@windyshores -- Thanks for your response. They have diagnosed it as advanced breast cancer, metastasis, since it came back in my chest and muscle. That's why I'm on Kisqali (and letrozole this time). But at least I found the lump on my bony chest before it spread to all my organs or I had symptoms. They likely would have caught it in the ultrasound I already had scheduled for two days later. I'm better off than many women with MBC as far as advancement, but the big concern is how aggressive it is this time (triple what it was last time).
When we discussed MBC treatment, I said, "Just for the sake of argument, what would happen if I did nothing?" He said, "It's so aggressive, it would be everywhere in months." Yikes. Kisqali isn't expected to work forever, but it all does make you cherish every day more than you ever did. So, like others have said, it's a blessing and a curse. We'll focus on the blessing part. 🙂
I think you may be right about them not being caught up on everything. It was a breast center, but my current oncologist is part of UCLA, but local to me. The oncology world changes rapidly for sure.
I'm betting we're not the only ones surprised by the notes. When I read the doctor's notes, any doctor, I see, "We discussed x, y, and z." I think, "We did? When?" Or I tell them I'm having a problem with x and their notes say, denies any issues with x. What? I think sometimes they don't do their charting till night after they've seen 20 patients that now all blur together. Once I read about all the vaccines I just had and it turns out they logged notes for the patient after me under my file. That's scary. Portals are convenient and eye opening!
Doctor's seem to spend some language in their notes on their own CYA. As far as the LVI, my oncologist and surgeon hardly mentioned it, and even the second opinion MO didn't point it out except to say that it was a negative.
However, given my concern I chose to have radiation after lumpectomy, which the literature said is more effective than hormone blocking if you had to chose one or the other. I am taking anastrozole every other day but am considering stopping after 2 years, which will be in September. My OncoDX was an 8 so my recurrence risk may be low, but in the end it is a bit of a crap shoot. We just have to make our best choices in lifestyle and medical treatment. Sorry to hear that you have had to experience this awful disease again. Fortunately, and kudos to you, you found it early enough to halt its progression. Thank you for sharing your story. Be well.