I'm back after 5 years

arlil

 I originally posted the following info 2005 under ALLewis: .Had forgotten it

and ran across it yesterday.

1st dx'd 1997(at age 62) mammogram right breast, tumor about 2 cm, ER/PR-,HER2- 3/13 nodes positive. Lumpectomy, CMF chemo and radiation treatments. No Tomoxifen because of the negative receptors.

2002, yearly mammogram did not pick up tumors, I noticed a skin retraction on my left breast and asked my surgeon what it was during a check up. Biopsy indicated IDC. Lumpectomy, but when the pathology report came back we found there were 4 tumors, 2 IDC and 2 Lobular, all about 1 cm. IDC, ER/PR+,SN biopsy, 2/4 positive. No choice but mastectomy, chose to have bilateral mastectomy due to the lobular type(can't be seen on mamogram) and lobular has a higher risk of being bilateral. The IDC had already been bilateral, enough is enough! No reconstruction. Had 5 AC treatments and had been on Arimadex until July of this year when my onc switched to Aromasin (joint problems with Arimadex, not nearly as bad with Aromasin).

 August 2010

Well,  I'm back and it's been quite a journey!  2006 moved to Nevada and lost my husband to congestive heart failure in 2007. Ended Aromasin in January 2008.  My Nevada health insurance denied followup with oncologist but OK'd continued breast panel blood tests. Tumor markers shot up drastically Sept/Oct 2009, and after much arguing insurance OK'd oncology appointment.  Ct scan showed nodules in lower right lung and going with the tumor markers the onc put me on Femara.  

I moved to Washington state in Feb. 2010 to be near my sister and father, changed to a Washington health insurance. New tumor markers tests in March were close to normal and CT scan wasn't clear on the lung nodules.  The new oncologist said she didn'tt think the cancer had metastized to the lung, CT and  a PET scan looked OK.  She thought  lung nodules might be scaring from the desert "virus"? people pick up livng in desert areas. Had me go in for tumor marker tests in April (up slightly) and July (up drastically) so back for more scans. CT shows some activity with the lung nodules, plus some lymph nodules in the chest area.  Bone scan shows mets, hips, lower back and spine, she was rather vague and I have requested the test results. 

My tumor markers were never high so I figured something was brewing!  I am somewhat unhappy that I was off treatment for 4 months and now have all this other stuff going on! I'm told it probably doesn't make much difference, but I  wonder!

At any rate onward and upward.  I'm back on Femara and she added monthly Zometa. Doing tumor markers monthly, and scans in 6 months to determine need for chemo.

Something I found in a newspaper years ago:

("When the tide of life turns against you and the current upsets your boat, don' t waste tears on what might have been, just lie on your back and float".) Anon

LRM216

I too was diagnosed with triple negative IDC Feb. of 2009 for my 62nd birthday, am a widow raising my 15 year old granddaughter.  I am only 1 1/2 year out since diagnose and live looking over my shoulder everyday despite my strong will for this ugly beast not to encompass every waking moment of my life.

I just wanted to say how very sorry I am that you have gone through all that you already have, and now this again.  I am sending nothing but good thoughts and prayers for as uneventful a journey as possible for you.  Stay strong, Arlie, and I am certainly glad you have been able to at least see the proper doctors needed for this necessary treatment.  God bless.

Linda

dlb823

arlil ~ So sorry to hear about your recurrence, but I can tell from your post and the quote you chose to share that you have a great attitude, which I know will help you deal with this.  And I'm so sorry about your husband.  You certainly have been through a lot.

I guess I can see why your NV insurance denied oncology appointments, since, at that point (if my chemo-brain math is correct), it looks like you were 5 year past your last dx.  But it's a lesson for many of us to keep in mind.   

And I'm so glad you've come back to BCO.  I'm sorry you have to be here, but I hope it will be a wonderful source of support for you.   (((Hugs)))   Deanna 

arlil

Thank you both for your kind words and encouragement.