After trying medication therapy alone for 3 months as is protocol for heart failure, a pacemaker was implanted on December 15, 2016 at age 49. It has been determined that my veterbrae collapsed as a result of radiation or mets to the mid spine. It has also been determined that my heart failure & need for a pacemaker is due to the fact that I had CHOP chemotherapy in 2005 at the age of 36. The treatments are sometimes brutal on the weak body, but I am still here today as a result of getting those medical treatments. That of course combined with the grace of a loving God. My hostory is grim, bit if you could see me in person, you would find that I am thriving and actually quite healthy. Live one day at a time. Thank God for the time He gives you, love your family & don't spend a lot of time worrying about reoccurrence. Hugs, Paula

Hi.....I was originally diagnosed in 1996....DCIS....stage 1. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and took tamoxifen.

Fast forward 22 years and getting mammograms faithfully every year and last mammogram showed suspicious calcifications. I had a biopsy and it came back cancer. I had a masectomy this past February. I was very lucky this was caught early too. My doctor said radiologist had a good eye to catch it. I am now taking Armidex.

Last Friday I had an implant and a lift on other breast.

I just asked similar questions on another site! It seems more and more women are having recurrences years after their initial diagnosis. I just met someone who was originally diagnosed in 2008. In 2013, she had a recurrence and it was in her lungs. She was given 18 months to live. She's still here and doing great! Modern medicine is really helping those with metastatic disease to live longer, fuller lives. None of us want it, of course....but I think keeping a positive outlook and attitude is important. May God bless all of us and keep us fighting!

First diagnosis was Feb 2013 Stage 1-ER/PR+. Lumpectomy with lymphnodes removed. No osirive nodes.
Radiation and Tomoxifen.
Second diagnosis April 2017. Stage 2A, ER/PR+, HER2+. Considered a second primary because it was HER2+ this time.
Same side as well.

Stage II B in 2014, lumpectomy, Chemo, radiation, Arimidex, Stage IV 2017 Mets to bones, 2018 Mets to liver. Still being treated but cancer continues to spread.