Recurrence of DCIS stage 1 now dx with HER2/neu 3a

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Hi everyone

I never thought I would find myself back here. I was dx in 2011 with DCIS stage 1 because of a small micro invasion. Had lumpectomy and RFA and was very diligent about my breastcare every 6 months since getting my Mammos, U/S and MRI's. Had 3 or so biopsies on new findings in 2012 and 2013 and all were negative. In Dec of 2014 this new finding doubled in size and I had one swollen lympy node under my arm which they biopsied and it came back negative so I and my B/S felt it was nothing to worry about. I had another lumpectomy and it was positive for cancer and the lymph node that was tested a month before also tested positive. I had a mastsectomy 3 weeks ago and 4/21 lymph nodes . I am now stage 3a . What I dont understand is how can so many biopsies come back negative when in fact it was cancer that spread to my lymph nodes. This is a nightmare as I now have to go thru agressive chemo and dont know how I will get through this. Im hoping this may also help others. I can understand one biopsy coming back negative, but 4 of them.........what went wrong? How do we now trust biopsies? I am very angry!

God Bless us all

Comments

  • crazystupidbreastcancer
    crazystupidbreastcancer Member Posts: 26
    edited April 2015

    Thank you for sharing. I am not what exactly went wrong with the ultrasounds and biopsies. I do know that HER2+ tumors grow very quickly. One of my friends had a routine mammogram on April 29. And on June 5th, she felt a lump in her breast. I don't remember if she was stage 1 or 2. I do know that she was HER2+ and she started chemo ASAP.

    Unfortunately, we don't understand the cellular biology of breast cancer. You can do everything right in terms of treatment (surgery, radiation, etc.), but the cancer still finds a way around it. We don't know why this happens. But hopefully in the coming years, researchers will be able to better understand the various subtypes of breast cancer.

    You have every reason to be angry. And I am so sorry to hear about your recurrence. I hope you find a treatment team that is very thorough with your care.

  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Hi Crazystupid

    Can you tell me how you did with the A/C treatment.........was it that terrirbl? I am so afraid of it after hearing all the terrible side effects.

  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited April 2015

    ANewBeginning, AC is not fun, but it's not horrible.  Take all the meds they give you.  Some women feel great on days 1-3 then blah on days 4-5 (that was me).  Others feel bad on day 1-3 then fine after that.  Regardless you'll feel good the rest of the time.

    You'll lose your hair, but the drugs ensure that you don't feel nauseous.  the "so so" feeling usually comes from the steroid crash.

    My advice as you embark on the first round is to take notes.  If you shouldn't have had dinner; needed a nap, should have eaten chicken soup; should have taken a sleeping pill, etc. you'll know for the second round.  And follow your notes the second round.  Will make your life much easier.

    Good luck!

  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Hi Pajim

    Thanks for your reply. Were you on A/C.......Im not familiar with alot of the chemo drugs but from what gather the A/C is a tough one.......hoping I get some feedback although I know its different for everyone.

    ((((hugs))))

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