I had ER+ breast cancer in 2008. Mastectomy followed by chemo, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen for 10 years. In 2015 I had ureter cancer. Kidney and ureter removal, no follow up treatment. 2016 I had small recurrence in my bladder, treated with mitomycin intravesically. In May this year 2026, I had my 10 years chest bladder and lung CT scan. Low and behold, 18 years later, they found ductal cell tumors near my sternum on my reconstructed side. I’m waiting on my first appointment to disuss going forward. I’m well, I eat well, I walk a lot. I had no idea this was lurking around ( no lump, no pain, no difficulty breathing ).
Another battle ahead, but now, at nearly 70, I’m maybe not as tough as I was 20 years ago. We’ll see.
Cancer treatment has changed hugely in 20 years, but my lovely oncologist is still working at my local hospital. It will be nice to see him again.
Thank you for letting me rant. I’m not sure where to post this, so my apologies if it ends up in the wrong place!! My best wishes to you all
Hi @herewegoagain1 I just wanted to welcome you (back?) to the forum. My you have been through it but, as you say, treatment has come on apace since your first round. I am 70 myself and was diagnosed four years ago. I’m awaiting results of my 4th annual test, so my story isn’t comparable to yours so all I can say is, keep posting here and, if you feel like downloading verbally to someone, please feel free to call the nurses here on 0808 800 6000 - you don’t have to have a question, just talk. There is also an area for those who have had their cancer spread where you may find others who can empathise. You can find that here Living with secondary breast cancer - Breast Cancer Now forum. I wish you good fortune through your treatment.
Ah Ding Ding Round 4…I’m so sorry to hear of your returning cancer. I had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen back in 2002. Now at 77 another lump same side but no radiotherapy but put on Letrozole, which is a vile drug! Had so many aches and pains I stopped after just under 8 weeks. I went from an active woman to an old crone, clinging to the bannister going down 1st thing in the morning! It does ease a bit during the day. But I mustn’t complain as you have it so much worse. Take care dear lady, wishing you well in all you have to face.
Your journey has several mirrors with mine, although mine started in 1991 and yes I’m an old woman (crone?) of73 now. I had a mastctomy in 1992 and started the journey of treatments and re-ocurrances over the next 34 years and here I am again. Now though the wretched cancer has hit my liver and spine and I have developed bowel cancer! I have just started my second course of 12 rounds of Paclitaxel another in the list of foul drugs with numorous side effects, including hair loss and I HATE wearing a wig which feels like a hat! I lost my uterus etc in 2002 due to tamoxifen side effects. Oh and mine was/is ductal cancer (back in the day we weren’t given all the details that ladies today get about their tumours!)
BUT I’m still here and so are you and there has been so much progress and so many new drugs still I began and since you began, as we as new diognostic tools so hang in there and keep going!
Thank you so much for your reply. I was lucky with my chemo side effects, altho I still have neuropathy in my feet- my heels are numb and can get quite painful ( despite being numb).
Thank you again for your encouragement. I wish you well in your own journey. Take care
Thank you for replying. Oh my, 34 years is a long time for recurrence. It really has a cheek . You sound like you’re coping incredibly well with everything.
I have always had dark brown hair, but decided to get a blonde wig. I really liked it, but only wore it outside. As you say, it’s like wearing a hat!!. If I lose my hair this time around, I won’t bother with a wig at all. There’s so many lovely hats/turban now.
I like to be fully informed about my treatment etc. Im always curious and feel I can communicate with medics better, if I have a smidgen of knowledge.
I wish you continued success in your treatment going forward.
Its just another hurdle in our race for life. Take care
. You sound like you’re coping incredibly well with everything.