Hi everyone Well it's been a while - 18 months following diagnosis grade 3 aggressive followed by a left mastectomy and 18 weeks of grueling chemo.... The week of my oncologist appointment I fount a tiny lump on the same side 2.5cm above the scar and central...at first we were going to leave it a month but then we changed our minds...2 days later a biopsy....with the radiologist and doctor all seemed sure it was a cyst. Well, got the news last Friday that cancer cells were present so it's off for another full body CT tomorrow (only had one 6mths ago which was all clear) before heading to the surgeon on Wednesday .... What happens now? More surgery? More chemo?

Welcome back! Sorry you have had to return to this site, but I hope you get lots of replies from Ladies who have had a recurrence and can give you info on what happens in your situation. When we have been through breast cancer hell once it's so cruel that some of us have to do it all again and unfortunately we have to live with this fear. Thank goodness we live in the best country in the world with all the different treatments etc., available when we need them. I wish you well, please keep posting, it's good to share, vent and help other Ladies with our experiences. Take care, Marls

Thanks Marls Spent the weekend updating the family which is always tough. Asking a lot of questions like why why why? Knowing very well there are no answers...Just trying to keep it real, remain positive and take one step at time, enjoy every good moment and hope they last forever... Tomorrow is another day and will need to update close friends and colleagues .... You are right Marls....sometimes life is cruel and we are lucky here in Aust with the access to many treatments... Just not too sure how I would manage another round of chemo.... But like I said one step at a time...

My story is very similar to yours. I was originally diagnosed with a grade 3 3cm aggressive tumor in my R breast. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Exactly 18 months later I found another lump about 2 cm away from original scar. It was 2.5cm also aggressive triple negative(same as 1st cancer). I was so worried about the fact that I needed mastectomy that I wasn't seeing the big picture. I was bought quickly down to earth by my surgeon telling me he wouldn't even operate until he did bone and cat scans. I guess you are kind of at that stage. It was a scary few days waiting for those results. Luckily for me they were all clear. I went on to have a mastectomy the day after those clear results. By then I was just so happy that the cancer had not metastasized that I didn't care about the mastectomy. I am not sure if more surgery is an option for you? I guess it depends on how much tissue is around the lump. If surgery is not an option then I guess maybe chemo or radiation. I was put right back onto chemo within two weeks of my mastectomy. There was certainly a sense of urgency. The first cancer I had I was originally supposed to have TAC. however I had a really bad allergic reaction to Taxotere and so was treated with FEC. after the recurrence my oncologist wanted to try me on Taxotere again. He loaded me up with anti histamine and I was ok. Anyway. Long story but that was all just over three years ago. So I guess what I am trying to say is, at first the recurrence was the worst imaginable thing that ever happened (apart from my first diagnosis). However once I had my new treatment plan it was head down, bum up and let's get on with it AGAIN! It is awful having a second diagnosis but it isn't the end of the world. Thanks goodness you (like me) found that lump and they decided to check it out. Everyone thought my 2nd lump was a cyst also. I really hope your scans are clear. Then it's time for your team to come up with a plan for you. Hang in there. Sending you a big cyber hug. Please keep in touch. Paula xx

Hi Paula Ohhh thanks so much so needed that cyber hug :) One big breath, crossing all fingers and toes and hoping for clear scans. Will touch base post my visit to the surgeon Thanks again :) Sue xxx

Recurring breast cancer | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

jennywren
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Curly Sue, it's not fair, but what can we do other than keep fighting. I don't think I can have radiotherapy again on the same area so not sure what they will do. Guess I will find out tomorrow. Did you have scans as well? I had to have a CT scan and am having a bone scan tomorrow even though I had these in April as part of the clinical trials I was doing. Don't really want more chemo...who does? But am ready for it if that's what is required. Good luck to you too, keep in touch x
CurlySue
Member
11 years ago
Ohhhh Jenny- once is enough why do we have to go through it again? I had surgery replaced my original mastectomy scar with a new one! 10 x 3 cm gone and my belly button making its way up :) - that was in July. Now in my 3rd week of Radiotherapy and see the oncologist on Thur to understand what the next round of chemo will look like. At least the radio is not as bad as the chemo... Not sure what else we can do but to fight on and well I'm upto about 15-16 surgery's so can put up a pretty good fight! (The last 2 being cancer related) Anyway- best advice I can give, chin up, keep smiling in the face of diversity, vow to fight on and most importantly enjoy every moment.... And these days I tell my family I love them every day. Keep us posted, and easily said but no point in worrying while waiting- find something or someone to keep your mind on other things if you can. Xxxxoxx and yes you can do this!
jennywren
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Tonya, I am hoping for good results, but my oncologist told me that in the 2nd FNA the cells were atypical...so something not right there, plus a spot noted on ultrasound. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, one day at a time. I can do this xx
TonyaM
Member
11 years ago
So sorry you have to worry again.Gosh, you think it's all gone after a mastectomy for goodness sake.Non specific is ok so will keep fingers crossed for that result.Unfortunately we get the full works thrown at us at the slightest whiff of cancer.This is a good thing I suppose but it also scares the s?!!/ out of us.Thinking of you darl,big hug.Tonya xx
TonyaM
Member
11 years ago
So sorry you have to worry again.Gosh, you think it's all gone after a mastectomy for goodness sake.Non specific is ok so will keep fingers crossed for that result.Unfortunately we get the full works thrown at us at the slightest whiff of cancer.This is a good thing I suppose but it also scares the s?!!/ out of us.Thinking of you darl,big hug.Tonya xx
TonyaM
Member
11 years ago
So sorry you have to worry again.Gosh, you think it's all gone after a mastectomy for goodness sake.Non specific is ok so will keep fingers crossed for that result.Unfortunately we get the full works thrown at us at the slightest whiff of cancer.This is a good thing I suppose but it also scares the s?!!/ out of us.Thinking of you darl,big hug.Tonya xx
jennywren
Member
11 years ago
Thank you ladies, fingers crossed all will be well xx
mum2jj
Member
11 years ago
So sorry you have to go through this again. Good on you for finding the little pimple. I guess just keep busy until you get the results. It is so hard not to worry. Sending you a hug and feeling for you. Paula x
Marls59
Member
11 years ago
I wish you well for Wednesday Jennywren. Try and keep yourself busy, go out for long walks to give your thoughts some clarity. There is no point in me saying to you not to worry, of course you will, but I am sending you a big cyber hug and hoping you get good news on Wednesday. Please keep us posted, Marls
jennywren
Member
11 years ago
Hi, I am back again after 3 years since my initial diagnosis, lumpectomy followed by chemo then a right mastectomy and radiotherapy. Been on tamoxifen for almost 3 yrs and life felt pretty good. 4 weeks ago I found a pimple type lump on my mastectomy scar and had an FNA which came back non specific. Last week I saw my oncologist for a follow up and she didn't like the look of it. I had surgery to reopen the scar,remove the bad bits and am now nervously awaiting the results. I also had to have more scans so will know the outcome on weds. Feeling very scared and don't know what the future now holds, anyone got any words of encouragement?