I have had two local recurerrences since my first diagnosis last June 2006. Treatment has been lumpectomy, CAF , radio and mastectomy in that order. My most recent recurrence comes two months after my mastectomy with seven tiny lumps in the skin. It seems that since the vessels of the skin are involved, that the cancer keeps returning so quickly and that I am triple negative my oncologist tells me there are few treatment options left. He said my cancer seems resistence to treatments.
The cancer remains a local recurrence - I think that is positive- I had body and bone scans in May this year and I am about to start taxotere followed by xeloda with some possibility of further radio ( obviously carries risk). Surgery hasn’t been ruled out. He says he will know after three treatments whether it is effective.
The oncologist seemed so pessimistic at times that I fear the worst.
I keep thinking what happens if this treatment fails - I read on the forums about other forms of chemo - but what happens to the skin on my chest - do the tumours just keep coming?
It is quite terrifying - I am brave - I stay positive - but my inner resources are tired with the fight.
I look forward to any comments you can give me that will get this into some sort of perspective.
I cannot offer any perspectives, I’m on my first run at this and in the middle of chemo. I guess I have all the worries of recurrance etc. to come. I have seen some of your other posts, you seem like a brave woman.
I just wanted you to know that people are thinking of you and rooting for you out here. It must be so hard being strong and brave all the time, but remember it is OK to have a good cry and ask for support from others.
Bless you Jane. They can remove skin tumours up to a point. Have you tried trying to rebalance your immune system, because there is obviously an underlying cause. I have been trying all sorts like apricot kernals and supplements. If you need more info let me know. Love and prayers,
Julie X
It started with a book by Dr Lee that I read ‘What your Dr may not tell you about breast cancer’. In a nutshell it implies that conventional medicine is barbaric and does not embrace the real cause of the cancer. Oestrogen is the main culprit which is in abundence in our water supply(recycled HRT and the pill) and in dairy products. The foods that we eat are processed so much that our immune systems fail. Obviously there is more to it than just this. I have researched around the subject and there are many many others saying the same thing. Try CANCER;WHY WE’RE STILL DYING TO KNOW THE TRUTH by Phillip Day, and Choosing to heal, surviving the breast cancer system by Janet Edwards. Also Science or miracle; the metabolic glyconutritional discovery by George V Dubouch. They have convinced me that its an underlying problem and that i need to detox and boost my immune system to fight disease. There is a company called mannatech and i have read incredible stories. I now take glyconutrients and immunostart. Also a really good diet, vitamins, fruit and veg juices and Apricot kernals. It sounds like i’m a nutter but the evidence that it works is there. Send a private note if you need more info and i will give my e-mail address.
Love Julie x
You must make your own mind up but I think the claims made in books such as those mentioned by julie8 are unsubstantiated nonsense. There is also no proper scientific evidence (by which I mean double blind randomised scientific trials) that apricot kernals can cure cancer. Julie8 mentions oestrogen which in your case, in any case, doesn’t apply as you are triple negative.
I am also triple negative. I have a regional recurrence of cancer in my shoulder nodes and chest wall which I have been told is incurable. Like you I am scared because of limited treatment optios. Taxotere is a powerful drug which gets some good results in triple negatives: I was in remission for 2.5 years after my treatment for primary bc…I think the taxotere I had may have been responsible for the remission.
I’m now on a combination of xeloda and navelbine. If these fail then I may get a taxane again or others options are cisplatin, carboplatin and gemzar.
I’m also tired of treatments and bloody scared but I think all we can do is take the treatments which might make a difference and ignore dramatic claims about ‘rebalancing the immune system’ which sound attractive but are actually fabricated nonsense in my view.
I’m inclined to agree with JaneRA and Karen. Many of these retrictive diets leave you at risk of missing out important nutrients. I do have organic milk which will reduce the risk of hormones etc. There is also a lot of stress attached to sticking to a rigid diet regeme and guilt if you slip up. I believe that a good well balanced diet with a bit of the fun stuff in moderation combined with leading an active and enjoyable life is the way to go.
do what feels right for you. - good luck with your treatment etc.