Recurrence after 6 years and I'm so scared...

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rorikorei
rorikorei Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I just have the result back from the biopsy yesterday, and it was cancer. I thought that was scar tissue. I had a mastectomy six years ago and it came back.

I'm Japanese and all my friends, parent, sister are in Japan. I'm very scared. I need some support.

I live in Slingerlands (a suburb of Albany).

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited June 2012

    I'm so sorry. It worries us all after treatment. You must be so scared.

    Don't despair just yet. Wait until you get the full dx and treatment options. It may not be as bad as you are expecting, but if you need more chemo etc, then you've already done it once and know what to expect.

    Please keep us informed, and good luck with your treatment. 

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2012

    Thank you for the message, maltomlin.

    I did not have chemo six years ago. After mastectomy I just had Tamoxifen for eight months because I had an allergic reaction to it.

    I was very happy to see your message. Tears in my eyes... I will keep you informed.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2012

    Dear Rorikorei, I am sorry about your recurrence.  Hopefully it will be a BC with many treatment options. If Tamox didnt work for you there are other AI's like aromasin and arimidex that may not bother you and may very well turn out to be your best treatment of choice now.

    Hopefully once you have your full pathology and options for surgery it will be manageable.  I am in NY to0, about 5 hours from Albany.

    Good luck and please let us know how you are . If you're unable to sleep, rest or are too anxious, try to walk, go do something fun for yourself and also try Yoga, medication or if you need ask your doctor for anti anxiety meds or sleeping pills. Its important you rest and restore at night.

    Bevin

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited June 2012

    Rorikorei - Once you know what you're dealing with, please post it here.  There will be lots of ladies to support you.  It always helps to have someone to talk about your questions, fears, etc., with and this group is perfect for that.  You can do this . . . one day at a time!

    Kathy 

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited June 2012

    Rori - I had a new primary tumor appear this past December after my initial diagnosis 19 years ago.  Both were Stage 1s and I am doing well after my BMX and chemotherapy.

    I actually found it easier to bear this time because I knew what to expect and the fear was familiar.  It IS a shock at first, but we are here to help you through it.

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  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited June 2012

    Just a note that there was someone else thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time.  I am still relatively new (diagnosed in February) but this site and these boards have been my lifeline.  Hang in there.

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  • Angelfalls
    Angelfalls Member Posts: 849
    edited June 2012

    I'm so sorry to hear that you're dealing with a recurrence, Rorikorei, especially with your family so far away - that must be especially tough. But you have found a great source of support and information here and we will help you through this however we can, even if just by sending virtual (((((((hugs))))))).



    It will get easier to deal with this news once you have a treatment plan in place and can get started with beating this back again. Feel free to PM me if you think I can be of help. Keep us posted as you learn more and take good care of yourself. xx

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2012

    Thank you very much, everyone. I read all your messages with tears. I really appreciate it.

    I have an implant on my right breast and found a bump just under the scar of the last time biopsy, so I thought that was scar tissue. I had two tumors (0.7cm, 1cm)six years ago.

    Since I have an implant, I went to see my plastic surgeon to show this bump. Then I had a breat MRI and the result was normal, she took the whole things out and sent it to a biopsy. It was scar tisssue with cancer (1cm). The doctor will take the stiches out next week but at the same time she cuts the same place again and take more tissue since we know it is cancer.

    I will see my oncology doctor soon. Once I know the result of pathology, I will let you know.

    I could not sleep at all for two days, but I took sleeping pills last night and slept for 12 hours! I feel much better now. Having everyone there would make me feel much more confident. Thank you. 

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  • whippetlover
    whippetlover Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2012

    rorikorei- I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. It can't be easy for you with your family so far away. You will get lots of support here so please let us know how you are going.

    What part of Japan are you from? I have been there many times and love it very much.

    It sounds as though you have a good medical team looking after you. I'm glad to hear that you had some sleep. At times like this you need sleeping tablets.

    Thinking of you all the way from Australia. 

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  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2012

    sending you support as well. I had the same thing in May. 3 nodules removed and all were cancer. I am currently doing chemo again. It is all doable, not pleasant but doable. Mine came in less than 3 years. Wish I was closer we could visit.

    Hugs and prayers to you

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2012

    Thank you, whippetlover. I was born and raised in Osaka. I'm happy to hear that you like my country. Luckily, the breast center is very close to my house, so I think I'm in good hands. but I'm scared. I wish I could escape from here. 

    allisontom911, thank you for your support even though you are going through this difficult time. The only thing I can do for you from here is praying. I'm praying for you.

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited June 2012

    So glad you were able to sleep. Sleep is good. Waiting to hear the the test results and getting a treatment plan is hard. Know that their are many of us thinking of you! It's so good you have a breast center close to your house. You seem to be in good hands.

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited June 2012

    Angelfalls, Look at all the treatment you did the first time and it still came back? Unbelievable,that stupid cancer just wanting to keep hanging around. You must be mad and scared.  rorikei,so sorry that happened to you. it seems to me that life is so terribly unfair and bad things happen to the nicest people. However, we are all here and some others have gone thru all this. I just had surg with the bmx and after the allergic reaction to Arimi, the drs offered me nothing else. I am gonna get implants in aug.

    Hope you all get better real soon. So you took the Tamox the first time? Did the cancer come back in the same side? Not on the side that was left  natural after the first cancer? Hope the chemo zaps the jeepers out of it and you never have to deal with this junk again. We are all here for you to lend our moral support and those who had your experience will be glad to help you know what to expect. I have never seen a more supportive group that the ladies and occasional man or two on this website.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2012

    Wishing you all the best. Years ago, my first in flight practice, when I worked for Pan American World Airways, was from Honolulu to Osaka. What a lovely city! It was the beginning of my love affair with all things Japanese, especially the food. I am lucky enough to live near a small, Japan town in San Jose, CA so I can buy whatever I need to make Japanese food. Try not to worry (easier said than done). Once you have the path report and a treatment plan, it will get easier . Caryn

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  • Angelfalls
    Angelfalls Member Posts: 849
    edited June 2012

    Layla,



    Yes, I did all the treatment first time around because of the characteristics of my tumour. In fact, I've been in treatment for the last 9 years and was NED for around 8 years of that time. I'm just unlucky in that my cancer seems to be pretty persistent. I'm not mad - it's a crap shoot, so why waste precious energy and time? Yes, I get scared from time to time; I think that everyone who's Stage IV does. But most of the time, I'm just getting through treatment and getting on with life. And I hope to be doing that for a long time yet!

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2012

    Thank you all. I really really appreciate your warm messages. Thank you.

    6 years ago I had two tumors; 1cm at 2 o'clock and 0,7cm at 3 o'clock on the right breast. This time the cancer came back just underneath the scar of the 2 o'clock tumor's biopsy, so it came back on the same side.

    I took Tamoxifen for the first time and was taking it for 8months with having a rush. I decided to stop taking it becuase I could not take the rush anymore. Three years ago, my doctor said I should try Fareston, so I took it for 10days. My stomach got weired (too much pain, acid and could not eat at all), so I stopped taking that one too. It took 2 years that my stomach got back to normal. I think I'm very senstive to medications.

    Six years ago I did not have chemo because the doctor said the sizes of my tumors are a borderline for a chemo therapy, so I decided not to have it. Since I'm so sensitive to medications, I think I cannot exist in this world if I have chemo.

    What a week! I will inform you as soon as I get the pathology report. Have a nice weekend.

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited June 2012

    Rorikorei - I'm glad you were able to finally sleep.  That always helps.  I know you don't think you could tolerate chemo, and you don't yet know what your treatment plan will be.  I'm here to tell you that if chemo is what you need to get rid of this thing, then you will be to do it.  So many of us have had chemo and can help you with lots of tips to get through it.  There are lots of meds to minimize side effects.  So, the bottom line is, try not to freak yourself out if chemo is recommended.  Just come back on this board and we'll help you through it.  Remember, you can do this!!  We all know you can!  Try to have a nice weekend.

    Hugs,

    Kathy

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited July 2012

    rorikorei...so sorry you are going thru this w/o your family.  Hopefully you have some friends near by that you can spend some time with to try to take your mind off of it all?  When you wrote above that you had a mastectomy...did you mean lumpectomy or is it in the other breast? 

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Hi FightinLikeAGirl,

    6 years ago I had two tumors; 1cm at 2 o'clock and 0,7cm at 3 o'clock on the right breast. This time the cancer came back just underneath the scar of the 2 o'clock tumor's biopsy (from the last time) on the right breast, so it came back on the same side. I hope this makes sence. English is my second language...

    I'm married, but my husband travels. I don't have close friends to share this here in the States. That's why I asked some support here. The warm messages have already given me a lot of power. Thank you all.

    I try not to think about cancer this weekend otherwise I will go crazy!

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Hi all,

    I had an office surgery this Tuesday to get more tissue to make sure the margins are clear. I will see my oncology doctor tomorrow. I'm scared...

    I hope everyone here had a nice 4th of July.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2012

    Stay strong, and stay as relaxed as possible. We are all here for you! 

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    I had a consultation with my oncology doctor. The result of pathology is the follwoing:

    Dx: IDC, 1cm, ER+/PR+, HER2-, Ki-67 low proliferation rate

    I will meet a radiologist in two weeks.

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited July 2012

    Hey there...are you still around.

    I'm so sorry to hear your diagnosis.  What is your next step? 

    I just finished chemo and there are many great groups that you can join on here to get you through whatever your next step is.  Please let me know how you are doing.

    Cindy

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Hello FightingLikeAgirl!

    I'm happy to hear that you finished chemo. Congratulations! I had a PET/CT last week and just received the result back. The scan was all clean. I will have the stiches out today and see a radiologist this Thursday. Then I will see my oncology doctor next week to consult about the treatment.

    I will keep you posted. Have a nice day.

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited July 2012

    So glad your scan was all clean rorikorei!

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Thank you, JoanQuilts. It's nice to hear from you again!! I hope you are doing well.

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  • whippetlover
    whippetlover Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2012

    Hi again rorikorei,

    It's such good news that all of your scans came back clear. Your pathology also has some 'positives' - if that is possible with breast cancer! With a low proliferation rate and a local recurrence, plus being ER+ your oncologist may find a drug for you to take that is easier than tamoxifen. When will you find out your treatment regime?

    I hope that you are sleeping a little better. Keep us informed of your progress.

    Best wishes from Sydney. 

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  • rorikorei
    rorikorei Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Thank you for your message again, whippetlover.

    Today I had the stiches out, so am feeling better. I think I will find out about the treatment next week.I will keep you posted.

    I could not sleep at all for a while, but now I can sleep pretty well.

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited July 2012

    So glad you are feeling better...looking forward as I am sure you are to knowing more about your treatment.  Good Luck!

    Cindy

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  • Toyoungforthis
    Toyoungforthis Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2012

    Hi rorikorei, I m so sorry for your bad result ... I can say that I feel the same as you , im from Europe and all my family are there. Yesterday I felt a limph node on my sentinel node biopsy side and I m terifide.. I also did not have chemo but I m on tamoxifen for about 4 month now. I will pray for you and send you all the good vibes...

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