Got Cancer? AGAIN????

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited June 2009

    I did a thumb's up as well. Good luck

  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited June 2009

    holtbolt, you have my vote!

  • Jamie6
    Jamie6 Member Posts: 164
    edited June 2009
  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 625
    edited June 2009

    Got up on the last day of voting and Jarred the Man Fan is 75 head (he has 1162, we have 1087). I pictured him sitting up all night clearing his cookies and revoting. Well, winning like that is very sad for the man-fan. Help me win legit and give my son the thrill of a lifetime!  Please forward this to anyone who can click and vote today....Let's help one of the good guys win for once!!  By some miracle, can we catch him and pass him by 5p ? Help!  vote as many times as it'll let ya! (and with diff. computers!) :)

    http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/1177058/pid/1175576

  • courtney22
    courtney22 Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2009

    My markers went up and I am going to start chemo a second time. I am so depressed I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning. The doctors were so positive when I finished and told me everything was fine, I can't believe how quickly things can turn. Is chemo the same the second time a the first, worse? better? easier? 

    Thanks. 

  • PT6
    PT6 Member Posts: 76
    edited July 2009

    1978 Stage 1 / no nodes / modified radiacal mastectomy / no follow-up treatment. I was 29.

    About 2005 BRCA 2+ / Sister also BRCA 2+ with Bilateral BC and B mastectomies

    2009 DCIS stage 0 grade 2-3. There is no time when you can let down your guard.

  • beastybabe
    beastybabe Member Posts: 196
    edited July 2009

    Hi Ladies

    In January 2008 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage three - partial mystecomy and four lymph nodes removed, surgery took place and the doc was happy, I however complained of a sore back and requested that it be checked out, only to find out in March of 2008 that i had cancer in my T8 vertebrae.  I had rads and was then put on Tamoxifen.

    In May 2009 I had an MRI which found that the cancer had spread to another spot in my spine, except it was lower down ( L4 this time).  I am just starting my new treatment which is xoledex and Arimtase....at this point I have no idea whats going to happen and I guess like a lot of ladies I will just have to wait and see and hope to god this new treatment works.

  • januarygem
    januarygem Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2009

    I thought I would be in the clear... would be 5 years this month since first diagnosis of stage 1 IDC in left breast following lumpectomy, Sent. Node Biop, chemo, radiation, tamoxifen, hysterectomy, arimidex... stopped taking arimidex because  bones were hurting... not even sure that was the cause. Diagnosed June 30 (the last day Nortons hospital  will accept my insurance) with high grade DCIS ... receptor neg ... not sure about HER2 yet.  Waiting for another appointment with PS to go over reconstruction immediately following double mastectomy. I wish I had the double mast the first time.  Trying to stay positive but hard some days. I also had thyroid cancer 15 years ago.  Just praying that DCIS is all they see when they take these girls and throw them in a bucket.  I see so many of  your posts and all that you go through that I feel so foolish for worrying about how reconstruction will turn out for my radiated breast more than I do the recurrence to other sites.  Feeling very shallow right now.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2009

    januarygem....when it happened to me for a second time, I thought the world had caved in....couldn't believe that after 3 1/2 years I would have a new case of bc. I also had resisted the BM the first time. So now I've done it, had chemo again, doing rads again and am hoping that I can get DIEP for reconstruction....it sucks big time to do it again. I'm sorry it has happened to you as well. Turns out there are many of us who are doing this a second time - or more. I get hope from some of them that I will be able to move on but it has been more difficult that the first time because I knew how hard it would be. Hopefully yours has been found early enough so you can avoid chemo. Good luck

  • TwoTimeJill
    TwoTimeJill Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    Help.  I'm trying to develop the "kick-ass" attitude I see, but I think its early yet.  Spring 2007 was my first diagnosis:  Stage 3, Grade 3, node negative, clear margins, Her2 positive, ER, PR negative, vascular invasive.  Had lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy and Herceptin for 17 rounds.   Now I'm diagnosed with exactly the same thing in same breast.  My tumour grew half an inch in 9 days between 2 ultrasounds!  What the heck?  I'm scheduled for emergency surgery for July 23rd.  Any advise would be wonderful.  Thank  you all for being there/here.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2009

    I'm also going through my second time. For now just put one foot in front of the other - one thing at a time and don't think too much. Just do what needs to be done. You'll have lots of time afterwards to think about what you need to do to beat this again. Lots of support here. I will admit that for me, it's been harder the second time around but I had surgery, chemo and am now doing rads.....all for the second time. There are many women here who have beat this 2 or 3 times and are doing well.

  • januarygem
    januarygem Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2009

    HRF  I've been trying to do the same thing.. not think too much. You're right about being a little harder the second time around because I know what to expect and really dread it.  I'm optimistic that they have come a long way with treating breast cancer but this is actually my 3rd cancer (had thyroid cancer in 1994).  Sometimes I feel like it's just my destiny. But I"m trying to really rely on God and know that my time won't come until he's ready for me. I just hope I can go through all that pain until it passes.  .  One person I know who has been fighting colon cancer for over a year now is a huge inspiration to me with all the chemo she has done and is continuing to do for months... her continuous daily walk when she's not incapacitated and her high spirits just amaze me.  Another person I try read about occasionally is Kris Karr.  She's on the web if you've never heard of her.  Good luck to you.  Don't give in to it.

  • januarygem
    januarygem Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2009

    TwoTimeJill   My half sister also had stage 3 breast cancer and they really didn't expect her to make it.  She ended up having bilateral mastectomy after radiation treatments, followed by chemo and radiation because hers was so bad by the time she got to the doctor it needed extensive treatment.   This was in 2002.  She is doing wonderful today.  No cancer recurrence and it's been longer than 5 years!!!!   Keep your fighting gear on and try not to feel like a victim. I notice I can be a little stronger emotionally on the outside if I don't allow people to see me down. I try to keep those moments personal... this time around.  GOOD LUCK.. and Lots of Prayers!!!!

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2009
    januaryjem.....good for you for staying strong through 3 occurrences.... you're an inspiration.
  • JamieLeeGee
    JamieLeeGee Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2009

    How did the test turn out? Hope no new cancer. The doc found thickening on my other breast and I'm waiting for a diagnostic mammo.It wasn't there last time. Any info? Thanks

  • Gin52
    Gin52 Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2009
    I am in awe and amazed at some of the stories here!  Humbled by all the women who were so young at 1st dx and their strength and determination!  Aug 2001 - just buried my sister on 7/24/01 from mets to liver and brain after 3 years of fighting which did not start soon enough, got notice of my own "bad" mammo.  8/24/01 at age 48 had lumpectomy and radsx33 (finished rads on 10/31/01 which would have been my sis's 52nd b'day) and 5 years of tamox.  Dr said I had "best of worst" news - outer rt side of right breast, .8cm, stage1, grade3, 0/2 nodes, er+/pr+ and her2-.  Fast forward to June 2009.  Finally getting "less apprehensive" with annual mammos when, blam - the beast is back.  Had both stereotactic and wire guided biopsies to find both dcis and idc, largest area 1.2cm, so stage 2, still grade 3, but just found out it is 1% er+, pr-, and her2+ - so looks like new primary?  Anyway, scheduled for bilateral mast with diep on 9/10 with another sentinel node biopsy, so dont know about any "after" treatment, but wondering if her2+ status will chg that?  Anyway, still not near what some of you ladies have been through or not near as long a fight as some of you have faced!  You ladies are my heros and my inspiration.  Misery is so much better when shared, huh? Wink  Good luck to us all, and thanks for being here!!
  • arby
    arby Member Posts: 126
    edited August 2009

    Hi, I'm just checking in as I was a Nov Rad Gal in 07 and just got revisited with cancer diagnosis followed by a mastectomy in the past 4 wks.  I do say I appreciate our healthcare system which doesn't put one on "hold" for 6 mo to a yr.  It returned to the same breast with similar path except her2neu is difinitely a 3. er-,pr-.  Guess the radiation following the lumpectomy didn';t do the trick.  I could use some encouragement as I'm battling an infection from the drain site.(dr put me on antibiotic after pulling the last drain yesterday).  so that's why I was sooooootired all week.  I will take seriously the other posts and I'll pray for you.  I'm a little hesitant to return to a support group for fear I'd be the pariah.  we're probably a "special" bunch of ladies to have to pull up the boots and line up our thinking and our feelings for success on Round # 2.  The good thing for me is that its early stage 1.  I'll be tuning in again after we take our son to college. arby 

  • arby
    arby Member Posts: 126
    edited August 2009

    Please don't minimize what you are going thru.  Just get the feelings out, the worries, the complaints and let us, your new sisters carry this with you.  Cancer is so weird when it comes out of no where and invades all our thought life.  It affects our dreams, our perceptions, job security, realtionships, etc.  so I think its best to just say whats on your mind, expecially since this is such a safe place,  the next best thing to a live support group at your local hospital. (cause there you can feel the hugs!)

    keep us posted of your progress.  arby

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009

    I am finding this second time through much more difficult than first time. I'm finding it much harder to cope and I still harbor feelings of anger that this wasn't caught sooner - i.e. before it got into the lymph nodes. After, all I was being closely monitored. This one is really dragging me down. Anyone else feel like that second time through?

  • carrythecross
    carrythecross Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2009

    hrf, this is something I am so scared of and feel so bad for you.  No wonder you are feeling dragged down. One day at a time.  You ladies are an inspiration.  Please keep posting and let us all know how your doing and holding up.

  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited August 2009

    BC #3 here, no recurrances, three different primaries.....

    Gin52 our surgeries are the same, on the same day!

    Hrf, I understand.  I found #2 much more difficult than #1.  I was soooo po'ed that they didn't give me the BL MX I asked for the first time around.  I spent a couple of days being really freekin furious this time.  Furious that they didn't listen and give me the BL either of the first two times.  Sheesh.  I could harbour that anger a very long time, but it isn't healthy.  I got proactive instead and put together the best possible team for the surgery this time.  I've done everything I can to ensure the best possible outcome, so now it's out of my hands.  But the waiting sure sux.  My bad mammo was in April, biopsy in early June.  It's been a long haul already and I haven't even begun yet.

    I'm looking forward to getting this 'little inconvenience' over with so I can get back to doin' what I was doin' before BC came callin'... again.

    All the best, She

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009

    She, best of luck. I can't imagine how you must be feeling......I'm afraid a #3 would put me under. This time I did the BM but of course I had to do chemo and rads again. I'm also on Arimidex this time. But I am worried about mets more than I was last time. I guess that feeling never goes away and the key is to keep on living but I'm struggling with a number of issues. My losses this time are deeper (a relationship & career opportunities & my self concept) .... I have a long way to go to really feeling that I am able to be myself again and I haven't yet come to terms with the new me.

  • Gin52
    Gin52 Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2009

    She - we can say an extra little prayer for each other right as they put us under! lol  Good luck to us both.  Glad they are finally doing what you need! 

  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2009

    I can soooooo relate, hrf i feel like my body has betrayed me and yes i was being monitored so how could this happen and i was taking arimadex and and and.  It just feels like a big slap in the face.  jUst when i was starting to live my life without looking over my shoulder BAM there it is again and i'm living a nightmare again.  Some days are better than others and i'm sure once rads are done and i don't have to be so far away from home it will be better.  But DAMN!

  • Ladyfuzzy
    Ladyfuzzy Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2009

    First cancer IIb, mastectomy of the right breast. 1 node out of 15 pos. ACT and Tamox/Arimidex for 5 yrs. (7 yrs ago)

    Now....Left breast. ER/PR+, Her2-, 1 node positive out of 18. Very aggressive this time. Problem is that I was also in a trial study with Xeloda first time so I can't take it again. Another mastectomy. (hey cancer....I've run out of breasts already! Give me a break!)

     Not sure where we go from here. Onco wants to treat really aggressively or treat me like it has already metastisized. **sheesh** Not much data out there on these 2nd new cancers. Anyone have more stuff I can read? Looks like it will be much worse this time. **sigh**

  • Ladyfuzzy
    Ladyfuzzy Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2009

    And yes, HRF....I can't believe with bi-yearly mammograms, a study drug and all that I ended up with a 1.7cm tumor, a 0.5mm tumor and 1 lymph node involved. Why wasn't this caught sooner?

  • activern
    activern Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2009

    Hey Sherry and everyone:  My heart is with everyone - betrayal is how I feel as well my second time around.  I read somewhere that after 5 years of surviving the beast can be beat.  Well, mine was 12 years and the dragon has reared its ugly head, fire and all; but, I am not giving his big ugly ass any chances.  I will fight all the way.  My sister had a recurrence after 2 years and did last November at the age of 50 after she fought for 4 full years.  I want to see my grandkids graduate from College and I want to be called great grandma! [they are 7 and 18 mos respectively]

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009
    When I got my 2nd dx, I was in shock. While I had heard such things could happen I didn't know anyone who actually had it happen (and I know lots of women who have had bc)......and, of course, I never imagined it would happen to ME because I was being so careful about my lifestyle and I was being monitored closely!!! I am amazed that there are so many of us. But I am so impressed by your courage and strength. I haven't got to that space ..... yet. First time around I was ready to move forward right away. This one is harder. I will keep checking back with you - Sherry, ladyfuzzy, Vilma ...... I will try to learn from you. ...p.s. Sherry, I hope the folks at Sunnybrook are treating you well.
  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2009
    hrf: sorry you are dealing with this beast again.  May I ask what your surveillance plan was from 2004 til your diagnosis this year?   I found out I am BRCA2+ after I did lumpectomy.SNB, chemo,rads.   The mutation news really through me for a loop.  Am having ovaries out.  Can;t do any breast surgery for 6-12 months after rads -- really worry about a new bc if i don't do BM.
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2009
    Kathy, I found out about the BRCA2+ when I had first dx. I had lumpectomy, SNB (all clear), chemo (CEF) and rads followed by removal of ovaries and tubes. Triple neg so no hormone therapy. Upon completion I saw the med onc 2 times a year for physical, the surgeon once a year for physical, my own GP once a year for physical. I had mammogram and MRI once a year. ....and even with all that the second dx came following a visit with the surgeon (only 3 months after seeing med onc) who felt a lump under my arm. 10 months earlier mammogram and mri were all clear. The mutation was hanging over my head like a dark cloud but I really was caught by surprise. ....this second one by the way could not be seen on mammogram and not on ultra sound either .... just swollen lymph node under my arm and mri showed "area of enhancement"......This time I did BM....chemo, rads, Arimidex ... hope to do reconstruction next year once I'm healed.

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