3rd primary cancer

3rdtimenow

 Is there anyone on here who has been diagnosed for the third time? All three different forms of cancer. I did pretty well physically and emotionally the first 2 times, but I must say this time I am a mess, crying much more than before and feeling a little more defeated. Thank God all of them were caught early, including this one, but there are so many unknowns right now, and the waiting is killing me.  Thanks in advance for any replies, I have a good support system, but I feel so alone, like nobody can really know what I am going through, except someone who has been in my shoes.

edwards750

OMG 3 times? No I haven't experienced a recurrence yet so sorry can't begin to relate to your anxiety. I hope someone will post who has. What forms are they? Good thing is you said your support system is in place, that you def need. What are the doctors saying? Caught early- another good thing. I do know of women who have gone a second round; theirs was BC meta sizing to another organ and caught early as well. Okay you made it through 2 you can do it again. I know it sucks but you survived 2 and you will again. Keep the faith and keep us posted. Diane 

hrf

3rdtime, when you say 3 times, do you mean breast cancer 3 different times or other types? I had 2 different bc primaries, 3.5 years apart. First on right and second on left but totally different pathologies so not connected to each other. I did have bmx following the second dx. 

It was rough the first time, but for me the second one really threw me for a loop. I was totally unprepared an devastated that it happened again. So I do empathize with you.

3rdtimenow

Hi Hrf, I have had breast cancer 3 times now, all primary, not related to each other. My first in left breast 12 years ago treated with lumpectomy radiation and chemo. The second 3 years ago treated with lumpectomy and radiation. One year later, after a scare I decided to have a double mastectomy in hopes of preventing another cancer, but there is always a risk and last week I was diagnosed with my third cancer, I had one tumor removed and will have a second surgery on June 12 for another suspicious lump. It is so close to the implant that, they have warned me, they may have to remove it and do another reconstruction. This is so stressful right now, all I have are questions with no answers. Thanks for your reply and best wishes to you.

3rdtimenow

Thank you Diane, the doctor's are saying it is definitely curable, so that is great, I don't know yet if I will need chemo, but radiation for sure. It is just so unimaginable that this is happening again. The biggest problem right now is that I may need another reconstruction if they have to remove the implant to get to the second lump, and this scares the hell out of me.

megomendy

I had DCIS in 2/13. Had a lumpectomy and radiation. Then in 12/13, same year, I felt a lump and was diagnosed with IBC, stage 2A, and had another lumpectomy. I went for a second opinion at Sloan and both surgeons recc another lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. I was comfortable with that. I am currently having chemo but I felt a lump in the same breast. My BS feels it is a side effect of the dye from the sentinel node biopsy, so we watched it for 3 more months. But I had a mammo/sono and they are now recommending a biopsy. And surprise, there are also some calcifications evident so I am getting 2 biopsies next week. Both my MO and BS feel it would be "highly unusual" to have any of these be cancer. But still, I am panicked. Obviously, if there is cancer, I def need a mastectomy. But even if they all come out fine, do I get one anyway, just to reduce my stress in the future?????

3rdtimenow

Hi Megomendy, my situation is much like yours, but I had 10 years cancer free, before my second bout, I also just had another lumpectomy as my doctors recommended . One year later I had another scare, which turned out ok, but I decided to have a double mastectomy to avoid all of the stress of more scares, more biopsies etc. Unfortunately one in one hundred will still get cancer after a complete mastectomy, and I am the unlucky one, I had surgery last week and will have another next week, because there is a second lump. I am beside myself, I never expected it to happen to me. Take heart though the odds are pretty good, but I am the exception to the rule. I was very happy with my reconstruction, I had immediate reconstruction with saline implants, now they are telling me I  will loose my implant during radiation and need further surgery with expanders if I still want the implant.. I'm sorry I don't want to scare you, I just think women should know there are no guarantees. I wish you the best.

Q324

I am so sorry you are going through this. This is one of my fears as I plan for a bilateral mastectomy myself. I still think you made the right decision and that it's the right one for me too. Especially sorry to hear about your implant. 

That dang cancer is so stubborn - but I know you can kick its butt! Keep hanging in there!

Will be keeping you in my prayers.

3rdtimenow

Thank you Q234, I wish you the best of luck and will keep you in my prayers as well.

shorfi

3rdtimenow...I am so happy to hear that it is curable. You did it once, twice, and you will kick cancer in the tail again!!! Wishing you nothing but the best.

3rdtimenow

Thank you, Shorfi, best to you, as well.

3rdtimenow

Thank you Edwards750, you were the first to reply, but somehow I missed it. So nice to have somewhere to go with all of these fears, family cares, but they don't really get it, like people who have been where we have been.

megomendy

3rdtimenow, wow, yr story is similar to mine. Only thing is, not sure if I'll have to "courage" to do a mastectomy if everything comes back negative. I'll be so relieved. I'm meeting with a PS next week just to start the plan. It's so tempting to just wait and do nothing. How did you know you had the 3rd cancer, I assume you felt a lump? Even with the implants?

Curlylocks

3rd time now,

I had my first breast cancer in 2005 at age 41.  Had a left breast lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, had ovaries removed.  

Have had a high risk family history of bc in the past 4 years.  Two sisters diagnosed in 2010 and 2012 at ages 42 and 50.  My youngest sister died of bc in 2012 at age 44.

When my oldest sister was diagnosed last July, I decided I no longer felt comfortable keeping my breasts and that "little voice" told me to have a bilateral prophylatic mascetomy with DIEP reconstruction.   I had the surgery in December 2013.  My pathology came back Jan 8/2014 - SURPRISE - a new Primary BC in my left breast - this time the receptors changed to Triple Negative.

I was devasted being diagnosed a 2nd time, thankfully, no spread to any organs or bones.  I just finished chemo 7 weeks ago.  Cancer sucks, I feel bad that you are once again facing this beast for a third time!!  Hang in there my friend, vent here all you want.  We understand!

Michele

3rdtimenow

Yes Megomendy, I did feel a lump and 5 docs said it's nothing, just scar tissue, I insisted on an MRI and they found not one but two areas of concern. One was excised 2 weeks ago and was maliginant, the other is much closer to the implant, so they are going to try next Thursday, to remove it, without damaging the implant. Great if it's B9, if not I will probably loose my implant due to radiation and have to go through a couple of more surgeries for removal, expanders and reinsertion. I am so scared, really trying to be positive about the outcome, but the doctors are making no such reassurances this time.

3rdtimenow

Thank you Curlylocks, and best of luck to you as well.

lso

Hi everyone. I too had 3 malignant lumps -one lobular 11 years ago (lumpectomy and 5 years tamoxifen), and 2 ductal -one in each breast - a year ago. Double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction, then removal of implants due to infection.
 All 3 lumps were primary stage 1. Am I wrong in thinking that I have the same survival rate as those that had just one Stage 1 tumour? 

3rdtimenow

Hi Iso, I am no expert, but I sure am hoping so, mine were all caught very early two were stage 1 and this one 1b. All three different cancers. Doctor did say a new cancer is better than a recurrence. Best of luck to you.

shorfi

Michelle, I know the feeling. Felt the same way when I was dx a second time.  I wanted to get mastectomy the first time, but listening to my mother. She thought it was a bad idea. I was 50 at the time and should had done what I wanted. But I always valued what she said. 

3rdtimenow

Shorfi, don't second guess yourself, it was probably the right decision at the time. My doctors told me the first  two times that mastectomy was over kill and really not necessary in my case. So it wasn't until a third scare, that I did the mastectomy as a preventative measure. Now two years later, here I am again, you just never know, we just keep up the fight and support each other.

3rdtimenow

Just wanted to mention a few days of blue sky in my cloudy forecast. My hubby and I spent 4 beautiful days with our kids and grandkids at the happiest place on earth, the Disney California resort. Today my husband and I celebrate our 42nd anniversary.  I have to always remember my blessings in the midst of this awful disease. Hopefully the memories will carry me through surgery on Thursday and all of the treatments ahead. Best to all of you, Stephanie

shorfi

Wishing you the very best for your surgery today. Hope all goes well for you

3rdtimenow

Thank you so much Shorfi, I actually had a great day yesterday, when I went for the needle localization, the doc said this is in such a strange place and I'm not comfortable putting a needle in so we will try something new. Great now I'm a guinea pig. Well long story short after an agonizingly long wait and several docs looking at many pics, they finally pulled me out and said "no surgery" there is nothing there, no sign of the second spot that had shown up on the first MRI. A glitch on the first MRI or my miracle, I am so grateful and will see my docs next week to see what further treatments I will need. Thank you all for the support and prayers and you all have mine. Stephanie

megomendy

3rdtimenow, so happy that you had good luck Thursday. I had a lucky Friday the 13th. All 3 of my biopsies came back negative! As soon as the phone call came and it was the asst, rather than the radiologist, I knew I was fine!

3rdtimenow

Great news Meg, and thank you!

shorfi

Good for you Meg!!!

3rdtimenow

Off to my radiologist appointment to see how I will be spending my summer.

3rdtimenow

More questions without answers. My radiologist and surgeon do not agree on how to proceed. My RO is not convinced, that the last MRI shows nothing of concern on the second spot. He also is not convinced surgeon got enough of the first tumor, that was positive for malignancy. I am so overwhelmed, I don't know where to begin. This has been going on for over 6 weeks now and, as you all well know the waiting is the worst part. I think I will seek an opinion from a second surgeon, on whether or not to remove implant and take the entire capsule and as much tissues as they can, to be sure nothing was left behind. I am having a pet scan sometime this week, as well. I would appreciate your prayers and you are all in mine. Stephanie

shorfi

Stephanie...That waiting period is horrific. I am hoping that they can come to a conclusion about what is going on. And the good thing is being of you being under constant surveillance, they caught it early and that is good news.

You beat it once, twice, and you WILL beat this again!!! Chin up, we are with you Stephanie

3rdtimenow

Well I feel a little better tonight, I was able to see doc for 2nd
opinion today. She is in absolute agreement with my own surgeon and
feels that the doctor who did my 2nd MRI is top notch and she would
agree with her findings, she said that more surgery is not only, not
necessary but would muddy the waters for the follow up MRI. She does not
believe anything will show up, but to have another MRI in six months,
just because it's protocol. Had my PET today, MO tomorrow, I hope he
will have the results and I will find out if I need chemo, hope not. I
will definitely need 33 radiation treatments. Thanks, Ladies

shorfi

Just checking in to see how you are doing. I have been thinking about you. Hoping and praying that everything is ok.