Grade 2 ER breast cancer for second time

Hello. I follow this forum and I see it's full of lovely people and it helps, so I decided to join. 
I was diagnosed with a grade 2 ER + breast cancer in 2013, age 47. Young daughter, no partner and a job in care which was tough. I had a lumpectomy (2 sentinel nodes +ve but axilla all clear) FEC-T chemotherapy and radiotherapy with Tamoxifen. After nearly 8 years of being fine, got remarried, daughters doing well, a routine mammogram picked something up - biopsy says 1.5 cm tumour ER + again in the same breast. I always knew it could happen, but it is a shock. They're pretty sure it is different from previous, and think it's a new primary. I'm lined up for a mastectomy and reconstruction, and they've done a CT scan. I feel sick with fear that it will have been growing somewhere else all this time. I've tried to find out my results but the clinic just has a recorded message. Someone I spoke to says I won't be told anything until they have their big case management meeting. It just goes on and on, and I have a fear that they will want to do another scan. I just wish there was someone who could give reassurance. Thanks for reading this. xx

  • Hello, and firstly massive love to you. This is horrible for you, especially as you have been here before. If you want reassurance I'll say this to you. You got through this disease once before and you'll do it again. It won't be easy you know that. But you're bloody strong and in a good place. The worse thing is not knowing the results and the fear it's travelled off. 
    I was diagnosed with 4cm grade 3 last May. Chemo, lumpectomy, rads and now tamoxifen. My nodes were clear too and I was lucky it didn't move on. But I live with the fear it might have done and that in my opinion is the worse part of this experience. It terrifies me and if I let it it would destroy me. There is no certainty.

    When will you get the CT scan results? That might help you. The worse thing is not knowing.

    Please know I'm here to talk to and listen. I hope you've got good support but I know I benefited from talking to those who know what this is like. 
    Stay distracted and busy and do what you need to to stay sane!

    Big hugs xx 
     

  • Hello Help66

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious about things and I can understand that you just want some news as soon as possible. 

    I wanted to try and connect you with another member, [@Fairi]‍  , who posted this week having also been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. You can read her post here. It might help you both to be able to chat with someone who is going through a similar experience. 

    I also wanted to encourage you to have a think about speaking to one of our team of nurses. I'm sure that they will be able to give you some information, advice, and support. They're available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that you have some news soon. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Dear Mrs Boo,

    thank you so much for your reply, it means a huge amount and I really appreciate your positive words. The good news is that the CT scan was all clear. My mastectomy and reconstruction is booked for the 8th of June. Telling my daughters was the worst thing. They were devastated that I have to go through this again and have taken it really hard. I have a very supportive husband this time around which makes a world of difference, but you're right - dealing with the uncertainty is the hardest thing. I wish you well, it sounds like you're doing great. xxx