Not Again
4 years 6 months past and here we go again. Even though we always know there is a possibility it will come back, the closer I got to that magic number "5 years" the more relaxed I became. I did all the right things, had all my tests and check ups but it seems that once again I am being differant and unusual and this terrible disease has been doing an amazing job of hiding from everyone. Thankfully my surgeon was on the ball and decided to have a lymph node in my left breast biopsied, mainly because it hadn't showed up in previous mammo's and ultrasounds, and contrary to reports that it just looked like normal lymph node
Result, here we go again.
Further tests now show several cancers in my right chest cavity, as I had mastectomy before so no breast there to grow in, some under the arm, no lymph nodes left there either, looks like it might also have started to get in my bones. Still waiting on more information on if these cells are the same as my first cancer or the same as the one just found on the left side.
The one found in left breast is hormone receptive so I have been started on Femera tablets, havent had AI's before as my first cancer was different. It is also in the lymph nodes on this side.
I always thought that if I had to go through this again it would be easier as had been there before, now I am finding it more difficult. Harder to be as positive as I was last time, weary about the whole long treatment and uncertain because it seems to have been hanging around for a while but hadn't been found. I know I will do what I have to to beat or keep on top of this aweful disease, but wow it is really hard the 2nd time around.
Comments
-
I'm really sorry. Just know that there are a lot of us here who will help you through it. And, there are lots of good treatments out there for Stage IV disease too. It's always hardest before you get a treatment plan.
-
So sorry to hear this Gaylene -- just want to send you lots of hugs, and agree that the limbo before learning the treatment plan is the hardest -- hope you don't have to wait too long for that.
(((((((((hugs)))))))))
-
Gayleen, I don't think the fact you have dealt with it before makes it any easier, but let me tell you that magic five year mark is a fallacy. Cancer is cancer and it is never easy to find out you have it. The good news is that it is in the other breast and some nodes....they have at least not told you it has gone to any organs. (and if it has you can deal with it....it's been in my liver for 13 yrs) And also the fact it is hormone + in my opinion is a good thing.....I know a lot of women have SEs with AIs and some even refuse to take them, but if they can treat you with them, it is much easier than chemo (mho again). It sounds as if your surgeon is on top of things. I am so sorry you have to deal with this again.
-
Thanks everyone,
We now have a plan in place, which makes me feel much better. Just waiting to
have an infuser port installed and then start on chemo again. Had a lot of
questions answered by the Oncologist this week, has only attacked one bone in my
chest are, the manubriuma, but doesn't look like it has infiltrated into my
bones. it seems to be localised in the one area though in some muscle and nodes
and under the arm, but doesnt look like in any organs yaa. They reckon the
one found in my left breats is a new Primary, grade3, but has also got into the Lymph
nodes. Looks all might be Hormanal Receptive but not HER2 receptive so when
finish chemo will continue with Femera, to keep it at bay.Thanks for all your support and kind words, it really does help.
-
hi Gaylene5, just browsing the forums and reading your posts..I am thinking of you. Best of luck with the new chemo treatments, when do you start? The port is great for me, was scared to get it at first but am glad now that I have it, it's not that bad at all. Please keep us updated. xoxo
-
Gaylene5,
So sorry it came back again. But you can beat it again..do whatever it takes. I have been fighting it on and off for the last 9 1/2 years and I am stage IV.. STILL HERE!.. You can do it too..Keep us posted on your treatment plans.. We are all here for you. Hang in there.
Donna
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team