Recurrence: What should I watch for?

Texas357

Has anyone had a talk with their doctor about what symptoms to watch for that might indicate recurrence? My doctor does bloodwork quarterly. Should I be concerned about miscellaneous aches and pains?

What warrants worry?

dlb823

Texas, I think this is something we all deal with, but we have to remember that we all had aches & pains prior to bc that had nothing to do with bc.  A psychologist @ UCLA helped me a lot when I asked her about dealing with the ongoing fear by suggesting that we each set a personal limit ahead of time as to what we feel is a reasonable period to wait and see if a pain or other concern goes away.  She suggested 2 or 3 weeks.  The idea is that most non-serious pain -- though it may last a few days -- will probably go away within 2 weeks, and so far, it's worked for me. 

Hope this helps some ~   Deanna

SusieMTN

My Oncologist said anything longer than 2 weeks.  Also, a great book is "THE BREAST BOOK" by Dr Susan Love.  It has a section on Recurrence.  It is my go to book!

Susie

americanpinay

Hi Texas!

Glad to "see" you here! Hope is well with you. I haven't seen many of our May 2009 Rads sisters on this board lately.

My onc also does bloodwork whenever I see him, which was quarterly until October 2010 when my "scare" saga began. I went through a whole bunch of scans and biopsies and thank God all is well. I've been seeing my onc monthly since then and I think I am scheduled to see him monthly for the next few months. He also said two to three weeks for "new" pains.  I continue to have minor aches and pains on the same spots that started during chemo.

Take care. 

3daywalker

texas357

Hi. To be perfetly honest no one truly knows if we will have a recurrance or not, even with all the fancy testing. I have 2 friends both stage 2 and both developed mets. I had stage 3 and her2+ and still am doing well at 6 years yesterday!!! One thing to watch for though is pain, you are right. I had continual pain in my joints and bones, went in to onc to complain and she was very concerned, started testing and found that I had developed an autoimmune disease, that causes alot of pain. If I hadn't told her, they would never had found it. I do have a higher risk of developing lymphoma now, but most of us realize that we all will have a higher chance of that because of all the chemo we did. The chances are not terribly high but still higher for any one who did chemo.

Be vigilent with self checks, even if you have had mastectomies, lumps can develope even around the implant, I get MRI's each year to keep an eye on that.

Exercise regularly and eat healthy. Enjoy life and celebrate each day!

You will be just fine!

jennyboog

I was told the same thing...2-3 weeks.  It might not be correct but mentally the way I deal with it is, I remember the aches and pains I had before my last scan and since that was normal I say to myself it's nothing or it would have showed up on the scan.  I might be fooling myself but it's the way I get through the scare and go on with my life or else I'd probably live in fear.  I hope this helps.

3daywalker

jennyboog

Hi. Look at our DX, so very close. Hang tight and stay healthy lady!