new to forum and very scared...second diagnosis

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jlj914
jlj914 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

Hi everyone, My name is Joanne and I thought that all of "this" was behind me...Diagnosed 12/15/08 with stage 3, lymph node involvement in left breast. Had bi-lateral mast after undergoing chemo, radiation and herceptin for a year. JUST finished herceptin on Aug 20 (yes a few months ago!) went to my first "check up" at oncologist's office post herceptin, and there was a hard lump back where we started! Told..fat necrosis (what the heck is that? i asked!) sent to my plastic surgeon, thought being it might be scar tissue around my implant...he sent me to get an ultra sound, results came back "benign (not cancer) but undetermined" is exaxtly what my letter said. I said, "It's unacceptable to tell a cancer patient there is a mass in their body and it's UNDETERMINED!" I was sent to my surgeon, she also said highly likely fat necrosis, but let's do a biopsy to be sure. I said great! Had my biopsy this past Thursday, and she called me Monday night to tell me it was cancer AGAIN. OMG I have been in a panic since Monday night. I saw my oncologist Tuesday, he sent me right over to hospital to get a cat scan, had mri and bone scan yesterday, and now i wait, and wait and wait. Will hear results Friday. I know I don't know any of you, but I also know that you know exactly how I'm feeling (sadly) and needed somewhere to turn. So I found this forum. I am 53 years old, and a fifth grade teacher. I'm married with three grown beautiful daughters, and I'm usually the one taking care of everybody else. I am really scared, nervous and worried. I don't know much else or I'd share that information. Even oncologist said he's not sure yet if it's a "new" cancer or the old one that came back. Any words of wisdom would be welcome. Thanks so much for just listening. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2010

    jlj914 I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I totally understand why you are in a panic but just remember they caught this early. That's why we have check ups every 3 months at the beginning. The scans they do are routine when you have a 2nd disagnosis… it does not mean it has spread. Hang in there and let us know how it turns out. Wishing you the best.

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  • meglove
    meglove Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2010

    Hi I am so sorry to hear about the recurrency. Hope it is contained at its original place and the MRI and bone scan are all clear!! Wish you good luck!!

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited November 2010

    jlj914, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this again. You did every thing right the first time. As lago said, they ahve causght it early. Thank goodness they do have us come in so often at the beginning.

    You said your a fifth grade teacher. and a parent of 3 grown children. I uinderstand just how involved you are. I am also a 2nd grade teacher with three grown children. By the way I'm 57, so just a bit older than you. Hang in there, we will be with you as you begin this journey again. Keep coming back this is a great place to get support, advice, and lots of group hugs.

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  • 1angus16
    1angus16 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2010

    Hi Joanne.  Just read your post and so sorry to hear about your continuing troubles.  I find the very idea of a recurrance quite terrifying, so I want to wish you good luck and I will say a prayer for you. 

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  • Caroljl
    Caroljl Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2010

    I too, am so sorry that you  are dealing with this again, jlj914. I will be thinking of you, I think in every women's mind that had cancer and is a survivor,would dread hearing those awful words, its cancer again.Please let us know what is going on ok, you are never alone with these forums, I know they helped me and is still doing so.

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  • char123
    char123 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2010

    Hi Jo Ann: I can tell you this, I had a mastectomy 10 years ago and all of a sudden I had a lesion on the reconstructed breast.  i had surgery, chemo and radiation.  was it scary? Yes, was it a pain in the ass, yes, but here I am doing very well and its ok.  So , with that said, We all have something, so Live, Love and do the very best you can....

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