It's back! After 10 years!!!

5graces

just got the call.....it's back in opposite breast after 10 years. And I am devastated. It is a brand new cancer and the nurse said it is very rare for that to happen. Please I need some encouragement! I am 68 years old.

LisaAlissa

Hi 5graces,

I'm so sorry to hear your news. We both were new on the boards about the same time. Let's see...encouragement/good news...hard to come up with much I suppose, but I'll try.

1. You know how to deal with this (you've done it before! you can do it again!)

2. "They" say that BC can be less aggressive at a later age (although, of course, you won't really know until you get treatment plans/pathology, etc.).

3. It's a new primary (and not mets).

4. It's in the "opposite" breast, so you have all options, including rads available to you.

Really horrible that you're having to do this again. Once should be more than enough in a lifetime. Please let me know how you're doing. (Love your username!)

LisaAlissa

Warrior_Woman

To add to Lisa's list...

Treatment options and efficacy have improved greatly in 10 years.

You already know BCO is here and resources are in abundance.

KBeee

I am sorry to hear this. I had a recurrence after less than 18 months, and am doing well. Last mo th, my mom was diagnosed with a new primary in opposite breast after 23 years. She had surgery last week and is doing great. Recurrences rot, but you can do this

5graces

thank you everyone for the kind encouragement! The ladies on these boards are wonderful.

5graces

KBee, So sorry about you and your mother...keep us posted as to your progress. I am still in shock....thought I was done with this.

Meow13

I am very sorry to hear this. As I remember you quit hormone therapy. I have done this too at 4 years. Did you also do chemo the first time? This disease really needs a cure hoping it comes soon. Hang in there, we are here for you.

sheila888

Hi...5graces

You and i are almost in the same situation.

I was also DX after 10 years with a new primary.

It's shocking..just went to my regular mammogram.

First i was very scared then I said to myself it's a new primary i have more choices

I'm 64 years old.

Had a lumpectomy but didn't feel comfortable with my decision 2 weeks after that had a BMX

Just take one step at a time.

I understand you my sister i really do.

PM me if you need more info.

Sending Hugs

Sheila

5graces

Meow13, yes i did chemo and rads first time around. And will gladly do hormone therapy again if needed. Just couldn't handle it the full 5 or 10 years first time. Wishing now I had. I see that you like cats....me too!!

5graces

hi Sheila, yes it seems we are somewhat in the same boat...age and all. How are you doing? I am still in shock, i guess. It all seems worse than it was the first time around. Not taking it well i guess. But I will get a grip! My wonderful husband of 50 yrs. Is my rock. And hejust went thru treatment for non hodgkins lymphoma three years ago...at the same time I was also caring for my mother in our home. She passed away while dh was in chemo. Wondering if the stress contributed to my new diagnosis? DH is doing great now...dr's say cured!!!

BethL

I am so sorry! I too had a new dx the month after my 10 yr anniversary. While it's in the same breast, my doc feels it's a new cancer. So bmx I went and glad because it turned out I had Pagets of the nipple too and dint know it. I honestly had almost forgot about my cancer, stupid me. Then a drop of blood from the nipple shouted at me to get to a doc. I don't think it's that uncommon, especially reading the stories here. A close friend of mine was dxd in each breast 6 years apart.

You are surrounded by many here. I am amazed at the differences in treatment from 10 years ago. There has been a lot of progress since your 1st dx. Hugs to you.

Beth

5graces

so glad to know there has been a lot of progress in treatment...

Lucy55

So sorry to read about all the recurrences.. We all know its a possibility, and know how you must be feeling.. Sending love and (( Hugs))

.

5graces

thank you all.

GrammyR

So sad you got this news. I am same age as you , mine came back after 6 years under collar bone same side. Its a life long struggle which Onc fail to tell women it WILL come back its just a matter of when. Take time to consider all treatment options and second opibion before rushing to surgery. Big hugs and many prayers.

5graces

Certainly no one told me the high probablity that it would come back. I am waiting until after Christmas to tell my children and grandchildren. Nobody knows yet except my dh...he is my rock! Thankfully my dr. Gave me a prescription for ativan.

rosesrx

Mine was a new primary 5 years after first. Not Mets and not reoccurance this was the first place I turned to because of the wonderful support and reliable information. No doubt stress played a roll, Mom in hospital then admitted to NH. We can second guess ourselves, it is what it is and yes even in 5 years the standards of care and drugs approved have changed. Here is to another 10+ yr dance with NED. Peace and prayers to you

5graces

thank you everyone...just thoughti would post an update on my diagnosis. Had surgery last week , tumor was 1.1 cm, 8 lymph nodes positive, idc and dcis both present in breast. Ct scan has shown a very small 0.5 lung nodule. I have pet scan scheduled for this coming wednesday. And i meet with oncologist next monday to find out about what other treatment i will have. Still not doing great emotionally, but hanging in there. Oh yes the surgery i had was lumpectomy. Please excuse my incoherant writing....but i am getting better emotionally, it's just all this waiting! Thanks again everyone.

KBeee

The waiting is sooooo hard. Hoping the lung nodule just turns out to be incidental. Hoping you have a plan in place soon. Sorry for all you're going through.

Hopeful82014

Thanks for the update, 5Graces, although sorry to hear all you're dealing with. Crossing my fingers that the nodule is, indeed, incidental. Hang in there.

5graces

Thank you Kbee and Hopeful82014. I don't know why this second diagnosis is hitting me so much harder emotionally than the first time. I always thought it would be easier the second time. But i do know that once I have a plan of treatment in place it will most likely get better. I am usually a very optimistic person and could always see the light at the end of the tunnel no matter what.

KBeee

Physically, it was easier the second time, but it was emotionally harder. Once I had a plan in place, I was more focused and it did get easier. I hope that's the case for you too!

5graces

Thank you, Kbee. How is your mother?

KBeee

She is doing well. She has her exchange surgery today!

5graces, what's next for you? Hoping that CT is clear

5graces

Kbee...great to know yout mother is doing well! My scan went well today...although there was some confusion about which arm to use for infusion. Technician finally called my onc and she said to use the latest arm to have surgery...which is not what we thought. Onc said because I had radiation in the old arm. Going to get my drains out tomorrow. Yay!

KBeee

So glad you'll get your drains out. I hope you get good news from your scan.

5graces

Got my pet scan results back and the cancer has not spread anywhere else except for the 8 positive lymph nodes. They are pretty sure the lung nodule is benign. Got my port today but still don't know when chemo starts. I only have to have 4 TC. Then radiation and then an AI. So ready now to get it started....it has taken so long to get it going. The more things I get behind me the less stressful it seems, so it is getting better! Thanks everyone .

Meow13

Hi 5graces, so glad cancer hasn't spread. Four doses doesn't sound too bad, you are your way I don't think AI will be too bad. I'm thinking about starting again after many months of being off it.

Are you cold capping?

KBeee

Glad it has not spread!!!!

cupcake7

so sorry to hear this....man 10 wonderful cancer free years....well one good thing you will know what to expect..I think that was the hardest for me just not knowing what was going to happen..hang in there you are a strong woman

Lovebird65

Hi 5graces,

I am here after almost 5 years cancer-free. Had DCIS in RB with lumpectomy times 2 for clearer margins and sentinel node biopsy negative, ER-, HER2 negative, PR+ in December 2011, 9 months after my brother died in a car accident caused by a blown tire. Forward to May 2016, 2 days after my mother dies peacefully on her 95th BD here in my home, I find a lump in my LB. Here we go again, mammogram, sonogram, MRI, PET scan, genetic testing done. So now I have Stage III in LB and started chemotherapy in June for 14 cycles. Genetic testing came back negative for everything except ATM gene positive.

They wouldn't pay for genetic testing at 1st cancer. If I had known maybe I would have had bilateral mastectomy but unsure if it would have been helpful. Waiting to meet with genetic counselor. Chemo is a pain, but I have found if I have a goal to reach for at the end of chemo it is easier. I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior and he will take care of me, whether that meets beating back this beast a second time or if it's my time. I will take the time God gives me and make it the best time I can. I have a bucket list and I plan on being around to experience as many as I can.

You have to stay positive. I was doing great because I had a trip planned to Lake Powell for a few days on a houseboat courtesy of my SIL. Unfortunately, my counts fell too low to go. I went into a small pity party for myself but realized it was not having a goal to strive for. I make long-term goals, weekly goals and daily goals. Today I feel good enough to cook, so we are making twice baked potatoes with enough to freeze for later. My brother helps and is my sous chef.

Hang in there, keep breathing, make goals and pray.