Not again!

More questions without answers. My radiologist and surgeon do not agree
on how to proceed. My RO is not convinced, that the last MRI shows
nothing of concern on the second spot. He also is not convinced surgeon
got enough of the first tumor, that was positive for malignancy. I am so
overwhelmed, I don't know where to begin. This has been going on for
over 6 weeks now and, as you all well know the waiting is the worst
part. I think I will seek an opinion from a second surgeon, on whether
or not to remove implant and take the entire capsule and as much tissues
as they can, to be sure nothing was left behind. I am having a pet scan
sometime this week, as well. I would appreciate your prayers and you
are all in mine. Stephanie

Hi Hope, after my first cancer which was in 2001 I had mammograms every 6 months for awhile and then later once a year, but instead of having my doctor's exam right before it, I had them at 6 month intervals, it gave me a little more comfort doing it that way. Several years later I had a couple of questionable mammos followed by ultrasound, everything was fine. The second time I had it in 2011, I had no real reason, just an angel on my shoulder, but I asked my doc why am I not having Ultrasounds every time? So he said if that will make you feel better let's do it. When I went for the mammo they said everything looks good you can go. I said I am have a follow up ultrasound, they said it was not ordered, I said look again, because I am not leaving without it. Long story short that US probably saved my life. Me, myself and I are the ones who found all three of my cancers. This current one, I found the lump, went to all of my docs,  who both said scar tissue, but because you are a worrier, we will do an MRI. 2 MRI's a needle core biopsy, US doc, all said scar tissue. Do not let anyone poo poo you, always trust your instincts. I had my surgery on the 22nd of May, there was disagreement between my radiologist and my surgeon on the course of treatment so I went for a second opinion yesterday and a PET scan, thank God the PET was negative my docs are now in agreement, no chemo and no further surgery. I start radiation in a couple of weeks. I'm sorry to be so long winded here, but I can't stress enough you must push for what you want, trust your gut and fight like a girl. Thank you all so much for the prayers and support and I wish all of you good news. Stephanie

Q - another thought.  I also have an very strong family background of BC (although I was adopted at birth so didn't have to live through seeing my female relatives dying) - every female on both sides either died or suffered from BC.  My family history was so strong that I was tested twice for BRCA1/2 - both times negative even though my bfather is positive.  

What helped me this time around was having the extended genetic panel - yes, they have identified more genes - and also now look for relocations (BART).  Luckily I was also negative for BART and extended so I feel like I made the right decision to do lumpectomy, chemo and maybe radiation.  Everyone has a different tolerance level for risk, but I feel that I am minimizing my risk of a reoccurence (estrogen reducing things).

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/newsletters/primary_care_connections/june_2008/cancer_genes/

Hey Q324, our backgrounds seem familiar.  I was diag IDC in Aug 2010. Had 2 lumpectomies followed by radiation.  Nine mos after completing treatment, I was diag ILC in my other breast.  I immediately opted for dbl mast with reconstruction.  Soooo glad I did it!

My Mom's three sisters died from BC, my sister is a 13 yr. survivor, and I have a host of maternal cousins with varying breast problems and/or a diagnosis.  My sister, cousin (her mom died from BC) and I had negative BRAC testing....go figure!

I know the masts do not guarantee freedom from BC again, but life is too damn short to worry about that.   I'm just living my life and if faced with it again, I'll do everything necessary to kick ass once more.  Keep strong, positive, always find laughter, and don't forget to enjoy every day! 

I was diagnosed in 2000 when I was 39 with Stage 2 ER positive cancer. Did the lumpectomy, chemo, rads, and tamoxifen for five years. Now 14 years later, I have a new primary on the same side as the first one. Since I already did rads on that side, I had to get a mastectomy. And because I have dense tissue, I went with a double mastectomy with expanders. When they checked the other side, they found DCIS. I think dealing with this diagnosis is worse than the first. I really thought after all this time, it might not come back. I was also hoping for no chemo but my oncotype score came back at 29, the higher level of the intermediate rating. Still a gray area, tho. I was glad to find this forum since I think hearing about cancer returning is really scary for women dealing with their first diagnosis.

I find your info helpful: and greatly saddened & even angry that after all treatments your cancer came back. My Onco score is 29, I am nearly 65 Stage 1, grade 2 invasive ductal w/focal DCIS Er+ PR- Her2-. My Oncologist says he will not counsel; just gives me statistics re 8-9% reduced fr 19% re chemo -- however, small cancer seeds can move to other areas of body? Am confused re reading if that is more or less likely if choose chemo? Family is far away; though my sister who is soon to become "breast cancer survivor" had an entirely diff type & Onco score low -- she avoids my questions (though she did change Oncologists). Radiation has been advised by Surgeon & Onc; Radiation says not to make choice of chemo after radiation; Onc says sort of diff. Grateful to hear fr others w/Onco score in high "grey area" and what tipped the scales re chemo....

I had my second diagnosis earlier this year...I actually laughed when I saw the title of this topic because those were my exact words to the surgeon..."not again". I had a very small DCIS area this time, and breezed through surgery well...radiation was difficult but it healed quickly. Doing all I can to keep from a third diagnosis...but it's in God' s hands. Praying for all of you out there who have been through all of the emotions of multiple diagnoses

I was just diagnosed again last week. I had lumpectomy with radiation for 1.8 cm IDC in Oct 2007. Left breast. Also 5 years of arimidex. Low recurrence score. This time right breast. Seeing oncologist tomorrow for treatment plan.

I am now 61. This seems harder. I guess I convinced myself I was home free after I reached 5 years cancer free. Trying to get ready to fight but I really feel defeated and very depressed

Hello All,

I just wanted to reach out to those who have been where I am. I am 48 yrs. old. My first bc (ER+, PR+ and Her2+) occurred 4 yrs. ago.-radical lumpectomy, chemo and rads. plus Herceptin for a yr. and daily Tamoxifan. Everything looked positive and everyone (particularly my oncologist) was surprised by the reoccurrence (which is now only Her2+). I recently received three months of neoadjuvant chemo treatments which was followed by a BMX two weeks ago. I am scheduled to resume chemo (but the tougher type-cytotaxin, epirubicin and 5FU) in a few weeks. I am blessed to have received so much support (food, texts, flowers, gifts, cards, etc.) from my family and friends. However, I am struggling more emotionally this time around. I just want to resume some sense of "normalcy" again! I want everyone to treat me as they did before the return of bc. I wish people would understand that I'm the same person. I don't need to be "cared for"-I just want to laugh more. I know it may appear that I'm ungrateful but that is not the case at all. Please know that I recognize how fortunate I am to have others around who want to help. I guess I just needed to see if anyone else has had these feelings and how they dealt with them. Thanks for listening!!

Hi butterfly. Sorry you find yourself here. I'm right with you in the same boat (but I've been on BCO since my beginning). New dx just a couple of days ago - this time at least ER-/PR- (watiting on Her2). Did AC/T and rads four years ago, and now a new primary right next to my former site. Don't have a treatment plan yet but should on Tuesday. I'm an information junkie so I have had to force myself to stop googling. Much easier said than done.

Keeping you in my thoughts.