One day at a time: Was first diagnosed... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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One day at a time

Cayden123 profile image
17 Replies

Was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 had chemo and radiation...now in January 2017 I was diagnosed with stage iv Mets....started on ibrance and letrozole 2 months ago....have a pet scan scheduled on October 23rd....praying for good results...hear alot of great things about Ibrance.....

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Cayden123 profile image
Cayden123
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17 Replies
Kats2 profile image
Kats2

Hi Cayden123,

They say that Ibrance and Letrozole should be used as a first- line-of -defense drug and that’s what’s being done for you. I think your treatment plan sounds good.

Where are your mets?? If in the bones, you’ll need a bone strengthener like Zometa or Xgeva shots along with your Ibrance.

I may be starting Ibrance with Letrozole myself soon, I have bone mets.

Let us know how you make out with your Pet Scan.

Good luck! Kats2

Cowgirl2 profile image
Cowgirl2 in reply toKats2

Welcome Cayden. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but there are a lot of new medications available now.

I have had it for 3 1/2 years and am doing really bad.

I haven't had the Ibrance yet but I hear that it is really good.

Good luck with your Pet scan. Just think positive. I know how hard it is.

Saying a prayer for you.

Cayden123 profile image
Cayden123 in reply toKats2

Ty so much Kats2...it's also in my bones... Marker went from 125 to 128 this past blood work.....hoping the ibrance is working...will find out on the 23rd of October

JulSoul profile image
JulSoul

Hi Cayden! So sorry to hear you are fighting the beast once again. I was diagnosed November 2016 with Stage IV. Mets to the bones, lymph nodes and a few tiny somethings in my lungs. My Doctor, which I love, started me on Ibrance and Letrozole right away. First 125 which was too strong and now 100. So far things are going great! My PET Scans continue to be good! No progression. Side effects are minimal and tolerable. As was mentioned already, bone strengthener shot Xgeva. Good luck to you. I think you are going to have great results also! Keep us posted! Prayers!

JulSoul

Cayden123 profile image
Cayden123 in reply toJulSoul

Hi julsoul..so happy you are getting good results with the ibrance...heard lots of good things about it....good luck to you

JulSoul profile image
JulSoul in reply toCayden123

Thank you so much Cayden! I feel so blessed to be getting positive results! How are you feeling these days?

Partia profile image
Partia

Greetings. Yes stage 4 sucks. However I am Going on my 15th cycle of Ibrance and am doing pretty good.All the best to you.

dianeygirl profile image
dianeygirl

HI there, so sorry to hear about the stage 4. I was first diagnosed as a stage 4 cancer patient. However, after Chemo and radiation and a mastectomy and several surgeries I am NED. I am on Ibrance 125 and Letrozole and I tolerate them really well. I'm glad that there are drugs to combat this. You can do this! Good luck and prayers for you!

Lisa-n-AZ profile image
Lisa-n-AZ

We all have a little different story but with 2 big things in common. Yes, you guessed the first, but the second ..is our fight to survive....we are strong women! I was diagnosed METs (liver, spine) in Feb 2017. 4 rounds of (the Red Devil) Chemo, as my liver was pretty bad. Then on to Ibrance, Letrozole and Zometa (every 3rd month). Just finished 6 cycles of Ibrance and have been NED since Aug.

My one recommendation is to stay active. The commercial says it best...a body in motion says in motion. I'm not as strong as I was last year...but I have found a way to stay active. Aquafit 3 days a week, it helps me physically and mentally. Minimal stress on my back and I think at 52 I might be the youngest in my class. I started without using the water weights...but built up to using them.

You are in my Prayers.

Lisa

Halfpint2 profile image
Halfpint2

I was first diagnosed in 2005 and then it came back in 2016 metasticized to both lungs. I didn’t start Femara until November 2016 after 20 rounds of 3 types of chemo. I started Ibrance last month. No side effects except more fatigue and hair thinning. Tumors responded beautifully to chemo but didn’t reduce on Femara so they added Ibrance.

I’ve heard great things so I know we will have great results. Please keep us in the loop. God Bless.

Joan37 profile image
Joan37

Sorry to hear about your stage iv diagnosis. You are in good company hear, as we are all in the same situation. Wishing you good results on your PET scan.

Good luck with your PET scan results. It sounds as if this Ibrance/letrozole combination seems to work for many people. Unfortunately we don't seem to get it here in South Africa - or if we do it is clearly considered too dear or whatever to add to the oncology formulary of medicines used by medical schemes. Would like to have had the opportunity but had to use letrozole only for 3 years till it stopped working.

Keep smiling

Ibelong profile image
Ibelong

Hi Cayden123,

I am sorry you have joined the stage IV club. I am in the 5% group that was originally diagnosed at stage IV. I had mets to the bone at original diagnosis. That was in May 2007. Today's medicine is very promising and can takes us far in to our future. I have won many battles fending off the beast in my bones, chest lymphnodes, lung, and beating it back currently in my liver, chest nodes and some more bones. Do not worry if your results are slow to clearing your bones. They are tough to heal and repair. Good results will happen. Much good luck to you.

Pammy420 profile image
Pammy420

Hi Cayden123

I was diagnosed at stage iv in June of 2017 with mets to bones. I'm on my second cycle of fe Mara and ibrance plus xgeva and lupron. I also take cannabis oils and use cannabis salves and cannabis baths that soothe the bone and joint pain. I have almost every side effect but I'm managing ok. I'm a firm believer in nutritional supplants for immunity building and counteracting side effects. Here to help and inspired by other women here who have been long time warriors. Hope! Faith!

Heath3 profile image
Heath3

I was diagnosed in 2006 also, then with bone Mets 6 weeks ago and am on femura and Kisquali. My tumor marker is going down so I am hopeful. Praying for good results with your pet scan!

Sebina profile image
Sebina in reply toHeath3

Hi Heath3,

How are you doing? Are you still on Kisqali?

I’m also on Kisqali for last 10 months, but last two months tumor marker went up so my dr want to do the petscan end of the month and probably change the treatment 🤞

Heath3 profile image
Heath3

Hi Cayden 123, Yes I’m still on kisqali-my scans in January show stability, but my markers keep going up. Actually my blood work from last week shows that my markers are close to what they were when I was diagnosed-very frustrating and anxiety producing! But I feel good and my onc says we’ll go with the scans- don’t worry about the markers!??? Let me know how your scans go, I’ll keep you in my prayers:)

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