recurrence or new breast cancer

Jane108
Jane108 Member Posts: 36
edited June 2014 in High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer

Today I had my first mammo one year after being diagnosed with BC.  This year I had 16 infusions of chemo, 36 rads, and am now on Femara.  The mammo showed an ill-determined spot, then I had an ultra sound which showed the same thing.  My surgeon said to have an MRI and if that shows anything, I'll need another biopsy.  I am a nervous wreck needless to say.  Has anyone had a recurrence or a new cancer so soon after all the therapies?  My surgeon thinks it may be nothing but he thought the same way during my original diagnosis.

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  • paml
    paml Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2010

    Hi Jane,

    read your post and sorry to see no one has replied. I check this thread often but there doesnt seem to be alot of people who post here. Maybe you could try the stage 2 thread. You could also ask the stage 3 girls. They would be happy to help.

    hugs,

    Pam

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  • kellyj
    kellyj Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2010

    Hi Jane, 

    I had a recurrence at the 2 year mark .8 cm. It was located in the same  breast, but I found it on self exam.  Did not show up on mammo and ultrasound was unclear on what it was.  Best of luck to you, and I hope it is nothing to worry about.

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2010

    Hi Paml,

    Thanks for replying.  What do you mean I should use stage II and III.  Where do I find them?  Didn't know I was posting in the wrong spot.  Thanks.

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2010

    Hi Kellyj,

    When your new cancer was discovered, what did your docs do for you....chemo, rads, or something different.  I really don't want chemo again if my spot turns out to be cancer again.  Thanks and I hope your problem is now a thing of the past.

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  • kellyj
    kellyj Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2010

    Jane,

    The first round I was a stage 1 with an oncotype of 15.  I chose not to do chemo. I only did tamoxifen. So, this time we are doing everything we can. Eight rounds of chemo and six weeks of rads, ovary removal and a new antiestrogen drug.  I have my last chemo this next week.  Woo hoo! I hope yours is nothing to worry about. Have you had any other tests? Pet scan, blood tumor markers? I did not have any tests in the last 2 years.   When is your MRI?

    Good Luck,

    Kelly 

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2010

    My MRI will be on Monday, I hope.  We had tons of snow here and everything was cancelled this week.  My docs usually request a mammo, ultra sound, and MRI's.  If anything is found, I'll have a biopsy.  They are hoping I don't have to have that because it just may be scar tissue from the rads...I had 36 of those...entire breast.  Good luck to you!

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited February 2010

    Hang in there, Jane. This could so easily be anything BUT cancer. Or maybe a cancer spot that didn't show up earlier but is now dead...Repeat tests bring out our worst fears. Even 8 years after my original diagnosis, an xray or scan can make me turn to jelly.

    Anne

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2010

    Thanks, AnneW!  I try to think on your same lines but it's hard.  I will also turn to jelly as I make it through the years.  Hopefully we can turn to jelly together for many to come!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2010

    Hi Jane, was wondering how you are doing.  I too am just one year out of diagnose, six months out of last chemo and finished 25 rads on December 5, 2009.  Just went for my "second sixth month" mammo and first "yearly" on both breasts.  Mammos came back fine, however, US showed something on the bottom of my internal scar line (had large lumpectomy and reexcision for clean margins, which surgeon got), and right above my chest muscle.  The surgeon feels it's "probably" a seroma since rads were only finished 3 months ago, and I did have cellulitis and fluid in that breast right after my first A/C.  So I can appreciate your fears only too well, as I have my MRI scheduled for next week.  I am petrified that this might be cancer again, and of course, no one can really reassure me that it won't be, no matter what the surgeon says, until we see on MRI just what it is.  I just hate this disease and pray to God it's just a seroma or cyst and not the monster all over again.  Hope to hear from you and wish you all good things.

    Linda

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2010

    Hi LRM!

    Thanks for your concern.  Sounds like you and I had everything done in 2009.  The MRI showed nothing and I am thrilled!  It seems that you have the same scare I did and I hope your tests all turn out well, too.  They had told me that my ultra sound showed something below my incision and that it could be scar tissue.  Glad I had the MRI.  I will have another mammo in 6 months and then probably not for a year.  Hope all turns out well for you when you get your results.  Please let me know how you are doing!  I think we're in this for the long haul and every year will bring us a scary moment as we undergo mammos.  Maybe we can stay positive....together!  Jane

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2010

    Jane:

    Thank you so much for responding and letting me know how you made out.  I am THRILLED for you!  May it always stay that way for you.  I will sweat it out until Tuesday, when my MRI is scheduled.  I just pray I am as fortunate as you were and it just proves to me the seroma the breast surgeon supposes it is.  I am so cynical being triple negative, that I read something negative into everything she says - such as imagining her feeling sorry for me, but not wanting to let me know she thinks it's cancer.  She did tell me not to worry, she's sure it will be a cyst or seroma, but needs to check via MRI.  So what do I do, I begin thinking for sure I'm doomed! Gosh, I have to stop being my own worst enemy.  Wish me luck and I'll post as soon as I find something out.  Again, - so happy for you.

    Linda 

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  • Jane108
    Jane108 Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2010

    Hi LRM,

    Just wondering how everything turned out with your MRI.  I know you were petrified as I was, too, waiting to get mine.  I hope you had good news like I did.  Please let me know how you are doing.  Again, I am rooting for good news for you!!!  Jane

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2010

    Jane108 -

    How sweet of you to check on me.  I am delighted to tell you that, yes, I did get good news.  It is a small seroma and not a recurrence.  I was floating on air for a couple of days after finding out - but as much as I try to stay happy, I just can't wonder when the next "bullet" will come my way and will I dodge it then too?  I hate this disease.  I try to be positive all the time, but I don't always do to well with it, I'm sorry to say.  Got to get out of this mind set somehow!  In the meantime, I am happy for both of us.  Stay well, Jane.

    Hugs,

    Linda

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  • gbjb1979
    gbjb1979 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2010

    I too found a lump less than 2 years after my treatment for IDC.  Went in for a biopsy and to our surprise the cancer has returned. Also it now has metatsized to a few spots in my bones.  I am headed in for a MRI to see if it has spread to the brain (Yuck).  Obviously we are praying that is negative.  At this point my doctor's tell me that the disease is manageable with iv's and drugs.  But now that it has spread I will be living with cancer for the rest of my life (55 years old).  I am trying my hardest to be as positive as my doctor sounded but just receiving this information on Friday, it's really hard.

    I pray you don't have a recurrence and that you can go on with your life cancer-free.

    Stay strong and be aware!!

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  • sharalou
    sharalou Member Posts: 223
    edited December 2010

    I had bc-2005. Matectomy, chemo (6 rounds), and rads. Had follow ups,every 6 mos. July of this yr.had an mri and a 5mm spot showed up. They called this a new ca.Had mastectomy, nodes were clear. Plan was tamoxifen. Low and behold, my onc. did an Oncotyoe test, and it came back at 27. I am doing 4 rounds of chemo, last one dec. 28th.  IT SUCKS!!!

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  • otter43
    otter43 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2011

    sharalou, I feel your fear and anxiety. In 2001 @ 30 yrs old I got stage 2 estrogen based ductal cancer in my right breast treated by mastectomy, chemo, 5 yrs of tamoxifin and reconstruction with a tramflap.My last visit with my onc, she huged me and whispered in my ear that I'd never get "it" again.  61/2 yrs later I was diagnosed with HER2 pos breast cancer in my left breast with sentinal lymph node involvement. Another mastectomy, chemo and SOME herceptin (as my insurance carrier cancelled me 3 treatments too early) I had not yet been reconstructed. I lived 3 yrs with one breast in my 30's. The looks and nudging one another from other healthy women hurt the most as you'd think they'd have the most compassion.  Moffitt Cancer Research in Tampa Florida, where I've been a patient and a pain in the rear for years - granted me charity this year for reconstruction, thankfully.  All this aside I must say that when I asked "why did I get IT again"? I was told because my body just likes makng cancer.  I have issues with positivity and struggle with being CONVINCED I'll get again as I did not get to complete herceptin.  I dont think I answered any of your questions and may have made you feel worse for which I am already in tears...but maybe I just needed to connect with someone who has been through it more than once and afraid of whats next.  I am not religious and I realize I dont know you but Ive been speaking with God, which I highly reccommend. It gives me some comfort believing I'm being heard. I know you want to be heard too.

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited December 2011

    Ladies:  I too got it again.  I was already stage IV and in treatment, but recently got cancer in my remaining breast.  Had mastectomy two weeks ago.  There's no way for docs to know whether this is metastatic or a new primary.  Pathology came back same as original dx and same as metastatic dx.  I don't get it.  How do you get more when you're in treatment.  I guess we can't always know why.  Don't feel alone ladies.  Hang on!  Jean

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  • fhar451
    fhar451 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2012

    I went for my 6 mo followup mammo yesterday. I started getting alarmed when the tech told he they needed more pictures. SHe said "don't worry", they always take alot of film the first time after surgery. Well, today the doctor's office called and they want to biopsy the left breast. Last time it was the right one - dcis. I had a lumpectomey with 6 weeks of radiation. I am freaking out. I can't stop crying!!! 

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  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 765
    edited March 2012

    fhar451...I am so sorry to hear about what is going on with you.  I know this is what we all fear come check up time.  I am approaching my 1 yr. dx. anniversary and I am all stirred up too.  Even though this is not "your first rodeo" as they say, I think the odds that it will be nothing are still greater than the odds it will be something.  If they find something during the biopsy hopefully it will still be non invasive and you will be able to move forward.  Are you taking tamoxifen?

    Try to take some long, deep, cleansing breathes and focus on slowing your heart rate.  The tears will come and that is perfectly alright.  I like to think they are washing away my fear.  I tell myself that "I will not fear what I don't KNOW to be true."  Sending positive, healing, calming thoughts your way.   

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  • rubyjune40
    rubyjune40 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

     fhar451 Sorry you are going through this so soon after tx, I had exactly three years, and it was a new primary and same breast, which all the docs where glad, still treatable, I was not so glad, but after the shock  of it, I am still alive and living my life, taking Arimidex. Now I am coming up on the three years again, and I have found  a lump on the reconstructed breast. WTH, I was TN the first time, is it back again??!!! I have an appointment on 3/16 but as the days pass I feel the anxiety mounting,I found it right after the ONC appt, the end of January, I have convinced my self its nothing, but it is something, just praying not cancer. Hoping yours isnt either. 

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  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 765
    edited March 2012

    Ruby...sending hugs your way as you wait to find out what is going on.  Take care.

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  • rubyjune40
    rubyjune40 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012

    I called my PS on Tuesday they tried to squeeze me in on Wednesday, I got the call Wednesday morning that Dr could not see me, but wanted me in Thursday morning. So yesterday I was his first patient of the day. He came in asked me where is the lump, He looked and took one feel and said " excisional biospy, it is in the breast tissue and probably nothing, but we will make sure," I just felt relief. It is coming out and once we know what it is then I can deal with it. I will have the surgery on Monday, Which the PS said he wanted in done Monday morning, so of course I feel its more then nothing. I hate what this cancer has done to me mentally and the way my mind goes to the worst possible outcome. I go from "get busy" to wanting to sit and cry!! The waiting has began again.

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