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Joan M · 08-28-2008, 06:23 PM

Becky,

I would agree that it might be too late for a second opinion, and you may not want to really know.

I think you have to weigh how much it's going to nag at you. As you said, "for the 10th time," which means that it's still in the back of your mind. I know the feeling. I've been there.

It's got me thinking too. I had two tumors, DCIS and infiltrating bc, and even though I think both were covered by rads, I'm not really totally sure (and they were on opposite sides of the breast). And I stopped seeing the rads onc after the bc spread to my lung last year. It was just too much to see so many doctors.

If you decide to go for a second opinion, I wouldn't even mention it to your rad onc. We like to think that everybody is open but they're not.
Joan

08-28-2008, 06:23 PM	#5
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Becky, I would agree that it might be too late for a second opinion, and you may not want to really know. I think you have to weigh how much it's going to nag at you. As you said, "for the 10th time," which means that it's still in the back of your mind. I know the feeling. I've been there. It's got me thinking too. I had two tumors, DCIS and infiltrating bc, and even though I think both were covered by rads, I'm not really totally sure (and they were on opposite sides of the breast). And I stopped seeing the rads onc after the bc spread to my lung last year. It was just too much to see so many doctors. If you decide to go for a second opinion, I wouldn't even mention it to your rad onc. We like to think that everybody is open but they're not. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 08-28-2008 at 07:25 PM..