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joey50210
joey50210 Member Posts: 20
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I have not been on these boards for six years, but I am back.  I had a bilateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation and what ever else they threw at me.  Just found out yesterday I have breast cancer on right side but no breast.  I am praying when I have pet scan next week that they will not find more.  Please say a prayer for me, I am so not ready to do this all over again.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011
    joey - What a bummer.  This is the gift that keeps on giving.  Hoping your pet scan is clear.  Saying a prayer for you.
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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2011

    I'm so sorry.....like being hit by a truck isn't it? Whatever comes next, you CAN do this.

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited March 2011

    Hope it is all good on the PET scan. Breath in, breath out....the strength to deal with whatever comes your way is within...

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited March 2011

    Joey, good luck with your PET scan hope it comes back clean.  Prayers coming your way.

    Peace, strength, love n hugs.  Chrissyb

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  • D4Hope
    D4Hope Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2011

    I am so sorry this is happening to you again. Hope the Pet Scan is all clear.

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited March 2011

     My prayers are with you also that the pet scan brings good results, and that it is not advanced.   This is the reality we all live with.  On an everyday basis I don't wait for the other shoe to drop anymore, but when I read your post it reminded me loud and clear that we are recovering cancer  survivors not cured.  We do all we can and then hope for the best.  You did all that you could do to fight this beast and you can do it again, whatever is thrown at you.  Be strong and we will all support you anyway we can.  We will get through this together.........................................Caren

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  • Octobergirl
    Octobergirl Member Posts: 334
    edited March 2011

    You must have been in shock to hear the news. So sorry you have returned to the board under these circumstances.  You are in my thoughts..hoping your Pet Scan results are clear.

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  • LoraLee
    LoraLee Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2011

     I'm so sorry joey! I know how shocking it is to have a recurrence after a long remission! Just remember,that there are so many new options available to you that weren't available before. I will be praying that your PET scan is clear. (((HUGS)))!!!

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited March 2011

    joey, I'm so sorry about your recurrence.  Is it on the same side as your original dx, or the other side?  Either way, it must be so disappointing, especially since it sounds like you did everything possible the first time around.  I will pray that this new occurence is limited to your breast and can be taken care fast.  You got through it before, and you will again...   (((Hugs)))  Deanna

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  • joey50210
    joey50210 Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2011

    Thank you everyone for all your wonderful support, it is all so crazy, I always knew it could come back to my life but not in this way even my surgeon can not figure it out yet.  The new breast cancer is on my right side, the first was on my left.  I chose to have my right breast removed for safety sake and no cancer cells were found there, now six years later almost to the date I am scared.  When I cough or clear my throat I get a pain in my head, I put this off to my blood pressure being a little high, now I am not so sure.  I know nothing about mets and I am hoping it is going to stay that way.  I see oncologist on Monday and hopefully will have a little more information.  thank you all .

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  • joey50210
    joey50210 Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2011

    Thank you everyone for all your wonderful support, it is all so crazy, I always knew it could come back to my life but not in this way even my surgeon can not figure it out yet.  The new breast cancer is on my right side, the first was on my left.  I chose to have my right breast removed for safety sake and no cancer cells were found there, now six years later almost to the date I am scared.  When I cough or clear my throat I get a pain in my head, I put this off to my blood pressure being a little high, now I am not so sure.  I know nothing about mets and I am hoping it is going to stay that way.  I see oncologist on Monday and hopefully will have a little more information.  thank you all .

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2011

    Joey:

    I am so very sorry you have to revisit all this again.  It is all of our greatest fear.  Please know that you have my prayers as well.  I will be hoping all the best for you.  Stay strong, Joey, I know it's easier said than done, but you got through it once before, and you will again.  Godspeed.

    Linda

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  • chele
    chele Member Posts: 1,465
    edited March 2011

    My prayers are with you.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2011

    Joey:

    My prayers are with you. 

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  • RiverCat
    RiverCat Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2011

    So sorry to hear your news.  This is what we all fear.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited March 2011

    Hey, Joey, you're living everyone's nightmare. Have a breast removed for safety, and we find we're really not so safe. What more could you do?

    Do you know yet if this is a recurrence of the original, or a completely new cell type cancer? I'm not sure if that will change anything, I'm just curious.

    Glad you can back for support. Please keep us all posted. We're here for you, any time.

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited March 2011

    Joey,

    I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I too had a recurrence 6years after my initial dx. I had a bmx in December and have been doing Gemzar/Abraxane which I'm finding easier than the AC and Taxotere I did last time.  Thankfully, it looks like it has not spread to any other organs.

    Since this is recent I'll tell you about what I've experienced in case it helps you. It always feels like they are moving so slowly in coming up with a treatment plan, doesn't it?

    I did a PET first. I did have a CT to take a closer look at one area that lit up but they couldn't find anything. Then they did an MRI. Same thing. Surgeons and onc and rads onc agree it's an infraclavicular lymph node causing it to light up. Its in an area that can't be accessed during surgery so I'm doing the chemo. I have a PET scan on Thursday to see if the chemo is working (I'm halfway through).

    You will be surprised at how many advances have been made in 6 years. I had a circulating tumor cell test which came back with no cells circulating. I had an oncotype test done which showed the cancer should respond to the chemo.Ask you onc about any new tests that they can do on you that may provide information about your specific situation.

    It does stink to be going through this again, but I'm hanging on to the idea that its a local recurrence and that after this I'm done with bc. I'll watch for your posts. Hang in there and pm me if you have any questions.

    Take care,

    Annie

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  • joey50210
    joey50210 Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2011

    I still do not have a lot of information, other than it is the same cancer as my original diagnosis and now I am considered a Stage IV, which definitely is not high on my list.  The mass is surrounding muscle and is very large so the goal is to shrink it so that surgery can happen.  Right now it is surrounding muscle and can not be removed as it is.  I am have a contrast brain scan, and total body scan in the next week and back to oncologist on the first of April.  I have started on tamoxifen to see if that will shrink it, so I am not sure yet if chemo is in my future.  Thanks to everyone who responded, I know you all know how this feels.  I refuse to give in to this disease and I truly do not care what stage I am at.  It is great to know someone is always here for a shoulder to cry on, thank you

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited March 2011

    Hello joey50210,  I just read your post.  After doing everything possible, as you did in 2005, there was no way this could have been anticipated.  It's really hard to understand how the ILC could have been working its way into/around muscle on the prophy side.  No wonder the surgeon is surprised. We are all here to help any way we can.  I am hoping the scans show there is no other bc, that the Tamoxifen works its wonders, and that your meeting with the oncologist goes well.  There is always someone here to lend a shoulder.  Hugs, G.

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  • joey50210
    joey50210 Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2011

    And so it begins, I am off to the hospital for a contrast brain scan and echo cardiogram, more tests on Monday, I am really not having fun.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited March 2011

    Joey, holding your hand all the way.  Good luck, hope it comes back all clear for you.

    Love n hugs Chrissyb

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited March 2011

    Prayers being said for you, Joey.

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  • rsg
    rsg Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2011

    Joey Good Luck to you. My prayers are with you! Stay Strong!

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