Questions about possible recurrence

Iamloved
Iamloved Member Posts: 228
edited July 2020 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I found a lump about 2 weeks ago in the same breast as my orginal dx. It is tender and at times seems to ache. The lump seems to be about where a clip was placed during my biopsies or at least the general area. I had no lymph node involvement and got really good margins. I have an upcoming appointment at the Mayo clinic which is where all this took place. So a few questions...

1. At 60 years old can it be something besides cancer?

2. If it is cancer, do I do a bilateral mastectomy even if nothing is in the left breast?

3. Anyone else have a recurrence without lymph nodes involved?

I am trying to be calm and prepare for the worst but hope for the best.

Thx in advance.

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Comments

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited May 2020

    So sorry you are going through this. To your questions:

    1. Absolutely. For example, while cysts are less common after menopause, lots of women still get them.

    2. No one can - or at least should - answer this one. There is no right or wrong answer, and it is simply too personal a decision.

    3. Not sure if you mean having a recurrence after an initial diagnosis that was lymph node negative, or having a recurrence with the recurrence itself being lymph node negative. In either case, the answer is "yes, it's quite common".

    Good luck. Hopefully this is something benign and not a recurrence.


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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited May 2020

    Recurrence.😪

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  • BevJen
    BevJen Member Posts: 2,523
    edited May 2020

    Iamloved,

    is it a new cancer or a recurrence of the old one? Same spot? Hang in there until you get all of the info that your doctors can provide you with. Good luck.

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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited May 2020

    It is a recurrence. Same breast but mnew location, same grade, triple positive. Pet scan and other testing scheduled for June 8th at Mayo in Rochester MN. Not surprised really but curious about the location of it because the area was biopsied at the same time as my orginal dx in 2018. And now there are several tumors in that area. Trying to stay positive and do my research on a unilateral mastectomy or possibly a bilateral one as the MRI showed something in the left breast that the mammogram may not have picked up. I want o be prepared for the consultation as the information about mastectomies is mind numbing or maybe I'm just numb.🤔

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  • jcp
    jcp Member Posts: 112
    edited June 2020

    iamloved, I will pray for no more involvement on all scans. I am sorry. You are in my prayers here on out. JCP

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited May 2020

    Ah, I'm sorry to hear that.

    Good luck with the scans... hoping this turns out to be a small localized recurrence that is easily treated.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited May 2020

    Hi!

    I'm sorry that you've had a recurrence and I hope that the Mayo scans show that it is localized. Might be time to research chemo and Herceptin. If I recall correctly, you chose not to have them the first time around. If you're still freaked out by chemo, maybe talk to your oncologist about Herceptin alone. ((Hugs))

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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited May 2020

    Thank you ElaineTheresa. I will look into the Herceptin alone. That was not an option the first time. I am not freaked about by Chemo but the risk factors outweighed the results for me for the 1st diagnosis. I plan to spend my 3 weeks researching different options. I do appreciate all advice and hugs!🤗

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited May 2020

    Iamloved,

    It isn't orthodox to do Herceptin alone; you may have to shop around for an MO who will order that for you. I hope you find an MO who will be able to be responsive to your concerns about risk factors. As a fellow triple positive, I'm rooting for you!!!

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  • jcp
    jcp Member Posts: 112
    edited June 2020

    iamloved, I will pray for a miracle for you and if not then all good news from here on out. If there's anything I or we can do just let me know. Prayers, I know, is usually what I ask for. It will be ok. JCP

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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited June 2020

    Thank you. Next week's pet scan I hope is boring and dull😁

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2020

    Hoping all came back normal on the PET scan. How are you doing now?

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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited June 2020

    The pet scan came back all clear. I Have met with "the team" for treatment. Because Rochester MN is 7 hours from me I will only be going back there for my surgery. Going to a closer to home Breast cancer center for other treatments. I met with the oncologist yesterday but Hubby & I did not care for his attitude or his demeanor. Lacked any compassion. So I called the clinic today and asked for a new oncologist. So next week I will meet with her(happy they found me a female). My p,an is for surgery Herceptin alone after and hormonal therapy. My reasons are lengthy for saying no to TCHP in the neoadjuvant setting. Thanks for your concern. Feeling great except this darn lump😁

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2020

    glad you have a plan

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  • Iamloved
    Iamloved Member Posts: 228
    edited July 2020

    Well I changed my plan AGAIN! I will be doing the neoadjuvant Tchp. Scared as help but decided after meeting with my 3rd Oncologist to do this treatment. I will get my port in and gave my first round the week of July 13th. Now to research all I need for minimizing side effects.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2020

    Iamloved - I'll dig out the chemo tips & forward.

    Here you go.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2020

    I definitely recommend joining the chemo group for the month you start. I did both times and still am very close to those gals. I have an extensive list of tips I compiles. You can pm me your email address nad I can send them Saturday. (Tomorrow I work a 24 hours fire station shift).

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