Tears & Butterflies in the Stomach since New Primary Diagnosis

ok, first diagnosis in 2012 showed I had DCIS in over 50% of my milk ducts (all dcis was contained in the milk ducts). In 2016 they found recurrent invasive Ca in left breast, stage 2 (report definitely saying left breast).and there is Metastatic carcinoma in 2 lymph nodes. Not sure about Stromal Invasion (would have to find my orginal diagnosis from 2012 to see. The report also says there is DCIS present this time as well. Just wish the report was written in laymans terms would make it easier to translate. Hope this answers your question.

I'll talk to my Breast oncologist on Monday and get a refresher on why she said it came back. She did mention that it was possible a bit of breast tissue was left behind back in 2012.

Oh that is so frustrating and upsetting for you! Thankyou for sharing the information. Did your original dcis already have stromal invasion? I have also been told my mastectomy would be curative. I had intermediate grade dcis with no stromal invasion and a clear sentinel node. One margin (skin aspect) had a less than 1mm margin from the cancer so there was some discussion about radiation but this was rejected by the oncology team. I am hoping I do not fall into the under 5%!

I have everything crossed for you that your pathology report is encouraging. Sending megahugs, Kathryn xox

Vinn

Wow that's absolutely incredible, though I admit, so confusing, as your breast was gone, so are they saying the tumor grew in the fat of your stomach that had been reconstructed?? I have heard of it coming back in the chest wall, but not whats happened to you. Gosh! Im trying to fathom it. As I had it come back in my lumpectomy scar 4yrs later grade 3 aggressive and I had radiation and tamoxifen for 4yrs. So I put it down to having the breast eventhough I had wide margins and no trace anywhere. I had a large lumpectomy and chemo finished in December, they said throw Tamoxifen away as it didnt work, uuugh. Im on Arimidex now as Chemo threw me into menopause. Now they want me to have a mastectomy to ensure its never coming back, but Ive never heard of it coming back the way it has in your case, blows my mind!!! I am so sorry!!! 

Youve done all the right things honestly, I think everything in moderation, I eat relatively well and exercise. The medical team at the Epworth in Melbourne actually said in a rehab meeting I attended with 4 other ladies that there are no foods that contribute to it, really took me back as thats all we hear. They said there are only minority studies done on lots of things, so have no evidence at all. They say no sugar purely because of how it affects your health in general but not specifically. Really threw me hearing this. 

Thanks for sharing that! Hugs!

Melinda xo

sorry forgot to add, the cancer this time is estrogen positive and was in the lymph nodes as well as on the edge of my breast

trans flap from stomach fat. The reconstruction was done immediately after the removal of my left breast. 8.5hour op from memory. They told me that removed all the breast.

Believe me to this day I am still angry and totally confused as they told me that I would not get cancer in that breast again. I wasn't even having yearly mammograms on the left breast after the removal but they did run the ultrasound thingy over it when they examined the right breast. I had my last examination in November 2015 and nothing was found in either breast. I had been feeling unwell since December 2015 and kept going to the Dr's complaining of not feeling well, even had swollen lymph nodes behind my ears at one stage. He put it down to be premenopausal.

Then as I said in March found 2 lumps right on the edge of my left breast. Now they tell me it is less then a 5% chance of happening. My Radiation Dr said less then 1%. I am a extremely rare case apparently. After the reconstruction in 2012 I started drinking only Alkaline water (they say cancer cells cannot grow in an alkaline body) and taking Tumeric tablets (from the USA) as turmeric stops cancer cells growing. I was juicing (went and spent heaps on a cold press juicer as they are better then the conventional juicers as far as getting the nutrients from the juicing), plus I exercise most days (also good for reducing risks of getting cancer).

I put it down to extremely high levels of stress in my life and marriage and when I am stressed I eat sugary foods.

Thanks for those kind words Brenda - very much appreciated :) 

The support I've received from this Forum has been invaluable this past week xxx

Hi Beverely,

What a roller coaster ride you've been on!

Fabulous news that you've been given the all clear after such a worrying time. 

Thankyou for your words of encouragement :) 

Take Care 

Mel xx

Hello Haleysarah,

At this stage it appears to be the same size & type as the other one - but I haven't had surgery as yet (booked in for 26th Aug). While my my specialist was surprised & disappointed for me I haven't been fast tracked for treatment or surgery which to me is a positive sign!

Thankyou for your kind words :) 

Mel xx

Hi Melinda,

Thanks for the reminder to try & remain open minded about treatment. 

Now that I think about it I will possibly be under the care of a different Oncologist this time around because we will moving from the Hunter Valley to Port Macquarie in early Oct. All the more reason not to have preconceived expectations :)!

xxx

Hi Vinn2016

I read your story and am wondering why the cancer came back in your left reconstructed breast after a full mastectomy? I also had DCIS and was told the mastectomy would be curative ... the cancer would not come back on that side because all the breast tissue was gone. So now I'm confused and a bit worried!

What type of immediate reconstruction did you have? I had a diep flap...

Thanks, Kathryn x