Looks like battle #2 begins...

Hi Kerglid24 - 

I was diagnosed with a return of triple neg cancer close to the same area last fall just six weeks after my one year "all's good" follow up appointment.  I had  the same initial tx you did in the early part of 2010.   I was told I have lymphatic invasion now (not good news).  I had a mastectomy in October and just finished up 4 1/2 months of chemo.  I'll start radiation on Monday.  I'm 48 and was in pretty good health when i was diagnosed. (I hike daily with my dog most mornings in Colorado, not overweight, healthy eater).  

From what I've read and heard (I saw the head of breast cancer research at the University of Colorado in Denver), this cancer IS responsive to exercise and nutrition. I'd tell you not to be scared but the truth is, this is scary stuff.  My advice? Don't overthink right now.   Focus on the next baby step.  Don't think beyond that. Focus on what makes you happy in the next hour, the next day. That's it.  Be kind to yourself and trust that you are strong.  Make yourself your number one priority.  Ask yourself what you promised yourself you'd do after the first diagnosis but didn't. And make healing your ONLY (only, only only!!) priority.  Everything else can wait.  family...friends....work...everything.

Its scary but every case is different.  Obviously, they've caught this early.  That's good news. And don't forget...one baby step at a time. 

Wishing you healing and peace,

B 

Nope, not necessarily. It does seem common that TNs recur with TN, and ER+ with ER+, perhaps because our bodies are predisposed to harbouring and stimulating the growth of those particular tumours, but there's no hard and fast rule about that, no. You will find some TNs on these boards whose subsequent tumours tested ER+... even some metastases that show different pathology from original tumour... Sorry you're dealing with this all over again, but it sounds like you're in the fighting spirit! 

kane: Thinking of you, and wishing you well. Hope you'll keep us posted on your treatment, going forward. We're here for you. 

My mum is in the same boat. She had a lumpectomy in July 08, 4 mos chemo and 5 weeks rad, for a small TN tumour with no lymph node involvement. Mammograms and various body scans every 6 mos and then in Jan '12 they found a wee tumour on her breast. Mastecomy, all lymph nodes removed were positive, and confirmed bone, liver and lung mets. She starts chemo next week and rads to her leg where the tumour is in the bone.

I have no idea what to expect. I need my mother around. She's only 60.

Hi crs, most likely most that posted here have forgotten about this thread unless they happen upon it like I did. I was diagnosed in 2002 and 2011, opposite breast. Are you getting AC again? Most doctors won't give the A part again, but mine did. I am doing ok now (said with fingers crossed). It is rough to go through again, but doable, so hang in there!

Bump.... 2nd opinion suggested xeloda. started taking it yesterday. From what I've been reading, Xeloda is used primarily for mets.  Has anyone had it prescribed for local recurrance for stage III TN?  I'm thinking it's because my tumor came up only 6 wks post rads, literally grew to peasize in 10 hrs. Hoping it stops it in its tracks. Prayers to 2 close friends who just got dx also.  Seems very odd that we are all being dx around the same time, all about the same age. I really believe either environment or food and packaging are the reason.

fishinurse, I'm so sorry to hear about this issue, but please don't jump to conclusions about IBC.  My initial symptoms had me convinced I also had IBC. Went to bed on a friday night with no lumps or symptoms, woke up next morning with my right breast 2x bigger than left. Gyno thought macstitis (Ididn't), but sent me to BS anyway. dx stage III IDC with lymph involvement. My skin had the classic orange peel look, discolored and warm. Scans showed a mass. Apparently, IBC grows in "sheets" on/in the skin, not as lumps. My tumor started to invade the skin and lymph system, hence the swelling, but not classified as IBC. I know what you're experiencing and it is scary, but try not to pull the cart ahead of the horse. Wait to hear what your bs says, take it one day at a time. TN dx can present in many ways. my recurrance has to be in the skin since i had bmx, and 2nd time it showed up as lumps, no swelling or pitting. It's still not classified as IBC even though its in the skin.

Had a mastectomy oct 1213 but its back am booked for craniotomy on Thursday am so afraid it seems so much bigger than breast cancer the good news is that the tumour is superficial but will be away from home for about a month It feels like forever and I haven't left yet. I am not giving up but it is definitely scareier the 2nd time around I am taking one day at a time this op has to be done I do not have a choice .