reoccurance after 10 years
Have an MRI scheduled for Wed. for other breast- but will be getting results tomorrow re BRCA, so that will determine whether need MRI and whether to do both breasts. Not even sure what I am asking...but just want to connect with others going through similar thing.
Thanks in advance - karen
Comments
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Welcome, dancR22
So sorry for your recurrence. I'm almost six years out from original diagnosis - and had lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, 2 years of Tamoxifen, and now 3+ years of Arimidex and still counting. (Might be on meds 10 years total).
I'll be hoping for the best on your behalf.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
welcome Dancr22
Wow, 10 years, that is discouraging, but at least you know that the advances in the past 10 years is amazing. I am 2 years out of a partial mastectomy, chemo and rads. Welcome and please keep us posted when you get your results.
Keep good thoughts!
Cat0 -
That is so sad dancR, afterChristmas Girl said:Welcome, dancR22
So sorry for your recurrence. I'm almost six years out from original diagnosis - and had lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, 2 years of Tamoxifen, and now 3+ years of Arimidex and still counting. (Might be on meds 10 years total).
I'll be hoping for the best on your behalf.
Kind regards, Susan
That is so sad dancR, after 10 years. Seems there are several that have taken all of the treatments and it still came back. I will pray for you and I wish you good luck in this 2nd journey! Please let us know how you do.0 -
Sorrycats_toy said:welcome Dancr22
Wow, 10 years, that is discouraging, but at least you know that the advances in the past 10 years is amazing. I am 2 years out of a partial mastectomy, chemo and rads. Welcome and please keep us posted when you get your results.
Keep good thoughts!
Cat
So sorry. 10 years is a long time to be cancer free and now it is back. But, I am sure you will fight bc again and you will win again. Wishing you the best!0 -
Hi Karen......
As the others have said, I'm very sorry that you are having to go through this again. I guess if anyone were to ask, that is my (probably all of our) biggest fear). And it seems that even though so many advances have been made, the recurrence rate is pretty high.
I had mastectomy, but did not have reconstruction, so I can't help you there.
I'm so very glad that you found us though. Hang in there.
CR0 -
What can I expect to REALLY happen?CR1954 said:Hi Karen......
As the others have said, I'm very sorry that you are having to go through this again. I guess if anyone were to ask, that is my (probably all of our) biggest fear). And it seems that even though so many advances have been made, the recurrence rate is pretty high.
I had mastectomy, but did not have reconstruction, so I can't help you there.
I'm so very glad that you found us though. Hang in there.
CR
Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in the mastectomy side that I had reconstructed after 10 years. (Reconstruction was done about sixth months after mastectomy, The cANCER came back after a decade.) I am waiting to hear the results of a biopsy of a lymph node on the OTHER side to see if that is a spread or a new, or maybe even nothing at all. The fact it took ten years to return is a good thing: indicates slow growth, I think.
I am on preadjuvant endocrine therapy and the Femara is working after only a month! The plan now is to have the reconstruction removed, radiation, the other breast removed, and continuation with endocrine therapy or chemo. (I don't think I will need chemo if the AIs are working.)
Anyway, is taking surgery off the table a possibility since the Femara is visibily shrinking the tumors? IF they go away all together, should I still do the surgery and rads to be sure? I just want to get this over with and get back to my life.
Thank you! I would appreciate those of you with recurrent cancer sharing your stories of how you go to the other side of this and got your life back.
Dans22, please let me know how your journey goes and what you decide to do. I will be praying for you. (Even though I have to have it removed, I am glad I had my reconstruction when I did. And if I DO have it removed, I want the other one removed too. Looking in the mirror and seeing just one, looking like I was winking at myself with one "open eye" and one closed, was harder for me than even hair loss! (Which with the new therapies, I won't have to go through either.) I want to be cured and never have to look back!
Dx 5/12/2009, , / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-0 -
I just want to say how sorryarbojenn said:What can I expect to REALLY happen?
Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in the mastectomy side that I had reconstructed after 10 years. (Reconstruction was done about sixth months after mastectomy, The cANCER came back after a decade.) I am waiting to hear the results of a biopsy of a lymph node on the OTHER side to see if that is a spread or a new, or maybe even nothing at all. The fact it took ten years to return is a good thing: indicates slow growth, I think.
I am on preadjuvant endocrine therapy and the Femara is working after only a month! The plan now is to have the reconstruction removed, radiation, the other breast removed, and continuation with endocrine therapy or chemo. (I don't think I will need chemo if the AIs are working.)
Anyway, is taking surgery off the table a possibility since the Femara is visibily shrinking the tumors? IF they go away all together, should I still do the surgery and rads to be sure? I just want to get this over with and get back to my life.
Thank you! I would appreciate those of you with recurrent cancer sharing your stories of how you go to the other side of this and got your life back.
Dans22, please let me know how your journey goes and what you decide to do. I will be praying for you. (Even though I have to have it removed, I am glad I had my reconstruction when I did. And if I DO have it removed, I want the other one removed too. Looking in the mirror and seeing just one, looking like I was winking at myself with one "open eye" and one closed, was harder for me than even hair loss! (Which with the new therapies, I won't have to go through either.) I want to be cured and never have to look back!
Dx 5/12/2009, , / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
I just want to say how sorry I am and to wish you the best of luck! Please keep us updated on how you are doing! We are here for your support!0 -
How sad to read that youarbojenn said:What can I expect to REALLY happen?
Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in the mastectomy side that I had reconstructed after 10 years. (Reconstruction was done about sixth months after mastectomy, The cANCER came back after a decade.) I am waiting to hear the results of a biopsy of a lymph node on the OTHER side to see if that is a spread or a new, or maybe even nothing at all. The fact it took ten years to return is a good thing: indicates slow growth, I think.
I am on preadjuvant endocrine therapy and the Femara is working after only a month! The plan now is to have the reconstruction removed, radiation, the other breast removed, and continuation with endocrine therapy or chemo. (I don't think I will need chemo if the AIs are working.)
Anyway, is taking surgery off the table a possibility since the Femara is visibily shrinking the tumors? IF they go away all together, should I still do the surgery and rads to be sure? I just want to get this over with and get back to my life.
Thank you! I would appreciate those of you with recurrent cancer sharing your stories of how you go to the other side of this and got your life back.
Dans22, please let me know how your journey goes and what you decide to do. I will be praying for you. (Even though I have to have it removed, I am glad I had my reconstruction when I did. And if I DO have it removed, I want the other one removed too. Looking in the mirror and seeing just one, looking like I was winking at myself with one "open eye" and one closed, was harder for me than even hair loss! (Which with the new therapies, I won't have to go through either.) I want to be cured and never have to look back!
Dx 5/12/2009, , / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
How sad to read that you both had a recurrence. Just want to add my good luck to you and know that I will be praying for both of you! It is always hard to read these postings, but, we also need to know that it can happen and to be aware of it. Good luck to both of you!0 -
Just want to say how sorry Iarbojenn said:What can I expect to REALLY happen?
Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in the mastectomy side that I had reconstructed after 10 years. (Reconstruction was done about sixth months after mastectomy, The cANCER came back after a decade.) I am waiting to hear the results of a biopsy of a lymph node on the OTHER side to see if that is a spread or a new, or maybe even nothing at all. The fact it took ten years to return is a good thing: indicates slow growth, I think.
I am on preadjuvant endocrine therapy and the Femara is working after only a month! The plan now is to have the reconstruction removed, radiation, the other breast removed, and continuation with endocrine therapy or chemo. (I don't think I will need chemo if the AIs are working.)
Anyway, is taking surgery off the table a possibility since the Femara is visibily shrinking the tumors? IF they go away all together, should I still do the surgery and rads to be sure? I just want to get this over with and get back to my life.
Thank you! I would appreciate those of you with recurrent cancer sharing your stories of how you go to the other side of this and got your life back.
Dans22, please let me know how your journey goes and what you decide to do. I will be praying for you. (Even though I have to have it removed, I am glad I had my reconstruction when I did. And if I DO have it removed, I want the other one removed too. Looking in the mirror and seeing just one, looking like I was winking at myself with one "open eye" and one closed, was harder for me than even hair loss! (Which with the new therapies, I won't have to go through either.) I want to be cured and never have to look back!
Dx 5/12/2009, , / nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Just want to say how sorry I am arbojenn, that you had a recurrence. I will pray for you too! Please keep us updated as we all care!0 -
Have had a recurrence too
I'm sorry to hear of your recurrence. I had gone almost 8 years before I found another lump. My first time was DCIS and I had a mastectomy with Tram Flap reconstruction. The second time was in the reconstructed side. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I finished 13 months ago. I'm doing fine, but worry a lot about recurrence again.
Get all the information you can from your doctors, pathology reports, etc and hit it head on. Before you know it, you'll be done with treatment and on your way to getting your life back.
Barb0 -
Thank youjnl said:Just want to say how sorry I
Just want to say how sorry I am arbojenn, that you had a recurrence. I will pray for you too! Please keep us updated as we all care!
Thank you! I get the results of the biopsy from my "good" side tomorrow. I decided to test myself and see if I could refrain from calling to get the results before my scheduled visit. I figured the results, bad or good, wouldn't really change the treatment schedule anyway. I think the doctor needs to know so she can say if it is just a local/regional occurence or a mets. Still feel anxious, though. Maybe the Femara took care of it already?
I gotta tell ya, ten years ago, endocrine therapy wasn't this advanced. I really am grateful for all the research that has taken place in the last few years!0 -
radsBarb A said:Have had a recurrence too
I'm sorry to hear of your recurrence. I had gone almost 8 years before I found another lump. My first time was DCIS and I had a mastectomy with Tram Flap reconstruction. The second time was in the reconstructed side. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I finished 13 months ago. I'm doing fine, but worry a lot about recurrence again.
Get all the information you can from your doctors, pathology reports, etc and hit it head on. Before you know it, you'll be done with treatment and on your way to getting your life back.
Barb
Barb,
How often did you have to have radiation treatment? Does each session take a long time? Is it something you can do while holding down a full time job? Have you recovered from the fatigue effects?0 -
I had radiation every weekarbojenn said:rads
Barb,
How often did you have to have radiation treatment? Does each session take a long time? Is it something you can do while holding down a full time job? Have you recovered from the fatigue effects?
I had radiation every week day for seven weeks. This was in 2000. I worked all through the treatments, but I did leave an hour or two early each day. I went to my treatmtnet and then went home. I think that this greatly reduced the exhaustion that I felt. Most of the treatments are about a half hour, provided the center hasn't over-booked their day. At least once a week, you have to meet with the doctor and have blood drawn.
Joyce0 -
Hi Karen - I had DIEP in Jan 09
Hi, I am so sorry to hear of your reoccurance. I am 7 years out (Stage III) I had a mastectomy in 2002 and had reconstruction in Jan of 2009. (I wasn't a candidate 7 years ago for reconstruction because of all the chemo and rad I was going to have) I had the DIEP, and love the outcome. The implants weren't an option this time around because of how thin the skin on my chest wall was. The surgery is quite involved and recovery is a bit tough but in my opinion well worth it. I had the reduction and lift in April so the 2 sides would match. I have the nipple to do. I would do it all over again. I wish you the best. Karen0 -
Radsarbojenn said:rads
Barb,
How often did you have to have radiation treatment? Does each session take a long time? Is it something you can do while holding down a full time job? Have you recovered from the fatigue effects?
I had radiation daily for 38 sessions. They don't take long at all. I went every day after work, then drove home (40 minute drive). Not a problem until my last 5 boosts. I burned and it took 2-3 weeks to heal. I still worked. I just didn't wear a bra those days. Hid it by wearing suit jackets and camisoles with the shelf bras. Everything is fine now. I do have fatigue at times, but I also have Thyroid issues, so that adds to it. I have less fatigue if I get more exercise.
Barb0
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