thanks Deb.Stubbrn said:Waiting Together
I have joined this site a couple of days ago and I am not a tearful person. But with every line I read I find Hope and Inspiration and cry. count to 10 and we will all yell kick and scream together. One of my friends gave me a teddy bear to hug my husband and daughter can't keep up with the hugging I find myself crying for no reason. I'm here, we are all here I wish I found this site 2 months ago
Deb
I have been
Thanks Deb.
I have been crying at random moments a lot lately. Not bawling all the time, but tears that creep up at inopportune moments and roll down my face. It is hard to not feel like I am having a pity party.
Where are you on your journey as a cancer survivor, Deb?0 -
It's hard enough to deal
It's hard enough to deal with cancer once but I can't imagine having to deal with it again and for some women 3x. My heart goes out to you. I'm sorry I don't have any good news except that you will get through it as awful as it may seem now. It will be one foot in front of the other and before you know it it will be done. It seems to me that I had read once about having and being treated for NHL makes one susceptible to breast cancer. Maybe this is what happened. Call your onc about your discomfort with your armpit and breast swelling, I'm sure they can recommend something to help. Try to keep a positive attitude (so you don't worry yourself into the ground). Perhaps you could ask for an anti-anxiety med, just to get you over this hump. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way....hope you get them
hugs
jan0 -
I was diagnosed with breastcathlinberreth01 said:Thanks Deb.
I have been
Thanks Deb.
I have been crying at random moments a lot lately. Not bawling all the time, but tears that creep up at inopportune moments and roll down my face. It is hard to not feel like I am having a pity party.
Where are you on your journey as a cancer survivor, Deb?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer invasive dcis in may her2 positive, ER positive, had lumpectomy x 2 in may and june 7 cm no clear margins, going for double mastectomy with lymph node removal on both sides on the 23rd, will have to have herceptin unsure if having chemo yet
To say I have breast Cancer out loud to someone gets me every time0 -
Waiting is one of the
Waiting is one of the hardest parts about it, but I am glad you have found a place here to share yourself. I have been on this site for almost a month and have been encouraged by posts I have read. Cancer itself is invasive, it invades not only your body, but your life as well...cancer sucks! I am sorry for all you had to go through and all you have to go through again. Know that you are not alone.0 -
Welcome and I am sorryluvher03 said:Waiting is one of the
Waiting is one of the hardest parts about it, but I am glad you have found a place here to share yourself. I have been on this site for almost a month and have been encouraged by posts I have read. Cancer itself is invasive, it invades not only your body, but your life as well...cancer sucks! I am sorry for all you had to go through and all you have to go through again. Know that you are not alone.
I'm so sorry. Being diagnosed once was the worst thing ever. I can't imagine hearing those words twice. I am so sorry for any of you that have. I wish you the strength to get thru it and I will pray for you!0 -
Welcome....cathlinberreth01 said:Thanks
Thanks for the support! You sound very upbeat and it is good to hear that this network of women has been so amazing for you! I feel encouraged and am looking foward to getting to know some of you more...
thanks for the prayers!
I'm glad you found us, although sorry for the reason. I couldn't imagine having to go through a second cancer. However, you made it through the first time and I am sure you will make it through again. You get to be a "super warrior"!! You know, sorta like superman, super duper, superdog (or was that underdog?). Well, you get my point. Hang in there and we will be right here to encourage you through your journey. Pammy 0 -
Wishing you the bestsusie09 said:Welcome and I am sorry
I'm so sorry. Being diagnosed once was the worst thing ever. I can't imagine hearing those words twice. I am so sorry for any of you that have. I wish you the strength to get thru it and I will pray for you!
I really can't imagine what you are going through, but I bet it's awful. I am so glad you found this site and I hope that now and in the future we can help you through this. You are obviously a very strong and capable lady to have got through all this before. Sounds like you have a wonderful family there. Huge Hugs to you Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
I want to wish you the best.tasha_111 said:Wishing you the best
I really can't imagine what you are going through, but I bet it's awful. I am so glad you found this site and I hope that now and in the future we can help you through this. You are obviously a very strong and capable lady to have got through all this before. Sounds like you have a wonderful family there. Huge Hugs to you Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I want to wish you the best. I can't imagine going thru it twice. I hope that we can help you in some way here to support you and to help you thru this.
Hugs, Lex0 -
Wishing you the best.KnowAlexis F said:I want to wish you the best.
I want to wish you the best. I can't imagine going thru it twice. I hope that we can help you in some way here to support you and to help you thru this.
Hugs, Lex
Wishing you the best.Know that we are here for you. Good Luck0 -
Time heals all wounds?
That just came to mind. I had the same hopes shot down. I ended up with a bilateral mastectomy in April of '08, followed by Chemo and radiation. Finished radiation in October. I never cried the whole time.
Up until last week I continued to be emotionally unwound. I finally cried some time last winter and then I cried a lot (and I still cry sometimes). Every twinge in my body reminded me of CANCER - my lymphedema and wearing a sleeve, some shoulder pain, numbness, restricted movement, etc. etc. etc. It is only now that I am understanding that none of these have to do with cancer...they have to do with the surgery. It's part of the recovery process.
What has helped me is therapy and anti-depressants with the occassional xanax thrown in.
So, thank goodness you are crying. Just know that it does get better and that you can do it. Accept all the help you are given. It makes people who care about you feel better to be able to help. And you will make new friends along the way, including us on this Discussion Board.
xoxox Lynn0 -
Welcome.
Sorry you have to face this again. But, you can come here as often as you want to vent, to ask questions, anything....
As far as diagnosis, I know it's hard (I'm a 2-fer myself), but you need to wait and see. As far as the pain, call your surgeon...it could be anything...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
You will find everyone verycathlinberreth01 said:Thanks
Thanks for the support! You sound very upbeat and it is good to hear that this network of women has been so amazing for you! I feel encouraged and am looking foward to getting to know some of you more...
thanks for the prayers!
You will find everyone very supportive of you! And, I got thru it twice
and so did others on here, so, you can do it too! We will help you thru it!
Love, Jeanne0 -
Welcome and I am so sorryKathiM said:Welcome.
Sorry you have to face this again. But, you can come here as often as you want to vent, to ask questions, anything....
As far as diagnosis, I know it's hard (I'm a 2-fer myself), but you need to wait and see. As far as the pain, call your surgeon...it could be anything...
Hugs, Kathi
Welcome and I am so sorry that you are here because of cancer for the 2nd time. I can't even comprehend what that must be like, even though, I realize that it is a big possibility. We all face that fear of a recurrence or another new cancer showing up. For me, I don't take any drugs for it, but, I have a huge support group in my family, my friends and faith in the Lord. Those will get you thru anything!
Best of luck to you, Diane0
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