Recurrence

Annie-I have nothing to contribute other than to offer you hugs and internet "ears" to listen anytime you need to get it all out.

I admire your positive outlook and agree wholeheartedly that there is some comfort in making a more educated decision. There is so much to learn about this subject that we never thought would become so important to know! I am one of those who made the decision to do a bmx less than a month after diagnosis. In that complete out of body fog that envelopes us when we hear we have cancer. I do not regret my decision but I do feel knowing about, hearing (or reading) the experience of others and having time to contemplate your direction would certainly have been helpful in so many ways. Least of which is the feeling of having some control in a situation that has taken you and your life hostage!

Wishing you continued courage and strength.

Ellen

annie

listen, hang in there. i just want to support you. this cancer stuff is just so darn hard and you never know if or when it will show up.  take care of yourself....get the information and plan of treatment.

hugs

Annie, I just wanted to let you know I'm sending you lots of hugs and support as you wait for your scan results.  I'm so sorry you're going thru this.  If you need to rant, go ahead girl. We're here for you.

Barb

Annie, hope today isn't too awful.

Sending lots of ((((hugs))))

Annie,

Thinking of you as you work through a treatment plan.  I'm glad you have great family support and reach out for the unwavering support here as well.  Be strong and know we are here.

Molly

Annie, so glad to hear that things from the scans look good. Thanks for letting us know.

Hope they get more of an idea what is happening with that node from the MRI. Sounds as though they are being good and thorough.

Look after yourself, and hang in. 

Annie:

No words of wisdom, just want to let you know I can appreciate and feel for all that you are going through right now, and I hope it all turns out to be nothing with the node.  Big sigh of relief all the organs were good.  Keep us posted and know that you are in all of our thoughts.

Linda

I too just received a diagnosis of a local DCIS recurrence - 10 years after original IDC diagnosis, which was treated with chemo, rad, tamoxifen.  Dr's aren't sure if it's true recurrence since it's at the same location or a new primary because the characteristics are different from my primary (better prognosis), but I've been told those characteristics can also change over time.  Anyway, I'm debating between a BMX (also had atypical lobular hyperplasia) in other breast, or participating in a clinical trial to investigate partial breast re-irradiation after a second lumpectomy and lots of monitoring.  I'm considered a good candidate for the radiation being successful (small tumor, many years since primary, low grade tumor), but am also considered high risk (young, dense tissues, potential family history but BRCA neg).  I am completely torn between wanting to be rid of the risk of additional recurrences and wanting to go the route of breast conservation given that many women have chronic issues following MX and the few, if any, reconstruction options seem unacceptable for a previously-irradiated, slender athlete who spends a lot of time in bathing suits for various water sports (surf, windsurf, waterski, triathlon).  I have no idea how to make such a drastic decision, but at least I have a bit of time since the BS did a lumpectomy at the same time as the excisional biopsy of what turned out to be the hyperplasia area.  I've done a ton of research and talking to people and know it has to be a personal decision, but I feel completely stuck.

Take two,

I just finished reading your post and thought I would respond.  My first diagnosis was in 2003 and my treatment consisted of a masectomy and reconstruction (dcis with 2mm micro invasion grade 3 er/pr-).  In August I had a similar situation to yours and the doctor is not sure if it is a recurrence or new primary as it is grade 1, weakly er+ and her2+.  This recurrence was in my reconstructed breast and surrounded by healthy breast tissue.  Unfortunately, masectomy does not totally take away your chance of recurrence but the reconstruction did make it very easy to feel.

Annie,

I had a latissimus dorsi flap (back muscle) with a silicone implant.  Since the implant is behind the muscle it just pushed everything forward.  The lump felt like a grain of rice and was less than a cm.  My ps was sure it was fat necrosis but wasn't so lucky.  I think it would be very rare if reconstruction hid a recurrence.

My treatment plan is 6 cycle of TCH followed by herceptin alone until the end of the year.  There is also talk of some hormone therapy since I am weakly er+ (14%).  It is certainly a real kick in the gut to have to deal with this again, especially after getting past the magical 5 year mark.  I just finished treatment #3 today so half way done with the hard stuff.

Annie,

how did you find your recurrence?  Right now I am dealing with things but I am afraid that once treatment is done and it is just a waiting game that I will not be doing so well.

Hi Annie

I was diagnosed with a recurrence 11 days ago. Pathology report suggests IBC ( dx 2005) that has metastasised to the lymph nodes in the throat. This time however I am HER11 + This has come like a thief in the night and I am unsure about what to do.