Not quite but soon to be diagnosed

helenlouise

Hello, I was heading up for my 5 year review and DR suggest we wait until mid February so we have the full 5 years post initial DX. She gave me referrals and did an breast exam 08/12/17. On the 27/12/17 I find a lump . I was really surprised DR did not find the lump because she found my first (that I struggled to find even when I knew it was there!!). So used the referral early to get mammogram and ultrasound completed. I knew I would next see GP for referral for biopsies.

Scheduled for core biopsy of 12mm lump adjacent to scar from lumpectomies (2013) and fine needle aspiration for suspicious axilla node, which has become palpable since the scans. I don't know if it is psychosomatic but my arm is sore on occasion and tingly. My breast has been increasingly sore since the initial surgeries. I have thought over the last few months my arthritis is really giving me hell in both my back and hips but now I am worried about bone metastases.

If both biopsies are positive for cancer cells, would the normal path be to do scan/s (CT, PET or MRI) to check for cancer elsewhere in my body before mastectomy? Can I ask for additional tests before mastectomy? Having had radiation already, it won't be an option again on this breast.

I realise no one here can really predict the answer to these questions but would be interested to hear from any one who had breast and lymph nodes positive from scans and what happened next.

edwards750

I’m so sorry this is happening to you at all much less right before you reached the 5 year milestone. No guarantees of course but we can breathe a bit easier when we make it 5 years.

Idk if they would do scans but it sounds logical so they can be sure it’s confined. My sister was 4 years out when they found a lump near her MX scar. Thankfully hers is only in that area. I was so stunned as I’m sure she was that I didn’t very ask her about anything else. She is taking a shot every month because she is allergic to chemo. She did have radiation.

I’m sure when this happens every ache or pain is perceived as the cancer spreading but don’t assume that. Arthritis is painful and can mirror symptoms of a cancer spread. Given we are dealing with this insidious disease it’s normal to be afraid it’s going everywhere. I don’t think we will ever be sure it’s not ever.

Ask your doctor or a nurse. That way you can be prepared.

Above all keep the faith. It’s fixable.

Diane

KBeee

Sorry you may be facing this beast again. I've walked in those shoes.

Once my cancer was confirmed to have returned, my local MO did order a PET scan. I would suspect yours would either order a PET scan, or a bone scan and CT to rule out metastasis, given your pain. Just be sure not to minimize the pain.

Best wishes. Keep us posted. There are a couple forums way down for suspicions of cancer returned, and also for people just diagnosed with a recurrence, and diagnosed for the second time. Hoping these end up benign!!!

helenlouise

Thank you Edwards750. I know you are correct. I feel like my body amplifier has been turned up and I am feeling every ache and pain and wondering. Funnily, I feel like my sense of smell is also more pronounced. I have also recently put on a couple of kilos (and that's definitely not a sign).

Thanks also kbee, will follow up on the forums you recommend.

To you both, your replies are much appreciated. I find it comforting to touch base with others who have experience beyond mine. I feel reading the forums is helpful. BTW I am also a little shocked at just how many women have had mastectomies, particularly for DCIS.

ksusan

Well, in my case, it was DCIS so widespread that there wasn't a lumpectomy option.

helenlouise

Thanks for your post ksusan. I wasn't offer mastectomy with my original diagnosis. In fact my surgeon did not get clear margins after two lumpectomy. The medical team did not agree and I chose to go with radiation. Now I am wondering if more surgery would have been a better choice. Don't want to think too hard on it because I can't change it now.. But interesting.

helenlouise

Met with surgeon today who confirmed triple negative IDC with lymph nodes . Was not surprised by the IDC but taken aback some with the triple negative. So this is a new cancer and a new fight. Surgeon suggests I will have chemo straight up and has ordered tests for staging.

Feeling scared!