Cancer in scar after double mastectomy; what now?

124

Comments

  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited September 2015

    Sharon,

    I will be thinking of you.I hope all goes well tomorrow, Stay strong. Cancer sucks! I had my first chemo yesterday, everything went smoothly.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2015

    Sharon, Thinking of you!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    Nancy


    Not sure about the percentages. I will ask tomorrow.


    Thanks


    Sharon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited October 2015

    good luck tomorrow - thinking of you!

    Nancy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    All went well. Was able to take off bandage and take a shower this afternoon. Soreness is going away. Go back to surgeon on Wed for follow up. Thanks for the thoughts!

    DoingwhatIhavetodo - I hope the SE are well controlled, but that the Chemo is kicking cancer's butt!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    Sharon,

    I am very glad you are doing well. Keep us posted with how you are doing.I am also doing well, tired and achy, but it could be a lot worse so I am greatful!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    DoingwhatIhavetodo - They need like buttons on this page! I am getting anxious for a run, but will go for a walk today instead. Will get the margins report tomorrow. Packing today for a trip to Fla, will see our CC team run at Disney, then do a little Disney, then onto a conference in Tampa (my favorite - Women Athletic Administrators). Will see a good friend in Savannah on way down and back. A good friend is going with me to help with driving. My surgeon says, we certainly don't want you to miss any parties!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    Sharon,

    I also wish there was a like button to acknowledge the kind and thoughtful comments.You sound great and I love your attitude! You are marching forward and enjoying life. I would love a trip to Disney right now! Have a great trip and enjoy the warm weather! Hope you get the best possible news tomorrow! Will be sending you good thoughts

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    DoingwhatIhavetodo - The trip was AWESOME, back at work today refreshed. Saw the other surgeon today and he said all looks great. He is there for consultation down the road if I want to try reconstruction again...would be the fat grafting, but I told him at this point I am fine. I had a bra with inserts for my trip, but after the first day said forget this and have been boobless ever since. I am fine with it! Once less thing to worry about. Might get some tanks with inserts for dressy occasions, but maybe not.

    I am just glad to be here! Back to work and I hope that you breeze though the chemo. I see onc and rad onc on Monday about my hormonal and radiation treatments.


    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    Sharon,

    Thanks for the encouragement! I am so glad you had a wonderful vacation. You can show me the way through radiation and new hormone therapy,they are my next steps. Been walking 3-4 miles most days. I tolerated the first chemo,week 2 I felt good,but this week I had a sore throat and tooth ache and my hair is falling out fast! Chemo #2 on October 20th. keep in touch

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    Hello DoingwhatIhavetodo - I go for the CT scan and marking tomorrow. Probably start in a week to 10 days. They will be doing my whole left side from clavicle down and sternum over to armpit. They said that usually getting a recurrence after mastectomy there are cells lurking around and they want to make sure they get them all.

    The onc already changed my med, but I can't get it yet because the insurance company rejected. Hopefully it will get resolved tomorrow.

    Great you are walking. I am back to my run/walk and started a strength class today to keep me from hunching over.

    I am going boob less, because all my forms bother my scar. It was a little weird at first, but I am fine with it now. Standing tall and don't need boobs...they tried to kill me!

    Have a good week!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    Sharon, you have a great attitude! I am trying to stand tall in my hats and scarves! I had my 2nd of 4 chemo today, all went smoothly,just tired! I bet I will have to have radiation of the whole breast. Iam nervous about that because I have sensitive skin so I bet I won't like radiation. I am going to make my appointment for my initial consult with a radiation oncologist to make my plan for January. Why do you have to have a CT Scan. Please let me know if learn any comfort tips that help you comfortably tolerate radiation!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited October 2015

    doingwhatihaveto

    The CT scan helps them place the tattoos. They were able to use some of my tattoos from 2008 when they radiated my right side, but I did get a few new ones. Is tart on Wed with the simulation. It looks like I will get the 830 appt so that I can go on my way on to work

    This morning I met with a PT to review the Strength After Breast Cancer program. She showed me all the exercises at once and measured my range of motion. I need a little work on my right side. I do some training for cancer clients, but many of my BC clients do this first. Maybe they have it at your hospital.

    I plan to stay active as possible. I am a PE professor and Athletic Director. I also just received a grant to start a Beat Cancer Boot Camp in our area. I will start it in Jan. anyone out there do BCBC?

    Hang in there I am sure you look great in your hats and scarves. I always said the best thing about no hair was you could sleep longer in the morning :

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rosieo
    Rosieo Member Posts: 262
    edited October 2015

    Jamie09

    I too had Hodgskins about 40 years ago and of course radiation for 6 weeks. Then about 16 years ago I had cancer in my right breast. Because of the previous radiation I was not a candidate for lumpectomy and radiation so I had a mastectomy. 5 years ago I had cancer to my left breast. Same scenerio. Then I had a Oncotype test done. My breast cancer score was "1". My oncologist said he never heard of such a low score. Well guess what I now have breast cancer metastized to my lung. My oncologist's reaction, he said " I can't believe it" He is thinking it is a breast cancer from my first one 16 years ago.

    But it really dosen't matter because bottom line is "It is stage 4 triple negative" Oh and by the way that even has changed because the first two breast cancers with er positive and pr positive.

    Rosieo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stacey442
    stacey442 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2015

    I've never posted here, sorry if I'm doing it incorrectly. I was diagnosed in 2005 at age 36. Then I had a chest wall recurrence in 2014, age 44. I have a repeat ct chest and abdomen next week.The previous one said there was a suspicious spot at T11, osseous metastasis. I want to be calm and positive....but my back hurts so much. I'm scared that this is the beginning of what I'm so very afraid of. Thanks for letting me have this outlet to express my fear.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2015

    Stacey: So sorry you have to join us. By all means, post as much as you want. It does really help the fear to have feedback. I don't know much about mets, but there are some lovely ladies at one of the threads, "If you're not Stage IV but have questions....." I feel sure some of them would be able to address your questions about mets. Good luck with your repeat CT.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/...


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    Stacy442, Welcome! Sorry you need to join us. Hoping your tests bring better news than you are expecting. Stay strong and bring your concerns here, everyone understands!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited October 2015

    Stacy, Hoping the CT shows arthritis or something else...anything but mets. Will be thinking of you. Keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited October 2015

    Stacey, I'm so sorry you're enduring this terrible worry. And I wish I had something to say that would help. We're here for you. We'll be your raft during this tough time. Climb on and float gently for a while.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited November 2015

    Stacey - I hope you received your news and that they are managing your pain and the CT scans gave them good information.

    sorry you are this path, but no we are here for you.

    I had radiation #8 this morning. So far so good

    I am now taking aromasin now...seems to have same SE as arimidex.

    doingwhatihaveto - how is the chemo going....hope you are down to counting the days to the end of treatment.

    Have a good week all, look for the positive in each moment

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2015

    h


    Hi Sharon,

    How is the radiation going? Any skin irritation? Are you experiencing fatigue? I had chemo#3 today, 75% complete and one more to go! I met with my radiation Oncologist, I will have radiation of the entire right breast and the lymph node area. Will get 33 treatments. Will start radiation after the New year.

    Hope you are feeling well, thanks for checking on me!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited November 2015

    DoingwhatIhavetodo - I completed number 11 today, so 1/3 of the way. No skin irritation. I am fatigued a bit. Starting this right at the time change was a lot. Glad to here you are almost done with chemo, I hope you had few SE. Your radiation plan sounds like mine only the other side.




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2015

    Sharon S, Congrats of being 1/3 the way done.Keep you eyes on the finish line! You are almost there

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited November 2015

    DoingwhatIhavetodo and all the others on this group - Have a fantastic week, be kind to yourself and let's kick cancer's butt!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited December 2015

    finished rads on Thues. Pretty fried and sore. Do not remember it being this bad 7 years ago, but I had breast tissue then and it was more localized. I am using the steroid cream, but very uncomfortable. Suggestions

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2015

    I burned horribly from rads and had huge areas of moist desquamation. I used silvadene cream and Mepilex dressings.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SharonS
    SharonS Member Posts: 326
    edited December 2015

    thanks KBeee - I have some silvadene - will give it a try


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2015

    I ordered a tube of cream called MiaDerm. It's made specifically for radiation relief. It wasn't cheap but I found it helpful.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited December 2015

    Hi Sharon S congrats on completing radiation, I hope you celebrate! I hope,your skin is recovering, pass on any tips or advice for me! I finished chemo on December 1st and I start radiation on January 5th. I had my mapping CT scan for radiationyesterday! Here's to a healthy new year for you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TanyaL
    TanyaL Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2015

    Also my first post (so forgive me if I am not doing this correctly!) I was also recently diagnosed with local recurrence after 8 years, also near mastectomy scar. Scans clear so far. First diagnosis 7/07 at the age of 37. stage IIb IDC, grade 1, 3.5cm, ER+/PR+, 2 micro pos nodes. I did 6 rounds TAC and 5 years tamoxifen. I never went into menopause, current onc suspects this is the culprit. Current diagnosis was November, 6mm same path but is now grade 2. The plan is 4 rounds TC beginning the 28th, then radiation, then either lupron of removal of ovaries and aromitose inhibitor. For those of you who had chemo for a second time, any difference in side effects from the first go around? Also, the cold caps are new to me, trying to make that decision. It's not the losing of hair I worry about, but now hearing of those that had taxotere not having regrowth. Thank you all so much and my very best to those going through this. (came back to edit for correction and additional info)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories