Possible Recurrence question/opinions

Keke713

Hi! Seems like so long since I've posted here. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 TNBC in 2013. Underwent a double mastectomy and 8 rounds of Chemo. Fast forward 2 years. During a routine check up a new lump was found. I had a biopsy and it came back as scar tissue. Now here i am 5 years to the day of finishing treatments and ANOTHER new mass was found in the opposite breast. Biopsy scheduled for the 17th. Does anyone have a similar story? What was the outcome, good or bad? I’m terrified and I’m not sure what to think.

moth

No advice but just wanted to say hello and hope the 17th comes super quickly & it all turns out to be nothing.

smc123

I found this thread interesting...good luck 

  "How were you monitored for recurrence" under category Just diagnosed with a recurrence or metastasis

Jojobird

I've got a recurrence, just diagnosed in March of this year. Like yourself, I was terrified.

And yet now I've come to terms with it. I'm in treatment - with Xeloda and Taxotere. I get Taxotere once every three weeks for up to six cycles, and Xeloda I take two weeks on/ one week off in tandem with the start of my Taxotere infusion. It's grueling, but it's working, and they'll surgically remove the tumor next month.

TNBC is a hotbed of research right now and there are many, many new treatments and clinical trials available to you. There IS hope. Take it one step at a time.

And I hear you on the shock, the terror, the grief. Take good care of yourself right now. Call on your resources - supportive friends, family, your tribe. Once the treatment plan kicks in, just as with the initial diagnosis, things will settle, take their course.

I have so much empathy and hugs for you. Totally hear you. And in some ways, the recurrence was harder than the first round. Let yourself feel it all.

And take good care. Love out.

Jojo

Keke713

Thank you so much. I'm praying so hard it's just some more scar tissue, but everything about this new scare is different. Last time my doctor looked at me and said “Im almost certian that what I'm looking at is scar tissue. But let's biopsy just to be sure". This time she said she's really unsure. One of the worst parts about this is this is the very first check up that I walked into actually feeling good about. I didn't have anxiety, I didn't feel nervous. I felt like “wow! I hit 5 years! I'll have another clear check up and I can finally put this all behind me"..So hearing that a new mass was found put me right back into that black hole I had finally crawled out of after 5 years. I just want to know when the rollercoaster ride will be over. When do i get to feel like a normal person again?

When it comes to supportive friends and family, I have a bunch. I should be able to talk to them about my fears and how I’m feeling, but for some reason I don't bc when i say any other this out loud, I just cry. These boards were a life saver for me years ago and as sad as I am to be back, i love so much that everyone understands each other

Desirr77

Did you get tested for BRCA etc. the first time?

Jojobird

Keke, if you feel comfortable posting about them, what were the results of the biopsy?

Keke713

Yup! I had the testing and I’m negative for BRC

Keke713

no biopsy or results yet. I go for the biopsy on the 17th and my post op/results on the 27th. Its goijg to be a long couple weeks.

Jojobird

Got it, Keke. I am keeping you in my thoughts and in the meantime, go out, live, try not to dwell too much. So hard, I know. Please keep us posted.