April 7 DIEP off- found chest wall reccurrance
I had bmx, chemo(TACx6), and 33 rads which I finished in March 09. At my last onc appt I requested a bone scan and got it. Scan came back clear so I began to move forward with getting DIEP recon. At the consult for port removal I asked my surgeon about a lump near the scar on the cancer side. He thought it very unlikely to be cancer but still would do an excisional biopsy of it while I was out for port removal. That was last Monday. BTW I called my onc office weeks ago and asked about the bump, the nurse called back and said they were not concerned about it, blah, blah, blah. My surgeon called this am to tell me the mass was a reccurrance and I will need to go back in as they did not get clear margins. He said something about how this would likely be an open wound that would be packed?? My brain was shut down at this point so I am not sure if thats exactly right. So now instead of getting humpty dumpty put back together I'm still Mrs. Potato Head getting parts taken off. The kids and I were heading out to run errands and get ready for Easter, literally in the driveway on my cell. I faked a migrane and went to my bedroom where I kind of lost it and tried to process the news. I am barely hanging on to my composure over this. I should be used to getting my butt kicked but this letdown is the worst yet. I feel so stomped on, and now I really do have a headache. I am supposed to be hosting a family get together on Sunday and now I am not sure if I can pull that off or if I want to.
I don't know what I'm looking at with this. He said I will see the onc to be restaged. My head feels like it could explode.
Annie
Comments
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Dear Annie,
So sorry to hear about this mess. My heart goes out to you. Sending you love and prayers.
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Annie, sorry to hear of this latest development. A local recurrence does not mean mets .... it can be very treatable and you can still do your DIEP very soon. (((hugs)))
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Oh, Annie, I'm so sorry to hear your news. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to function right now. On the other hand, I suppose it might be good to have a holiday for the distraction factor.
As quickly as you need to get this taken care of, I'm wondering if you should consider getting a second opinion -- just to be sure the open wound (which I admittedly know nothing about, but which doesn't sound fun) is the only way to go.
Praying that you can get this taken care of quickly and move on to your Diep ~ Deanna
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Oh, Annie - I am so sorry to hear this, but I feel so deeply for you. Although my circumstances are a bit different, I went for my second "six month" mammo last week (first one was right before rads and was fine). Did 4 A/C and 1 Taxol and 3 Taxotere - finished in September 09, then finished 25 rads on December 5, 09. She saw something "small" - "probably a seroma or small cyst" on my internal scar line in cancer breast. I am petrified with fear as I am triple neg. Go for a breast MRI on Tuesday and am just dying inside and am so fearful that it's back already. God, I hate this rotten disease. Please know you are in my prayers and thoughts. Be strong, Annie - fight this beast. I wish you some modicum of peace this Easter.
Hugs,
Linda
edited to remove about 4 extra "I am triple neg" - not too paranoid, am I?
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Thanks for your prayers and good wishes. Two Advil and a few hours have helped. I have decided not to call off the Easter get together. It is always fun to hang out with my brothers and eat
Come Monday, I will call the surgeon and onc and decide what to do. Sometimes having a spaz out and vent helps my outlook. Nite all.
Annie
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Annie - I just saw this. I am so sorry this is happening to you, so soon after finishing up treatment. Try and hang on to the fact that a local reoccurance does not mean anything more than that. You've done this before, you can do it again.
Hang tight over the weekend, try and enjoy the Easter Holiday as much as you can. Do not "think ahead" too much until you have all the information you need, and can speak with your onc.
Wishing you the best.
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Prayers for you
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In spite of all this, you have the children and the holiday to take your mind off this for awhile. It just seems that this disease gets more and more insidious the more I begin to delve back into it again. It sounds like you've been though a lot. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Dear Annie,
I KNOW exactly how you feel..something very similar happened to me only right before I was to get my recon done, Mr. Recurrence visited me w/ a 13 x 14 massive Stage IV tumor. My head almost exploded too when I heard about my "new situation"..Well I had my fit, Bi-MSX, and fought to get into a clinical study for my bc. Had to get a new onc. because the old one just wasn't cutting it. I am doing okay so far.
I hope you were able to enjoy your Easter and rested. You need to let it ALL out then discuss w/your Dr's and family. It's so difficult when you think you're done then have to begin a new regimen. But..you can survive! Prayers, faith, family and friends (here) have been such a strength for me.
You will get through this and PM me anytime.
God Bless you.
Jeannine
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