BC reoccurence

I haven't had your
I haven't had your experience. I am here to let you know that we are LEGION, and we are here to support you, not matter what. I am sure some of our sisters with reoccurance will chime in. xoxoxo Lynn

So very sorry
I feel so badly for you. Like you, I had my mastectomy 2 yrs ago for stage 1 w/no chemo or rads (not an option, previous rads for Hodgkins Lymphoma)and no tamoxifen(problem w/that too). I hope you don't mind me asking you, what were your symptoms for this reoccurrence?
I'm wishing you the best,
Cathy

So Sorry
So sorry to hear about your recurrence. No one knows why cancer returns with or without chemo; with or without masectomy. Sometimes you do everything right and the outcome is different than planned. I can only pray for you and wish you all the best.

P

Welcome Linpsu
So sorry you are dealing with this again. But let me tell you that recurrences do happen and are usually treated successfully. You have every reason to be hopeful that chemo and/or radiation will knock the cancer out. Aggressive cancers respond best to chemotherapy. I had an aggressive cancer from the get-go. We fought it aggressively and I'm doing great now. I know you're scared but you will make it through this part of the journey, too. Let us know what your treatment plan will be. Lots of hugs.

Mimi

I am so sorry that you are
I am so sorry that you are having to deal with these issues all over again. It's not fair! Having said that, I will tell you that chemo and radiation are completely manageable (as so many of us on this site will tell you) and you can fight this insidious beast. You can do it!!! I recently finished 3 months of chemo and 8 weeks of radiation. As you and your doctors determine your next course of action, please let us know. We can all guide you through the process with little tips to make the journey less frightening and more manageable. This is a great group of people, and we are all here to help each other. Welcome and know that you are not alone in this fight! Pitt

Same experience with recurrence
Hi linpsu. I'm sorry you're going through this again. It is scarier the second time around. When I had a mastectomy, I thought I was done with the possibility of cancer in that side. I had a mastectomy w/tram flap reconstruction in early 2001, no chemo/rads. In October 2007 I found a lump in the reconstructed breast. This was an agressive form of IDC, stage 3. I had a lumpectomy; got clear margins and no node involvement. This was followed by chemo and then rads. I tolerated all of it fairly well. In June it will be two years since finishing rads. I have been on Arimidex for almost two years and for the most part am handling that well. The last couple of months I've had joint/bone pain, but with the WI weather and some arthritis, that may be the cause.

My onc wouldn't do any testing the last two years to make sure the treatments got all the cancer. With the joint/bone pain, I finally got him to order a bone scan. Last week I met with him and all is good. The peace of mind sure helps.

Try to take it one treatment and day at a time. Get through them and then be diligent in doing your monthly BSEs, eating well, exercising and keeping your regularly scheduled appointments with your onc. I even have my yearly mammo on the reconstructed breast. I admit, when I have an ache, pain or just don't feel well, my first thought is "it's back", but then I take a step back and remember it can be anything simple.

Yes, it sucks to have a recurrance, but you can fight it, beat it again and live a long life. I plan to.

Barb

most amazing people are here
i'm still newly diagnosed, just 2 months, starting chemo in about a week. found this site and am constantly learning from everyone, so much love, support, experiences. you found the right place to be!

susanleeann said:

most amazing people are here
i'm still newly diagnosed, just 2 months, starting chemo in about a week. found this site and am constantly learning from everyone, so much love, support, experiences. you found the right place to be!

I am sending you positive
I am sending you positive thoughts and lots of prayers! I am so sorry.

Thinking of you
(This is my first time to post. I hope that I am responding in a way that will be helpful.)

Seven years ago I had a mastectomy and eight chemotherapy treatments. Things went very well for me during treatment ~ no nausea, quick recovery, continued to work, etc. I truly thought that I was finished with breast cancer because I was on the "check-up once-a-year" plan. In November found out that it had returned. Unbelievable. My oncologist said I needed radiation this time and four more chemotherapy treatments (combination of cytoxin and taxitire - sp?). I was concerned that things would not go as well this time. The radiation was first ~ 24 Tomo treatments ~ they went well. (I had some skin flare-ups, but nothing really bad.) My first chemotherapy treatment was last Friday, Feb 26th, and I am so thankful that things are going well with that, too. The drugs that they give us to keep us from being nauseated really do work ~ what a blessing! I have been very tired and my stomach has felt weird. (A warm heating pad makes it feel better.) Some things taste funny and some smells are bothersome. (I am a coffee addict, but right now I can't stand the taste of it and have switched to tea.) If I get tired, I take a rest and I have given myself permission to eat mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese whenever I feel like it. It has been five days and I am pretty much back to normal. I am so, so thankful that I am able to get on with my life, even in the midst of treatment. I pray such is the case for you, too. I will keep you in my prayers.