I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in July2016. I had 26 weeks chemo then the tumor shrunk enough to have lumpectomy. I then had 6 weeks of radiation. So the chemo left me with neuropathy in my feet and fingers but getting used to it. My scans have been great,praise God! I have been on Ibrance and letrozole since May. Developed a rash but take Allegra each day and it seems to work. Other than being nauseous after meds and tired in afternoon seem to be my symptoms. I have also started xegva shots and numbness has spread to my left leg and I bruise really easily. I am now able to walk at least a mile a day and have stopped crying each day. Still panic over any symptoms but I am so grateful for my drs, medications, and family. I am so lucky to live near the best medical care.
It’s been a long rode: I was diagnosed... - SHARE Metastatic ...
It’s been a long rode
Mimiholl so sorry to hear you are going through this. You don't know me but I am going to pray for you. I hope you get your health and strength back soon. One foot in front of the other. Baby steps. All my best to you. Xxxxx
Sounds like overall you are doing good. Glad to hear this! This is an encouragement.
I too have stage IV with mets to the bones. I’m on anastrazole. In the beginning it caused a lot of bone and joint pain. Not quite as bad now. I also take exgeva once a month. I also take osteo biflex and turmeric for bone and joint pain. They seem to help. I did this with my doctors ok. It isn’t an easy path. Some days are while others not quite so good. I walk daily and exercise with weights and elastic bones trying to keep th Ebony’s strong. We take it a day at a time. I hope you get some relief and feel better soon. Those with cancer are in my prayers every night.
Greetings: Sister Petreep my same sentiment, God bless you and all of us in the fight to destroy this disease. I pray you will have a Happy and, Healthy New Year! Amen
About neuropathy -- I don't know for sure that this works for the neuropathy from chemo, but my brother has gotten much relief from diabetic neuropathy from something called Anodyne therapy. And interestingly, the physical therapist I was seeing mentioned that they used to offer it at PT and that it always helped. It's a gizmo that stimulates some thing in the nerves to repair themselves. Apparently Medicare used to pay for it but no longer. I think my brother said the machine is about $200. Maybe I'm not right about that. I found info online with a google search. I have to remember to ask my onc about it. I have neuropathy in both legs and feet from a damaged sciatic nerve from a herniated disc. It really effects my balance. I feel that most walking on uneven surfaces.
It took me years to stop crying daily. My journey started in 2014. Been thru Chemo, radiation, lumpectomy and now Ibrance and letrozole. I have mild neuropathy -- I guess it's mild -- in feet. I'm not a health "nut," wish I were...but I swear green drinks and smoothies really help w the neuropathy and fatigue. I follow Kris Carr (google her), she has a stage 4 Cancer and is a great role model. Meditation, green drinks, and any physical activity you can do will help with mood and side effects. Buddhism has helped me deal with the fear and panic. I have white hair (gave up dying it after Chemo, I'm 64) and now have purple streaks in my hair. That and regular facials and massages (check with your doctor first) help boost my morale. Everything is a work in progress, and I don't claim to have conquered either one (fear and occasionally panic, and sadness..ok that's at least 3...), but these things really help me. Find whatever strengthens your mind, soul and body. I've decided to travel when I can, The planning and the experience is such a precious break from Cancer.. I'll pray that you find some balance and relief from what you're going through. We are all members of this sisterhood, and the people here are not only empathetic, but are walking the walk.
Try taking the ibrance at night after dinner It might help you be less tired during the day. I hope that you will feel better.
I’ve been living with stage 4 Breast Cancer to my bones since 1998. No lie. I’ve battled with depression and found both meds and therapy work wonders - makes me feel more like the pre-Cancer me.
Neuropathy has been a problem for me while on Ixempra and now Halaven. Numbness has reached just below both knees and sometimes I get around better with a cane. Tens unit and acupuncture has helped. Prescription drugs haven’t worked. I try to walk a mile or so every other day and it seems to help.
Hope you find relief for your symptoms and your treatments continue to work.
- Sandi S. So Calif.
Did your Dr put your hands and feet on ice during chemo IV?
No. As of now, there is no evidence that helps. Cooling has been found to be helpful in preventing some chemo-related hair loss. Have you had success with hand/foot cooling to ease neuropathy?
When I was receiving chemo through my port I kept my hands and feet in ice so I don't know whether my neuropathy would have been worse if I hadn't. I have sort of gotten used to having numb hands and toes. I lost all my hair by the second week of chemo. It has started growing back was tight curly now straighter and Snow White, no longer a blonde but at least straight again. . A lot thinner but at least I've got hair. God bless the drs and medications they've produced.
I don’t seem to have neuropathy. I was told the ice help with that, not hair loss. It didn’t help that. ♥️
Greetings: sister 1998withStage4. You are a true warriorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . Your testimony gives so many hope. I pray you ,and all of our warriors out there will have a Happy and Healthy New Year! Amen
I got white lifeless rabbit hair. Had thick wavy hair that I dyed auburn before.chemo.
I keep it really short and spike it and put purple steaks in my hair. Oh and earrings. I’m 64 and people probably think I’m nuts. Some admire it. It’s all good. Gives me a kick.
Greetings : Sister Warrior Mimiholl I pray God will continue to take you to a place of restoration/healing. I pray you will have a Happy and, Healthy New Year Amen
Hi Mimiholl, I'm relatively new here. I do have a suggestion for the bruising though. Try using Arnica Montana. It comes OTC in an ointment or in tiny sublingual pills. I found mine in a local health food store. Not very costly. It also helps with swelling & some pain.
Prayers for you and all who are dealing with this unholy disease. God bless!
Hi Mimiholl, I am so happy that you are able to walk every day. That is just wonderful. Yes, panic in a way of life living with this disease. I began this journey in 2001 with breast cancer, lumpectomy. Three months later, lung cancer, two lobes removed, twenty six weeks of chemo and seven weeks, five days a week of radiation. Bingo, 13 years NED until 2014 when a spot was seen on annual chest X-ray on the last lobe of my right lung. I opted for cyber-knife therapy that did not get it all. In the meantime, I had a bout of bladder cancer. Now NED. But, now the lung cancer has metastaized to the humerus bone of my left arm. I am currently on Keytruda and Zometa for six months. The only side efffects I have is itching. I had a PET scan on December 21. The scan shows no new activity. And today I had a scope of my bladder and it is clear. This has been the best gift I could get for 2018. I pray that your panic will ease and travel this journey with as much hope and faith as we can. I take one day at a time. It’s the only time I have. Praying for peace for you.
Aire
How Long Does it Take a Bone Mets Fracture to Heal?
Capecitabine(Xeloda) dose change 
Aches, pains on Ibrance + Letrozole
Former art teacher with a passion for travel
