hi ladies thought I would join you in our moment of hell. I had lumpectomy,chemo,radio and tamoxifen 6 years ago and have been diagnosed with a new primary, this time IDC. After CT, X-rays and MRI to check for metastases (clear, thank God) am now awaiting mastectomy after final results this morning. My oncologist has referred me to plastic surgeon for consultation on reconstruction on 12 th July, date for mastecomy surgery to be given after that. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 1 discovered at checkup four weeks ago but this morning said that my treatment wasn’t urgent. Also that reconstruction involving muscle from my back would make my lymphoedema worse. I don’t know if realising that there are plenty of us in the same boat makes me feel better or less alone but talking about it with others who know the strange unreality (how I wish is was unreal) can’t be bad. Anyone know if statistically we are a large minority? Does this mean that we are going to keep getting cancers until we succomb, do you think?
Hello,
This is a first comment from me.I also had surgery ,radiotherapy and tamoxifen 7 and a half years ago and have just had another lump(new primary,grade 1) removed and have been told initially that they recommend more radiotherapy.I tried so hard to put it behind me last time and now Im here again.The fear seems to be on 2 levels-dealing with this incidence and the thought that this is now with me for ever so I identify entirely with what you say.I dont know if this means its more likely to keep coming back.Is it helpful to think of it as chronic condition that we are just going to have to work as hard as we can to keep it at bay? Lets just throw what we can at this-I dont think Im as scared of the actual notion of cancer as I was the first time and we both know that we did it once we can do it again.Hope this helps
Hi Ladies
I also have a new primary after 7 years, see my profile. It’s so unjust, that we have to go through it all again. But if 10% of women get bc I suppose 10% of them will get another primary. We are just 3 of them.
All the best
hugs Maria
Hi there
Yeah I guess I am not so scared of cancer as the first time, more terrified of the treatment. I did read fairly recently that the medical profession think that cancer will never be cured but managed so although it is distressing to think that we may well get it over again and again, at least we know what to expect this time around.And I agree, we did it once we can do it again. I am still sitting around waiting for the date for my mastectomy and reconstructure after being given various options by my breast care nurse only to be told by the plastic surgeon that there is only one type of op for me in my circumstances. If that is so, why don’t they just get on with it? I have now sat and waited for an extra 3 weeks. I don’t have a lump, I have a distortion revealed by my mammogram and confirmed by biopsy. Can’t feel a thing, makes it even more unreal. I was also told that I cannot have radiotherapy again but I can have chemo…
I guess this confirms what I have suspected for a long time - life is not fair but I didn’t need my nose rubbed in it! Now I need to try to work out how to add my profile, that will keep me going for a while.