Hi, I’m just hitting 2 years post diagnosis. I had stage 2a IDC with micromets in one lymph node. I also had Lymphovascular and perineural invasion. ER+ PR+ Hers -. Had a lumpectomy with chemo and radiation and am on tamoxifen and Zolodex. Very stressed about recurrence. Just wanting to hear others thoughts, experience with recurrence. From reading up, Lymphovascular and perineural invasion is a predictor to metastasis. I can’t seem to get this out of my head.
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Just to say, I hear you. Ive just started chemo and have 3 years of other treatments ahead and I’m already saying ‘what if??’ I have no idea how you get past that… I worry anyway and this is a whole new level! I have also read stories of recurrence and spread which doesnt help. Will follow this thread with interest… xx
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I can identify with the constant thought of recurrence . I had grade 3 primary with large tumour and two nodes with macro mets . For various reasons and at my age, I did not do chemo )Aldo was in pandemic ) so did pitch myself into even high probability of recurrence but I had a poor prognosis in the first place. In the end, although the thought never quite went away, I did just get on and make the most of every day . I have had recurrence , but then my initial prognosis was poor, regardless of whether I had chemo or not.
I suspect the thoughts never go away at least for several years, so my only suggestions are concentrate on enjoying just the day in front of you , people , life , nature , work , if you can and if you have any concerns about a new symptom or any worry ring the nurse support team . I found mine, wonderful and they never minded me ringing .
It sounds as if overall you have put yourself in very strong position with the treatment you have done .
(My support nurse did say that the first two years, it would often be on one’s mind, and then gradually it would take up less thoughts ) .
All the best.
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I am so sorry that you’re going through this @kym1. I am sure that many people here can identify with your feelings about recurrence.
I hope that you find the support you are looking for here on the forum. Please also know that our breast care nurses are always here to talk things through on 0808 800 6000.
Thinking of you,
Lucy
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First of all congrats on hitting 2 years past diagnosis. It’s a small milestone but it does matter. Most aggressive tumors, if they recur, will recur during the first two years. Secondly, if it’s any consolation, most of us freak out about recurrence because no one has a 0% change of it. Breast cancer, the bastard, is forever. As far as how to cope with the fear? Personally for me, I really try to stay in the present. For instance, today I feel good, had some rousing games of pickleball, good exercise with no issues, and I feel strong and powerful. I’ll deal with tomorrow when it comes. How I stay in the present is through therapy and an anti-depressant, and then reminding myself I’m doing everything right. Now what to do about your fear in regards to lymphovascular and perineural invasion? Remind yourself of the facts. No that’s not ideal. But neither is a grade 3 (which I had), lymph node involvement, low progesterone, etc. In other words, almost all of us have something that is not ideal about our breast cancer because breast cancer is not ideal period. Also, they don’t know exactly when lymphovascular and perineural invasion signal difficulty. One study I read for instance only seems to show it had predictive power when chemo wasn’t done. But you did chemo so really, does it mean anything for you? Maybe not. Look, you’ll never know the future. You could get hit by a bus for instance tomorrow. But nobody does. The only thing that’s certain is we all will die. Even those who never get breast cancer. For me, what that means is that I consider everyone of us in the same boat and just try to up my chances of staying on the boat as long as possible. Other than that it’s out of my hands. For the most part, thinking like that helps me and when it doesn’t, I go for another therapy appointment and exercise.
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