I’m new here. Two weeks post radiotherapy

[123048]

Metastatic breast cancer. Chemo, then lymph clearance (tumour under arm) finished radiotherapy two weeks ago. Just read metastatic cancer incurable. Will be on letrazol shortly. Wanting to have hope

[Ashish31]

No. Its curable. Be positive. My mom undergo surgery n then chemo n then radio therapy. She is fine NAD doing well. Get well soon.

[louise222]

Hi there, I am almost 4 years post diagnosis breast cancer, I had lettozole to shrink my 3cm lump, it reduced it by 33% over 9 months, then lumpectomy (mammoplasty) reduction of breast size, followed by radiotherapy, early stage, Grade 1 - had a CT Scan (advised by GP because of other concerns) all clear, breast marker, all clear. I had my lymph nodes removed under left arm (it was left breast) 4/24 nodes had cancer, medical oncologist said no chemo required, I’m on letrozole, 4 years, takes some getting used too, but I’m ok. I am supposed to do moderate exercise, which I do, but not often enough 1/2 times a week. Sometimes stiff, but keep moving, then ok. I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy, that’s fine. I just feel lonely sometimes, but don’t know why? I think this is a physiological thing as well, but 4 years later I feel mostly fine. You will too. Just keep on going and please message me if you need me,!im here...,,,Pauline (aka louise22) ❤️

[123048 in reply to louise222]

Thank you so much Louise, I think I’m lonely inside. Don’t admit to family. Probably a bit depressed. I’m usually the the optimistic joker of the family.

I will see oncologist in 3 weeks, he said I will be taking letrozole, perhaps he will start me on it then. Thanks again, feel better about things.

Helen (123048)

[louise222 in reply to 123048]

Hi again, I feel lonely inside as well, sometimes feel like the world is going on without me, I’m like you, don’t talk about it, don’t think people want to hear, especially me you will be fine, keep in touch if you need me, we are The Band of Sisters (and brothers) I don’t think anyone, including medical staff, know how we truly feel, even if they are wonderful, only us, The letrozoe worked wonders for me, and you too, remembe, you are never ever alone, write when you need me, like I said before, I’m here, always 😋

[Julie2233]

Not cureable but treatable. I was diagnosed with mbc in march this year and I understand how shocked you are feeling. With modern advances in treatment my oncologist told me to consider it as a long term chronic illness.

There is another site for those of us with mbc which you might find useful. Lots of us living with this diagnosis and lots of discussion about different treatments now available. When one stops working there is another to try. It's an American based site and it's certainly given me hope.

[123048]

Thank you Louise and Julie, so very kind of you both to take the time and I admire your stoicism. I feel much more positive re the future. I am interested in the the American based site Julie and would appreciate the link.

[Julie2233]

I'm afraid I have no idea how to share a link but the group is called SHARE metastic breast cancer. As I said, it's primarily an American site and some treatments available to them are different for us, but the basics seem to be the same. Once you start reading the posts you will see that there are many options and the new medications are getting good results

[123048]

Thank you🙂

[Julie2233 in reply to 123048]

Can I just say one more thing, a thought which helped me after my diagnosis. When you have something that isn't curable your imagination goes into overdrive. Mbc is treatable with lots of treatment options which you will see from the SHARE forum. But when you are thinking the worst look around you, no one knows what's going to happen tomorrow and you are still one of those people.

Your imagination will be giving you all sorts of horrible thoughts, but they are just thoughts, you can't know what is going to happen. No one does. Everyone's journey is different especially with this disease, so when those thoughts come into your head stop them, look at them but dismiss them. You are ok today and that's all anyone can ask. I hope you find this helpful. And remember you aren't alone there are many of us living with the same diagnosis.

Ps can you see your oncologist sooner? You will feel so much better when you have a treatment plan sorted.

[123048 in reply to Julie2233]

Just lost my email. Thanks Julie, you’re absolutely right none of us know what the future holds and I certainly am OK today. I’m seeing my oncologist and surgeon on 13 September so quite soon, then I will no longer be in limbo. I appreciate your advice🙂

[Donnanh]

Hi I was diagnosed last year with a 6.5cm tumour on my left breast and one of my nodes were infected. I was very scared in the beginning when I saw the word ‘metastatic’ in the letter from my consultant, but as it had not spread beyond the lymph nodes it was considered primary cancer which was ‘curable’, don’t assume the worse speak to your care team. But like the other ladies have said, even the non-curable are very treatable, you will always be on some medication, but so are people with high blood pressure.. take care it will get easier

[123048]

Thank you Donnanh, I will.

[blue_sky1]

The world is full of people who have recovered completely from metastatic disease, or are living with it as a long term condition. My friend had BC 26 years ago. It came back, then it spread to her lung. She had an op and the primitive type of treatments that were only available at that time, and today she is alive and well. One of my business partners had lung cancer 8 years ago and is also alive and well today. My builder's mother was diagnosed with triple negative which had spread everywhere and after treatment 2 years ago she has hardly anything left. Now I'm not saying that is the case for everyone. We don't know all the answers to this horrible disease. But you must stay positive and believe in a positive outcome. FYO lymph node involvement is just late stage primary BC which I had. 11 out of 12 lymph nodes and positively thriving 7 years later. Best of luck xxxxx

[123048]

Thank you so very much, you are a star for your positivity and for passing on your knowledge, I have become maudlin, and this post is most welcome.

Kind regards xxxxx