I am 62 years of age, I had breast cancer 7 years ago and have now been re-diagnosed in the other breast.
I had my operation on Friday, the lump was removed and also 3 lymph nodes. I am now terrified, trying my best to keep the family together, please any advice on how to cope would be great.
Looks like I will be going down the same road, has anyone any advice to give me, who has walked down this road, how many times and chances do we get to battle this.
Sorry for being so weak xx
Hello Dunstan 12
Welcome to the forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the users of this site have a wealth of experience and knowledge between them.
Whilst waiting for replies you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Dunstan12
Second time for me also. Had BC 14 years ago and diagnosed again December 2012 on other side. Both mine were triple neg so was tested for BRCA genes and have just found out I have BRCA1 so hence why I have had it twice. I have had chemo and waiting surgery which will be bilateral MX with immediate recon on 2 may. I have found it easier this time and have been a lot calmer but it is still tough. My daughters have just been tested for BRCA1 and we will find out next week.
I am here if you want to talk anytime just send me a PM. Wishing you well with your journey. Wendy x x
My second time, too. After 21 years. First time was hormone negative (no test for herceptin) but this time round half my tumour was weakly Er+. Did chemo first, ANC and Mx 11th March. My older cousin died a few years ago, still in her forties. But not close enough to do genetics tests. My first routine mammogram took place a couple of years ago, and was clear.
I could not have immediate reconstruction, but am hoping for a DIEP. Before the end of the year if I’m incredibly lucky. Trying to decide between implant on the “bad” side and a second breast reduction on my “good” side, which was halved four years ago to match up. I have ADH on my better side, and would like a double Mx but not enough spare flesh for two breasts so I’m going to risk keeping it and hope the monitoring catches anything early.
You’re not weak. I don’t think it ever gets any easier. We just keep going because there isn’t really any alternative. Early days at the moment, but I imagine the longer we go without another reoccurrence the more manageable it gets. Best wishes to both of you.
Hugs,
Margaret X
Hello Margaret
I was just wondering what your receptor status was as you said it was weakly er+, I am er+2 and told I am triple neg and hormone replacement therapy wouldn’t be any use to me.I am also second time round with spread to sternum and a soft tissue mass in same breast.I look forward to you posting again and hope you don’t mind me asking this question.
Love Linda G.
Mine is a long story so I wont go into too many details.
I was first diagnosed in 1985 age 38 had lumpectomy and radiotherapy I had no problems then for 20 years.
In 2005 I had my first recurrence and have had 3 more since, I have now been told that it cannot be cured just controlled. Fortunately it hasn’t spread, although having result of latest CT scan on Wednesday so hope that’s still the case.
It doesn’t get any easier but its amazing how you cope when you have to, don’t have much choice do we?
The good news is that I am still here after all this time and for the most part feel well.
Best wishes.
Jan
Hi Linda,
Truth is that I have no idea. When I asked my hospital (after biopsy), they said they don’t give a score. They only tell you if it is weak or strong. I also know the first Her2 test was marginal, but that it was only 2 on the Fish retest so I’m not herceptin positive. Don’t understand why weak Her2 is negative but a weak Er+ is positive.
I then moved hospital (another long story) and haven’t seen my path report at all. It may be the new report shows the tumour to be more strongly Er+, but I have no idea. I have been told I had IBC, and then not, several times. When I asked my surgeon, who did non skin-sparing Mx with full ANC clearance, whether I had IBC or not he just said it didn’t matter because it had been dealt with. All my nodes were clear. Great news, but now I have no nodes and am struggling with seroma and cording. Grrr.
Sorry to hear your news, Janice. Twenty years is a long time to be in remission. You must have been gutted when it came back. I hope your CT scan is good.
Perhaps we should keep this thread going? The ladies on my month (August) are fantastic, but there is a big difference between a first and second diagnosis.
cyberhugs to all of you,
Margaret XXX
Hello ladies, but especially to Dunstan who originally posted for help,
I was diagnosed with triple negative b/c in 2009. Had chemo, surgery and rads. Then in 2011 was told I had a brca1 mutation. Had bilateral mastecomies in Feb 2012. An occult tumour was found in ‘other’ breast which was invisible on scans. Both times, lymph node involvement. I was devestated to be told I had a second cancer. Very frightened - this time as frightened of the treatment as I was the cancer! Thought how can I go through all this again? It was esp. hard as I had a lot of complications and eventually a reconstruction which failed so physically was very low. At the time, there were two other ladies posting on the forums who had had a similar experience. I felt ever so alone in this small statistic.
I was 40 at first diagnosis. Now 44. You asked how I coped? I used Breast Cancer Care, spoke to the Helpline, used the peer support. Took it one step at a time, had lots of treats (not necessarily expensive ones). I think it was really hard for my family. Tried to accept that I would be ill for 6 months and to see this as a temporary situation. Bought nice pyjamas! Asked for help more. Read alo of books, watched alot of films.
It meant so much to me to hear from others who had come out from the other side. So a year on, I am back at work. Hair has grown (such a mess!). I can’t say I am unscathed. Get very tired indeed. Catch any germ lurking. But, amazingly I am still here. I just did not think I could withstand chemo again (had 4 ec and 4 taxol first time and 5 docetaxol and carboplatin this time), but I did. It was hard, but you get through it.
Sending you all lots of encouragement and support.
Rattles x
Thank ypu ladies for your responses, you all seem to be more aware than me, what type of cancer you are dealing with. I did not think i had my head in the sand, but it looks like I do. Nobody has offered me the information you all have, but then I did not ask.
Rattles thank you, yes I have now got to take another 6 months + out of my life, which I am angry and distressed about. Last time was complicated, I have a rare heart condition and the effect of the chemo, left my heart working at 39%, I ended up with chronic fatigue, in bed for 8 months, which resulted in muscle wastage and hospitalised for 5 months, coming home in a wheel chair 4 years ago. I have worked hard at being well and have done it, able to walk my dogs for 45 mins a day.
Sorry for ranting, I don’t ever complain, I try to be strong for everyone, but I feel so hurt and angry.
I will be strong, I know I have faith and can do it again, why am I looking for help and sympathy !!
Hi Dunstan 12,
It is understandable that you are hurt and angry. I think anger can be a positive emotion as it gets the adrenaline going and that gives you strength which you need. It seems to me that cancer patients are always portrayed as brave and saintly so people don’t feel free to say actually I feel dreadful, I’m really angry that people who do terrible things get away with perfect health and people who are genuinely nice people get sent this disease to cope with, and I am scared. I think that’s one of the really good things about this forum, everyone can take off their brave face, stick it in a drawer, and tell it how it really is.
You have tons of sympathy and understanding from the other users of this forum and I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Try to do something fun today. 
Thank you
I saw my consultant last Friday, lump was removed ok, all lymph nodes were taken out, the result was that they were all cancerous. I now have to have a cat & bone scan, in case it has spread, which is devastating to me.
Tonight I have a heart moniter on, hoping to have a pacemaker fitted before chemo, to help my back to front heart cope.
It feels like I am back where I was 7 years ago and have missed the good times in between, aaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhh.
I would like to go to our local breast cancer group, this friday, but don’t know how I will fit in, Help please xx