Back again 6 years later

bella76

I've just been diagnosed with a new cancer in my good breast, seems it's not so good after all.

So far all I know is it's 2cm and grade 2, so far looks like my lymph nodes are clear but we can't be sure yet.

What's the chances of them wanting me to do chemo again? I don't want to do it again

Racy

Hi Bella, sorry to hear of your new cancer. Have you had a biopsy yet to identify the type? That will have a big influence on whether chemo is recommended.

I see you are in Melbourne so you should have access to the most up to date treatment protocols.

There is an Australian Sisters topic on this forum where you will meet some very friendly and knowledgeable ladies.

Keep us posted on your situation.

Racy in Brisbane.

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bella76

Yes I've had a biopsy, so far we only know grade 2, still waiting on hormone status.

Thank you I will check out the Australian Sisters topic

KBeee

I am so sorry you are dealing with this again. The decision for them to recommend chemo will depend on the hormone receptor status ER- and/or HER2+ will generally be recommended for chemo. If it is ER+ and HER2-, then they will likely do testing to see if it is warranted. Hoping yours comes back as not needing chemo. These first few weeks of not knowing are really hard. (((HUGS)))

wallan

Hi Bella:

Hugs to you. Sorry to hear you need to face this again. Hearing you have BC again is a real kick in the face.

I understand the feeling of not wanting to go thru all that treatment again. I was dx with another primary in my other breast this last Feb. I had BC thirteen years ago and had the gamut of treatment. I did NOT want to go thru again.

I was lucky. I found out my new BC was stage 1b, node negative, ER+/PR+ Her2-. I did not need chemo or radiation. I had another mastectomy. I am on Arimidex.

The waiting to know what needs to be done is the worse period of this whole thing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

wallan

bella76

hi Wallan, it's nice to hear from someone who's been through this before. Looks like you had a large tumour like me the first time, mine was practically my whole breast.

So far the surgeon says I may not need chemo, will know more after surgery. I hope she's right..

wallan

Hi Bella:

I hope your surgeon is right too. That is what I was told too before surgery.

I did have a large tumor last time. It was my whole breast too!

The good news is, a second primary has its own prognosis and does not in any way worsen your risk of future recurrances. It sounds like your new cancer is "smaller" this time and no nodes, correct? That's a bit more reassuring anyways. It still is very difficult to wrap your head around though after all the treatment you went thru last time. At least it was for me. I found it much harder to deal with emotionally. I am calmer now that I have had my surgery and the treatment plan is underway. But the first few months were brutal! So I feel for you.

It does get better.

Hugs

wallan

bella76

Yes so far looks like they are clear by Ultrasound and MRI but we won't know for sure until surgery, I'm still waiting on hormone status.

Breast surgeon has estimated tumor is 2cm from ultrasound, how accurate do you think they are in determining this? it feels bigger to me.

I'm hoping I just get to have a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, I can deal with that. I don't want to , but I can lol

7of9

Bella,

I'm a year and a half out from a recurrence. Rads this time, more surgery and yep, more chemo. This time I fought hard to keep some hair, avoid most neuropathy and hardly missed work thanks to vicodin, attivan and Ambien. I had complete hysterectomy at the same time to sucker punch the ER + stuff. Its tough but easier mentally once you set your goal because you've done it before. Deflating, sad, but we have become wise tough broads and dont go quietly. I planned during chemo and hiked Yosemite two months after my last treatment with my husband and 7 yr old.

I know you dont want to be here again, I found courage and strength reading about Haulocist, plane crash and soldier survivors. I read about firemen, poli and other first responders eho deal with so much shit almost every day they go to work. Somewhere in there we can find some balance to hopefully again just for another short battle and then get back to living . I know you can do this hang in there and troll these boards hard because there are some really great women going through it round two and the survivors we post back on here will give you inspiration

bella76

Thanks 7of9, I surely don't want to be back here, I'm hoping this to be a small bump in the road and then I can get back to living.

I've just found out I'm strongly ER & PR+, I think that's a good thing.

Trisha-Anne

Hello Bella

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this again. I know how you are feeling at the moment, I had a second bc in my "good" breast in 2015, five years after the first one. It's numbing when you find out, possibly even worse than the first time, as you know what is ahead of you this time.

I swore I wasn't going to do chemo again when I found out the lump was cancer. My first one was triple positive and chemo was not easy for me. I told my husband - sorry, can't do this again.

When the path came back triple negative this time, I thought about it for a while and decided I would give chemo a try. Each treatment I vowed (sometimes aloud) that I was not going back for the next one, but I did.

If yours is 2cm and not HER2+ then there's a good chance you won't need to do chemo - especially if your lymph nodes are clear. No guarantees though.

Whatever it turns out to be though - know we are here for you. I'll second Racy's invitation to come on over to the Aussie Girls page and say hello.

Trish

xoxo

Westthebest

7of9,

Just reading posts of reoccurrences. Inspirational thoughts. Thank you. I try to motor on also. Hope you are doing well