Again, so soon? A new record?
I've received so much help when I was scared or needed questions answered that no one else knew but you warriors.
I had a roller coaster ride last year. Mammograms, ultra sounds, don't need biopsy, biopsy, benign, lumpectomy, by that time the lump had grown to be 6 1/2 inches, (when cancer was finally found) mastectomy and some lymph nodes (clean at surgery, not so upon more lab work). I had Stage III 100% estrogen receptor positive cancer.
I had 5 sessions of chemo beginning in August, I couldn't do the last one due to severe reactions. However my PET scan on 12/13/11 came back NED. Yippeeee. I then started 6 1/2 weeks of radiation in January but was told by my radiology oncologist not to take the Arimidex during rads.
Now we all have that nagging worry of recurrence and every post treatment visit and blood test is a time of anxiety and breath holding. So, when I discovered what sure felt like a lump to me in my remaining breast about two weeks after finishing rads, I was dumbfounded. My oncologist had a hard time locating it since it moved around but I knew it was the size of a small lime. A mammogram on the 29th came back normal but the ultrasound shows something odd. I had a core biopsy done on the 9th of April and sure enough another estrogen positive tumor. Even as I take Arimidex I can feel it growing. I'll have another mastectomy on May 8th and will know more after futher tests are run on the lymph nodes.
I just can't believe that in that short period of time I got cancer again. Today was the first day I really let it sink in that I didn't just do something unusual....I have cancer!! After the misery (emotional and physical) I went through the last 12 months and only being partially recovered, I have cancer. I went to our community Relay For Life and felt almost like a fraud in my survivor's shirt. Then telling my friends, far and near, that their celebration of my successful treatment was what???? I'm just at a loss here.
Your friend and fellow warrior,
Lynne
Comments
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Perplex too?
Dear Lynne,
I am so very sorry and this new finding is must indeed be so very hard to accept. I took Arimidex during radiation treatment with no ill effects. Am very surprise to read from you and others, that the radiation oncologist don't want women using aromatase inhibitors during treatment.
Radiation is a local therapy so how does it effect the systemic one of taking a drug that will help keep a recurrence away is something I don't understand at all.
Your a survivor in every sense of the meaning, not a fraud and you had the right to be there.
Your recurrence would still be thought of as local since it is in the breast and that is a little bit of good news. Though the thought of going through it all so soon is awful news.
I would ask the oncologist why you were not able to take the drug for your hormonal positive cancer during radiation? Perhaps they will let you do that this time around. Did the oncologist stop you from taking Arimidex now?
Wishing you the best on May 8th and hopefully this tumor will be contained.
Best,
Doris0 -
Good luck on May 8SIROD said:Perplex too?
Dear Lynne,
I am so very sorry and this new finding is must indeed be so very hard to accept. I took Arimidex during radiation treatment with no ill effects. Am very surprise to read from you and others, that the radiation oncologist don't want women using aromatase inhibitors during treatment.
Radiation is a local therapy so how does it effect the systemic one of taking a drug that will help keep a recurrence away is something I don't understand at all.
Your a survivor in every sense of the meaning, not a fraud and you had the right to be there.
Your recurrence would still be thought of as local since it is in the breast and that is a little bit of good news. Though the thought of going through it all so soon is awful news.
I would ask the oncologist why you were not able to take the drug for your hormonal positive cancer during radiation? Perhaps they will let you do that this time around. Did the oncologist stop you from taking Arimidex now?
Wishing you the best on May 8th and hopefully this tumor will be contained.
Best,
Doris
Lynn,
I am very sorry that you are having second primary cancer. As Doris sad, hopefully it is very small and local. Wishing you good pathology report clear margins and quick recovery
Hugs
New Flower0 -
So sorrySIROD said:Perplex too?
Dear Lynne,
I am so very sorry and this new finding is must indeed be so very hard to accept. I took Arimidex during radiation treatment with no ill effects. Am very surprise to read from you and others, that the radiation oncologist don't want women using aromatase inhibitors during treatment.
Radiation is a local therapy so how does it effect the systemic one of taking a drug that will help keep a recurrence away is something I don't understand at all.
Your a survivor in every sense of the meaning, not a fraud and you had the right to be there.
Your recurrence would still be thought of as local since it is in the breast and that is a little bit of good news. Though the thought of going through it all so soon is awful news.
I would ask the oncologist why you were not able to take the drug for your hormonal positive cancer during radiation? Perhaps they will let you do that this time around. Did the oncologist stop you from taking Arimidex now?
Wishing you the best on May 8th and hopefully this tumor will be contained.
Best,
Doris
Lynne, I am so sorry to read this. It is all of our worst nightmares to have the bc come back.
You are a warrior, so, you will fight this again and win. You are a survivor because you conquered this once and survived and you will conquer it again.
I will be praying for you as will all of the other pinkies here.
Once again, I am so very sorry
Sue
0 -
Oh, No!Ritzy said:So sorry
Lynne, I am so sorry to read this. It is all of our worst nightmares to have the bc come back.
You are a warrior, so, you will fight this again and win. You are a survivor because you conquered this once and survived and you will conquer it again.
I will be praying for you as will all of the other pinkies here.
Once again, I am so very sorry
Sue
I remember some of your struggles with treatment and it just wasn't that long ago. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this again. I don't understand either, how another cancer could have grown after chemo and Arimidex. BTW, I didn't start Arimidex until after radiation,either.
My prayers will be added to the others. Please let us know how this goes. We're here for you every step of the way..
Suzanne0 -
Bummer
I will put this on the prayer list. Definately not fair.0 -
Lynn..laughs_a_lot said:Bummer
I will put this on the prayer list. Definately not fair.
All of us who have had recurrences can and do fully understand....it just sucks! Especially so very soon...I am sorry.
Please know we're here for you with prayers and support..
Hugs, Nancy0 -
Hugs and prayersMAJW said:Lynn..
All of us who have had recurrences can and do fully understand....it just sucks! Especially so very soon...I am sorry.
Please know we're here for you with prayers and support..
Hugs, Nancy
going your way...I'm sorry...try to maintain a good attitude. I'm told that helps and I know it helps me when I stay positive.0 -
Hi Lynne
I had one mastectomy one month followed by another a month later. At least I had the chemo etc all at the same time, instead of twice like yourself. My second side cancer was Estrogen positive again but in very early stages. Was told a lot of pre - pre cancer cells plus a small area of activity. I would be like you if they had not altered what they thought was a healthy breast to match the reconstruction of the cancered breast which was reduced in size with expander as I was told they do not do 38 DDD implants. All cancer was not detected on mamos until the original lump arrived suddenly. Told it takes 10 years or so for it to make itself detectable.
To be honest mine was Infiltrating Lobular which does tend to go to both sides, I am pleased I had the bilateral now. So I am sorry you have to go through this all again. I did not have radiotherapy. Please take care I think we will all understand what you are going through. Please tell us how you get on.0 -
I will be praying for youlaughs_a_lot said:Bummer
I will put this on the prayer list. Definately not fair.
I will be praying for you Lynne.
Hugs, Megan0 -
My thoughts and prayers areRozHopkins said:Hi Lynne
I had one mastectomy one month followed by another a month later. At least I had the chemo etc all at the same time, instead of twice like yourself. My second side cancer was Estrogen positive again but in very early stages. Was told a lot of pre - pre cancer cells plus a small area of activity. I would be like you if they had not altered what they thought was a healthy breast to match the reconstruction of the cancered breast which was reduced in size with expander as I was told they do not do 38 DDD implants. All cancer was not detected on mamos until the original lump arrived suddenly. Told it takes 10 years or so for it to make itself detectable.
To be honest mine was Infiltrating Lobular which does tend to go to both sides, I am pleased I had the bilateral now. So I am sorry you have to go through this all again. I did not have radiotherapy. Please take care I think we will all understand what you are going through. Please tell us how you get on.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Lynne.0 -
Yes, perplexedSIROD said:Perplex too?
Dear Lynne,
I am so very sorry and this new finding is must indeed be so very hard to accept. I took Arimidex during radiation treatment with no ill effects. Am very surprise to read from you and others, that the radiation oncologist don't want women using aromatase inhibitors during treatment.
Radiation is a local therapy so how does it effect the systemic one of taking a drug that will help keep a recurrence away is something I don't understand at all.
Your a survivor in every sense of the meaning, not a fraud and you had the right to be there.
Your recurrence would still be thought of as local since it is in the breast and that is a little bit of good news. Though the thought of going through it all so soon is awful news.
I would ask the oncologist why you were not able to take the drug for your hormonal positive cancer during radiation? Perhaps they will let you do that this time around. Did the oncologist stop you from taking Arimidex now?
Wishing you the best on May 8th and hopefully this tumor will be contained.
Best,
Doris
Hi Doris,
I'll be having those nasty shots prior to surgery on Tuesday so the sentinel lymph nodes will be removed during the mastectomy. Then we'll know if it's spread. The lump is now the size of a large lime even as I take my daily Arimidex. Go figure and what were the odds of developing another cancer of the same type during this short period of time. I had been taking HRT for many years so figured that was the main cause. Plus I had 2 pieces of benign tumor left (for cosmetic reasons) from a 1980 surgery. I was unusual at that time too since I had 2 different types of benign tumors, one per breast.
I'll be bringing this up with my rads oncologist and perhaps he might have a different plan for his future patients. I'm hoping with both breasts gone that estrogen receptor cancer will not be an issue in the future. I don't like Arimidex although the side effects aren't that severe.
Now I have to work on accepting my current situation.
Lynne0 -
Oh NoDouble Whammy said:Oh, No!
I remember some of your struggles with treatment and it just wasn't that long ago. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this again. I don't understand either, how another cancer could have grown after chemo and Arimidex. BTW, I didn't start Arimidex until after radiation,either.
My prayers will be added to the others. Please let us know how this goes. We're here for you every step of the way..
Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne,
I have heard good news/ bad news, in rare cases, etc. throughout this last year. Now this. I couldn't even finish rads due to 2nd degree burns. I don't think I ever reported what happened the day before I got my simulation done prior to beginning radiation.
I was in my surgeon's minor procedure room having the dreaded port removed. It had bothered me continuously from day one. I heard my surgeon say "she's sucking a little air." He no sooner had the bandage on than I started acting strangely. I wasn't able to answer him when he asked me what was wrong or what I was feeling. I could only see black and red alternating and I was paralyzed. The ambulance got there fast and got me to the ER (about 1/2 block) but I knew I was dying. However, even though I'll never forget that day, I'm still here and by the time I left the hospital I wasn't blue faced or grey lipped. I didn't want to go out that way after what I'd already been through.
I will be reporting after surgery and later about the lab results on the lymph nodes. Last year we celebrated too early when they thought the lymph nodes were clean.
I thank all for the continuing support.0 -
You've been through quite a ride too. Evidently mine wasn't lurking since my PET scan mid December came back clean. Just another rapidly growing tumor that doesn't have any respect for Arimidex or my past experiences.RozHopkins said:Hi Lynne
I had one mastectomy one month followed by another a month later. At least I had the chemo etc all at the same time, instead of twice like yourself. My second side cancer was Estrogen positive again but in very early stages. Was told a lot of pre - pre cancer cells plus a small area of activity. I would be like you if they had not altered what they thought was a healthy breast to match the reconstruction of the cancered breast which was reduced in size with expander as I was told they do not do 38 DDD implants. All cancer was not detected on mamos until the original lump arrived suddenly. Told it takes 10 years or so for it to make itself detectable.
To be honest mine was Infiltrating Lobular which does tend to go to both sides, I am pleased I had the bilateral now. So I am sorry you have to go through this all again. I did not have radiotherapy. Please take care I think we will all understand what you are going through. Please tell us how you get on.
While I advise everyone to get a mammogram, even with my huge 6" tumor it came back "normal. This last mammogram didn't detect a problem either. The ultra sound I had last year on this huge lump didn't show a problem and I was told I didn't need a biopsy at that time. That's why I originally had a lumpectomy. That's when cancer was discovered. Part of my good news/bad news experience.
I'm still somewhere between denial and realization. After I see my surgeon today for pre-op arrangements I think it'll start to sink in. At least the surgery part. Cancer still seems so impossible.............0 -
Wow you've had a ride!
I am sorry you are going through all of this, thank God you were persistant and made them find it both times.
My remisssion lasted from July 8, 2011 until December 21, 2011...just long enough to start to think I needed a new hairstyle. Careful what you wish for
It is a Huge kick in the pants, it Sucks, hang in there.
Keep us informed,
Jennifer0 -
Ick
I'm so sorry. When ever I feel sorry for myself, all I need to do is see what the rest of the pinks are going through and then I have to give myself a stern talking to. Don't get me wrong--I'm not all sunshine and I have meltdowns.
But your situation stinks.
Maureen0 -
Lynne, sorry you are going through this again.
I wasn't able to start on the estrogen inhibitor until after I finished chemo the first time, and with the recurrence, I had started tamoxifen, but went off it during rads. I don't know why, but I am sure there is a reason.
I am so glad to hear that the recurrence was to your other breast and not to the bones or other organs, as much as it sucks, that would be an even harder road to navigate.
My prayers are with you.
Carol0 -
I'm very sorry you are going
I'm very sorry you are going through another experience. I will keep you in my prayers. Although it is super difficult, and I can't imagine what's going through your mind right now, hang in there. We will be here with you, and sending you positive thoughts and prayers.0 -
Lynne, I was wondering ifLynne Logan said:You've been through quite a ride too. Evidently mine wasn't lurking since my PET scan mid December came back clean. Just another rapidly growing tumor that doesn't have any respect for Arimidex or my past experiences.
While I advise everyone to get a mammogram, even with my huge 6" tumor it came back "normal. This last mammogram didn't detect a problem either. The ultra sound I had last year on this huge lump didn't show a problem and I was told I didn't need a biopsy at that time. That's why I originally had a lumpectomy. That's when cancer was discovered. Part of my good news/bad news experience.
I'm still somewhere between denial and realization. After I see my surgeon today for pre-op arrangements I think it'll start to sink in. At least the surgery part. Cancer still seems so impossible.............
Lynne, I was wondering if you also had a MRI? My oncologist has me do all three, a mammo, ultrasound and a MRI.
I am very sorry for your recurrence. I am sending you prayers and lots of gentle hugs.0 -
WonderingDianeBC said:Lynne, I was wondering if
Lynne, I was wondering if you also had a MRI? My oncologist has me do all three, a mammo, ultrasound and a MRI.
I am very sorry for your recurrence. I am sending you prayers and lots of gentle hugs.
Hi Diane,
The ultra sound this last time did show some margin something or other so a ultra sound biopsy was ordered. This biopsy came back with no doubt this time around. I didn't like the news but it was better than good news/ bad news at every stage like last year.
Last year when my second ultra sound was done, right before I thought I'd have a biopsy, the doctor said it wasn't necessary. My surgeon took one look and said it was malignant and did a biopsy in his office. It came back benign but wasn't of course.
I was upset today when I read my hospital admission papers. I was expecting the mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy but following that was possible axillary lymphadenectomy. Something I wanted to avoid last year although I developed some lymphedema anyway due to rads. But then I realized I had made my decision not to undergo chemo again and I was present when my oncologist and surgeon spoke by phone. No chemo meant if it's spread, lose the lymph nodes. Oh well. That's been my mantra for many years. Still not pleased but will pray it hasn't spread.
Lynne0 -
Ridegrams2jc said:Wow you've had a ride!
I am sorry you are going through all of this, thank God you were persistant and made them find it both times.
My remisssion lasted from July 8, 2011 until December 21, 2011...just long enough to start to think I needed a new hairstyle. Careful what you wish for
It is a Huge kick in the pants, it Sucks, hang in there.
Keep us informed,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
So you're one of the fast cyclers too. What are the odds? I know as survivors we always face recurrence but we ideally should be given the chance to get rid of lingering side effects or be out of treatment longer than 10 days. A Huge Kick in the Pants, yes, that it is!!! How are you doing now? Chemo again? I'm so sorry you are facing this too. Just when we thought there was going to be some normal again.
You hang in there too.
Lynne0
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