Round 3: Getting breast cancer, stage 0, three times

Posted by coldia @coldia, Feb 22, 2023

My first diagnosis was in 2003, 2 spots, stage 1, estrogen positive. I had a double lumpectomy, radiation and took tamoxifen. All was good until 2019 when I had another stage 0 diagnosis in my left breast. Then last week I found out I had another spot in the right breast… again. Stage 0, another lumpectomy is now scheduled. I was very grateful they have been small but was angry that this keeps happening and started worrying if it will decide to “pop up” someplace else. I don’t know of many women who have had this happen 3 times. The nurse said she didn’t have many patients this has happened to. I wonder if it may be because I was 43 the first time and am now in my sixties.
I have decided that I cannot waste one more day being angry and worrying about something that is completely out of my control. I want to appreciate every day I have, including the days that things are not so easy. Really, what choice do we have? For me, it has been in my way of processing my emotions differently. I have woken up feeling better, enjoying the blue skies, birds and squirrels in my yard, turning on upbeat music and watching comedy shows. Get togethers and laughter with family and friends has been my favorite.
I’m thankful we have the technology we have today to discover and treat this disease as best as possible. In reading some of the posts, I see that many of you here have much more serious disease and I wasn’t sure I should even post my story, but am hoping in some small way it will help someone else.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

@auntieoakley

Hello @tammidoran welcome to connect. This term is related to dead cells inside. If you type comedonecrosis into a search engine you will get more information than you probably want or need. 😂
I was never lucky enough to find it this early, but I did have multiple areas of comedo type necrosis and large areas of necrosis, within my original tumor.
I am sorry you are going through a recurrence but I am glad it is an early catch, and not invasive. I think over ten years is just enough time to think you are clear and start thinking you might avoid it, at least that is how I felt, then pow, 😳 I had a gut punch reminder.
How are you doing now? Do you have a plan of action yet?

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Have my 1st appt. Feb 27

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@tammidoran

Not yet have first app. Feb 27

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I am crossing my fingers and my toes for you..

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I still cannot wrap my head around why we don't opt for a mastectomy and get rid of all the tissue. Doctors told me it would not improve my survival rate if I opted for mastectomy over lumpectomy. It just doesn't make sense to me that removing all that tissue doesn't improve my chance survival. If the tissue is not there it is not reoccurring in THAT tissue. Yes, it can still reoccur in that location but with so much tissue gone am I not lessening my chance for reoccurrence?
To the original poster, 3x cancer survivor, I love your positive outlook and appreciate your post! Wishing you the best and praying this is your last encounter with C-Beast! May you slay him down for good!

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What a wonderful positive message. Thank you.

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@janisbrede

What’s your fear?

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I don’t know yet how bad my cancer is. I’m in the very beginning of the process where I’ve been told. Next I go for more tests.

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@reine

I don’t know yet how bad my cancer is. I’m in the very beginning of the process where I’ve been told. Next I go for more tests.

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I remember that fear. It’s the unknown that gets you. For me that was the hardest part. You will get your completed diagnosis, plans will be made and if you are like me, you will come out of this a stronger and better person because of what you went through. My cancer turned out to be a blessing in my life. So many relationships improved as well as my outlook. Not going to lie, it can scare the hell out of you if you let it but don’t let it! Reach out to me if you need to vent or have any questions I may be able to answer.

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@janisbrede

What’s your fear?

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Both my parents died from cancer. They both were stoic. My mother suffered awfully. My father was quiet about it. When he was at his worst he went out with a buddy and shot basketballs. I miss them, and now instead of recalling the good days like when we went fishing or when the three of us worked in the same theater together. 🎭 I remember their pain and struggles. My husband recently died from cancer about three years ago, so it’s been difficult pulling it all together. Due to the pandemic friends for a long time couldn’t come to visit. I don’t have anyone close enough, and I’m not well enough to go back to where I spent most of my life. I wouldn’t get treatment soon enough if I went back east, because I’d have to start the process all over again. I’m trying to keep from being upset with my now former MD who didn’t think I was ill. She told me that the nurse practitioner would take care of me. I probably wasted about a year before I found a doctor who is kind and examined me and set up a step by step set of things to do to have proper treatment. He can then send me to a specialist, whereas the other doctor didn’t seem to know what to do. A lot of time passed when I could have been properly diagnosed and started with treatment by a specialist. I was a little sick when my husband was fighting cancer then died. I took care of him as best I could and thought more about him. The pandemic hit. My MDs (one retired as the pandemic slowed down) and the best at that time which she could do was visit via a a video appointment. She did the best she could, but she couldn’t get a good look. The new MD, as I said above, didn’t seem to think anything major was wrong and turned me over to the nurse practitioner. I don’t like being angry, but I am. I was glad to find this place to talk with you who are friendly and considerate, sharing too.

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@coldia Some doctors talk about a "terrain" that makes cancer hospitable. So they approach this as "how to make your terrain inhospitable for cancer". I am in the process of learning about it so cannot quite give concrete pointers but it mainly is about changing your diet-exercise habits-emotional and spiritual state, in addition to the treatments you are/will be having. I have started reading Nasha Winters' "The Metabolic Approach to Cancer". Perhaps you can take a look at it if you have the time and desire.

Wishing you a complete healing.

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