2019 Diagnosed -- How are you doing

I had bmx on 8/13/19 and am doing well. I have BRCA1 mutation, so opted for bmx. Therefore, no radiation and Oncotype score indicated no benefit from chemo. I feel physically fully recovered other than chest tightness which I manage well w stretching. Emotionally, I am pretty labile still but that may be more about my brother recently losing his battle w esophageal cancer than about my own cancer (it's weird and irrational, but I have guilt about my cancer being so easily treated while he went through so much more and still died). I am eating well and exercising regularly. I decided to decline an AI and that does cause some intermittent anxiety but I keep reminding myself that no decision is without risks. Generally I feel good and hope the recurrence fears begin to diminish soon. I saw my breast specialist in Dec for 6 mo check and will see her again in June.

Diagonised mar 2019. Presently under lupron and Tamoxifen. Lumpectomy, completed radiation by may 2019. Diagonised at the age 36. Hoping to live.

Diagnosed August 2019. Finished chemo 12/31/19. Doing Herceptin infusions every three weeks. Double mastectomy surgery w/reconstruction scheduled 3/3/20. Feeling really good and ready for surgery.

I was diagnosed in Dec 2019 with high grade DCIS in my left breast. I had a lumpectomy in Jan, but after surgery found out they did not get clear margins in all six directions, which is what my surgeon told me we needed. Second lumpectomy should have been a quick in and out, to get one "fingerling" area. However, surgery took three hours, as they checked pathology while I was under and surgeon went back in twice more to get more margins. Now I'm wondering if that changes my diagnosis, if the original area they discovered, 1.8cm, was bigger, and the cancer/pre-cancer has breached the duct walls. If that's the case, does that change the diagnosis and course of treatment. I'm anticipating 7 weeks of daily (M-F) radiation treatments starting in a few weeks.
Has anyone out there had anything similar? Unfortunately I did not have all these questions in my head while I was with my surgeon at my post-op today, and now my head is spinning. I would love to hear from you guys.

I was diagnosed in August 16, 2019 and finished active treatment January 16, 2020. Surgery in September and October and started radiation in December. Oncotype 16 so chemo not recommended. Tamoxifen started in December during radiation, but stopped due to hip pain.Restarted January. Still dealing with physical and emotional side effects. Going to physio for range of motion and cording. Surprised how tired I still am

Sorry about your brother as well Yogatyme. Praying for all of you. Hope everyone recovers well.

I’m 37 was diagnosed Sept. 2019 with TNBC, stage 2a bc of tumor size (2.3 cm), grade 3 (most TNBC is grade 3 due to no targeted therapies and aggressiveness). Had lumpectomy (clear margins), sentinel lymph node removed (negative), and port placed October 2019. BRCA negative, no lymph node involvement or vascular feeding. My treatments last 20 weeks of chemo having 16 treatments total. The regimen is AC-T but I’ve taken the Taxol first. I am one treatment into AC and so far so good. I get labs tomorrow to make sure my WBC is ok. Once chemo is complete, I will have 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week.

My TNBC Stats based on universal treatment:
TNBC usually responds to chemo really well bc of rapid cell division.
16% chance of recurrence 10-15 years out. 19% chance of recurrence 20 years out. TNBC if it comes back generally will within 1.5-2years out. If you make it without recurrence for 5 years, you are considered “cured” of course there are many variables to consider. Tumor size, grade, vascular feeding, lymph node involvement are some of the primaries. Change in diet, life habits, exercise can help prevent recurrence. 

It has been terrifying and traumatic. It is a marathon for sure and I have to do it to get thru it. 🙏🏽

Cathy, my bc never showed up on mammogram either. If it weren’t for close monitoring b/c I have BRCA1 mutation I would still be walking around w breast cancer and not know it. It was picked up on MRI and followed up w US and biopsy. Mammogram can give us a false sense of security. I’m so sorry this happened to you and I hope your treatment kicks this bc in the butt.

Cathy, I had no idea about the rate of false negatives on mammogram until my dx. Had heard much more about false positives on mammogram. Many women get call backs and are found to be negative. I wish you the very best.

I was diagnosed in January of 2019 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). At the time of diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to multiple lymph nodes, and was in the dermal lymphatics. I did 12 rounds of taxol, followed by 4 rounds of AC. I was also in a clinical trial - so had extra treatment thrown in on top - this was additional infusions as well as injections into the tumor. In the summer I had a mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection on the left, as well a lumpectomy on the right where they found DCIS. I luckily had clear margins, but not pCR. I had a total of 33 rounds of radiation on the left, including 8 boosts. My initial biopsies were HER2 - , but the tumor removed during surgery was HER2+, so I am now getting Herceptin and Perjetta infusions every three weeks. I am also getting Zoladex injections every 4 weeks.

It has been one hell of a year!

Blue you can say that again! Hope all is well.

I agree ladies. I don't think we realize at first how much it's going to affect us psychologically/physically. We are so caught up in the moment of shock with the diagnosis and eventual treatment or surgery. It's after everything is completed that our minds start going, especially at night time!

Most people think once your done with everything you are good to go. They don't realize the fear and anxiety we have to live with. But I'm glad that we understand one another and can relate! It can really drive you crazy sometimes.

I hope that things continue to get better for everyone!

Thank you, Lilly. You have been through it! Hoping for the best for all us as well. Hang tight everyone!!