But it's been 14 years! But I was a stage 1! But I did chemo!

RainMaze1962

... Did I mention that I'm a vegetarian and I breastfed my daughter....can't believe I have to face this again! The first time it was so shocking because I was 3 weeks shy of my 36th birthday and no apparent risk factors.

And now I am just beginning to go through menopause!! I'm looking for all the helpful hints I can get for dealing with BC recurrence and menopause and still have a pretty awesome life.

kathleen1966

Soo sorry you are going through this again.  Is this local?  It has been soo long, I hope that it can be removed this time around as well!  I hope you get more support soon! 

cookiegal

not fair at all!

RainMaze1962

Waiting for an MRI, but so far my cancer appears to be confined to the ducts. My new oncologist believes I can be cured with a mastectomy and no further treatment. Never been more scared and more angry in my life!

Beesie

RainMaze, I'm sorry that you are dealing with this again.

After this number of years and since the cancer is all confined to the ducts, my guess is that this is a new primary breast cancer, completely unrelated to your previous diagnosis.  If that's the case, then it means that your treatment last time worked.  A new primary breast cancer is much better news than this being a recurrence because it means that the cancer has not been in your breast for all these years.  Instead, it's a new cancer that hopefully can be nipped in the bud.

The problem for all of us diagnosed one time is that we are at greater risk than the average woman to be diagnosed again.   This risk is completely separate from the risk of recurrence. So even if all our treatments worked and were successful, it doesn't mean that we won't ever have to deal with BC again.  We are still women and all women face a risk of breast cancer, whether they've had it before or not. 

Good luck with your upcoming surgery.  Hopefully the diagnosis is confirmed as being all in the duct - DCIS - and no more treatment is necessary beyond the surgery.  

sweetbean

Ugh, this totally blows.  So sorry you are facing this again - hang in there!

SheChirple

You are living many of our fears....recurrence or new cancer.

I hope and pray for you that your BMX removes all signs and pathology confirms DCIS, clear margins and no lymph node involvement.

((( HUGS )))

Moderators

RainMaze, we're all wishing you the best results from your testing and surgery. As a "Mother/Counselor/Ninja" you're clearly ready to take this on.

RainMaze1962

MRI (and beach and possibly a movie) tomorrow!  Thank you all for your words of encouragement. 

FireKracker

everyones worst nightmare...Im sooo sorry this happened to you.

Prayers comin your way.hugggs K

dreaming

Working in a cancer center I know that BC can come back anytime and anywhere, even than I am like you a long term survivor , vut  it is in the back of my mind, that it can happen.

I had microcalcifications removed from my chest wall 11 years after, and it was on the side where I had a mastectomy.

How you found out? Best for you.

RainMaze1962

Mine showed up as calcifications on my routine mammogram this time. The first time I was not quite 36, so I didn't think I'd need mammograms until I was 40.

Pinkgirl01

Hi rainmaze so sorry to hear this sending u big hugs u sound like a warrior ! Stay strong 😘😘

RainMaze1962

Just saw thr surgeon today. MRI looked good. Surgery in two weeks. No reconstruction for me and I'm already used to the idea of portable boobs. I'm small busted as it is and wear padded bras, now they'll just be super padded!

sweetbean

Hang in there, chica!  So sorry this is happening to you, but relieved that it is still early stage!

RainMaze1962

Update: follow up appointment with my surgeon today.

BMX and the surgeon found 2.5 cm of disease and one node positive! Was expecting DCIS only so I'm kind of still angry a week later! The surgeon had told me about the node right after surgery, so it wasn't a surprise. Will meet with oncologist on the 10th. Ran into her in the hall at my appointment and she was surprised when I told her I had to meet with her.

Fifibenoit

Hello Rainmaze,



Same thing happened to me - first cancer at age 29, new cancer at age 45... Had a double mastectomy, both brest had tumours in them... Had my third round of chemo last week, one more to go.



I feel angry too, I thought it was over and would not have to go through this again... Brace yourself, it brings back stuff you had wanted to forget!



They cannot confirm if its really a new cancer or recurrence - were they able to confirm new cancer for you?



As you probably know, it gets better as time goes by - my family and friends are great, I hope you have good support!

RainMaze1962

Update: it's a new primary, stage 2 tubular ? Ductal carcinoma. I start taxotere on the 22nd of this month as long as the PET scan is clear - and it will be!

Beesie

So sorry to hear that the diagnosis turned out to be more than you'd thought.  Good luck getting through chemo.

And YES, the PET scan WILL BE CLEAR! 

CoolBreeze

Your PET will be clear.    It's a really boring test too, plan for that.

1Athena1

BUT....but....but....that is the word with breast cancer. It is the first word that came ou of my mouth upon dx. Here we are, minding our own business and...bang! we get a disease that we later learn has no known cause, no guaranteed treatment and no known cure.

You did nothing wrong...you did everything right. It isn't you. It's the sorry state of the science and the sneakiness of the disease.

That said, may your PET (and body) be clear.

Cancer doesn't reward hard work. It is capricious and undisciplined.

Best of luck to you.