I did not make 5 years/seems to be local reoccurrence

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funthing42
funthing42 Member Posts: 418

We'll it came back. First time stage 1 /0 nodes estrogen + proges + her2 neg. Less than 1 cm. Radiation lumpectomy clean margins. Ha ! 1 year ago biopsy for two cyst neg.

Oct found new lump in denial thought it to be another cyst but went to primary to confirm. 

New lump less than 1 cm estrogen + progesterone less than 5%.

Waiting for rest of pathology report. This time breast needs to be taken off . I'm afraid to get the Lat flap. My options are limited, need a clear time of how long before I can work. Lat flap vs. Mastectomy no recon.

Comments

  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited January 2014

    I am sorry for your recurrence. I don't have any information to share but wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Someone with similar issues will come along soon and give their input.

  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited January 2014

    funthing, I'm so sorry to hear about the recurrence. 

    On the bright side, you won't have to have radiation again.  You might check the site breastfree.org for information about living with no reconstruction.  There are threads here for it too.  Others can help with the recon question.

    Mastectomy is one night in the hospital, one week out of work (they don't like you to work with drains in -- you can always disobey).  I was on my laptop within three days.

    I personally am "lopsided" as my husband says.  I have worn a breast prosthesis [on the right side] for five years now. 

    Good luck with your decision!  You do know that you don't have to make it now.  You can always go back for reconstruction later.

  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    funthing - very sorry that you have a recurrence - I'm glad that it is local. Why is the only choice a lat flap? Is there some reason you can't go with an implant (or implants)? 

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2014

    I was told tram flap a risk for hernia. I had Radiation for the first CA in 2009.

    If you know of options I'm all ears. I'm in my 40's leaning towards b/l no reconstruction. 

  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    I don't know the options - just wondering. Personally, I'm going in for an exchange soon (tissue expander to implant) and am at this point over it enough that might retrospectively change my mind & go flat if I had the option. I can't imagine having a recurrence - I'd be throwing things at the walls I am sure. I am, however, glad for you that it's local - although I'd guess that right now that is of little comfort. 

    Does the rads the first go round prevent implants now ?

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2014

    When you can go back to work depends on what kind of work you do. I stayed off 3-4weeks after my bilateral MX. I could have gone back sooner. My BS filled out my paperwork keeping me of that long prior to my surgery. I'm a RN & work 12hr shifts. Some women who work for themselves have to go back sooner, even with drains in(or so my BS tells me).

    I did not have recon. That would have delayed my going back to work(?). I've read that PSs are very particular...........No regrets not reconstructing & going flat. Hope your treatment plan comes together soon.

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2014

    Hi

    I have made a decision not to recon for now. I need to get back to work ASAP. 

    I'm afraid out of mind. My 1st DX seemed so simple lumpectomy, radiation, arimadex and lupron. Now reoccurrence.

    It seems similar. I had no nodes evolved the 1st time. How can they be sure no micro mets has occurred with this biopsy.

    Does anyone know of test besides a bone marrow tap to test for mets.

    Sorry freaking out!  Mind is racing. 

    Thanks

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2014

    Sorry about the walls  I think they can take it.

    My radiation  was 4 years ago. Pectoralis muscle is not pliable.  Too stiff . Lat flap to barbaric for me, since my back muscles seem weak . Just predisposed to back pain. 

    I figure I will diet get back to a manageable weight and give myself breasts later for a gift. It's the best I can do for now.

    Still worried about chemo and the rest of the report.

    Hang in there.

  • Corryroly
    Corryroly Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2014

    Hello everyone

    I am so pleased to find this site. I have been going out of my mind after  four years clear now multiple bone mets. How do you stay positive? I did feel like it was a fairly quick death sentence, but so encouraged after reading positive stories on here about people who are living with this. I am angry and sad and just keep thinking about my daughters and praying they don't have this gene. Love to anyone who is in a similar position. C

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2014

    Help

    I was reading to many medical journals and stats. Now totally panicking. So I read that if you where Her 2- and then become Her 2 +

    It means you have mets. It doesn't matter I will have chemo either way but it would be nice to know if there is any truth behind this. I was so sure recurring BC was local because it was along scar tissue but if it is Her 2 + now. What the heck :(.

  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited January 2014

    Sorry you have to visit cancer again.  I had stage 1 ILC in 2006 and a local recurrence in 2010.  I had dose dense chemo for 6 months followed by a double mx with latissimus dorsi muscle procedure and implants on both sides. I was off work 3 weeks after surgery and would have returned sooner if my surgeon would have released me.  I just had my check up yesterday and everything is looking good.  Try to stay positive.....this too shall pass.

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2014

    Thanks for positive feedback

    Sometimes it's all we need to push forward. 

    I'm glad all went well for you.

  • navybratjill
    navybratjill Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2014

    Ugh to the negative biopsies and recurrence. The same thing happened to me. I think my doc simply missed the lump on the "negative" biopsy a full year prior to  diagnosis of a recurrence. I can't help but think that it would not have spread to the lymph nodes if the core needle biopsy had been correctly aimed. In any event, I made it through another year of chemo and multiple surgeries. While a recurrence absolutely sucks and is so disruptive to your life and family, it certainly does not mean you are headed for mets. Hugs to you. Sending strength your way. 

  • navybratjill
    navybratjill Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2014

    And ... I had a nipple-sparing mastectomy with silicone implant reconstruction (which now needs to be redone because of radiation). Maybe this type of surgery is an option for you. I've been very pleased with the cosmetic results. 

  • mom2Bnegativex3
    mom2Bnegativex3 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2014

    good morning ladies! I hope you all are doing great! I was JUST, as in yesterday with a recurrence. Another lump. If I had a dbl mast the first time what will they do this time? I am pregnant so I won't get radiation until after delivery. I didn't do it the first time. Will I be lopsided or will they put a tissue expander in? Thank you so much! May God bless you all:)

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited February 2014

    Hi everyone

    B/l mastectomy 1/14

    Awesome recovery.  No recon.

    Off to chemo land next week.

  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited February 2014

    funthing - So glad that the recovery went well - you certainly deserve to have the easiest go of things as possible.

  • mom2Bnegativex3
    mom2Bnegativex3 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2014

    Yahoo! so glad to "see" you back!

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2014

    Hi

    Just wanted to sign in. My breast Ca came back only 2 months after chemo. Im still doing Herceptin. Still Im told its a local recurrence.  Im totally freaked. Still again worried to death. Yuck!  No breast !!! No hair !!!!!! 

    Sorry what a rant,,,,!,,,,,,,!       

  • momof2doxies
    momof2doxies Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2014

    Funthing…This is just so unbelievable! Not that I am doubting you but WTH? I am so very sorry to hear this…when the beast came back to my other breast, I said good riddance to them. They were not my friends. I do hope your MO has a treatment plan that will knock the beast completely down.

    ((HUGS))

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2014

    I know me too. I really can not figure out how it keeps chaning receptors. This time its only estrogen + progesterone - Her 2 -

    I guess this is good. I am totally in disbelief .

    Thanks for commenting sometimes you feel like your talking to yourself :)

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