Hello! I'm Linda from Seattle; diagnosed with Stage IV with bone mets after 17 years. My original cancer was stage 1; very small tumor in right breast; I opted for double mastectomy and had no sign of cancer in sentinel nodes on both sides, nor in remaining breast tissue following removal of both breasts. I had no follow-up treatment, due to "perceived" nominal risk at time.
But, as we all know, cancer is quite sneaky; it can lay dormant for years. I discovered a lump in my right arm pit in November and the cancer, unfortunately, had spread to spine. I have just completed 10 radiation treatments to spine which eventually led to total exhaustion and a case of esophagitis which has begun to dissipate a week or so after last rad treatment. Most helpful: Prilosec for major heartburn.
I am finding so many posts so helpful--especially those recommending supplements for a variety of side effects. Thanks so much to everyone. God bless every woman with advanced breast cancer and may all of us find hope in continued research!
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SeattleMom
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Your post is interesting. Cancer is sneaky. I was not supposed to get a reoccurrence. Same day I was told I was 99 per cent cancer Free I was called back with elevated tumor markers and then diagnosed shortly after with stage 4. None of us can be too self confident.
Totally agree! One highly regarded oncologist at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is suggesting possibility that no woman who has ever been diagnosed with BC is "cured." It is a lifelong practice of continual self-monitoring and never taking five years or ten years or twenty years for granted. Hope you are doing well, Tap321!
It is amazing to think after so long this horrible disease returned and I can only imagine your shock. I too was shocked when I learned I was re- diagnosed with bone Mets! Stay hopeful and every day there r new discoveries! Never lose hope!!!!!
Welcome Seattle Mom! I lived in Seattle for 20 years, now I’m retired and live in Sequim. I too was shocked by my Stage 4 diagnosis. I had Stage 1 in 2008 and simply forgot about cancer for 5 years until severe backaches led to a Stage 4 diagnosis. The cancer has remained in my bones so I’m thankful for that! Take care and welcome again!
I too am in the Seattle area-I am treated at the Swedish Cancer Center in Edmonds and am so confident in my providers. I too had recurrence after 17 years of cancer free life. Stage 2B-mastectomy/Radiation/Tamoxafin for 5 years. Now bone mets to skull, mandible, spine and ribs. Had radiation to mandible and spine/ribs and am on Ibrance and Exemestane. Did great with Ibrance and Femara for a year and a half and now switched to Exemestane because of the side effects of the Frmara(extreme joint pain and neuropathy). Stay strong 💪 and you will do great with your new normal. Attitude is Everything 💕. And most of all Faith in the Lord that what will Be will be. Prayers to you 🙏🙏🙏
Hi, Becky! Thanks for your encouraging words! My biggest side effect from spine radiation (aside from extreme exhaustion) was esophagitis that made it difficult/painful to swallow, as I guess my esophagus was an innocent bystander to the radiation. That lasted about two weeks and now I am nearly back to eating normally again. Thank God for even small favors! So far, I am doing okay on the letrazole/Ibrance combo, but great to know there are alternatives if side effects become more difficult! Prayers to you as well!
Oh my!! I forget that part with the esophagus 😫. That was horrible!! Ended up having emergency surgery one night after getting a small spaghetti noodle piece stuck in it. Would come up or go down and the hymlick sure wasn’t an option. Great diet plan huh?
What a shock for you! I was stage 0 in the left which required a mastectomy due to the fact that it was multi focal. Seven years later I was stage four on the right with Mets to the rib and hip. That was 1999...and I am still here obviously. So keep fighting and don’t let it take over your life.
Yes, I had 6 tx of Adriamycin & Cytoxin. I have had radiation on 3 different occasions. Then I was on Xeloda (oral chemo ) for 6 years. Historically I have been on Tomoxifen, Adriamycin, and currently on Faslodex; all hormonal therapy!
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