Hi, sorry to post but am really, really scared. I know for sure everyone one of us understand ‘the fear’ that every ache, pain, headache or twinge is the cancer come back, so hoping someone wil have some good news to share with me on this one!
History. Stage III with 5cm deep tumour, 9 removed lymph nodes affected from 13 removed, had mastectomy in March 07, followed by 8 chemos and 4 weeks of rads. All finished up by mid December 07. Triple negative so no other treatments.
So getting on with life
Been really busy with work, trip to China (and resulting mozzie bite on ‘that’ arm) then drive to Germany and back over couple of day, but last Monday, post those trips, I felt some pain under my arm. It didn’t go away so called oncology team, went in last Thursday and saw my specialist who felt ‘something’ and called for an ultrasound, had that yesterday. Found 2 ‘lumps’ there, said needed to talk with the whole team (tomorrow) to decide what to do. Could be needle biopsy, could be removal.
My head is just ‘oh god I am going to die, it’s back’ no doubt I will toughen up once I know the actions and deal with whatever it is, and then the biopsy results but right now I am scared’er than a scared person on a really really scared day.
Anyone else had something like this?? Hopefully with a simple and positive outcome???
Hi, sorry to hear your news I know what a worrying time this can be. I orignally had bc in 2005 (triple neg) had a lumpectomy then found out that it had returned in Oct 07. Had mx in Dec followed by chemo then a scan in July showed that the cancer had returned in two lymph nodes and had gone into the main vein of my arm which was causing severe pain!
I had a tram flap reconstruction to give me a me a new flat chest so that they can now give me rads and they took out the section of vein that was affected and re joined it back together. Had all my remaining lymph nodes removed at the same time. Now waiting for the wound to heal before I start rads again but hopefully this will get it this time round.
So try and stay positive, hopefully your results will be fine, but if not there are further treatments they can do. wishing you well.
Janet
thank you so much for your reply, the best thing about this place is finding out you are not alone in what is happening to you.
Today I am mostly waiting for the call to let me know what is going to happen, keep catching myself staring at my phone and feeling a little sick. But I am trying to stay busy, have had a cry, had a scream and shout and now just want to know so can deal with it.
Arm is hurting underneath, but it’s cope’able with some ibruprofen. I thought I had won the wat, and if I have to go through all the treatments again I will battle it again, and I will win again, but am hoping against hope it’s something and nothing!!
I hope your outcome is also positive and no more problems come your way Janet.
I’m so sorry to hear about what you are going through and I really feel for you and just wanted to send you a big hug and let you know that I am thinking of you. Please do let us know how you get on. I’ll be thinking of you.
Saw my surgeon and operation is Monday, they would rather take them out and see what is going on than risk missing something with a needle biopsy, makes sense really even though dont want an op, who does!
Main thing is now I am ready to deal with whatever I have to deal with, but am aiming for it being nothing of course:))
Hi Nikki,
Def makes sense glad you getting it sorted so quickly and that you can then get on and find out what is happening. Hopefully nothing but the waiting is this worst time.
My friend had prob with remaining lymph nodes after an infection in a scatch on that arm. Hope yours is the same. Thinking of you, let us know how you get on.
Take care
Lv Dawn X
I’m really pleased to hear that they are dealing with you so quickly and not letting you hang around. We are all here for you so whatever the outcome you know where to come for support and hugs.
I am very lucky and priviledged to have private healthcare through BUPA thanks to work. They have been totally awesome throughout my journey, thankfully!
I will post as soon as I have an answer as to the problem
Hi Mary thank you. I very much appreciate your support.
I also have wondered why it is so different. I think maybe it’s down to the tumour size when operating and that they try to leave some nodes to protect from lymphodema (sp) but would be interested in others opinions on this.
Hi again, looking for some advice and help. Just been told the cancer is back. I am in bits. It is in the lower nodes closer to the chest wall (original tumour was quite deep) he seems hopeful it’s ‘left over’ from that. I can’t believe this is happening and I am not even a whole year post treatment.
I hope someone can give me some success stories where they have had a new occurance and lived to tell the tale.
Sorry for negative slant, will be better soon I am sure but right now…
Nikki, I have just posted a panic message on a different thread, but you have answered my question…been really getting on with life/work/ everything since op etc last year, woke up this morning with sharp pain under armpit, and heavy feeling in breast. Told no-one, but went online just now. Have to talk to someone, cannot bear to tell my family, friends. Maybe it will be nothing, maybe we can get through this together, …I would have sent private message but I dont know if they get through. I am seeing the onc on 13th November unless the pain gets worse, I can ask for an earlier appointment if so. Do you think I should?
Much love, sorry this is not advice or help but at least you know I am righ beside you in every sense. Love Zoe x
Absolutely go and talk to them right away, we do not need to be heroes and pretend we are invincible, we are not and we need to be ultra aware of our bodies and any changes whether small or large.
My 6 months was brought forward because of my troubles and I dont see why they wont do the same for you.
Thanks got your support as well, please do let me know how you get on ok, and don’t get fobbed off, it’s our lives we’re talking about here NOTHING is more important.
Thanks for getting back. I checked a few times for you, but thought maybe you had other things to do, then I had other things to do. Told husband last night, terrible to do, he was gutted but said it was what he wanted, to share the lot with me…we had just started so many plans for ‘the rest of our life’ getting priorities right and doing stuff we have put off.
I keep poking away under my arm, trying to decide whether it is worse or better, especially at night! Keep feeling cross because I’ve told everybody how wonderful sentinel node biopsy is, but if the cancer is back in my lymph glands maybe one got missed. Well, thats enough self-pity. We are going to get hte grandchildren for a week, and I will not have time to think about it. When I get panicky I think to myself thaf Nikki, Dawn, Janet and all of you are in the boat hanging on to the lifebelts as we get tossed up and down on this sea voyage of storms, calms, sunny days, nice steady breezes and tyyphoons!
Will check in when I get 2 seconds to myself! love to all, and a half-hug (R side too sore) Zoe xxx