How do you deal with a second diagnosis?

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ksenn
ksenn Member Posts: 5
edited July 2015 in Just Diagnosed

2 years ago I was diagnosed and had a single mastectomy. All my tests and mammograms have been good and last week was supposed to be my last appointment until next year; until they saw the mammo. Had a biopsy on Friday and was told yesterday it was positive. This has been so much harder emotionally than the first time. People seem to think that since you know what to expect it should be easier! No one truly understands how I'm feeling. Lost, scared, and alone. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss! I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

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  • shorfi
    shorfi Member Posts: 791
    edited July 2015

    Ksenn...yes, it happened to me. I think the second time was worse for me emotionally. I understand how you are feeling. Only this time I didn't have to go through it alone. I got re-married back in 2008 to a wonderful and supportive man, who was and is my rock.

    Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I'm here if you need to talk

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited July 2015

    ksenn, I think when you feel that you put this all behind you and it comes back, it is normal to be upset and angry about a second diagnosis! What you are feeling is likely what anyone feels. Hugs and praying for you to get rid of it a second time and for good!

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  • treelilac
    treelilac Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2015

    My second diagnosis was announced when I was close to the 5 year mark--very frustrating!

    I used to think my cancer was a fluke. Now I acknowledge it's a long-term thing. :) Hang in there!!

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  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 185
    edited July 2015

    Happened to me as well. I was at the six year mark...just finished up Aromasin eight months earlier! It is truly a punch in the stomach. I had a DM in 2008. This is sneaky stuff for sure!

    Kathy

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  • TBishop61
    TBishop61 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2015

    The second time was much harder for me as well. I think part of it is knowing what you will face this time. Also, people do tend to think it will not be as hard since you have gone through it once. In truth, losing my remaining breast has been very hard. I pray for us all. Stupid cancer.

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  • BookWoman
    BookWoman Member Posts: 104
    edited July 2015

    This happened to me as well, but with an added twist. In 2009 I had endometrial cancer, I was just to where I was feeling really good--exercising and even lost some weight when I had the callback after a routine mammogram and found out I had DCIS. It was a shock and hit me really hard. Two years later I had tubular carcinoma in the other breast, so second breast cancer, but third cancer (all within less than 4 years). I think the second cancer (first breast cancer ) was the hardest for me to deal with emotionally, although ever since the third cancer, I feel like "what next?"

    I do feel somewhat fortunate in that I have not needed to have chemo for any of my cancer and I have not had a mastectomy--I do feel like I am kind of an expert on radiation though ;)

    I hope all goes well for you and remember others have been through it and you will get through it again.

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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited July 2015
    I too had a 2nd breast cancer diagnosis 8 years after the first. The 2nd time was way harder..especially emotionally knowing what was ahead of me..I felt like screaming and wondering if this disease was ever going to leave me alone.

    I am 1.5 years out from my 2nd diagnosis and doing well health wise and emotionally. I have even started running again. Hang in there love, pm me if you want to chat.

    Michele
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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2015

    My second DX happened 17 months after achieving PCR, great margins on LX and aggressive rads. I was floored- was sure I had beat this. I found the lump near my LX scar 2 months after a clean check up with MO. My confidence is gone and very hard to change the negative feelings I'm left with. This is not my disposition and really bothers me but I keep wondering how this could happen when there was no cancer found after LX. I had clear lymph nodes as well. Is it in my blood? Ugg, I hate this!

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  • ksenn
    ksenn Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2015

    thank you all for making me feel not so alone! Saw my dr today and will be having a second mastectomy. Sucks is the only word that really describes it. My husband and daughters are really trying to understand and are supporting me. Also having genetic testing done in the hopes of giving my girls a true edge to this awful thing and hopefully by the time they have to start testing there will be a cure. Keep up the fight, we are all stronger than this

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