Nervous Nellie

pandy337

I've been following the boards in silence for about 1 year and haven't posted much.  However, things have changed and I need some advise, etc. 

I was diagonoised August 6, 2009.  Had a single masectomy on Sept 4, 2009.  Underwent treatment 3 FEC/3 Doxatel.  Finished treatment March 12, 2010.  Started Tamoxifen on May 1, 2010.  Everything has been going okay until December 2010 when my neck got swollen.  I went to the doctor and he immediately said it appears that the cancer is back.  Just about had a heart attack.  Had a chests x-ray, which turned out fine.  Went for an ultrasound on the 26th of December and the results came back that further investigation was required.  My BS arranged for a biopsy and they were unable to do one as she couldn't locate the lump in my clavical.  Went back to the BS and he checked and could not find anything.  So he said we would continue to monitor with u/s.  Had one in March and it was fine.  The issue with the neck seems to be okay and will be monitored.

Fast forward to about a month ago and my chest wall (side I had masectomy), was sore.  I thought oh, I"ve lifted something too heavy and strained muscles so I took tylenol for a few days and the pain went away.  About two to three weeks later the pain came back and I thought I felt a lump so I asked my husband to check and he said yes, he felt it.  Went to the doctor last week to have it checked out and he felt something as well and recommended u/s.  Went for u/s on the 24th of May and lo and behold two lumps and one is suspicious that is on my sternum and about 2.6 c.m. (This one we didn't know about)  so my doctor said he would talk with BS as radiologist recommenced CT Scan and biopsy to determine what to do.

 Well its the 27th and have a CT and pelvic scan scheduled for Sunday the 29th and am I ever worried as this is going so fast. I know I should be happy they are doing it rush but it scares me.  I realize I haven't had a diagnosis again but could someone please give me some advise/words of encouragement/wisdom    My husband and family are wonderful; however, its not the same.

Thanks

bak94

Oh the waiting is horrible, so sorry you are going through this. It is hard not to worry, hopefully it is just fat necrosis or something benign like that. I am sending you hugs. Do you have any ativan to take the edge off?

lago

(((hugs)))

wow you have been through quite a bit. I remember what my BS said to me before I had my biopsy and diagnosed… breast cancer is treatable!

First of all until the fat lady sings you don't know  yet. Second if it is a recurrence it can be managed. There is someone on this forum that is a 20 year survivor, 16 years with mets to bones. I'm sure there are several stories like that. Someone else posted the other day about an aunt that had mets to liver. Chemo got rid of it and she's been in remission for a long time. I think the woman was in her late 80s now!

pandy337

bkj66

Thanks for your reply.  The neck issue was fat necrosis so that was a relief.  However, this one has me worried as I do have pain in my chest wall and tylenol is not taking the edge away.  I don't have anything to take that will help me cope; however, I feel a good drunk coming on. 

lago

Thanks for your reply.  My BS also told me something similar.  He said that breast cancer is not a death sentence and I was highly treatable.