In praise of Ibrance and Letrozole - SHARE Metastatic ...

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In praise of Ibrance and Letrozole

seiler profile image
28 Replies

My initial right-breast cancer appeared (grew very quickly to the size of a grapefruit) in 1992. I had 6 courses of chemo, very extensive mastectomy, 34 radiation, then 6 more chemo. I was clear of what all doctors said would be terminal. Had lots of physical therapy and crying. 24 years later, in 2016 I felt a pain down my right leg. Went to a chiropractor for 6 months, then was sent for an X-ray by him. Found recurrence of the breast cancer: 13 tumors consisting of 1 at the top of my spine, 1 had eaten away my sacrum (bottom of spine), 5 in my uterus (removed by a hysterectomy {easy and totally pain-free}) and 6 elsewhere. My main message: After 5 years of Ibrance plus Letrozole, my latest PET scan shows NO SIGN of cancer. I realize that in the future (I'm 77) I could get cancer again, but 5+ years of "extra" life are not bad. I haven't had normal taste the entire time, but that's a small price to pay.

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seiler
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28 Replies
Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie

That’s fabulous news ! I wish you many more years of ‘ extra life ‘ x

seiler profile image
seiler in reply toTeddielottie

Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Aloha from Honolulu (actually, from Kailua near Honolulu)

in reply toseiler

Wait! Not only are you NED after five years on the same treatment (and not starting from a great place....), but you live in Kailua!?! But that's MY dream!! :)

I've been to Kailua twice...rental on the bay, walkable to Kalapawai Market, and the only reason I remember that is because I have a coffee mug from that shop! :)

The first time I went there was for a spring break...I'd been working non-stop, had four teenagers in tow (mine plus a friend for each), and a long travel day, with a stop over at LAX...We arrived after dark, exhausted. The next morning, I woke up and stepped outside and my eyeballs nearly burst from the astonishing colors!!! The blues of the bay, the lush greenery (plants like I'd never seen), and the pinks/oranges/purples of the flowers...

...It felt like when I used to watch The Wizard of Oz and it turned from black and white to color...:)...and I can still see that initial image in my mind...

Thank you for helping me remember that and all I can say is, you're about the luckiest person I "know"! Good for you! :)

Take care, enjoy life!

Lynn

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to

Me too! One summer, my husband and I exchanged our home in Scotland with a couple's home in Kailua. We took our camping gear and used that home as our base. The beach in Kailua was so beautiful and so were the beaches on the Big Island and on Kauai (spelling?). We had travelled extensively all over Europe, North Africa ( mostly in an old VW camper van) and the USA but the favorite place of all of my beautiful Scottish husband/soulmate was Hawaii. He remembered the smell of the ginger growing by the side of the road. He said that he smelled it when he got off the plane. I think that the spirits embrace Hawaii and grace the people that are there.

Sieler. I believe that the grace is washing over you and that you will continue to feel good health, living in Hawaii.

Wow! What a scary rollercoaster you've been on. Thank you for posting your story and I wish you continued clear scans.

Betbop profile image
Betbop

Congratulations fellow warrior you've just made my day!

Thrifty51 profile image
Thrifty51

Oh my! That is such great news. That gives us all so much hope. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and we pray all future scans are the same!!

Best,

Audrey

Wow! That's truly phenomenal! I am so, so happy for you! :)

Ilovehorses profile image
Ilovehorses

That’s awesome!! Thank you for sharing! Gives us all hope and inspiration!

Fantastic

Gatsby1 profile image
Gatsby1

That’s so reassuring to hear that this treatment works. I’m in rainy Scotland 😂

Andersl profile image
Andersl

I'm really pleased to hear you've had such a good response to the two drugs.

Letrazole didn't work for me. I was progressing. Of course it could have been the concomitant drugs also though once I switched chemo and stopped letrozole ive had a partial remission.

I wish the scientists could find a way to determine who it will/wont help.

All the best for continued success,

Xx

Amm1 profile image
Amm1

NED wow! I’m delighted for you and wish you many more clear scans. Thanks for sharing your news. Xx

AvidBooklover profile image
AvidBooklover

Wow, what wonderful news! Congratulations!

syl70 profile image
syl70

Thanks for sharing. You give others hope. Congratulations!

JEY1 profile image
JEY1

That is awesome news!!! I have been taking Ibrance and Letrozole for 4 months and hope I have good results like you!

Lokio profile image
Lokio

Thank you for sharing! I was cancer free for 18 years before I knew I had MBC! You beat me in years on that front! (Pun intended!) Congratulations on your wonderful news! Your story is inspirational!

Totheriver profile image
Totheriver

That is awesome and very encouraging words . I have had one year on ibrance and letrozole but have not had shrinkages but it is stable.

Thanks for sharing 💕

Theresa

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

What a story you have shared with all of us! It should be headlined FORTITUDE AND HOPE! Thank you for your words of inspiration!

May God bless your life for many years to come!!

💗💗💗💗💗

Linda

Such wonderful news to hear for you first of all, but actually for all of us!

Wishing you continued health for many, many more years!

hdhonda profile image
hdhonda

Dear Seiler,

That is amazing!!!! Are you remaining on the Ibrance/Letrozole? Your story is music to my ears. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings, Hannah

Phillipians4and6 profile image
Phillipians4and6

Thank you Lord!!! This is awesome news.

Shelly1009 profile image
Shelly1009

Thank you for sharing this. It gives us newly diagnosed MBC gals so much hope. 💕

Gmaoftriplets profile image
Gmaoftriplets

Wow 5years on Ibrance and Letrozole. that has been my course of treatment for 3 years. I was diagnosed with stage 4 at initial diagnosis, with 1 lesion on my right hip. So far so good, next scan is in September. Your story is truly incouraging.

TwithBC profile image
TwithBC

... just amazing. So you you started with this combo drug treatment and remained on it for 5 years because over those years the tumors were slowing diminishing? what did the 5 years look like in terms of your scans etc? This is really wonderful and amazing.

Thank you for sharing this positive information. It gives me hope. Madlyn

Red1246 profile image
Red1246

Congratulations on hearing NED! You’ve given us all a gift of hope by sharing your news - thank you. Wishing you many more healthy years! Big virtual hugs. Kathleen

Itisfinished profile image
Itisfinished

You have really been through it. You are a living miracle! I think we all are miracles! Praise God He is so good to us!!

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