New to this site.

[Slow4417]

Hello,

I wanted to share my story so that it may help someone here.

My diagnosis was confirmed 12/10 two days before Christmas. Originally was stage II, had a lumpectomy, one positive lymph node, then another surgery to get clean margins. Before starting treatment I had a scan and they found a small spot on my left hip. I was restaged to IV.

I did five months of chemo and six weeks of radiation to both the breast and hip. I took tamoxifen for 5 years and am now taking arimidex. I have developed neuropathy in my feet, but it's a small price to pay for still being here for my family.

I have blood work done every 6 months and a mammogram and PET scan once a year.

I know it's not a matter of "if" but "when" the cancer returns and I'm trying to live a normal life until then.

I hope my story helps bring comfort to someone on their journey.

[Mariannem]

Glad you joined the group. Sounds like things are going well for except the neuropathy. I hope things remain stable for you. I am going on 4 years of living with MBC. It inspires me to see others that are living long term with MBC.

[PJBinMI]

Some onc's believe that having a very limited number of mets, I can't remember if the limit is 3, 4 or 5, that cure is possible. And bone mets don't killl us anymore! So you are well positioned to do well for a long time, maybe forever!

[Joan37 in reply to PJBinMI]

I had a limited number of mets and did a lung wedge resection in 2007 and then radiofrequency ablation of the lung in 2008 when another met returned to the same area as the surgery. I also had a brain met that was treated with a craniotomy and five targeted dosages of radiation in late 2008. I've been NED since then. Although some onc's use the word "cure," I wouldn't go that far myself, since I feel it can always come back. I'm still in treatment.

As to bone mets, many with only bone mets have longevity, but bone mets can get us in the end too. One of my girlfriends just passed away from her bone mets, but she lived for 16 years with them. She was in her early 70s.

[Kathleen1999]

Diagnosed with bone Mets at 52....I am now 70. I am grateful to God for all of these unexpected years to spend with my family, friends and fellow Sisters in CHRIST ( I am a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul).

I am e+p + and Her 2 - . I had Six treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxin. Tamoxifen galled after 3 years. I have had radiation 3 times (to the rib, the roof of the acetabulum and the Rt. Femur which fractured from a tumor; thus I had a rod put through the femur. Prior to that I was on Xeloda for 7 years an Zometa for four years. I was on Arimidex when the femur fractured so then I was put on Faslodex a few years ago.

My tumor marker CA 27-29) has never been over 90. Every day is a gift!

[Neverforsaken in reply to Kathleen1999]

Without my faith in Jesus I could not do this!

Thank you for this hope that I can live with this..Mine is HER2+, but there are targeted txs. for that too.

Only God writes out our days.