Forum Discussion
Recurrence
Hi There,
I'm posting my story on here as I am feeling lost - my family and friends are really supportive but I just don't feel understood.
In 2015 I was diagnosed with low grade DCIS - my treatment was mastectomy, SNB with reconstruction in February 2016, followed by a prophylactic mastectomy of my remaining breast in November the same year. Based on my pathology and treatment, recurrence was a low risk. However last month, when I had my annual appointment I had a FNA on a lump which I was told last year was a cyst. Pathology suggested malignant cells so I was rushed in for scans - fortunately, there were no metastisis but I had surgery to further excise the tumors and another SNB. 3 days after my surgery I was readmitted for a second operation as there were 2 tumors identified (8 and 5 mm respectively). The second operation removed all of my skin (first mastectomy was skin sparing) and revealed a 3rd tumor, 4mm.
Pathology was ER/PR+, Her-, micro mets to one lymph node. I will undergo radiotherapy but no chemo. I also found out yesterday that my bone scan revealed a benign hyperostosis on my skull and my surgeon has told me she isn't worried but wants a CT scan in a few months to check.
After 3 weeks of scans, testing and surguries, and the additional worry now that the benign hyperostosis is actually a metastasis I am just at a low - for a disease that I thought I had treated 3 years ago I'm now left wondering (obsessing) about another recurrence. I just feel like I'm being denied a life but really I should be out there enjoying every minute of it. I have 2 gorgeous boys and a wonderful husband and it is so hard to see them deal with the events of the past 3 weeks.
My surgeon has said that she hasn't seen a case like mine before so I feel quite isolated and scared. I've always been so healthy and now I feel like this will never end.
I'm posting my story on here as I am feeling lost - my family and friends are really supportive but I just don't feel understood.
In 2015 I was diagnosed with low grade DCIS - my treatment was mastectomy, SNB with reconstruction in February 2016, followed by a prophylactic mastectomy of my remaining breast in November the same year. Based on my pathology and treatment, recurrence was a low risk. However last month, when I had my annual appointment I had a FNA on a lump which I was told last year was a cyst. Pathology suggested malignant cells so I was rushed in for scans - fortunately, there were no metastisis but I had surgery to further excise the tumors and another SNB. 3 days after my surgery I was readmitted for a second operation as there were 2 tumors identified (8 and 5 mm respectively). The second operation removed all of my skin (first mastectomy was skin sparing) and revealed a 3rd tumor, 4mm.
Pathology was ER/PR+, Her-, micro mets to one lymph node. I will undergo radiotherapy but no chemo. I also found out yesterday that my bone scan revealed a benign hyperostosis on my skull and my surgeon has told me she isn't worried but wants a CT scan in a few months to check.
After 3 weeks of scans, testing and surguries, and the additional worry now that the benign hyperostosis is actually a metastasis I am just at a low - for a disease that I thought I had treated 3 years ago I'm now left wondering (obsessing) about another recurrence. I just feel like I'm being denied a life but really I should be out there enjoying every minute of it. I have 2 gorgeous boys and a wonderful husband and it is so hard to see them deal with the events of the past 3 weeks.
My surgeon has said that she hasn't seen a case like mine before so I feel quite isolated and scared. I've always been so healthy and now I feel like this will never end.
17 Replies
- Dear @Mandermartini
The thought of recurrence is what we all dread. Even if you manage to push it out of day to day thinking, the worry of recurrence lurks.
When you were first diagnosed, you were probably advised to take things one step at a time. That’s still good advice. Your surgeon isn’t alarmed and that’s a good sign. We all know the ‘oh but.......’ thoughts that come, even when you really trust your medical team. But if worry cured all, none of us would be on this site. Unfortunately you have to take an emotional step back, regroup and then step toward again. It’s an utter pain, but fingers crossed all will be well. Best wishes. - https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/fear-of-cancer-recurrence/
Hopefully this link from the BCNA website gives you a clearer understanding
Deep breath!
It's a fear we all have and so sorry to read your story. Hopefully it's early detection and lots of tests and radiotherapy to rid it all.
Take care and please keep posting on here as someone is usually online regardless of time of day - @sillysam83 had a recurrence after her first surgery and had to go on and had further surgeries. @mum2jj also had a recurrence.
Both well since but I'm sure they could share their wisdom.
I totally get the fear. Whilst I haven't had a local recurrence, I have had lots of health issues that I was terrified was metastases but sll turned out not to be.
They certainly don't give stats but i guess with all of if us there would have to be tiny breast cells still left behind which of course can still mutate.
I'm hoping for you this time it's successful and you start to feel happiness in your life again. - @Mandermartini What a rough time you've been having. All the best. Big hugs. xx
- What a bugger @Mandermartini - you have certainly been thru the ringer!
As the girls have said - deep breaths and try not to overthink it (difficult tho it is.)
Your surgeon and medical team will be monitoring you closely - just try & get out there with your lovely boys & hubby & do whatever you love doing ..... a busy mind & body helps drive the blues away
Take care xxx - Very scary but well done on catching it early for the second time. It concerns me that after already being treated for breast cancer you were told a lump was a cyst, presumably without any biopsy testing? It again proves that we need to be our own advocates and press for tests and scans on everything. I wish you a speedy recovery x
- @Mandermartini What a rough time you have had. After all you have been through surgery/treatment wise, I can only imagine how devastated & scared you were to hear the cancer had returned.
Its something we all dread & no matter how many stats, percentages & studies we read about, it is a game of chance & we all play the odds! You have been dealt a bad hand but try to focus on what you do know & try not to think ahead of what may happen. Easier said than done but stress will fuel cancer so you need to try to not worry about what may not even happen. Deep breaths & we are all here for you. Love & strength xx - @Mandermartini, thinking of you, and wishing you the very best going ahead. Im currently waiting results from my annual checkup. No matter how positve we are, the niggle that it might not be great news, is always there.
As others have said, try to make ypurself busy enjoying t8me with your family. We are all lucky to have med8cal teams that will be doing their very best for us.
Love and hugs to you xxx - Mandermartini. Gee you poor darling. I am sending you love and hugs. Try and get some counseling i always feel better after talking with professionals. We are all here for you too. You need lots of TLC. So look after you. :)
- Hi @Mandermartini. Sorry you're going through all this... again.
I, too, have been diagnosed with hyperostosis, on a bone scan that was otherwise normal. I will admit to having been concerned, like you. Over the couple of years since, I have come to the conclusion that it's something that is going to show up more as imaging methods improve, but that at this stage, noone really knows what the significance is.
I am a nurse, and it's still taken every bit of those couple of years for it to sit semi comfortably with me.
Thinking of you
Take care
