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Peta_Kaye's avatar
Peta_Kaye
Member
12 years ago

Scared of recurrence!!

HI there Ladies,

In March I had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy for my grade 3 TNBC.  Then 3 Rounds of FEC and 3 Docetaxol followed by 30 sessions of rads and BRCA testing.  

 

The testing came back inconclusive, which I am aware is very common, but now I have this nagging fear, I am sure you all have it.  Reccurrence rates are floating around in my head, day and night.  

I can't help but keep hearing, aggressive ... aggressive.... aggressive.  I now wish I had gone the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for my original plan.

Have any of you out there had a lumpectomy and treatment and then decided to go back for a mastectomy?  Have any of you made it past the dreaded 5 year mark and gained the all clear?

 

biopsy
lumpectomy
triple-negative-breast-cancer

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  • Peta76's avatar
    Peta76
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Peta,

    My story is pretty much the same as yours (I think by memory you actually messaged me a while ago). Just after I finished my radiation I found out I'm BRCA1 positive. So yes, like you I wish I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction when I first found out but my breast surgeon said it wasn't necessary and performed a lumpectomy. It is constantly on my mind about reacurrance because of the TNBC. I had a hysterectomy about 6 weeks ago and I will have a mastectomy with recon. next year around the Feb/March mark. ( wanted around January but the PS said he's booked until Feb/Mar.)

    I'm off to see another plastic surgeon tomorrow (my second PS) but I think my chances of getting in earlier is fading. That's what scares me -the waiting!! This whole process is just scary.

    I too want to hear from TNBC ladies who have made it past the 5 year mark.

    Peta xx

  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago
    I sympathise with you. I think we all have nightmares about recurrence or secondaries and it's natural to fear the unknown. Talk to your medical team about your fears and trust in your own feelings. I'm sure there are lots of women who are in a similar position as you are and they will answer your call. My thoughts are with you my dear. Love Janey xxx
  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago
    I sympathise with you. I think we all have nightmares about recurrence or secondaries and it's natural to fear the unknown. Talk to your medical team about your fears and trust in your own feelings. I'm sure there are lots of women who are in a similar position as you are and they will answer your call. My thoughts are with you my dear. Love Janey xxx
  • SamzRusty's avatar
    SamzRusty
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Peta,

    I found out half way through treatment that I was BRCA1 positive. My onc did tell me before the results came back that even if they were negative, I still may be positive......MENTAL!!!! 

    I had a lumpectomy before chemo.

    My decision....the ovaries are coming out in January & the  bilateral mastectomy and lat dorsi reconstruction is booked in for 25th Feb. I didn't even think twice once my oncologist threw some scary numbers at me. I actually called my PS yesterday to see if we could pull the surgery fwd into late January. 

    It's never too late to talk to your Drs

    Sam xoxoxox