5 months with MBC

[Juneday]

Hi, I'm Juneday and began my journey in July. I had my first cycle 7 weekly sessions of chemo along with monthly infusions of zometa, off for three weeks then a PET scan. My scan was about 60 percent clear. My oncologist said the chemo was doing its job. I just finished my 2nd cycle- 7 weekly sessions of chemo on November 10th. I had my next PET Scan November 22nd. Tomorrow I will get the results and the monthly infusion of someday. I have a great support system and I thank God I have not been really sick a day. Losing my hair was devastating at first but I have accepted it. Now rather than shop for shoes, I shop for wigs, hats and scarves. Can anyone with bone met share with me how many cycles of chemo it took for you to get a clear scan.

[PJBinMI]

Hi! I've had bone mets since my original bc diagnosis in March, 2004---yes, 2004, nearly 14 years ago. If you expect/hope for a clear scan, you may be disappointed. But stability is quite likely, especially since you have had such good results already. I don't think I have ever had what you refer to as a "clear scan," but I have done really really well and have never had symptoms from the bone mets and my onc has never limited my activity. The bone drugs, like the mostly used Xgeva and Zometa, have really expanded longevity and quality of life for those of us with bone only mets. We don't usually die anymore from bone mets. What treatment we have depends on the cancer cells and whether they have estrogen, progesterone or her2neu receptor cells. Alot of us find the first months with mbc to be the most difficult emotionally. It's a pretty scary diagnosis to receive, but getting good results, like you have, right away is really a very good sign for you.

[Juneday in reply to PJBinMI]

Thank you so much. My scan was not completely clear but my oncologist informed me that cancer cells was so minute that I didn't have to continue the chemo. Next week I will start fasolodex and kisquali along with continuing the monthly zometa. I'm highly encouraged by your experience. Again thank you so so much.