Got Cancer? AGAIN????

Hi,

Just joined this board...

I was first diagnosed in 00- age 33.  3.5cm tumor, triple neg, no nodes.  Went through 4 A/C and followed with radiation. Also on Lupron to protect my ovaries.  Desperately wanted children.

Ovarian function returned-- two amazing children, now 4 and 6.

May, 08-- found myself- again (after clear dig Mamm in Sept) a small hard area. The beast is back. Second lumpectomy- just under 1 cm, triple neg again, no nodes again.

Brca test came back neg.

Scheduled for nipple sparing, skin sparing subcutaneous mast in last Sept- with impant.

About to start three cycles of CMF and am desolate and pretty alone.  Not handing this well. Knowing what I'm in for and fearing for my children makes this so much worse this time.  Right now, I'm having a big time pity party....suppose I'll get over it and will just be really pissy...

-julieb

Hello everyone,,

So happy to have found you. I was diagnosed with BC in 1996, left breast, staqge 2 in two lymphs. Treated with lumpectomy and tamoxafin for 5 years. On June 17 a second diagnosis of mets bc in the spine and lungs. It would seem that the onc suspects the lungs have been there for a long time.  Just out of hospital after 5 rads for my spine and am on femara which I am tolerating well after a few days of adjustment. My onc assures me I am not terminal and have many years left. Anybody else been where I am???

Vanessas

Kathi,

It's so nice to hear from you. I was begnning to think there was nobody left to share this slightly scarry  journey with!!!!

 Now we can hang in there together.  How are you feeling? I have been working hard learning to walk again. Gone from wheelchair to walker to cane in three weeks with the help of some excellenr physiotherapists. I have been at my incredibly loving and caring daughters for the last three weeks, looking forward to getting back home in a week.

I was diag in 1993 (15 years ago) with e positive cancer in my left breast.  Mast. and Tamoxifin.  June of 08 diag with totally different bc in right breast. e- p- her2 + Had mast. starting TCH 29th of this month.  At least now I am even and can go braless.

Hi chillitown.  I had right breast cancer in 2005 and now have a totally different bc in my left breast.  I too am considering a double mastectomy.  I don't need the things anymore anyway.  Right now I'm getting chemo.  I talked to my doctor about the double and reconstruction and she says it's a very tough surgery and it doesn't change percentages of it coming back that much.  What to do?

Hi.

I am so glad to find a board to share this with.  

I was DX in 1985 and in 2008

November 1985 DCIS, right side;  less than 1 cm; 0/32 nodes; ER+, they did not grade tumors back then and they gave me a mastectomy.

July 2008: left side IDC, multi focal 9 mm and 5 mm; 1/2 positive sentinal nodes. Grade 1, ER+, PR+, HER2-. 

I am still working out a treatment plan;  I have been to two major Cancer Centers and they have different suggestions so I need to find a doctor to go over my choices and to help me implement one plan. So far I have just had two  excisional biopsies.

Mandy

PS I am not a million years old, I just started on the breast cancer bandwagon in my 30s. 

HI Everyone,

Yes, I have cancer again, too.   I'm tired.   The doctoring, pills, aches, pains, side effects, worry and fears have taken their toll.  I've always been known to be 'strong' and a 'fighter; but doing this again is just wearing me out.

 I'm 38 years old and this is now my third cancer diagnosis.  In 1988, when  only 17, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, Stage IIIB.  I underwent a grueling year of chemo which made me violently ill.   Non stop vomiting for hours and hours.  It would only last a day, but it was horrible.  I was on a dual modality treatment plan and received chemo AND radiation.  Between the nausea, hair loss, sore veins, and radiation burns, I was thankful when all was over.   I was followed closely for 5 years and was deemed relatively 'cured'.   Although I didn't live in fear, I paid attention to my body and didn't take good health for granted.   

 Much to my shock, in 2001 during a routine Obgyn exam, I lump was found in my left breast. Although the doctor said it was probably nothing to worry about, my gut instinct had me worried.  When it came back as a carcinoma, I was devastated and scared.  Mortality takes on a whole new perspective from age 17 to 31.  Invasive ductal carcinoma, high grade, triple negative.  

After consulting with several doctors in the Philly area, I opted for modified mastectomy.   The good news was that no other cancer cells were detected and axillary nodes were clear.   This was a blessing to me. After much deliberation, I opted to NOT seek additional chemo for prevention as I had endured such a significant amount of chemo as a teen, my risk of developing a blood disorder from additional chemo was a strong possibility.   I recouperated fine at the time, but now this spector of cancer was always in the back of my mind. 

 Fast forward to 2007, my life has changed dramatically.  I got married for the first time and was looking forward to enjoying my new married life.  Much to my dismay, I started to experience some mysterious chest pains after some gardening work.  I attributed it to a muscle pull or that I just 'over did it'.  Well, the pains didn't go away completely and I started to worry.  My blood work was great, chest xray clear, MRI's looked good, yet the pain kept getting worse and worse.  It was a struggle to even get up sometimes.  My sternum area was extremely tender and painful. Finally, a bone scan revealed significant uptake in my breast bone.  Yet, a sternal biopsy was inconclusive.  Finally, after having the tissue reexamined, the diagnosis came......recurrent BC metastized to my sternum.  

 Needless to say, I was devastated.  This time last year, I was in a very, very dark place.  Not only did I have a cancer diagnosis again, but I lost my father.  He and I were very close and I held him as he took his last breath.  I have always tried to be positive, strong, upbeat, but let me tell you, it was a very dark time for me last year (August).    On top of everything, my poor little dog had also received a cancer diagnosis (prostate) last year..   Since chemo robbed me the ability to bear children, I never had any.  I had my little pup and he wasthe world to me.  To some it may sound foolish, but he was like my child.  Now, cancer claimed him last Friday.   August just doesn't seem to be my month anymore.  And get this, my birthday was 08-08-08....I thought this was supposed to bring my some luck.  No chance here.

Anyway, I currently treat with Xeloda, Avastin and Zometa and this has been ongoing since December.  I take my Xeloda 7 days on/ 7 days off until my hands and feet erupt in blisters. Then I stop for awhile.  The Avastin is every three weeks and has now managed to raise my blood pressure....add blood pressure medicine to menu now.  For now, my cancer is localize to my sternal area with perhaps one nodule in my lung.   Next week I go for restaging so I'll see if there is any progression.  My first restaging occured in May and I actually  was feeling much better for a short time.  Slowly though, the pain has been building again and I fear the worst next week.  

 So, why do I share all this?  I'm not sure.   Maybe I'm looking for a little sympathy, maybe I just need to vent to others who may understand.  At any rate, as I stated in the start of my post.....I'm tired.  Honestly, I'm not sure how much longer I can be 'strong'.  My husband is supportive, my family, too.  But, at times, I just want to stop all this 'treatment', manage my pain and let nature take its course.   I'm sick of pumping all these pills and poisons in to my body.  Does anyone else feel this way?  Could it be that I'm just depressed?  I just feel like every time I turn around, its another loss......

Sorry for such a long post.  Thanks for your time.   I  appreciate any feedback.

 Best of luck to all of you who continue to fight.  

 Kim

Hello Kim,

 You are not alone. This whole cancer thing is very depressing.  I understand completely. Some people have suggested anti-depressents. Others just can't imagine why I don't want to fight.  Just want to let you know that I know how you feel. I'll be happy to listen if you need to vent.

Dear Kim:  I read your post and my heart goes out to you.  And believe me I understand how you feel about your babydog.  I would be so lost without my pets I cna't even imagine it right now.  I hope that one day soon you can bring yourself to getting another pet, there are so many in shelters that need the love and attention you would give one.  My cats are both strays and the eldest should really be put down because of a lump and other than that he is doing well.  So I am waiting until he stops going outside with me, playing and eating well.  And boy I hope that, that is a long way off.  I feel like you.  Sept 5th I get my port put in and Sept 8th I start Herceptin and something else, (just found that one out and have to get more info) but I know how you feel. I really didn't want herceptin at all, managed to get a summer ofrf, but now I have to fight again. Yuck.  But I promised and told 700 people to fight, fight, fight this disease try clinical trials etc. so I have to stick to my word.  I'm babbling I guess what I trying to say is I really get it I really do. I'm glad you posted your thoughts. This disease sucks and I hope and pray that you can beat that I can beat that we can all beat it or at the very least live a long uncomplicated life with it.  Hang in there, please.  Oh yeah I went on antidepressants and wish I would have done that months ago, it really does help.  All the best and big hugs.

Isn't that called regionally advanced and not metastic.  I had the same issue with arthritis in my neck, and after all the different scans it really was just arthritis.  Good luck to you!

With mine I had to wait until the pathology to see if the cancers matched up.  Mine did and so they were sure of the original source.  I know it is a lot of waiting, but it took time for them to figure it out.  They want to do this so they make sure you are getting the right treatment.

  I guess it is time for me to join the club. I was first dx in Dec. 2006 with IDC of the right breast. I had a lumpectomy with no node involvement. And a second surgery the get clean margines. I did four rounds each of A/C and Taxol & then 6 weeks of rads. Came through it all pretty well. Was feeling almost like myself again, on the six month plann with the doctors. Went 06/20/08 for a regular check-up & mammo. 2 spotts turned up .Had them ultra sounded & boipsied , came back clear. Now at the end of Sept. I found another lump.So off to the Surgen I go. She seemed to think it was a fatty deposit left over fromthe dye that she used during the first surgery. But we would do another U/S to be sure.So down to the Radioligist I go.( feeling a little relieved) He did his thing and said lets just do a quick biopsey just for peace of mind. Guess what? I have cancer again. I don't have all the details yet. I am going in to see the Surgen to map out our plan of attack this afternoon. The first one was triple neg. that part of the patholigy was not back yesterday when I spoke to the PA at the Oncoligist's office. I guess Iwill find that out today. Wish me luck.  I did this once ,I can do it again. Keep Strong Girls, I'm gonna need you this time.

I've just found this forum and am already glad to be here.  It helps to read others' experiences and know that there are so many survivors of this horrible disease.

I live in Melbourne, Australia so some of the terms you use are unfamiliar to me.  I'm sure that I will also use terms that will be unfamiliar to anyone who reads my posts.  I'm hoping that we can get through the differences and understand each other.

I'm a second timer.  I was first diagnosed in March 2007 and had a lumpectomy in May 2007.  The cancer was 2.5cms, the most aggressive type and was negative to hormone treatment.  My lymph nodes were clear.

I had 5 cycles of chemo (3 of FEC and 2 of Taxotere).  The 6th dose wasn't given because the steroid given with Taxotere gave me Type 2 diabetes and I was hospitalised because my blood sugar level was six times normal. While in hospital my portacath (the internal tube used for administering chemo) became infected with golden staph and had to be removed. I was on intravenous antibiotics for a week and then went home on huge doses of oral antibiotics for another couple of weeks.

The side effects of the chemo were loss of every hair on my body and intense bone pain.

I had only three doses of Herceptin out of 19 because they removed my port.  I also only had 7 out of 30 doses of radiotherapy because the pain in my breast became so intense after just 7 I couldn't bear it.

In April 2008 I started feeling pain in my right breast again.  Pain was how I found my first cancer.  I had a mammogram and ultrasound and told they were clear.  The pain intensified.  When I went back for my regular checkup I told my surgeon about my pain so I had another ultrasound.  This time a mass showed up.   I then had a core biopsy.  The result was cancer again.  Different type but very nasty and most aggressive again.  I had both breasts removed four weeks ago today.  I have been doing really well and feeling good but now they've told me I need to have chemo again.  I have to make the decision about which to have. 

This is where you come in.  I'm hoping to hear from someone who might have some objectivity and clarity.  I am soooo resistant to the idea of going through it all again!

I have to choose between AC (4 cycles x 3 weekly) or Taxol (12 cycles x weekly).  Neither is appealing and both have side effects that scare me silly.

Anyone out there????

Thanks for reading my looooong post.

TinaP

Hey Tina....I have sent you a Private Message.

Go to "MY HOME" at the top of the page to retrieve it.

Hugs

jezza

New here. I'm on my 2nd bout with BC. 1st was 17 years ago. Lumpectomy, chemo, radiation. Afew years ago, my oncologist suggested I get genetic testing and I am positive for BRCA1. So is my 1st cousin whose mother had BC.

Diagnosed again Sept. 08. Bilateral mastectomy w/ free flap reconstruction. I start chemo in a week or two. In some ways, the diagnosis was easier to handle this time. I attribute it to knowledge is power. This surgery was new and I still don't feel fully recovered. I tire easily and am still somewhat swollen. I'm hoping the chemo is a little easier this time. I am told that anti-nausea drugs are better and I am also having acupuncture. Last time I had AC. My doc doesn't want to give it to me again because of the possible heart problems from the Adryaciamiacin. So, I am getting taxotere and cytoxan.

We survived it once (some twice) and we come back swinging!

Karen in Pittsburgh