Just diagnosed with recurrence

Rlsteadman

Had a biopsy Monday and learned it is a recurrence. They said it is DCIS and I hope the diagnosis doesn't change after surgery. I will meet with a surgeon next Friday. I will need a mastectomy since I had radiation the first time. Trying to learn about reconstruction since I am leaning towards it. Just finished telling my immediate family. Next to tell my close friends.

Emily2008

Sorry to hear about your recurrence. It's such a punch in the gut, isn't it?

There's a lot of great information on reconstruction options, so read all you can, look at pics, weigh the pros and cons of different types, etc.

Have you been checked for BRCA? May be something you want to look into if you haven't already.

Big hugs as you navigate your way through this.

Hopeful82014

Really sorry that you're going through this again - and so soon after your initial round of tx. Let's hope it's limited to DCIS. Sending supportive thoughts.

Grannyof3

So sorry you have to go through this again. I'm right there with you. Mine came back as well. What a kick in the teeth, huh?

Big hugs to you

Moderators

Hi Risteadman,

We're really sorry to hear that you're going through all this again.

We hope the information here on this site will assist you in making the right decisions going forward.

We're here for you!

pabbie

Risteadman: I'm so sorry for your recurrence. I understand how you feel.

I was just dx'd with my third bc recurrence 2 weeks ago. The 2nd recurrence, I also had a mastectomy and that breast was radiated in 2008 when I had a lumpectomy with my 1st bc dx.

I hope your anxiety moves through you gently as I know another recurrence has/had me spinning.

Apparently there are ps's out there that work with radiated skin in re: to recon.

I was meeting with my PS for pre-op to have a breast lift/reduction on my "good boob" when we found the recurrence.

Take care.

wallan

Hi RIsteadman:

So sorry to hear of your recurrance. I found it more difficult emotionally the second time. It really is a punch in the gut as Emily said.

I do hope your surgery options are clear cut and everything goes smoothly for you.

Regards,

wallan

KBeee

Sorry to hear about your recurrence. Hoping your plan is in place soon

IGL

Hi RISteadman, I am sorry to hear about your recurrence. I was also recently diagnosed with a recurrence. Like you, I previously had radiation after a lumpectomy. I will have a BMX Monday June 26th, with TEs. I hope you decide on a treatment plan soon, I wish you the very best.

Falconer

IGL- so sorry to hear of your recurrence. Hope all goes smoothly for you next week. Holding you in the light

rubyredslippers

I too have had a recurrence. Thankfully it's a local recurrence, and seems to be from the original tumour 9 years ago. I'm having surgery next Monday. I'm having a lumpectomy again followed by radiation the duration of which depends upon the pathology result. I would have refused chemo a second time but can't have that twice anyway. I did have radiation the first time, but not to the same area of my breast.

I am so stressed, as you all know, wnd I had always known, the second time it's worse. It's just devastating to go through this again, especially when you think it's all behind you.

I live in a rural area, and need to travel away for surgery. I have to stay at my sister's place the night before surgery and we're not close. She doesn't like me, and offers me no support, only a place to stay and help with transport. No one else I know has had breast cancer so I have very little meaningful support. Talking in here is my main source of support.

Beatmon

Rubyred, sorry that your sister is not close emotionally. I wish you had some support.

Brenda

kira1234

Ruby red I'm so sorry you're having to go through this again. I'm unfortunately in the same position. Mine returned as well 7 years later. I had surgery in May. I am surprised that the surgeon is willing to do radiation again. I had the internal radiation and was still told radiation wasn't possible again.

Please continue to come to this place. There are many very knowledgeable people here. Many are long time survivors.

rubyredslippers

Hi Kira and Beatmon. Thanks for your response. I've been told I can have radiation as this recurrence is an another area that didn't receive radiation the first time. The first one is near my nipple, this one is up near my armpit.

I'm trying to get my former car insurance company to pay me for a claim, and they're trying to get out of it, causing me extreme stress. So going through hell.

kira1234

Ruby red did you have internal radiation last time?

rubyredslippers

what do you mean by internal? My surgeon had a meeting with my previous radiation oncologist to establish where the radiation went last time, and apparently it's not the same area.

KBeee

Rubyred, I am sorry you are going through this again. I hope you can find more friends to offer support since your family does not seem helpful. I am sorry for this added stress

kira1234

What my breast surgeon said radiation therapy treats the entire breast. Internal like mammasite treats a small area

Rlsteadman

I just wanted to update this thread. I had a UMX with DIEP flap reconstruction on June 22nd. It is now 3 weeks post surgery. They also took all my lymph nodes since they couldn't find sentinel node since I had 3 nodes taken in 2013 after my lumpectomy. The nodes were negative and the pathology came back as 5 cm DCIS. During surgery they thought there was microinvasive but couldn't find any in the final pathology. I regret they took all the lymph but am glad they were negative. I will meet with an oncologist August 8th. Not sure there will be any further treatment besides Stage 2 of my reconstruction.

rubyredslippers

I had my surgery on Monday, 6 days ago. I had a partial mastectomy in the armpit area of the upper side of my right breast. I'm noticing now the under part of my upper arm feels quite numb. I had maybe one lymph mode removed as it riht near the mass, but I'm mot sure about that, the surgeon just mentioned that when I was having the ultra sound guided guide wire inserted. I did not have lymph nodes cleared ou. Is this normal?