Second time around after 17 years

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inflight22
inflight22 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I got lucky 17 years ago, when I was 35.  My breast cancer was found so small and early that it was just treated with some radiation.  I have been blessed to have had all those years.  But a few months ago, I became suspicious of certain changes in my body, and I just received a confirmed positive breast biopsy and at least one of my lymph nodes is positive.  I see a surgeon tomorrow afternoon.  I also have a possible mass in my chestwall. 

 I required so little treatment my first time around, that I really don't know all that's ahead of me.  I suppose further tests are needed to see if it has metastisized to other parts of my body, and perhaps a mastectomy.  I find that ever since my diagnosis, I feel more tired than usual and maybe some of it is psychosomatic.  I suddenly feel different about certain pains in my body, and my diagnosis doesn't leave my mind for very long.  I am not overly depressed, but have trouble thinking too far into the future. 

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2012

    I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this again.  Crap.

    When you were diagnosed 17 years ago, did you have surgery and then rads?  Or just rads? 

    Good luck with your appointment tomorrow with the surgeon.  I'm sure you'll have a better idea of what the next steps are after that discussion.  I would guess that you will probably also be seeing a medical oncologist fairly soon, possibly before surgery.  It's the surgeon who will discuss with you the options with regard to surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy); it's the medical oncologist who looks at the whole diagnosis and recommends any other treatments that would be advisable.  If your mass is large or into the chestwall, it might be recommended that you have chemo before surgery, both as a way to address the cancer and to try to shrink the cancer before surgery.  Or they might recommend surgery first and then other treatments such as chemo.

    Let us know how it goes tomorrow. 

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  • inflight22
    inflight22 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for the reply!  It is nice to have someone to talk to.  To answer your question, it was assumed that the first cancer was removed at biopsy.  I wouldn't exactly qualify as a lumpectomy, since the cancer was barely visible on a mammo.  Just little white dots called microcalcifications.  So surgical bx followed by rads, and I went on with my life. 

    I will post back after the doctor visit tomorrow. 

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2012

    Calcifications are often how early stage breast cancer presents - there is no lump, just the cancer cells that show up on the mammo as calcifications.

    If all the cancer cells had not been fully removed 17 years ago, then this could be a recurrence. But since you had a surgical / excisional biopsy, and then had rads, this is very unlikely to be a recurrence and it's more likely that this is a completely new, unrelated diagnosis.  Your surgical biopsy 17 years ago most likely resulted in clear margins (otherwise they would have sent you back for more surgery) so in effect it served the dual purpose being an excisional biopsy and a lumpectomy.

    Good luck at your appointment! 

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited September 2012

    Hi inflight:  You and I have similar stories - I was diagnosed 19 years ago, at the age of 34.  I underwent a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy.  Then, I had another diagnosis in December of 2011 and underwent a BMX, followed by chemo.  (You can read about my "journey" in my signature line).

    I just want you to know that I understand what you are going through and I am here if you want to talk!  BTW, I am four months post chemo and look and feel absolutely great!

    Joan

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  • inflight22
    inflight22 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2012

    Wonderful news for you, Joan!  That gives me some hope.  How much pain is normal at this point?  I am just a few hours away from my doctor apptment, but in the past few days, I have had such pain in my chest on the side that the mass is supposed to be (as well as the definite cancer).  I can't take a deep breath without feeling like a knife is in my chest.  It is a little better after some advil.  Of course I will discuss with the doctor. 

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited September 2012

    I am sure you will get some clarity about the pain you are experiencing after your doctor's appointment.  Take a healing breathe and let us know what the doctor said.

    Joan

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  • inflight22
    inflight22 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2012

    Well, I went to the surgeon and he was wondering why I was referred to him before seeing an oncologist, so now I am scheduled to see onco doc next Wed.  No real new info or anything, I just brought him up to speed on what was going on. 

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited September 2012

    How did your appt go?

    Sending positive vibes your way!

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