Just confirmed reoccurance

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Christy1984
Christy1984 Member Posts: 10
edited October 2019 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

For the past year we have been exploring possible recurrence. I got the all clear in April 2019, even though my tumor markers had continued to rise nothing was showing up in any scans. In May 2019, I developed this cough out of no where that had continuously gotten worse until fast forward to September 2019 when I had my next appointment with my oncologist. My tumor marks had raised more than 30 percent from the last one in April so my oncologist ordered a chest CT due to my cough that had no explanation. This exam showed that not only had a previous lung nodule in my lower left lobe that was seen in October 2018 had grown there was now numerous in both lungs with another one in the right that was almost the same size as the one that had grown in my left. The oncologist said it was too small to biopsy but he was pretty convinced that we were looking at a recurrence due to everything that was going on. We discussed a plan and he ordered a PET scan and repeat labs. I had the PET scan last week. I saw my oncologist yesterday for the results. Tumor marker had elevated again in the past 3 weeks. PET scan showed that the nodule in the left was lighting up, but the one on the right didn't. Good thing was that nothing showed up elsewhere in my body. Again it's not big enough to biopsy but in light of everything my oncologist was pretty confident that we have an early recurrence. He had taken me off of Tamoxifen earlier in the month with the idea that he was changing my plan. I was started on Lupron and Faslodex yesterday. We are still awaiting the pre-authorization from my insurance for Verzenio. I requested to have my ovaries removed so a referral was made for that.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited October 2019

    Sorry Christy, if it helps I know of a couple women who are living relatively normal lives years out with lung mets treated with chemo or radiation.

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  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited October 2019

    Christy

    I think we are in the same boat, I am going through almost the same thing. Last Sept at my regular oncologist appointment my CA 15-3 was 23.9. 6 months later it was 32 so my MO ordered all the ct scans etc., March 19, nothing except scattered lung nodules that appeared to be Intrapulmonary lymph nodes which are usually benign and not rechecked in someone without a history of cancer. Rescan in May and with only 1mm change. Tumor marker in May was 36. Going back end of Oct to schedule another rescan to see if they have enlarged and have tumor markers checked again. He also said too small to biopsy. Did you have symptoms? Other than the cough. I am having no symptoms, no cough,etc, actually for 62 I feel great! Working out etc.by the way I am 12 years out of originally DX and treatments.

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  • Christy1984
    Christy1984 Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2019

    No symptoms other than the cough. I have been really tired lately and feeling fatigued by the end of the day (reminds me of after chemo). I don't know if it is related or just stress. So since the start of my tumor markers rising we explored with CT's etc because I was having spine pain and rib pain. Through all of my tests it was found that I had degenerative discs in my spine and costochondritis in my rib area. This was why my oncologist thought that we were safe to wait 6 months for repeat labs, etc even though my tumor marker had been continuously rising. Back in October 2018 was when the nodule in my left lung showed up it was 7mm. Again when I had a PET/CT in December it showed again at 7mm (but no lighting up). My cough started out of the blue in about May. It got increasingly worse to where I could not go even 10 minutes without coughing. I threw everything at it and no relief (I had not been sick where I had got a cough that way). I mentioned to my primary physician in August and she said my lungs sounded clear. So I saw my oncologist early September where we found that my CA27-29 had gone from 60 in March 2019 to 87 in early September. So between that and my cough he ordered a new CT scan which not only showed that the nodule in my left lung was now 10mm but that it was now showing numerous in both lungs (at least 10) with one in my right that measured around 10mm as well. At that time he was confident that we were dealing with a recurrence. He sent me for a PET scan and repeat labs. Between Sept 3 and Sept 24 my CA27.29 went from 87 to 95. He said between that and the the lighting up on the PET scan he was really confident that we were catching an early recurrence and to move forward with our plan of attack.

    Barteeellis, The not knowing is the worst! I hope you can get answers. I was originally diagnosed in 2014.

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  • Christy1984
    Christy1984 Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2019

    illimae, it does help. Thank you.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited October 2019

    I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Cancer just sucks. Hoping hte new meds get you to NED.

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  • Christy1984
    Christy1984 Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2019

    Thank you KBeee. I am hopeful. I have seen great comments regarding that combo. Just awaiting the preauthorization for the Verzenio still.

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  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited October 2019

    Christy 1984

    Yes, we are in the same boat, I just got DX today from Scan yesterday with metastatic BC to my lung as the CT scan showed the nodules are increasing in size and my Tumor Markers rose to 65, I am still numb and in shock, I knew something was brewing because of my TM's. My MO is sending me to a thorastic surgeon to have them biopsied by wedge section so they can get tissue to know the best treatment options. Did you have to have the Wedge section for your treatment options? Sounds like your treatment is happening without the biopsy and pathology? Mine were too small to biopsy but now they are 7mm and 14mm.


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  • Christy1984
    Christy1984 Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2019

    I am so sorry to hear this! No, I did not have a biopsy. My oncologist said they were too small. My largest one in my left lung was 10mm. I see my oncologist on Monday for the first time since starting treatment. I just had lab work this week preparing for that appointment. My tumor markers went from 95 when I started to treatment (first Faslodex was 9/30/19 and started Verzenio a week later on 10/6/19) and now my tumor marker is 91. I think this is a good thing and shows that we are on the right track - but of course we will see what the doc says on Monday.

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