Bolstering Support for my Round Two

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CatFromFL
CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

Here I am almost 6 years since my initial diagnosis. The "easy" bout of BC, a mere memory. I was Stage 2A, OncotypeDx score"0" , 5 years of Tamoxifen, and now a new tumor in the other breast !

They explain to me that the OncotypeDx is only related to treatment and of predicting mets of the initial tumor. This is unrelated and means starting over.

Not what I expected in my expectations of the course of my life...hopefully its merely an unpleasant detour.

Luckily I have been able to in 1 week get my PCP visit Mammography/Ultrasound/ Lumbar Xray(due to pain) , Core biopsy, bllodwork and Oncologists appointment- an unbelievable feat.

And now I play that hard waiting game to hear my pathology, scans, treament plan, surgical decision. My Oncologist says Lumpectomy even if the tumor is benign

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  • jenn333
    jenn333 Member Posts: 178
    edited March 2012

    Wow Cat - pretty sucky news but you did it before and will do it again. May this be nothing more than a blip on the radar screen of your life.



    Let us know what the pathology says.



    Best of luck!

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  • CatFromFL
    CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2012

    After spending a day reading in the second and third primary threads my head is spinning.

    My Oncologist stated that I would not be lowering my chance of local recurrence with MX ! He said it may help you mentally or with anxiety but the statistics are the same for local recurrence after MX or Lumpectomy with Rads.No difference. And after reading, it seems that a MX is no guaranty of lowering the local recurrence rate.

    My distant recurrence rate (mets) was low- as my OncotypeDx Score was 0. The lowest it could be. And for this new tumor I may have a new OncotypeDx score to help me decide my course of treatment if its ER pos and I am node negative.

    I learned a lesson that I really did know, but tucked back into the recesses of my mind.....I was still at risk for a new local primary no matter what surgery I picked, purely by having a previous BC!.

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  • CatFromFL
    CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2012

    The Dr is still  awaiting all of the Pathology details but confirmed it is definitely Breast Cancer. He will call me with more details as he gets them.

    It really, really SUCKS!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited March 2012

    ((((((Cat))))))  Yes, you are right, this does truly suck!  OMG, I nearly fell off my chair when I saw your post. Sending you lots of hugs.

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  • zillamom2
    zillamom2 Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2012

    Hi. So sorry you have to go through this again. I completely understand everything you are going through because I just got bc again after 11 yrs. This time I chose a bmx because I have gotten it twice under 40 and I want to improve my odds of another one. I will have to do chemo because my oncotype was 27 even though stage 1, grade 1, hormone positive. They didnt do oncotype the 1st time around when I got it. It is an awful feeling to be told you have bc again and it starts all over. I keep trying to remind myself that it is just for a moment in time. I am sending you hugs and good thoughts on all of your pathology.

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited March 2012

    You are so close to G'ville and Shands.  HAve you seen the work they are doing with radiations during surgery?  I am waiting on my biospsy results (twice this year) after having a unitaleral MX 3 years ago. the radiation thing at shands looks real interesting,  they are the only ones around doing it.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    lbrewer - Moffitt also has intrabeam radiation available here in Tampa for lumpectomies.

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited March 2012

    thats awesome news about the intrabeam radiation at Moffit

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    lbrewer - I think they have had it for about a year - the press release is from last spring.  Always a good thing to have a variety of choices and new technology.  I also think that because Moffitt is an NCI designated center they are pretty current of the newest proven innovations.

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited March 2012

    I went to MD Anderson in Orlando but I don't think they offer it.

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  • CatFromFL
    CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2012

    Well, I got more info today..ER+ and PR+ both strongly positive ( just like the first time)

    They sent the HER2/neu test out for FISH , so I am waiting on that.

    I have decided on a Lumpectomy and Rads again and all here at the Moffitt Center at the Villages ( its 10-15 minutes from my house). The focused beam Rads just don't have as good Stats as I feel comfortable with. ( I know 2 gals with local same side recurrances after Mammosite Rads)

    So I will opt for whole breast Rads on the Left too, Just like the Right.

    its funny the placement of my tumor is an exact mirror image placement (just deeper) So my scars might match. 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock.Ya gotta see some humor in it all.

    The Oncotype should dictate my Chemo decision.

    My next appts are March 27th with surgeon and Rad Onc, and Mar 30 with Onco

    I had to go back to the core biopsy Dr due to edema and warm / very bruised too. They gave me A/B ( antibiotics).

    So I am good for now....hurryup and wait......I know the drill. Luckily I have a great BC support group meeting Thursday and I will see my Primary Doc for my Back pain ( its arthritis- per Xray read by Onco)and the Chat room here.

    So now the rough waiting.....

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  • CatFromFL
    CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2012

    Got more info... HER2 negative, Surgery scheduled for April 18, 2012.

    Mammastrat will detrmine chemo , rads will follow chemo

    I am bucketed in and ready for another ride!

    Cat

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited March 2012

    (((Cat))) we'll be with you.

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  • dj59
    dj59 Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2012

    Cat - just read your thread. Have found myself back in for another ride as well. Right there with you!

    (((HUGS)))  

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  • greenacres
    greenacres Member Posts: 144
    edited April 2012

    GOOD LUCK to you and sorry your cancer has returned.  Sounds like you are ready for the ride though :)  Stay strong and keep your sense of humor!

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  • rn4babies
    rn4babies Member Posts: 409
    edited April 2012

    I was diagnosed on March 6th with a new primary in the "good"  breast. Just 15 months ago I was diagnosed with DCIS, had lumpectomy and finished rads on December 14th. This was discovered on the first routine mammo after the first diagnosis. This time I had multifocal/multicentric IDC and ILC (Grade 2) with a little DCIS thrown in there as well. Node negative. I again opted for a lumpectomy (had on 3/23) with rads. Chemo was mentioned once by my surgeon but not mentioned again after that. He was supposed to send some tissue away for the Oncotype score. I still have choices and chose the lumpecomy. If it returns again I won't have a choice but to have a BMX. There were many factors influencing my decision. I have a regularly scheduled appt with my MO on April 26th. I don't know if they'll try to move that appointment sooner or not. BTW....I am 48 years old. BRCA  neg with a very strong family history (mom, aunts, sister)

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  • CatFromFL
    CatFromFL Member Posts: 105
    edited May 2012

    Well gang, the surgery 4/18 went well. I am healing well and had my BS appt 4/26. She had the pathology & Mammastrat test results ( which the MO ordered) I knew with grade 3 and moderate risk Mammastrat that he would be recommending chemo. I saw MO today and got the word, 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan over 9 weeks, then Rads x 6 weeks....UGH! It will be a long bald summer!



    But hey, maybe I will have some hair by Christmas!



    The goid news is that a woman from my BC support group that I have become friends with also will be getting the exact chemo protocol on the same days so I will have a partner in crime! Someone to laugh and cry with.



    I sure hope that there are no " do overs" after this!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2012

    Good luck Cat.  I hope this is your last 'do over' too.  As if once wasn't more than enough.  Blech.

    Hugs.

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