skin cancer? after breast?

MLToad said:

Squamous Cell

So sorry to hear about what you are going thru, but you are tough and can do it!

I had TNBC in 2009, lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Feb 2013 had a mastectomy due to a recurrence. Pathology showed it was a squamous cell carcinoma in my breaast at a biopsy sight. Much better diagnosis, but still scary. Dr said it was caused by radiation.  Now I am scheduling a prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction. Want to be done with this!

Sending you hugs!

Wishing you good luck and welcoming you MLToad! 

Sue

MLToad said:

Squamous Cell

So sorry to hear about what you are going thru, but you are tough and can do it!

I had TNBC in 2009, lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Feb 2013 had a mastectomy due to a recurrence. Pathology showed it was a squamous cell carcinoma in my breaast at a biopsy sight. Much better diagnosis, but still scary. Dr said it was caused by radiation.  Now I am scheduling a prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction. Want to be done with this!

Sending you hugs!

Dear Sister,

I too had a recurrence, I was originally stage 2, grade 3, TN.  I had mastectomy, chemo, rad tx and then prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction (Lat flap and implant on rt side(original cancer site) and simple mastectomy and implant on left (all clear).  Question 1:  They are definitely sure it is skin cancer.  Because I developed lumps and redness on my chest and it turned out to be breast cancer on my skin or skin metastisis!  I am sure the biopsy diagnosed it properly but I would ask my oncologist about this if I were you.  Question 2.  How sure are u about getting a reconstruction after a recurrence?  I think your idea of a prophylactic is great  however,  reconstructive surgery takes alot out of you.  I know!!!  They never really tell you how painful it can be. I am not being dramatic or trying to scare you I am just speaking from experience. My surgery was very extensive and it took me a long time to heal and it was very painful for a long time (6months) and it left me with nerve damage.  It is also the site where the skin metastisis occurred. Unfortunately I have also changed from TN to HER2 positive but the drugs for it aren't working or they work and the side effects are undesirable.  This last drug, erubilin shrunk my tumors and cleared alot of the skin mets (we were so happy and hopeful) but I have terrible nerve damage that is most likely permanent. If I stayed on the drug I would propably become paralysed. I will be starting a new drug that was just approved this year by are supposed friends at the FDA, so I am ever hopeful. I hope all goes well with you.  Something to ponder though:  Think about the fact that you are ALIVE.  You can live without breasts.  God gave them to us to feed our babies.  If and when that job is done they just become a liability if you ask me.  May the Lord bless and keep you safef

Sincerely,

Cathy

kamcat1962 said:

ML Toad

Please see my reply to MLToad regarding your skin cancer.

Looking to see if you got your results.  Hoping you'll post soon!

lizzie17 said:

my skin cancer.....

My oncologist read the reports and said it is good for now. He also said to expect other squamous cells, and to be diligent about getting to the dermatologist.  

NOW, my bloodwork shows that I am anemic and my platelets are low.   He wants me to have a colonoscopy,

but ironically I have one scheduled this coming week!!! 

Thank you all for your concern and support!! 

Hugs  to everyone,

Carol

Dear Lizzie, Im very happy u r ok..I do not know u..nor do u know me..I had stage 3 breast cancer 5 yrs ago..was given 1 yr to live..I chose to have a double mastectomy..complete hysterectomy @ 42 yrs old..I have the brac1 gene..the main reason I'm writing to you is about squamous cell carcinoma..I am truly happy for you rite now but want to tell you about those cells..please..do not want to upset you..but you need to know the truth about those cells..You r probly pretty pissed off at me rite now if you are still reading this..but if you are still reading this..please listen to me..If your Dr wants you to be checked every 6 months..you go every 3 months..dont want to scare u..but that cell..well we'll leave that for another day..please get checked every 3 months..if you want to know more..get back to me..I lost my husband 2 months ago..he had a major heart attack umpiring a baseball game..I have 2 sons..15 & 17..I'm just concerned that the info u have rec'd isnt really true blue..I've been in the dental field cleaning teeth for 30 yrs..just concerned

kamcat1962 said:

squamous cell, prophylactic mastectomy & reconstruction

 

Dear Sister,

I too had a recurrence, I was originally stage 2, grade 3, TN.  I had mastectomy, chemo, rad tx and then prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction (Lat flap and implant on rt side(original cancer site) and simple mastectomy and implant on left (all clear).  Question 1:  They are definitely sure it is skin cancer.  Because I developed lumps and redness on my chest and it turned out to be breast cancer on my skin or skin metastisis!  I am sure the biopsy diagnosed it properly but I would ask my oncologist about this if I were you.  Question 2.  How sure are u about getting a reconstruction after a recurrence?  I think your idea of a prophylactic is great  however,  reconstructive surgery takes alot out of you.  I know!!!  They never really tell you how painful it can be. I am not being dramatic or trying to scare you I am just speaking from experience. My surgery was very extensive and it took me a long time to heal and it was very painful for a long time (6months) and it left me with nerve damage.  It is also the site where the skin metastisis occurred. Unfortunately I have also changed from TN to HER2 positive but the drugs for it aren't working or they work and the side effects are undesirable.  This last drug, erubilin shrunk my tumors and cleared alot of the skin mets (we were so happy and hopeful) but I have terrible nerve damage that is most likely permanent. If I stayed on the drug I would propably become paralysed. I will be starting a new drug that was just approved this year by are supposed friends at the FDA, so I am ever hopeful. I hope all goes well with you.  Something to ponder though:  Think about the fact that you are ALIVE.  You can live without breasts.  God gave them to us to feed our babies.  If and when that job is done they just become a liability if you ask me.  May the Lord bless and keep you safef

Sincerely,

Cathy

Dear Kamcat, I had no idea what u r going thru..I had a double mastectomy & complete hysterectomy in 1 surgery..this was after chemo..then had radiation for 6 weeks..5 days a week..for 6 weeks..burned my skin from my shoulder down to my naval & on the backside..down half my back.massive nerve damage..but here's the real PROBLEM..I now have RA so bad my hands cant close..I've been an athlete my entire life..I know chemo(had it every 2 weeks..first 2 1/2 hrs..for 4 installments..then 5 hrs each for 4 installments.I've researched this ****..there are so many out there like me..here's the problem..because I had the hysterectomy(which I had to from brac 1 gene) @ 42..flipped me into menopause..& because I was an athlete..pretty much destroyed my muscles..Now my husband is gone..which if there is a God(I was raised Catholic)..why the **** would he take my husband..He was healthy..I'm the sick one.whatever..I'm here for you..I have a huge shoulder..or you can vent to me..let it out..besides my cancer & my husband passing 2 months ago..my parents are gone..I have pretty much experienced everything except the un imagianable..losing a child..which I better not..so..I'm here for you 

pegalina said:

omg

Dear Kamcat, I had no idea what u r going thru..I had a double mastectomy & complete hysterectomy in 1 surgery..this was after chemo..then had radiation for 6 weeks..5 days a week..for 6 weeks..burned my skin from my shoulder down to my naval & on the backside..down half my back.massive nerve damage..but here's the real PROBLEM..I now have RA so bad my hands cant close..I've been an athlete my entire life..I know chemo(had it every 2 weeks..first 2 1/2 hrs..for 4 installments..then 5 hrs each for 4 installments.I've researched this ****..there are so many out there like me..here's the problem..because I had the hysterectomy(which I had to from brac 1 gene) @ 42..flipped me into menopause..& because I was an athlete..pretty much destroyed my muscles..Now my husband is gone..which if there is a God(I was raised Catholic)..why the **** would he take my husband..He was healthy..I'm the sick one.whatever..I'm here for you..I have a huge shoulder..or you can vent to me..let it out..besides my cancer & my husband passing 2 months ago..my parents are gone..I have pretty much experienced everything except the un imagianable..losing a child..which I better not..so..I'm here for you 

Dear Pegalina,

Thank u for your response to my post.  I can't believe how many woman of strength I have met thru this site.  God Bless u.  You are truly a tower of strength and inspiration.  I can't even imagine losing my husband!  He and my son (just one child) are on the top of the list for me fighting this stupid disease. My top reason is that I am stubborn and I refuse to be dictated to by a disease!  My real problem though is location.  My husband is military and we made the choice (before cancer) to live in a very remote area. (North Dakota, yes people actually do live here lol).  So, my choices for medical care are limited. I have been to Mayo Clinic for a problem with seizsures that turned out to be drug related (it was an anti-depressant that I didn't even want to take.) I went off the drug and the seizsures stopped. Maybe i should put a MD after my name because I have learned so much about health and health care it isn't even funny. Some of my family wants me to try other medical facilities but then I am away from my son and husband. Not what I want.  But I do want the best that is out there to fight this disease.  

But I know what you mean about the nerve damage and how it takes away the things you love to do.  For me it was my gardening, painting and driving.It must be tough for an athlete. My heart goes out to you.  I too have big shoulders so feel free lay your head on them if u need to. Need to top typing hands are getting tired. Take care and stay in touch.