Chemo the second time

wan1135
wan1135 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was originally diognosed with Breast Cancer in 2003 at the age of 40. underwent 8 treatments of Chemo & 16wks of radiation. Was doing great for 51/2 yrs then my leg started to hurt. It got progressively worse. A bone scan showed that the cancer returned as Metastatic breast cancer in my bones. My pelvis bone cracked in 2 places & a few months later a bone in my back cracked. Now a new cancer has showed up in my other breast. Now at 46 I've been told that I will have to undergo Chemo again & probably a mastectomy as well. Has anyone out there had to undergo chemo more than once. I'm terrified of going thru this again.
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Comments

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #2
    Hi Wan
    I am so sorry that you are here because of a return of cancer, but, welcome. It is always hard to read of the recurrence's. We are always so hopeful that it won't come back.

    I can't help you out about having chemo twice. I didn't have it once. I just had a lumpectomy with radiation treatments this year.

    Hopefully, someone can post and give you more information.

    So sorry again,
    Angie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #3
    Angie2U said:

    Hi Wan
    I am so sorry that you are here because of a return of cancer, but, welcome. It is always hard to read of the recurrence's. We are always so hopeful that it won't come back.

    I can't help you out about having chemo twice. I didn't have it once. I just had a lumpectomy with radiation treatments this year.

    Hopefully, someone can post and give you more information.

    So sorry again,
    Angie

    Wan, just want to also say
    Wan, just want to also say how sorry I am that you had a recurrence. I am sure someone will write on here to help you.

    KYLEZ ♥
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #4
    Hey Wan
    No Wan, I haven't. I didn't even have to endure it once thank God.

    I will be praying for you!


    Hugs, Sue
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    Wan I am so very sorry that
    Wan I am so very sorry that you are having to deal with this yet again. I have had to have sets of chemo 3 different times. In 97 I had 6 rounds of chemo for my orig. bc along with 6 weeks of rads, then six months later it mastastisized into my sentinel node and my chest wall so I then had 18 more sessions of chemo and 10 more weeks of rads. I was cancer free for 9 years when it returned as a new bc in my other breast. I then had a mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemo and reconstruction. I have been cancer free now for almost 3 years. I know it is extremely upsetting to have to battle cancer again but you can do this. I guess over the years I have developed the view that cancer is similar to a chronic illness that we must stay on top of, the longer we survive the closer we get to the cure. Each cancer battle has been worth it because even if it was exhausting, made me ill and caused my hair to fall out it bought me valuable time. Since my first dx I have watched my children graduate from high school, marry and have babies that I adore. It is not a cake walk that is for sure but we will be here for you. Please come here for support and encouragement as there are many who would love to help you on the boards.

    ♥ RE ♥
  • Kathy09
    Kathy09 Member Posts: 99
    #6
    Feel for you
    These thoughts often enter my mind as nothing is 100% and there are no quarantees of anything. Sending hugs your way and hoping your decisions ease your mind. I am only a year into this battle.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #7
    Wan, I'm so sorry you have
    Wan, I'm so sorry you have had a reoccurance of the beast. This is the fear that we all live with. There are however a couple of wonderful sisters on this site that have been through multiple chemo's. It's not what we want but it is doable because we do want to rid our bodies of this intruder. We'll be here with you every step of the way. Good luck and keep us posted. Take care.
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #8
    MyTurnNow said:

    Wan, I'm so sorry you have
    Wan, I'm so sorry you have had a reoccurance of the beast. This is the fear that we all live with. There are however a couple of wonderful sisters on this site that have been through multiple chemo's. It's not what we want but it is doable because we do want to rid our bodies of this intruder. We'll be here with you every step of the way. Good luck and keep us posted. Take care.

    I'm also welcoming you to
    I'm also welcoming you to this site, Wan. And so sorry to hear its back. Just wanted to wish you well and sending you lots of hugs.
  • wan1135
    wan1135 Member Posts: 8
    #9
    RE said:

    Wan I am so very sorry that
    Wan I am so very sorry that you are having to deal with this yet again. I have had to have sets of chemo 3 different times. In 97 I had 6 rounds of chemo for my orig. bc along with 6 weeks of rads, then six months later it mastastisized into my sentinel node and my chest wall so I then had 18 more sessions of chemo and 10 more weeks of rads. I was cancer free for 9 years when it returned as a new bc in my other breast. I then had a mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemo and reconstruction. I have been cancer free now for almost 3 years. I know it is extremely upsetting to have to battle cancer again but you can do this. I guess over the years I have developed the view that cancer is similar to a chronic illness that we must stay on top of, the longer we survive the closer we get to the cure. Each cancer battle has been worth it because even if it was exhausting, made me ill and caused my hair to fall out it bought me valuable time. Since my first dx I have watched my children graduate from high school, marry and have babies that I adore. It is not a cake walk that is for sure but we will be here for you. Please come here for support and encouragement as there are many who would love to help you on the boards.

    ♥ RE ♥

    Thank You
    Thank You for ur words of encoragement. U were the only person that responded who has been through chemo more than once. I start my chemo 2morrow. The doc couldn't say how many treatments I'll undergo this time. I'm also getting 2 new types of meds (new 2 me) Herceptin & Taxel. Doc says he dosent think I'll be as sick as I was the first go round. Heres hoping he's right. Not looking forward to tomorrow at all. But I'm going 2 continue to push ahead for myself & my children. I just like U want to see them graduate, marry & have children.

    Thanks again
    If its okay I'll keep U posted
  • boppel
    boppel Member Posts: 26
    #10
    chemo twice
    Hi wan1135, I am sorry about your Dx and the new cancer. I had chemo twice, the first time in 1998 and a mastectomy, my choice, the second time in 2001, lumpectomy with chemo and radiation. Each BC was a different primary, not a recurrence, each chemo was a different drug combination. The first time I lost all of my hair and I was pretty sick, the second time it was a different drug combination, I tolerated it much better, my hair thinned but did not fall out. I had to take Neulasta shots to get the bloodcount up. Should I get BC again my oncologist told me I would be receiving Herceptin, this was not available for me at that time for the stage I had. They do have better drugs now that combat nausea and other side effects. I was 54 the first time, 57 1/2 the second time, I just had my 66 birthday and I am doing fine. I know this is scary for you, but this too shall pass. My heart goes out to you I wish you the best. One time while going thru chemo I asked my doc, how many times can I do this ( going thru chemo) and he said , as much as it is needed, there are new drugs available and we will continue to try to get the right combination. So far so good. God bless you. em
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #11
    boppel said:

    chemo twice
    Hi wan1135, I am sorry about your Dx and the new cancer. I had chemo twice, the first time in 1998 and a mastectomy, my choice, the second time in 2001, lumpectomy with chemo and radiation. Each BC was a different primary, not a recurrence, each chemo was a different drug combination. The first time I lost all of my hair and I was pretty sick, the second time it was a different drug combination, I tolerated it much better, my hair thinned but did not fall out. I had to take Neulasta shots to get the bloodcount up. Should I get BC again my oncologist told me I would be receiving Herceptin, this was not available for me at that time for the stage I had. They do have better drugs now that combat nausea and other side effects. I was 54 the first time, 57 1/2 the second time, I just had my 66 birthday and I am doing fine. I know this is scary for you, but this too shall pass. My heart goes out to you I wish you the best. One time while going thru chemo I asked my doc, how many times can I do this ( going thru chemo) and he said , as much as it is needed, there are new drugs available and we will continue to try to get the right combination. So far so good. God bless you. em

    Wan
    I am very sorry for your situation. We have ladies who has to have Chemo for a second time. They are inspiration to all of us.
    I know it is awful, especially you are very young. Please stay in touch and visit this side for emotional support and medical questions.
    Hugs
    New Flower
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #12
    New Flower said:

    Wan
    I am very sorry for your situation. We have ladies who has to have Chemo for a second time. They are inspiration to all of us.
    I know it is awful, especially you are very young. Please stay in touch and visit this side for emotional support and medical questions.
    Hugs
    New Flower

    I'm on Taxol right now
    and for me it's been very easy. I'm a teacher and only take a half day off for the treatment and am back at it the next day. Hopefully your doc will put you on the weekly low doses. Very tolerable...
    Good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers. Like someone else said, we all fear this, but look at the people who've written about their progress. It gives us all hope. They HAVE to be getting closer to a cure every day!
    I went to an ACS meeting where a woman who appeared to be in her mid 70s told her story of battling cancer 7 times! And she looked amazingly strong and healthy!
    God bless,
    Lorraine
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #13
    New Flower said:

    Wan
    I am very sorry for your situation. We have ladies who has to have Chemo for a second time. They are inspiration to all of us.
    I know it is awful, especially you are very young. Please stay in touch and visit this side for emotional support and medical questions.
    Hugs
    New Flower

    Zometa for bones
    Zometa is a new drug which is designed to restore bones. Neulasta shot helps to keep blood counts from going down. For estrogen positive cancer Arimidex and femara are relatively new drugs.
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #14
    wan1135 said:

    Thank You
    Thank You for ur words of encoragement. U were the only person that responded who has been through chemo more than once. I start my chemo 2morrow. The doc couldn't say how many treatments I'll undergo this time. I'm also getting 2 new types of meds (new 2 me) Herceptin & Taxel. Doc says he dosent think I'll be as sick as I was the first go round. Heres hoping he's right. Not looking forward to tomorrow at all. But I'm going 2 continue to push ahead for myself & my children. I just like U want to see them graduate, marry & have children.

    Thanks again
    If its okay I'll keep U posted

    Hey Wan
    I want to wish you good luck today Wan! Keep us updated on how you are doing.

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #15
    New Flower said:

    Zometa for bones
    Zometa is a new drug which is designed to restore bones. Neulasta shot helps to keep blood counts from going down. For estrogen positive cancer Arimidex and femara are relatively new drugs.

    I am on my second primary
    I am on my second primary and second time of chemo. I kept saying I cant do it. but what I meant was that I didnt want to. but you can get through it as people say they will help you and support you . I think the second time you know what the fight will be like and you have no illusions.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #16
    carkris said:

    I am on my second primary
    I am on my second primary and second time of chemo. I kept saying I cant do it. but what I meant was that I didnt want to. but you can get through it as people say they will help you and support you . I think the second time you know what the fight will be like and you have no illusions.

    I am wishing both of you,
    I am wishing both of you, wan and carkris, the best of luck this time with chemo. I am here for both of you for support, encouragement or just to listen to you vent.

    Megan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #17
    boppel said:

    chemo twice
    Hi wan1135, I am sorry about your Dx and the new cancer. I had chemo twice, the first time in 1998 and a mastectomy, my choice, the second time in 2001, lumpectomy with chemo and radiation. Each BC was a different primary, not a recurrence, each chemo was a different drug combination. The first time I lost all of my hair and I was pretty sick, the second time it was a different drug combination, I tolerated it much better, my hair thinned but did not fall out. I had to take Neulasta shots to get the bloodcount up. Should I get BC again my oncologist told me I would be receiving Herceptin, this was not available for me at that time for the stage I had. They do have better drugs now that combat nausea and other side effects. I was 54 the first time, 57 1/2 the second time, I just had my 66 birthday and I am doing fine. I know this is scary for you, but this too shall pass. My heart goes out to you I wish you the best. One time while going thru chemo I asked my doc, how many times can I do this ( going thru chemo) and he said , as much as it is needed, there are new drugs available and we will continue to try to get the right combination. So far so good. God bless you. em

    Im sorry Wan that you have
    Im sorry Wan that you have to go thru this again. I didn't have chemo luckily even once. Sending you strength and prayers!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #18
    DianeBC said:

    Im sorry Wan that you have
    Im sorry Wan that you have to go thru this again. I didn't have chemo luckily even once. Sending you strength and prayers!

    Sending both of you lots of
    Sending both of you lots of hugs and prayers! I pray that you will get thru chemo with no side effects and get rid of the beast forever!

    Leeza
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #19
    I'm on my 2nd go round also.
    I'm on my 2nd go round also. My cancer started in my breast and just like you i was okay for a yr then had a pain in my lower back, took the bone scan and there it was in the bone. Damn this cancer, it just wont leave me the hell alone. I do bone infusions once a month and i'm back on chemo. I go every monday. 3wks on and 1 wk off. Never asked the dr how long i have to do this, hell it doesnt even matter how long cause i wanna live.
    I'm sorry we both and anyone out there that has to deal with this beast. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

    Stay strong and positive.
    P.S I'm gonna try acupuncture for the pain and see if that works. What i got to loose huh!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #20
    babebussie said:

    I'm on my 2nd go round also.
    I'm on my 2nd go round also. My cancer started in my breast and just like you i was okay for a yr then had a pain in my lower back, took the bone scan and there it was in the bone. Damn this cancer, it just wont leave me the hell alone. I do bone infusions once a month and i'm back on chemo. I go every monday. 3wks on and 1 wk off. Never asked the dr how long i have to do this, hell it doesnt even matter how long cause i wanna live.
    I'm sorry we both and anyone out there that has to deal with this beast. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

    Stay strong and positive.
    P.S I'm gonna try acupuncture for the pain and see if that works. What i got to loose huh!

    Hi Babebussie! I am sending
    Hi Babebussie! I am sending you hugs and prayers too! I hope the acupuncture works for you. Let us know if it does.

    Leeza
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #21
    jnl said:

    Hi Babebussie! I am sending
    Hi Babebussie! I am sending you hugs and prayers too! I hope the acupuncture works for you. Let us know if it does.

    Leeza

    I just made my 1st appt for
    I just made my 1st appt for wednesday the 13th. I'm looking forward to it. I pray that it gives me some kind of relief. I'll let you guys know how it turns out after a few appts.

    Much luv,
    Babe

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