How do we know if it has returned???

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I am worried I have had a cough for 5 weeks, nothing serious but annoying and my voice seems croaky like when you are really tired. I also feel tired and can quite easily sleep for an hour or more some afternoons - this is maybe once a week.

 

what do we look out for as symptoms of secondaries whether it is lung, liver, brain or bone. No one really advises what to look out for.

 

my initial breast cancer was found on a routine mammogram and was grade 2 invasive lobular and ductal with lymph node involvement. Had surgery, chemo, surgery for clearance then 20 sessions of rads. As it as discovered with no symptoms I am worried I will miss something.  I decided no hormone therapy as after taking for 15 days of ananstrozole with severe side effects I didn’t want to take them (stupid maybe) . I was ER positive.

 

any advise welcome xx

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Hello Bondgirl,

Sorry to hear you are worried about your persistent cough and fatigue.  Usually, if a symptom persists for more than three weeks, it is best to go and get it checked out by your GP.  It may be something completely innocent but you need some reassurance from your doctor to give you peace of mind.

Please do not judge yourself harshly for not taking Anastrozole, we all have to make the choice of whether to take hormone therapy based on our own personal circumstances/feelings.

I’ve had a terrible time taking Anastrozole for the past 18 months.  I’ve persevered but in the past few months have been considering whether to stop taking it.  My GP recently referred me to a Rheumatology consultant to review my chronic joint pain.  The consultant was confident that it was not Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Phew!!  But because of my BC history, he wanted me to have a CT bone scan to give me reassurance the severe joint pain was nothing sinister.  He told me not to worry!

Now for the very first time post BC (22 months), I am worried and anxious.  I had early stage BC with a very good prognosis.  Having a bone scan never entered my head.

Good luck and go see your GP.

M x

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Hi, I also am 2 years post Chem and Rads, having stage2, Grade 2 ILC, ER+with lymph node involvement. My Breast Consultant took me off Anastrozole in May, partly because I have felt unwell taking it (since Sept 2013) and because he thinks my under active thyroid is affected by treatment. My breathing and the pain across my upper back has been worrying me at least 6 months or so, and saw a gp who sent me for chest xray (I went Wed) and blood test (this Mon). With b/c history she wants it checked, she mentioned inhaler if I was still wheezing and having pain on deep breaths. I have had mild pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, chest infections within the past couple years. I feel quite tired more and lost some weight. I am. Curious as to what to look out for with secondary b/c, my liver was scanned, they saw liver cysts and said keep an eye on anything that concerns me on that side. I have never been bothered with breathing issues before and the more I think about the possible, the more I worry! I hope you are all keeping well.

Cheers, MIchele x

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Hi there, this is my first time on this sort of forum.  I was diagnosed in November 2014 had a lumpectomy followed by 30 days of Radiotherapy and then Anastrazole 1mg.  Over the last couple of weeks I have been getting a little more pain/uncomfortableness in my breast and a couple of days ago noticed a sort of dent/dimple had appeared just beneath my lumpectomy scar.  Does anyone know if this is likely to be a recurrence of breast cancer?  I know it can be a sign in primary cancer but am not sure about second time round.  Not sure if I am worrying unduly or making a fus about nothing.  I am usually a very positive person and not generally a worrier BUT…  Should I contact my BCN and arrange for them to take a look?  Any help would be much appreciated. Thx

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Delly I will fail the test! It’s all too complicated lol. I know I would have needed chemo if in lymph and on the result of one test from the biopsy so not just lymph nodes. So many different stories tells me we are all so unique biologically. So while it’s good to be informed, share advice etc we can’t pressume it’s going to be the same for us. Sending love Lorna x

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Just wanted to reply following Delly s post re some people having chemo even though there was no lymph node involvement. I didn’t understand why I had to have chemo and radiotherapy when my node biopsy was negative but my oncologist explained there were 3 reasons. 1) because my tumor was large at 5cm, 2) because it was grade 3 fast growing, 3) because it was found in the lymphvascular tissue these together mean they give chemo and radiotherapy to prevent spread and reoccurance

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I’m off to the BCN this afternoon to get them to double check some lumps…I think they’re just fatty lumps but best to get it checked.

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Well, Wavey, thanks for your reply - about bloomin time too (am teasing).

NO - I wasn’t wary of recon, I embarked last year, got through the 1st stages of delayed implant i.e. installation of expanders and all the following inflation/stretching appts, booked appt directly with surgeon for op to replace expanders with permanent silicons only for him to xc it two weeks later, a week before the date. What’s up with these people - what was sooooo important that he had to xc MEEEEE  lol.

I was left “hanging” then during which time I completely lost the momentum - I’d been struggling to keep it up anyway because I’d slumped mentally with other stuff. So I abandoned it and is why I said I have till next March to get back onto the recon horse before I may have probs with the expanders.

I didn’t and haven’t ever wanted self tissue recon because of extra scarring to elsewhere on the bod, extra healing time and risks with + extra scars on the actual breast area.

 

I small 34 a-b cup so I’m really sorry to hear you’ve had a lot of discomfort. I’m 56, isn’t so much for “sexual” reasons as personal confidence ref appearance when unclothed. I know what you’re meaning ref men - platonic etc. I’m gay so I stand a better chance with a woman, us" tending" to be  a more sensitive, sympathetic sex. Yet I’ve had recent chats with a lady about the dating issues, also in her 50’s, with a single mast and recon, who’s recently met and mutually fallen in love with a guy who loves her and her recon. Hasn’t bothered him in the least - so there ARE some of 'em out there Wavey. Equally, there are also gay women who CAN’T cope with a breast cancer female partner -  walk away/leave when the going gets tough, and/or finds the appearance unacceptable. Personally, it wouldn’t bother me, because obviously I’ve been through it myself and am empathetic to it all. I’m in a minority group, BUT one that apparently has a greater proportion of BC, so I’m hoping I’ll be lucky, when and if I get back onto that dating horse.

I’ve found chatting on here (Just Diagnosed and other areas) has helped a lot with cheering me up and pulling me out of this hole I’ve been in the last year espesh and feel I’m thinking more now to getting back to the rest of my recon procedures. But. . . that can and may change tomorrow - I’m not yet confident enough in my mental stability so will give it a bit longer before committing.

 

Sorry to hear you’ve had extra complications with Herceptin heart wise - what a bummer. As if it wasn’t enough to cope with BC alone.

Keep in tough, let me/us know how you’re doing. Have a vent/rant if you’re not feeling so good. Have you taken anything further ref. recon ??

Lotsa love Delly xx   

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Hi to all on here, hope you’re all doing well.

 

Hi again Wavey me dear, have responded on you’re Herceptin thread. I am SOOOOOO pleased you are feeling better with your meds. Apols for my absence, and my memory has caused me to have to read back to refresh myself.

Have you been for your appt to discuss recon yet ? If so, how’d it go and how do you feel about it now?? There’s a lot of positive response to self tissue recon on here, albeit with some “tittivating” of natural breast to match up. Couldn’t resist that word - was used by the very 1st breast surgeon I ever saw - very appropriate with the reference to “tits” !! made me giggle.

Hey, it’s very early days for you yet so you’re bound to still be very RAW, so please don’t expect too much of yourself. Plus we’re all different so don’t measure yourself against other people flower. Go get yourself down to that centre and have a bit of soothing massage or counselling whatever their offering - go through the whole works. If you aren’t working at the mo’, why not. Plus possibly meet some fellow BC  or non-BC people. 

Have you really had your hair regrowth died pink ?? Are you retired or due to go back to work sometime??

I find that interesting that you have quite a few gay friends - any single that you may be able to fix me up with !! Took me up to the age of 38 to finally decide what side of the fence I preferred to be on!  And yeah, it’s bound to have a massive impact on any relationship, be it partner, husband, wife, family. Scared my Mother to death - she was so afraid of losing me - such a darlin woman and miss her. It’s like a constant ache and there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of both my M & D One of my best buddies ever awwww. Hey, gave her a fantastic send off - a happy celebration of her life NOT a sombre, serious affair. She loved a good party so I gave her one she’d have really enjoyed herself which was what it was based on.  

 

Have actually been getting on with a few looong outstanding jobs this week that I’ve allowed to build up due to my low state and then get overfaced with. Hence my absence on here.  But . . . have got a very poorly cat. Took her into the vets yesterday - thyroxine levels off the scale. Have desperately been trying to get food into her the last 4 weeks, so am now trying even harder - she’s on a whatever tempts, takes her fancy diet. She’s an old lady now at 18, and very skinny at the mo’ my Chloe, but she’s such a beautiful cat in looks (pure white with the softest of fur) and temperament.

 

Am going now,

Lotsa love delly xx 

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Hi to everyone here

Hi Wavey, reeeally pleased you’re sounding in much finer form. I was concerned. Lovely that you’re enjoying a weekend with good long standing friends. Have one on me - make that a few in fact.

Your hair sounds great - looked good on Annie Lennox.

Glad you’re having a break to recharge yourself, that sounds a really good plan, plus gives everything longer in the chest region to settle down more. I’ve also known women who, as time’s gone on, change their mind about having recon anyway, settled themselves to what they have(n’t). Keep me up to date how you are but on one of the other threads.

 

I must apologise to all of you for my last rabbiting on to Wavey in my posts. Was a newbie at the time so not au fait with the forum. As most of it was nothing to do with “secondaries”,  I’m now conscious of that and taking up space on here with my own personal issues. I’ve slapped myself on the hand and shalln’t do it again - sorry.

Hope you’re all coping and doing well

Love and good wishes to you all, Delly xxx