Recurrence for the 2nd Time

Back again !!!

I was 1st diagnosed with BC at 33 yrs old after finding a small lump. Turned out to be 3 tumours. On 14/2/2003 I had a mastectomy, cells found in lymph nodes, tramflap reconstruction, chemo, radiotherapy, and tamoxifen.

In 2014 I found a tiny lump in my breast reconstruction which we all thought was going to be scare tissue but nope the BC was back. Thankfully it was tiny and was dealt with via a WLE and being put on Tamoxifen.

I have had a few issues since the WLE and at my last check up I was a little more descriptive and probably a little more forcefull too. Thank heavens I was as on 29th December 2017 I was given the shock news my BC is back. The 3 biopsies all show cancer. I genuinely thought it was scar tissue or a medical clip which was causing a reaction. This time it’s just to the left of my reconstruction. Now I have to have bone, CT and MRI scans. Just hope it can be dealt with by another WLE.

I am actually quite calm but scared at the same time. Just keep thinking how many more times will this happen? Just goes to show how important it is to check your boobies. Even after a reconstruction!

Jeez, crikey and Ffffflip (I’m using polite expletives!!) Miss Green

I can’t believe your misfortune - you poor woman, my heart truely goes out to you. It doesn’t surprise me that you were “a little more forceful”, after your 2nd scare being another positive one, when you thought it may just be scar tissue. Am guessing that was found to be another separate primary from the 1st then?? as you weren’t given chemo. But now another.

Perhaps your feeling “quite calm” is probably down to feeling “a bit of an old hand” by now, so to speak, previous experience and all that. But yeh, of course, you must feel naturally scared again as well. 

After a mastectomy in 2006, I was shocked, when only a year later I was diagnosed with a new primary in my other boob. I’d felt a small lump near my armpit, brought it to attention at my annual check, had it ultrasounded and it was dismissed as a group of cysts by the ultrasound radiologist/doctor. Thankfully my consultant was as conscienciously suspicious as he was, and carried out a core biopsy which showed another cancerous tumour lying underneath the cysts, otherwise it probably wouldn’t have been caught so early. I could have had a lumpectomy, but my attitude after my 1st boob was - no thanks, get rid of the whole thing again, less chance of anything further developing.

None of that compares to your experience though, in that you, like most women, would likely think :-

I’ve had a mastectomy, so NO chance of it coming back, because there’s NO breast tissue left. So now lets get some of my old body shape back, have recon and THAT’S THE END OF THAT. Draw a line under the whole nasty experience and get back to living again.

Totally understandable then, that you’d think a tiny lump, 11 yrs later would just be scar tissue. But Nooo, it wasn’t.

Then 3yrs later and another lump - and NOOOO, that wasn’t either.

Fffffflip Miss Green. We’re all lead to think/believe mastectomies remove all the breast tissue and therefore remove any possibility of further future BC in the area. So what’s that all about  then?? you must be asking. Me and thousands of others now too.

 

My dear friend, thank you so much for your post, at a time when you’re so upset and burdened with what’s happening to you. Despite your need to post support wise, it’s also extremely thoughtful of you and highly educational to zillions of us on here.

 

I soooo hope your scans are all clear. Please will you let us know. Keeping EVERYthing crossed for you flower, and that 2018 WILL turn out to be a good year for you.

Sending you much love, healing thoughts and an extra special warm, long and tight Delly hug. xxxxxxx     

Thanks delly for your kind words. It sounds like you’ve been through the mill too.
Last time I was so lucky as it was tiny and they got excellent clearance with the WLE hence I didn’t have to go through Chemo again. Time will tell if I have been as lucky. Xx

Hi Delly

I had my bone scan yesterday and tomorrow it’s the MRI and CT. Just hope it’s not spread. Rad is a doddle compared to chemo but I wouldn’t want either again. Although part of me wants to scream " just through everything at me" lol.

X

Hi Miss Green,

So all scans now done then, and is it now that gawd awful thing called “waiting”?? Or have any immediate details and news been proffered. 

You !!!SCREAM!!! all you like, lovey. I’d feel the same, think any of us would after you’ve been through what you have.

Thinking of you

Loadsa love, Dellypoos xxxxxxx

Hi delly

I have to wait until 18th Jan so I presume by then the Multi Disciplinary Team will have examined the findings and a plan of action will be implemented. I will let you know the outcome ? x

Hi again Miss Green,

 

Thanks for the update. Hope you can somehow keep your mind occupied till them and remain strong - soooo much easier said than done, 'ey. Hope you have a good family and friend support network to help keep you as “Up” as possible

I’ve been having a chat with the girls on another of the recurrence threads - “After 10 years”. Perhaps you should or could get together, be a support to each other, compare notes etc.

As I said previously, am keeping everything crossed for 19th results, that they’re as favourable as possible.

 

Lotsa love,

Dellywellydoodaah xxxxxx

Sorry, forgot to say - I feel so upset  for you. Can’t believe the unfairness of this for you, the upset and injustice of this bleeping disease!!! xxxx

So back at the hospital for results of my scans.

They have found an enlarged lymph node in my chest and something on my right lung. Think its called Metastatic. All too small to biopsy though.

BC consultant doesn’t want to cut away the 3 little tumours I found in the reconstruction and leave the the other anomalies. Being referred to the Oncologist for chemo. Still hoping the Oncologist will say it’s all a mistake and they were smudges on the scan.

All very scary. Worse bit is telling my loved ones as I know they will worry about me.

I will beat this as i have too much dancing, drinking of cocktails and lovely holidays to do ?

Hi delly

I think they are hoping chemo will sort ouy whatever’s happening in my chest and lung plus it will hopefully get rid if the tumours in my breast. All are very small. But too be honest I am a little confused by it all x

Hey Miss Green

Will you please let us know how you go on with your diag and what treatment for you

Much love, Dellypoos xxxxxxx.

So I now have my treatment plan: 6 cycles of Docetaxel and Capecitabine ( a mixture of chemo by intravenous and tablets ). Due to start on 19th February so I now need to come off Tamoxifen.

I have my chemo assessment on 14th Feb which is ironic as it’s the 15th year anniversary of my mastectomy and my original BC journey.

Never thought I would be back having chemo but after 2 recurrences in the last 4 years and Mets I suppose it’s a necessity.

Thanks Delly x

Feeling very deflated. Diagnosed with HER 2+ stage 3 for a second time, 2 years on from my first diagnosis. Mastectomy tomorrow and then a wait to see what the next lot of treatment will be.

Had Chemo, radiotherapy, Herceptin and been on Tamoxifen for 2 years so can’t believe it has come back. Doesn’t make me very confident for the future…what are the chances of it coming back for a 3rd time!!!

Hi Puddin,
Sorry to hear you’re going through this all over again.
If you think it would help, do look at the ‘going through treatment,’ part of the forum as it tends to quieter here.
Wishing all the very best.
ann x