I was diagnosed in August with a reoccurrence of my breast cancer (2004) and an abdominal tumour in August after have OC in 2017/18. I’m pleased to say the abdo has been successfully treated by radiotherapy while we were waiting for my onco type to come back. All that is in hand and will be treated after Christmas as my RT didn’t end until the 22nd November.
I’m posting as my oncologist is concerned it may have spread due to a ridiculous weight loss of almost 7 stone since July. They estimate a patient can lose between 5-10% of their body weight during RT, I’ve lost over 40% of mine. My lungs and oesophagus have been cleared that leaves my digestion ve system. I’ve had a high positive on my Fit-test and I’m due to have a CT colonoscopy & full body scan a week tomorrow.
I’m wanting your opinion on the decision I’ve made and that’s not to be given those results until after Christmas. I think it’s not going to change my prognosis or treatment plan which won’t start until after Christmas whether it’s spread or not. I’ve got another concerts at The Script and Christmas with my son’s family. My gut feeling is it hasn’t spread and the weight loss is due to an adverse reaction's to the RT and not cachexia. IF it was bad news I don’t want it to spoil my precious family time or my Script concerts. I see no positives of finding out the results, I considered asking him to tell me if it was good news but then if he didn’t contact me I’d know it was bad. Do you think I’ve made the right decision?
id like to take this time to wish all of you ladies a good December and wish you the best of Christmas’ with you loved ones 💖🦋
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It doesn’t seem weird at all I think I would do exactly the same. Going to see The Script and enjoying Christmas will give you a much needed lift JUST in case you need it, a few weeks will not make much difference in terms of further treatment if needed. I’m keeping everything crossed you will be ok xx Jen
I already went to the first concert last week, my oncologist gave me 6 hrs leave from the hospital if I followed all his rules which I did. It was amazing so can’t wait for the next two, it was my treat at the end of the abdo treatment plan. Christmas with my Granddaughter will end the year perfectly. 5)4 negative stuff can sit in the back burner. You have a lovely Christmas x
I just wanted to let you know I’ve had my results and the cancer hadn’t spread - woohoo! They’ve found a large fibroid in my colon which will need surgery, I’ll take that over C any day of the week!
I had the most amazing time with my Granddaughter, son& daughter in law for Christmas and got front row at The Script concert. My decision was definitely the right one for me & I hope you had an amazing Christmas with your2 granddaughters too xx
Thank you for your kind words last time and this time, for understanding why I’d made that decision. Not everyone in my life was so understanding but as I said at the time, that was a “them” problem not mine. It’s me living through this it will be me that makes all the decisions, as long as my son supports them. Nobody else’s opinions count, again difficult for some family & friends to understand. I hope you had a lovely Christmas x
I completely understand your decision and believe that you are doing what is right for you. The body needs the mind to embrace living and the few weeks through the holiday with your family and concerts will give you the strength to move through whatever is next. Wishing you a beautiful holiday full of joy and grace. 🎄
I just wanted to update you that my CT colonoscopy & body CT both came back with no evidence the cancer has spread - woohoo! I do have a large fibroid on my colon which will need surgery, I’ll take that over more C any day of the week 😊
Life is for living and if it doesn’t affect your treatment plan then best to live your best life over Christmas and deal with it after that if that’s what you want to do. I don’t ever think there is a right or wrong decision on dealing with cancer. It is right for you at the time. And whatever you decide i am sure everyone will support you. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, full of life!!!! 🎄🎅🏻🌟
I'm sorry that your going thru this agree 100% with your decision to delay and enjoy your holiday season I'm in recurrence and my next 2nd infusion in December falls on 12/31 not that I whoop it up anymore at 65 I had my team push out until January need some sense of normality during the holidays. Prayers
When he gave me my diagnosis I gave him my concert dates and asked him to work my treatment plan around them and he has. I’m lucky I’ve had the same oncologist treat me for 20yrs so he knows what I’m like.
I do hope your next infusions aren’t too harsh on you and hope for a result if NED in the new year for you too x
20 years what a blessing in the storm. Thank you currently I'm on Avastin/Ketyruda and a daily low dose chemo pill very doable really no side effects I'm having my 3rd recurrence but was blessed to be NED for 21 months.
Apologies for not replying sooner if not seen your comment or received notifications. It’s been 20yrs since my bc but 6yrs since I had OC, still 6yrs was great. I’m so sorry you’re having such a tight time ride on you 3rd reoccurrence in such a short time, that’s got to be hard to remain positive and focused.
My good news is both CT scans show no sign of spread, I’m so relieved. I do have a large fibroid in my colon that will require surgery, give me that over more C any day of the week. I hope your treatment is successful and coming to an end soon, I wish you well. Take care 🩵
I sincerely hope that your gut feeling about the weight loss is correct. I was diagnosed Summer 23- surgery, chemo- now on Niraparib. Maintaining my weight has been a constant struggle since surgery. Previously almost 8 stones, now 7- regardless of the calories I consume.
I’d do exactly the same regarding Christmas. Go for it! Plenty of time for treatment afterwards.
I did reply to you I don’t know why it’s not posted. I just wanted to update you I’ve had my results both CT scans show no sign of spread. My gut feeling was right, I’m so pleased. I do however have a large fibroid in my colon that will require surgery, give me that over more C any day of the week.
I do hope you’ve found a way of maintaining your weight now, my trick I picked up on my first diagnosis and s drink as many slimfast milkshakes as possible a day. They’ve got 200 calories in every little bottle and packed full of nutrients and vitamins, the same as meal replacement shakes like Fortisip. I can’t stomach any of the prescription shakes but the ready made slimfast one taste quite nice. They’ve not worked this time due to the fibroid, everything I eat or drink goes straight through me in about 20mins. I’m up to 8.5st weight loss now but it’s progressively getting slower, between 2-3lbs compared to up to 8-10lbs during RT. I wish you all the best abs a light at the end of the tunnel getting through this nightmare 🩵
I hope you have a merry and worry free and peaceful Christmas 🤶 🌲, enjoy being around your family and friends. Merry Christmas to everyone who posts on here ♥️ 🤗.
Absolutely do what's right for you. A couple of weeks won't make any difference in the longer term - many of us have one or more cycles of chemo postponed because of low blood counts and the result is the same in the end. Enjoy your Christmas (PS what is Script concert?)
Apologies for delayed reply I’ve only just seen you comment when I came back to update the others who had commented, I’ve not had a notification for your comment. I’ve had my results and it’s not spread. The Script is a band from Dublin, Ireland who I’m a massive fan of. I’ve seen the 25 times live now and my last concert was on the 18th December and I managed to get front row after queuing in the rain & cold for hours but well worth it, as was Christmas with my family.
I’ve had chemo stopped several times during my 3 C diagnosis’s, I had blood transfusions followed by an iron infusion in December to get me ready for my next treatment plan because my blood count was below. 5. I wish you well & hope you get the all clear soon and can plug this all behind you x
No my oncologist decided to treat the abdomen tumour with standard radiotherapy first as the stereotactic is so much harsher, in the hope that would shrink or get rid of that one and we could address the breast tumour in the new year. Which is exactly what’s happened, if the CT scans had shown the C had read then SABR would likely have been in my treatment plan, thankfully it’s came back that it’s not spread. I do have another issue with my colon which is needing further tests and investigation before he can set my treatment plan for the BC. Make your own post ref SABR, there will be ladies I’m sure who have had it. I wish you well and a positive outcome on your treatment x
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Just some advice please! 
Christmas 
Reoccurrence from Stage 1? 
Stage 4 no more treatment options 
