Recurrance/Mets Questions

Gramma44
Gramma44 Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Reading all the postings about recurrances and bone mets has me worried. Were any of you Stage I, yet still got more cancer? I am 3 years out from surgery: lumpectomy, ER+, no lymph nodes involved, Stage 1 (also had a stage 1 melanoma removed same time),was 57 and postmenopausal. Had 6 weeks of radiation,6 months of low level chemo, on tamoxifen for two years and switched to Femara in May of this year. I have osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis in my joints so do have bone and joint pain. When I read all of your postings on joint pains that turn out to be bone mets it makes me wonder if I could be missing something. I have had one MRI because of neck pain but it was just the arthritis thank God! The oncs told me I have a 97% survival rate but the more I read here the more I wonder just what I should be watching for, besides lumps, and when to ask for additional testing. My thanks to all of you, and my prayers are with those of you still fighting this awful disease.
Gramma

Comments

  • livin
    livin Member Posts: 318 Member
    #2
    Hi Gramma44, I really guess it depends on a lot of factors and everyone is different. My Breast Cancer was insitu(sp) NO NODES. I had a lumpectomy placed on Tamoxifen for 4 and a half years. This October will be 5 years. My Doctor change me to Femara this May. My breast cancer was dx in 1999. I had a total hysterectomy in 2000 because of large fibros(sp sorry can't spell anything anymore) Heavy bleeding and very painful bleeding. 2001 Dx Colon Cancer stage 3 had chemo radiation. Some other problems that occured from radiation that I had didn't show up until 2003. Problems -instestional stricture and then Pneumonia, 2004 I was receiving dialation of my intestine every 6 months via colonoscopy for the stricture. Boom May of 2004 my intestine got a tear Had emergency surgery I now have a temporary Colostomy that was going to be reversed this month. I was cancer free thru all this. I had one bad stomach ache and my appetite did not return to normal after the colostomy. Being that I had, had 2 cancers that were not Metastatics the Doctor sent me for a CAT Scan. Another BOOM mass on liver. Ater Pet Scan and a Liver Biopsy last Friday I was dx with Liver Cancer which is a metastatics of my Colon Cancer. Today Friday I will go to the Liver Doctor to confirm treatment which my onlogist and surgeon had said will be Liver Resection and Chemo. Believe me it depends on the indiviual as to rather it comes back. I think no one knows if it will return. Livin
  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #3
    I can understand your concern, but all we all can do is watch and go to the doctor when things get worrisome. As a three time breast ca survivor, every ache and pain can put you in a tailspin. Relax and live. Dont let cancer live for you. If you have a concern, talk with the doctor and have the appropriate MRI or other test done. Worry will only make you gray. Hang in there. Keep a positive attitude whenever possible. Laugh often and live much. You are a survivor, revel in that. Best wishes to you.
  • Gramma44
    Gramma44 Member Posts: 28
    #4
    sassysally said:

    I can understand your concern, but all we all can do is watch and go to the doctor when things get worrisome. As a three time breast ca survivor, every ache and pain can put you in a tailspin. Relax and live. Dont let cancer live for you. If you have a concern, talk with the doctor and have the appropriate MRI or other test done. Worry will only make you gray. Hang in there. Keep a positive attitude whenever possible. Laugh often and live much. You are a survivor, revel in that. Best wishes to you.

    Thanks Sally. That's exactly what I have been doing. I've tried to be as positive as I possibly can. My husband and I travel as much as possible because having had cancer it makes you realize just how important it is to "live for today". We travel to see our grandson, and our kids, and we are leaving for europe in a couple weeks. We aren't retired but just really feel the need to do things together when we can. I have always had a positive attitude about my survival but reading all these postings about recurrance and mets is frightening, so I appreciate hearing from you and Livin. Livin, I'm sorry you are going through so much and it wasn't even bc connected. Were either of you diagnosed as stage I with your BC? Thanks to you both for your input.
    Gramma
  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #5
    Traveling is wonderful if you can do it. Keep on going Grandma. I had stage 1 and stage 2 bc. Really feel like Ive been there done that. This whole cancer thing is frightening because it is the unknown. You need to come to the realization that even though you have had cancer, your life does go on. It all depends on if you want to move on with it or stay behind and let it consume you. I choose to do the earlier. I take things one day at a time, and enjoy the now. It is not to say that I donot make plans, because I do. I refuse to let cancer take over my life. If I do that, IT wins.... and that is not an option for me. Have a wonderful time on your trip...enjoy every moment. Wish I could afford to do the same, but am happy just being here. God bless you Grandma.
  • livin
    livin Member Posts: 318 Member
    #6
    Hi Gramma44, I agree with Sassy Sally, go on with your life live everyday like its your last. God, being positive and My husband has kept me here. I have learned to go on with life no matter what. Enjoy yourself. We laugh we cry but we must go on. I am 49 y/o and I know I have a lot of Livin to do. Keep the faith.
  • nganga4
    nganga4 Member Posts: 17
    #7
    My oncologist, when putting me on Femara (Stage 1), said that taking two Tums a day and doing a mile walk at least four times a week will have a positive effect on my joints. They sometimes ache but I find a walk makes that go away. I am also on 400 mg of ibuprofen 3X a day, which also helps. I was operated on for a 1.4 cm tumor, no lymph nodes and then decided to go for broke, get a mastectomy before I had problems and have reconstruction. I am going in for the implant/reduction next week. I will go on taking Femara but I think of myself as putting the whole thing behind me. I have no history of other cancer so it would make more sense for you to do chemo than for me. It may be that the chemo was more for the melanoma than for the b.c. but I'm not a doctor. Whatever, the most important thing is to plan for the future and know that you will have one.
  • brksmith
    brksmith Member Posts: 2
    #8
    sassysally said:

    I can understand your concern, but all we all can do is watch and go to the doctor when things get worrisome. As a three time breast ca survivor, every ache and pain can put you in a tailspin. Relax and live. Dont let cancer live for you. If you have a concern, talk with the doctor and have the appropriate MRI or other test done. Worry will only make you gray. Hang in there. Keep a positive attitude whenever possible. Laugh often and live much. You are a survivor, revel in that. Best wishes to you.

    Sally - thanks for your words. They are exactly what I needed to see today. I'm 5 years out and have been having some scary symptoms recently. I came to this board and to this posting hoping to hear if others had similar symptoms and what they ended up showing. You reminded me of something I learned when I was fighting cancer 5 years ago and had forgotten. I already have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow and I'm sure they will send me for the appropriate tests. I'm going to relax tonight and live me life as best I can. Bless you for your brief but powerfully supportive words. You made a real difference for me today. Barb

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