Forum Discussion

deekay77's avatar
deekay77
Member
9 months ago

It’s back

Hi everyone
I recently found a lump near my mastectomy  scar which after an ultrasound and FNA has shown malignant cells, is very likely to be a recurrence. I had early stage multifocal invasive ductal diagnosed in 2021. (Stage 1A)

I had my first ever PET today to see what we are dealing with (the FNA didn’t provide enough cells to diagnose)

I have been reading that recurrence after mastectomy has a terrible outlook, with most women developing distant recurrence. I’m 47 😳

my oncologist took me off tamoxifen last year (after only 2 years) because he said I was such low risk. 

Obviously worried about what that PET will
show next week, but for now I’m just highly anxious and trying to keep iit together for my family. 

I didn’t interact with any support networks with my first diagnosis, but this time I need all the help and support I can get.

thanks all for reading xx
deb 


  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    9 months ago
    I am sorry @deekay77, it is a shock. I stopped tamoxifen on advice from my oncologist too because of side effects but I was high risk and then started Letrozole after a 6 week break. I was unfortunately diagnosed with mets but Not everyone with a reoccurance has mets. Most reoccurance is treated the same as its a new cancer.

    When do you get your pet scan results? Have they biopsied the new spot? Do you know if it's the same pathology as the original cancer?

    It is good you reached out here as we can all support you. Keep busy doing what you like to do. The anxiety is understandable. It is scary. Big breaths because you will get this treated and new and better treatments are coming. 

    Let us know how you go with results. Your in Brisbane as I am. Have you heard about the Choices Program at the Wesley? It's for all cancer patients and you don't have to be treated at the Wesley to attend any of their programs.  Hope the link below works or you can google it.  Everything they provide is free. It is a charity. Most people who attend have breast cancer. They offer all sorts of things for people going through treatment. They have some things like yoga online. 

    https://www.wesley.com.au/services/the-wesley-hospital-choices-cancer-support-centre?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=gmb&utm_campaign=ccsc&utm_content=c

    Best wishes 
  • deekay77's avatar
    deekay77
    Member
    9 months ago
    Morning! Thank you so much Cath - I’m on the Northside and at St Vincent’s Northside for treatment. 

    I’ll get my results on Wednesday - my surgeon didn’t want to biopsy first because she wants to know what she’s dealing with first. If PET is clear/confined to local then she will remove the lump.  If it’s not clear I have no idea .suspect surgery and then whatever else. I didn’t get radiation first go around so I suppose there are options available…let’s pray for local!!

    I’m sorry to read about your BC - just retiring and then thrown a curveball 😞

    thanks for the link - it worked ✅

    will keep forum posted on results and my new adventure. 

    Thank you again. Take care