Afraid

Polyana
Polyana Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi there. My  1st 3 month check-up is due in July..now I started to worry again, and I am afraid of the check-up and the what if's started. So far, I am not complaining, but can't be sure with this wicked thing, is no complaining a good sign or it does not mean anything.

I am now on tamoxifine, the hot flashes are bad but can live with them. I only have some joint pain for those who use Tamox. is it normal?

Since I started chemo and till I finished I have joints pain, specially my knees I am no longer able to bend them at full. They really hurt my joints if I try. The doc said this is chemo effect, but till when will the chemo effect last.

Also I was told on the CT scan no-contrast when I did it for radiation that there us well defined cyst in my liver when I asked the doc. he said this is normal and shouldn't worry about!! The report said, cyst or hemogenia or something can't remem. but mets can't be excluded, what is the likely hood for that.

Although I am stage 3 but my path report said this is not inflamamtory BC, it is invasisve BC.

Hope u could share some tips and exp. please

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Comments

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2011

    Polyana, those check ups are difficult because they are a reminder of what we've been through and that we still don't feel safe. What you're feeling is perfectly normal.

    I'm not on Tamoxifen but I do know that when you take away the estrogen, your joints will hurt. You might want to read up on some of the Tamoxifen threads to see what others are trying. Fish oil is often helpful.

    My oncologist remarked to me that the effects of chemo can sometimes linger for as long as two years. Some of mine are considered permanent, but I had some pretty severe side effects so I'm far from the norm.

    I have no experience with the cyst situation. For your own peace of mind, you might want to ask your doctor if there are any additional diagnostic tests that can be done.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2011

    Sorry you're feeling so afraid right now, it comes and goes for us all I think.  I'm in the same boat with the liver cyst, they see something too small to biopsy, didn't light up on scan but can't rule out cancer either, it's a waiting game.  I did have inflamatory breast cancer which cleared with chemo, so if you weren't dx with it I think it's safe to say you shouldn't worry about that.  I'm not on tamox. but aromasin and have some joint pain but not as bad as with arimidex.  It scared me at first because I felt like it wasn't working...no SE = reoccurence.  But now I'm ok with not having to deal with them and enjoy not looking like a 90 year old.  I take Motrin 800 if it gets too bad and try to stay as active as I can so they don't get as stiff.  If you're having no different symptoms to complain about then hopefully the appt will go well.  Big hugs going your way and I hope you find some comfort and reassurance.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited June 2011

    Hi Poly,

    I understand your fears and apprehension.  I go up and down that roller coaster A LOT, and I especially did right around the same time in my tx as you are.  It's natural.  We don't know what is "normal" for our bodies anymore or if some of the stuff we are experiencing is just se's from all the tx.  Your body has been to war.

    I'm on Tamoxifen too and have had hot flashes too, but managable.  I have noticed them flare up again recently, but I think it may be because they had me go off of it 2 weeks before my last surgery.  So I think my body is just getting used to it again.  Haven't had any unusual joint pain, but I've heard other ladies say they have.  I'd suggest you make a written list of any and all symptoms and questions you have for your doc and be sure to ask them all.  I always seem to forget an important question until I leave.  HATE it when I do that!

    Let us know how your appointment goes.  We'll be here waiting!!!

    (((Hugs)))

    Sharon

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  • janinnj
    janinnj Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2011

    I too am a little afraid

    This is my first post to any of these boards. My journey through this has been a roller coaster. I went for my mammo last sept and they saw some calcifications so biopsy scheduled for October. Biopsy came back with DCIS schedule lumpectomy for Nov. While doing lumpectomy surgeon found another mass which was ILC but very small although the DCIS was everywhere and we did not get clear margins. Since I was now invasive they wanted SND in Dec. They said the frozen section was clear but when the path report came back all six of the nodes they took had mets. Scheduled another surgery for clear margins and more lymph nodes in Jan. Only 2 of the nodes of the 8they tookcame back positive this time and we got better margins although they did remove more ILC. They put me at IIIa because of the number of lymph nodes involved although my invasive tumor was not all that large. I just finished 4 tx AC + 4Taxol and then on to Rads and hadn't considered a BMX until recently.  Any one out ther stage III without having a BMX? 

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited June 2011

    There are LOTS of us stage III gals who had lumpectomies. I also  had chemo and rads. The works!

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

    Hi janinnj,  Just want to say welcome!  G.

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  • janinnj
    janinnj Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2011

    Gil,  Thanks for the reply.  I really don't want to go through anymore surgery. What kind of follow up scan, test, mammos do you have?

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited June 2011

    Janinnj,

     So do take some comfort in know you just got donw with TX...The odds of it coming back at the 3 months mark is REALLY low...Even if it is going to recoccur coming back in the first 3 months doesn't happen often...

    Also, what they said about the mass on your liver is true-trust me if they thought it was ANYTHING they would have done further testing. They know what they are looking at and YES that stupid line of text that reads can't rule out mets sucks! But I have that same line on mine. The radiologists have to put that to cover their but in case of anything.

    When you have inflammatory bc your automatically stage 3b or c... But you can also be stage 3 based on the size of your tumour, where it's located, and the amount of nodes.

    Hang in there...This is super scary stuff and your just starting on this journey. It does get better.

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