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lehrski
lehrski Member Posts: 94
edited July 2020 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I posted in another forum, but probably more appropriate for here. I'm back here again and I really don't want to be. Stage 1, eight years ago. Chemo/mastectomy. Now I have a large tumor in my axilla. ER+, PR-, HR-. Pet Scan and MRI hopefully this week. Tough keeping a positive attitude.

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  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 134
    edited July 2020

    Lehrski, So sorry that you are back here again! I totally feel the same way as Iam now dealing with a recurrence.I was also Stage 1 chemo and bmx and have an axilla recurrence.
    Just wanted to say you are not alone! You will muster up your strength and get through. Agree, it is tough to keep a positive attitude but we just have to. You will feel better once you have a plan.
    Wishing you the best , praying for good test results.

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  • GiGiL
    GiGiL Member Posts: 928
    edited July 2020

    lehrski so sorry you are dealing with this again. I was diagnosed and treated in 2011 and have now had mets to bone. - just recently diagnosed. It is such a disappointment and so overwhelming. It has been six weeks for me. I have gone through all stages of reaction, I am holding steady for the moment and just getting ready to start treatment. I will be on meds. I am not looking forward to any of it. I am right there with you, sister. Please keep us posted. Sending you peace. GiGi

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

    I am sorry you are dealing with this recurrence. it is overwhelming, so take it day by day. Hoping you have a treatment plan soon

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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2020

    Thank you all for the encouragement. It's scary at first. I'm fortunate in that less than a week from the biopsy, I've been able to get a MRI and a PET scan and will visit with the oncologist to set up a plan tomorrow.

    Cookie54 - looks like you just started chemo. How are you doing? Looks like you're one step ahead of me. All the best on this journey.

    GiGi - I'm so sorry to hear about the bone mets. It must be so difficult and it's hard facing treatment again.

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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2020

    Met with the oncologist today. Not good news. I have many small lesions in my lungs as well as a few lesions in my spine and pelvis. Lots of lesions in the lymph nodes. Not what I was expecting. I’m healthy and fit. I regularly run, rock climb and ski and feel good

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  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 134
    edited July 2020

    Sorry to hear that you’re in this situation!

    Somethings I just don’t understand either. I never fit the description for having this either . I exercise, eat healthy, barely drink alcohol, maintain a good weight. God knows how or why we wound up here.

    But we have no choice but to muster up the strength and keep fighting! Your physical fitness will help give you the strength to get through this. I will be thinking of you


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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2020

    Thanks cookie54.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2020

    lehrski and cookie54,

    I think that when people live a healthy lifestyle they sometimes believe they will end up with the result they want, good health, no disease. The problem is that a healthy lifestyle may decrease your odds of developing a disease but it doesn’t prevent or eliminate disease, at least not in the case of breast cancer. It’s rather cliche but your greatest risk factor is having breasts. Healthy lifestyles are wonderful but they come with no guarantees that you will remain healthy. Wishing youthe best.

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  • sbaaronson
    sbaaronson Member Posts: 230
    edited July 2020

    Lehrski,

    This is my story. Had the cancer come back after 8 years. I am also a lifelong athlete and health lifestyle devotee. Being fit will serve you well as you begin the drugs. Keep on doing what makes you feel like you!!!

    Best,

    Stacey

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  • sbaaronson
    sbaaronson Member Posts: 230
    edited July 2020

    Exbrnxgrl - Amen to that sister!


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  • cookie54
    cookie54 Member Posts: 134
    edited July 2020

    exbmxgirl, Very well stated. Agree there are no guarantees in life period!

    "Carpe diem"

    Best wishes to all.

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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2020

    exbrnxgrl - I wasn't thinking that my lifestyle would protect me. I have the PALB2 mutation and recurrence was likely or another cancer. I also have had a bunch of other health stuff such as colitis, broken bones from osteopenia etc. It's more than I've finally been feeling really good and strong and so this came as a shock in that I had no symptoms. It was so unexpected.

    sbaarson - You're almost exactly 1 year ahead of me for both times!

    I'm also scared in that my mental health tracks with my physical health. I need outdoor sports to keep anxiety/depression in check and I worry about what will happen when I'm unable to be active.

    Thanks all - it helps so much to be able to share stuff. And a nice hour of running on the beach at sunset today helped too.

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

    Why would you be unable to be active? I walked every day all through chemo and you can ride a real bike or recumbent. Some people keep up running, but brisk walking worked for me. I also swam and did water aerobics. And do be sure to get an Rx for the anxiety & depression to tide you over.

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  • lehrski
    lehrski Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2020

    MinusTwo - thanks for the suggestions. I'm thinking too far ahead. The doc said that at some point the lung metastases will not respond to treatment. It may be sooner or later. I had a rough time with chemo the first time and it's tough thinking about being on chemo permanently, but I know this should be more mild. I talked with a counsellor today and that really helped.

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