Asking my ILC warrior-ladies

Anonymous

Dear all,

I just found out that one of my dear friends (who mentored me through bc a few years ago: made recommendations for surgeons, oncologists, tx ops) now has been dx with multiple myeloma after 10 years bc free. We are devastated.  It seems to be the smouldering kind (if you are familiar with this particular cancer, it's "supposed" to be the better of a bad dx). She found it through a routine check up with her oncologist; blood test revealed something off and scans showed it in the bones.  

She had IDC, chemo (dose-dense), no radiation--instead a bmx and reconstruction, arimidex (following a complete hysterectomy).  She was about 35 when dx, 45 now.

My question is: any relationship to this type of second cancer dx and a previous bc history?  Chemo?  Any ideas? I'm still in shock. It's so weird: she's younger, white, and female--all research shows higher rates in older males and AA.

ILCMom

How tough for you and your friend.

Honestly I view things like this as bad flippin' luck.  Wonky genes, tough treatments and crazy cellular level molecular biology.  Maybe years from now we find out how good/bad/wrong chemo is.  My husband who is a doctor dealing with bad spines says sometimes just have in his area of expertise - PPP - piss poor protoplasm - or just people who are prone to serious bad bad issues.  Half the ladies I am good friends with at chemo have had recurrence within 5-10 years of an initial BC diagnosis.  But at chemo you hang out with chemo patients sonic course the pool of people is going to be different.  In my case I think just wonky genes got me - my mother had ovarian cancer (not BRCA 1/2 positive) - although I was a low risk for ovarian and breast I knew in the back of my head that genetically was not in a good pool.

Anyway I guess a long winded way of saying no way to know what caused the latest diagnosis - just time to circle the wagons and see what the oncologist and their team can do for your friend.  Again I am sorry that you and your friend have such big news to absorb.

Anonymous

Thank you for responding, ILC mom. I began to wonder if I had posted in the wrong place (and maybe I still have).  I know that some cancers (ovarian) can be connected to a previous ILC dx, since ILC likes female parts it seems--but I didn't know about multiple myeloma and a previous dx.  She's in shock of course.  Was my mainstay throughout my own journey. Now I can be there for her, but it's hard seeing a friend who seems to have done so well getting away from bc now facing this weird and rare dx.  And makes me scared, of course, for myself. It it can happen to her....well, you know.

momand2kids

Claire

that certainly stinks... it is good she has you on her side.  I agree with the "piss poor luck"-was feeling a little of that myself this summer  when I was dx with curable papillary thyroid cancer..... and I have friends who have had bc more than once--- and there honestly does not seem to be any rational explanation--- everyone gets something, it seems..... 

I think it is easy to think "well it can happen to me" and of course, it can, but it is unlikely--- 

best of luck to you and your friend....