Are you worried about recurrence ?

Pinkbee-

First, we want to extend a warm welcome to you from all of us here at Breastcancer.org. We're so very glad you've found our community.

Like Holeinone said, no one thinks this is easy. And many people believe it all ends when treatment is over. For some, that may be the case; but for lots of other survivors, the mental fight against breast cancer doesn't stop when they get a clean bill of health. It's normal to worry about recurrence, but if you find that it's making it hard for you to live normally and enjoy your life, it may be in your best interest to speak with your doctor about starting antidepressants, or speaking with someone about your anxiety. It will also help to talk about it with people who know exactly what you're going through, which we hope you find here.

Please keep posting, you're among friends and allies here, and we're here to support you.

The Mods

hi Pinkbee, welcome to BCO.  I had BMX, chemo but no rads, and have been on tamox since July 2010.  As someone dx five years ago, I will tell you I never really stop worrying but the fear is less now.  Maybe I'm rationalizing but it's like driving - there are bad roads and drunk drivers and sleepy truckers - all of which could take me out but I still get in my car, buckle up and go. 

Exercise is known to reduce the risk of recurrence and also helps fight depression.  Please join us on the Let's Post our Daily Exercise thread in the fitness forum.  We have people of all ages, stages, and levels of fitness.  It's a great place for support. ♥

I do worry, I did worry after my one breast was removed. 18 months later my worry saved me from having radiation and chemo because I insisted on a MRI on my non-cancer side. I have dense breasts and I was going to demand what I now learned was the right screening for cancer for me. The MRI found 3 places, and I have to say I was positive it would find nothing.

it all sounds scary, but I was proactive and avoided huge issues like chemo and radiation. We can't allow worry to consume us, but if we are told something like I was told, mammograms don't work for dense breasts, to get a MRI instead, and the doctor was ignoring this fact, then I really gave myself a special gift by being proactive.

I am taking meds, Lexapro and Xanax as needed, getting hit twice with breast cancer and my husband inbetween with prostate cancer, I have learned a harsh lesson that worry does not help anything at all, it is a waste of emotion. Taking action and education is my best bet. I am disappointed my doctor never suggested a MRI for my remaining breast, but I am glad I finally insisted.

Local recurrence is certainly possible. Recurrence is not the equivalent of Stage 4.

I'm new here. Had a bilateral Dec. 2013. Both breasts contained malignant tumors, but the largest and most worrisome was Her2pos, stage three b, with 12 lymph nodes positive. I've spent the year taking chemo and radiation. Now, I don't know what to expect. In the middle of things, my husband died, and I have moved to my daughter's home 800 miles from where I've lived all my life. As a consequence, I have all new doctors . In fact, the oncologist I started out with in this new location has moved on, and I was handed off to an associate. When I asked him if I was in remission, he was hesitant and essentially said it's a waiting game. From my perspective, it's like waiting for the other shoe to fall. I don't know what to think. BTW, I've completed chemo - I think; they can't find my records and don't know how many treatments I've had! I'm currently taking Arimidex. I'd appreciate some input.

Yes I worry about it.

Thank you for responding. I'm not sure how to navigate among the forums, and I couldn't find my way back to here. I have asked my old hospital to forward my records. I think the problem is on this end. I may seek another group, but that, too, can be problematic. I will visit the Stage III forum. Thanks for your help.

1TuffMama-I just wanted to extend my hope that you can get your records situation figured out a.s.a.p.

You might want your old hospital to provide a copy for your own personal files so that you don't have to ever face this kind of paper circus again. hat you are dealing with is stressful enough without that.

Good luck to you.

hello everyone, I think worry is a natural occurrence after a BC diagnosis, and that sent me into a tizzy, I am 64 and thought I had the death thing all straight in my mind, but nope, I am too young to go. Well after praying and processing it some more, , we really are not given a choice, but I decided not to worry continually about it, I believe we must stay positive, and will yourself not to worry, the moderators are right, if it consumes you, go see your DR and he can help you get thri this, we will all help you, be happy you are here today, and everyday you get. We will survive.

lottiemarine, good attitude, we have to keep going, most of us are driven by family, so if we have family, use them, otherwise, maybe a little therapy always helps.