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Q: Diagnosis Stage 3A ILC 5 + lymph nodes, 2.5cm tumor, clear margins. Completed 4 AC, 12 Taxol, 33 rads the day before Thanksgiving. Mitotic rate 1, Tubular 3, Nuclear 3. Nervous about recurrence.
Hi Heather - Only your oncologist can give you the recurrence statistics for your particular cancer. But is knowing that number going to help you deal with your fear? After all, it's only an average, based on lots of other women's experiences; it's not a 100% accurate assessment of YOUR situation.
It's only natural, at this point, for you to be obsessive about recurrence; it's a common "side effect" of finishing treatment. We call it the "Who's looking after me now?" transition period, when you're gradually assimilating the fact that you're done with active treatment, and now you need to discover your new normal.
You'll never feel exactly the same as you did, pre-cancer; it'll always lurk in your mind. But as time passes, you'll find cancer isn't all-consuming; it's just another thing to worry about off and on, like your kids and your bank account.
you may want some help from a therapist to get through this rough period. But you WILL get through it; trust me. Time heals, it really does. And every day that passes, you're that much closer to feeling good about life again. Take care- PJH
Heather, if you finished treatment before Thanksgiving, you must be near your anniversary of diagnosis. Reliving all the trauma of diagnosis can be very anxiety provoking. As PJ says, any statistics you hear cannot predict what will happen to you. They are a snapshot of what happened to people in a study that is at least five years old. So after you talk to your doctor about what your chances for recurrence are, keep in mind that treatments are better now than they were when the study was done. For example, when I was finishing treatment in 1999, no one knew about the benefits of aspirin and Vitamin D in breast health. As a person with 16 positive lymph nodes and every known bad prognostic factor, I had plenty to worry about, and I did worry. I found it helpful to make long-term plans even when part of me was worrying about whether I would be well enough to accomplish them. Gradually, I began to have faith that I really would stay well.
Worry will not give you an extra minute of health, and it can ruin your enjoyment of what you have right now. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor about an anti-anxiety medication if your worry is preventing you from sleeping or getting daily tasks done. Staying busy helps too. Be sure to write us with the good news that you are still well next year.
Has your oncologist ever talked to you about the BRCA1/BRCA2 blood test? This test screens for gene mutations that increase risk of breast cancer and recurrence. I am asking because I thought after being treated for stage 2b breast cancer with left mastectomy and 4 AC and 12 Taxol that my risk for recurrence and/or getting cancer in remaining breast was low until I found out I have the genetic mutation for BRCA2. Talk to your doctor about this blood test, if you haven't already.
Sending all my best to you, Heather, that your surgery will go well and that you will feel some peace of mind as time passes.
I had my second mastectomy, hysterectomy and removal of ovaries in October. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Each day gets a little easier and at my visit this week with my oncologist, all blood tests were good.
I've decided that I will live my life in celebration of the blessings in my life and do my best not to worry about the future. One day at a time! (0:
Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping that all will be well with you.
Good work staying positive - keep it up, it can only help! I very much believe in the mind-body connection. I feel that keeing stress levels low keeps your immune system healthy, which in turn keeps cancer at bay... Take care- PJH
Thank you sR; Positivity is normally what fuels me and thank you for getting me back on track. Heather
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sR; I have been tested and I am negative for both BRCA1&2. I will however have my other breast removed just given the nature of my cancer ILC and the fact that it often is only discovered through MRI. I don't want to be lying in wait every 6 months waiting for MRI results. To that end, I just had a mammogram and MRI this past week and all was clear!!!!
Dear Phyllis and PJ; Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am traditionally a person who really doesn't worry a great deal and it could very well be that my one year cancerserversary has got me thinking a bit tooooo much about recurrence.
As one of my friends put it, right now I am Stage 0 and until someone tells me otherwise, I am sticking to it!!!
Thank you, Heather