recurrence for the 3rd time

me77

hello, i was just told that i had a recurrence for a 3rd time. first time a had a my breast removed a year later i had an other lump removed, then this past feb. i had a other lump removed i do not have any more skin to remove. but i went though chemo and rad. now the what me to do chemo again should i do this again. they say they have the margins free from cancer. I have another doctor saying he might be able to help me with vitamins. what would you do? seems like ever year since i was first told i get the cancer back.

LRM216

I am so very sorry you have gone through all of this - just not fair at all.  Being hit with this dreaded disease once is enough, let alone two more times.  I know that for myself, the mere thought of a recurrence or spread, necessitating having to go back on chemo, makes me just sick to my stomach.  Having said that, I know that I would certainly go the way of further chemo if need be, and save the "vitamins" until I finished the chemo.  I wish you all the best.  Keep strong!

dlb823

Hi, there ~ I see from your diagnosis information that your breast cancer is triple negative, a type that is known to recur as yours is doing.  It sounds like chemo might be well worth considering, especially since there may be something new since the first time you did it.  I guess I would want to be very sure that you're dealing with a medical team that is on top of the type of breast cancer you have; and even if they are, I would still get a second opinion before going forward -- just because all doctors don't think alike, and I would want to be sure I had as much information as possible before making a decision about treatment.

Another thing I would suggest doing is going to the Triple Negative section here and maybe posting the same question, to insure input from gals who are also dealing with it.  (Click on Forum Index above and scroll down until you see it.)

Good luck, and so glad you've come to BCO for support!    Deanna

MommyKim

Hello,

Let me first say that I am sorry for the way things are going for you.  I truly can say I know how you feel.

I to have triple negative breast cancer.  I was first diagnosed in March of 2008, recurrence in September of 2008, and now recurrence again in March 2010.  I finished my last round of chemo in April 2009.  Did not even get 1 year of cancer free.  I will be starting chemo in about 2 weeks for the 3rd time in 2 years.  I assume that there is no prgression of the disease to the point of metastis?  If it is still localized that is good.  I too wondered if it would be worth it, but I can not give up and will not give up to this disease.  I have things I want to do, children I want to see get married(if they so choose), travel, become financially stable, and list could go on and on....You too will come up with reasons to fight and not give up.

 If you think about it we all have a mortality date.  I just want it to be later than sooner.  I am hoping that you have a good support system at home.  Without that, it is difficult to go through all of this again.  Keep us updated on what you decide and how things are going.  Good-luck.  I know you can do this.  If I can do it so can you....

MommyKim

niteowl

Hello me77,

I'm so sorry you are going through this again. I thought having to fight this twice was bad enough. But to have so many recurrences in such a short period just seems so unfair.

If I were in your situation, I would get another opinion and also make sure that you have a doctor or doctors who are up to date on the treatment options for your type of cancer. I'm just learning today about " triple negative."

Keep positive thoughts. I'll continue to send healing thoughts your way.