How do you know if reoccurance?

survivor51
survivor51 Member Posts: 276
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am HR/Pr positive, had chemo and reconstruction. For those that have a reoccurance, how do you know? Do you go and do the blood test and something shows up there? I have had a pain in my hip for about 2 months but that could be from the meds. How do you know and what process do the doctors do to determine if the cancer has gone elsewhere? I get confused if this is in my mind or actually a problem. Please advise.

Comments

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #2
    Worries
    Is this why you and I are awake at this time in the morning?....4.30 here

    I worry about it all the time, every little ache, pain or twinge. I have this feeling that it is going to come back, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    I hope we are both wrong.

    Big Hug Jxxxxxxxxxxx
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #3
    tasha_111 said:

    Worries
    Is this why you and I are awake at this time in the morning?....4.30 here

    I worry about it all the time, every little ache, pain or twinge. I have this feeling that it is going to come back, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    I hope we are both wrong.

    Big Hug Jxxxxxxxxxxx

    As someone who was just dx a
    As someone who was just dx a couple of weeks ago, I know that every pain I have makes me wonder if the beast has traveled to another part of my body.. I can't imagine having comeout the otherside of initial treatment not being afraid of reoccurance.. I only hope that I don't put too much energy focusing on that fear.

    Praying for everyone.. NO REOCCURANCE... and for those that are going through a reoccurance my thoughts and prayers are with you... (we'll with everyone.. but a extra special one for you)

    ~T
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #4
    I think we all worry about it. If you don't, then you are in denial. But, we just have to live our lives and not let it be our primary thought anytime. I don't know how the ones on here found out, I think I will read their personal about me page and see how. And, there are several on here that have had a recurrance. I think if you have something that really bothers you, it is best to let your doctor know. Because bc usually will come back in the breast, brain, liver or bones. And, bone cancer seems the most commen after bc returning. I just wish us all good luck and hopefully no recurrence!
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #5
    You just have to be aware of
    You just have to be aware of what is going on with your body. And, if something doesn't seem right or all of a sudden is different, call your doctor. Because, it doesn't always come back in your breasts, and, seems like it doesn't most times from what I have read here.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #6
    Noel said:

    You just have to be aware of
    You just have to be aware of what is going on with your body. And, if something doesn't seem right or all of a sudden is different, call your doctor. Because, it doesn't always come back in your breasts, and, seems like it doesn't most times from what I have read here.

    Just make sure that you go
    Just make sure that you go to your oncologist regularly and tell him of any problems.
  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #7
    Pain in your hip could well be from the meds. Are you on an AI or tamoxifen?
    You need to call your doctor, though. One of the reasons you are followed closely after treatment is because at this point cancer can usually only be knocked into remission. There is a test, the PET test, that can scan your whole body to detect activity of even small metastic breast cancer. NOt to be discouraging, but my BC came back in my reconstructed breast. I knew something was wrong when after ten years, it appeared I was developing scar tissue. Then a rash. Turned out it was the cancer returned! A CT scan, MRI detected no spread out of the region, but the PET scan noted a borderline "hot spot" that turned out to be an 8mm lymph node on the other side! I still don't know if that is a spread, a newbie, or nothing at all, but the radiologist mentioned he did not like the fact that there was no fat in the lymph node at all. (It was really cool to see it on the ultrasound.)
    Now to be encouraging: my recurrence is hr postive and I can visually see it working! What I thought was scar tissue is softening and the rash is slowly diappearing. The plan is to remove my reconstruction and underlying tissue and overlying skin, remove the other breast too, then so radiation. That followed by some more endocrine therapy, and I may actually be CURED. Yes, that is right. I am going to a well known cancer center and the oncologist--both surgicial and regular--have used the cured word! There is hope! Be watchful! Don't make the mistake of saying, "people will think I am a hypochondriac." You are not. You know you need to be watchful. If you have a question at all, ask the doctors and bug until you get an answer! (My first diagnosis by a GP was that is WAS just scar tisuue and a rash. I went to a dermatologist for shingles and asked about this rash. She did a punch needle biopsy thinking it was some type of skin infection. I am glad I persisted in finding out for sure what this was. I now am hopeful I can get this monkey off my back once and for all!)
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #8
    arbojenn said:

    Pain in your hip could well be from the meds. Are you on an AI or tamoxifen?
    You need to call your doctor, though. One of the reasons you are followed closely after treatment is because at this point cancer can usually only be knocked into remission. There is a test, the PET test, that can scan your whole body to detect activity of even small metastic breast cancer. NOt to be discouraging, but my BC came back in my reconstructed breast. I knew something was wrong when after ten years, it appeared I was developing scar tissue. Then a rash. Turned out it was the cancer returned! A CT scan, MRI detected no spread out of the region, but the PET scan noted a borderline "hot spot" that turned out to be an 8mm lymph node on the other side! I still don't know if that is a spread, a newbie, or nothing at all, but the radiologist mentioned he did not like the fact that there was no fat in the lymph node at all. (It was really cool to see it on the ultrasound.)
    Now to be encouraging: my recurrence is hr postive and I can visually see it working! What I thought was scar tissue is softening and the rash is slowly diappearing. The plan is to remove my reconstruction and underlying tissue and overlying skin, remove the other breast too, then so radiation. That followed by some more endocrine therapy, and I may actually be CURED. Yes, that is right. I am going to a well known cancer center and the oncologist--both surgicial and regular--have used the cured word! There is hope! Be watchful! Don't make the mistake of saying, "people will think I am a hypochondriac." You are not. You know you need to be watchful. If you have a question at all, ask the doctors and bug until you get an answer! (My first diagnosis by a GP was that is WAS just scar tisuue and a rash. I went to a dermatologist for shingles and asked about this rash. She did a punch needle biopsy thinking it was some type of skin infection. I am glad I persisted in finding out for sure what this was. I now am hopeful I can get this monkey off my back once and for all!)

    A New Cancer
    I didn't have a recurrence, but, a NEW cancer in the other breast, after 23 plus years of being cancer free. I had a small lumpectomy back then, followed by radiation, as I did this year too for the NEW cancer. The first bc, I found thru self exam. The second bc was found as microcalcifications on the mammo, meaning something was going on.

    Arbojenn, I am sorry for your having to go thru this again too. Trust me, I know how hard it is. You have given some very good advice in your posting. I do wish you the best of luck in your treatment! And, you will be CURED!

    I think if we ever have a pain or lump that is not the "norm", we need to always contact our oncologist and let them know. It is better to be safe and find out for sure.

    Good luck to you!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #9
    I had a pain in my hip. It
    I had a pain in my hip. It was so bad I had to use my arms to get out of chairs. I couldn't lead with that leg going up or down stairs. I'd have to pause after getting out of chairs before turning. I had surgery in 2003 and this was two years later. I told the oncologist and he sent me for a bone scan. It came back ok. He sent me to a PCP and he had me take Glucosamine chondroitin. It cured it. I've been fine since and I only took the pills for a couple months. Tell your oncologist and he should run tests to determine what is going on. I hope it's nothing, like mine. I also later had hand tremors and the oncologist (a different one, we had moved) sent me for a brain scan and it was ok too. She sent me to a neurologist and he diagnosed Parkinson's. This was in 2006.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
    Jeanne D said:

    A New Cancer
    I didn't have a recurrence, but, a NEW cancer in the other breast, after 23 plus years of being cancer free. I had a small lumpectomy back then, followed by radiation, as I did this year too for the NEW cancer. The first bc, I found thru self exam. The second bc was found as microcalcifications on the mammo, meaning something was going on.

    Arbojenn, I am sorry for your having to go thru this again too. Trust me, I know how hard it is. You have given some very good advice in your posting. I do wish you the best of luck in your treatment! And, you will be CURED!

    I think if we ever have a pain or lump that is not the "norm", we need to always contact our oncologist and let them know. It is better to be safe and find out for sure.

    Good luck to you!

    I am so sorry for you two
    I am so sorry for you two that have had the cancer come back. Stay strong and you will WIN!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #11
    I think we all get confused
    I think we all get confused survivor! But, your name says it all, we are SURVIVORS, no matter what! So, whether it comes back once, twice or whatever, we will fight it and win. Look at the ones on here that have! Just keep your checkups and call or go see your doctor if something different starts happening to you.
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #12
    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe
  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #13
    babebussie said:

    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe

    Oh no!
    Oh no, Babe!
    Are they going to remove any part of your bone when they do the hip surgery? Will you have any other therapy besides the chemo? I will be thinking about you on the 23rd. Let me know how it goes when you are well enough. Life can be so unfair!
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #14
    babebussie said:

    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe

    Babe
    I am so sorry Babe. I will be praying for a successful surgery on the 23rd for you! You are one very strong lady! Please keep us updated about you!

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,

    ~Jeanne~
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #15
    babebussie said:

    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe

    Babe
    I am so sorry you have to go through this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers on the 23rd. Please let us know how it goes.
    God Bless,Jackie
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #16
    rjjj said:

    Babe
    I am so sorry you have to go through this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers on the 23rd. Please let us know how it goes.
    God Bless,Jackie

    So very sorry for this new
    So very sorry for this new Dx. I will be thinking about you and praying for a perfect recovery.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #17
    babebussie said:

    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe

    You'd think all that poison would kill all those nasty cells
    I am so sorry to hear about your metastases. We all fear it. I'll be praying for YOU! the 23rd of June, right? Lynn
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #18
    lynn1950 said:

    You'd think all that poison would kill all those nasty cells
    I am so sorry to hear about your metastases. We all fear it. I'll be praying for YOU! the 23rd of June, right? Lynn

    So sorry Babe! I will keep
    So sorry Babe! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! Please let us know how you are!
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #19
    babebussie said:

    I'm HR/PR positive also and
    I'm HR/PR positive also and i was diagn in dec 2007. I had chemo, surgery and rads then chemo again as an extra bullet my dr called it. Well i also developed a pain in my hip that was very uncomfortable. I chaulked it up to having slept wrong or something like that so i went on like that for about 2 months maybe 3. Well to make a long story short, the pain didnt go away so i became concerned and went to the dr. They did a bone scan and low and behold the cancer had spread to the bones. Damn!!!! I thought i was done with this ****. I'm having surgery on the 23rd so they can put 2 rods in my hip to hold the bone together because the bone is thinning, then after that i'll do chemo again.

    Please get that checked out, dont wait girl.

    I'll be praying for you.
    Babe

    I'm sorry to
    hear that Babe!
    Here's hoping and praying that things work out well for you!
    Love,Patty PS. Keep us posted when you can!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #20
    outdoorgirl said:

    I'm sorry to
    hear that Babe!
    Here's hoping and praying that things work out well for you!
    Love,Patty PS. Keep us posted when you can!

    I hadn't even thought about
    I hadn't even thought about a recurrence. But, I guess that is a real possibility. Isn't it?

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