Hope

[jtgmom]

Hi, my name is Linda I’m 58 yrs old and have MBC. Dx Feb 2018. With bone Mets.. I have been visiting this site for awhile, but couln’t Find the strength to write, but I need to say Thank you all... for helping me through the darkest time of my life.. your stories give me hope... I wish you all much love

[nstonerocks]

Dear jtgmom,

I felt the same way when I found this board. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. This is a great place to share and vent. You are not alone Thanks to the wonderful women on this board. It’s a sisterhood for us all. If you have any specific questions or need info or share insights c’mon back! 🙏

[jtgmom in reply to nstonerocks]

I will be back often it’s a great comfort to not feel alone...I’ve learned a lot from this site.....

[SeattleMom]

What a wonderful post! I was diagnosed in November 2017 with mets to the spine. I’m like you—very grateful for this support group! It keeps me from curling inward. XXOO

[jtgmom in reply to SeattleMom]

Thank you❤️

[Wintervt]

Hi jtmom,

I was diagnosed in March with mets to my pelvis, spine, ribs and skull. I was devastated as I was told I was “cured” of cancer (DCIS) in April of 2016 after a lumpectomy and radiation. I am currently taking letrozole, ibrance and receive a monthly injection of Lupron and Denosumab. I am feeling much better ( I had terrible pain in my left hip and sacrum) and my tumor markers are trending down (400 in April and now they are at 75). I am so grateful for this site as everyone here has been very supportive!

Sending love to you!

Kind regards,

Jade

[jtgmom in reply to Wintervt]

Thank you for sharing ❤️ Means alot

[Snowcone16]

Hey Linda, nice to meet you. I was diagnosed January 30 at 46 yo. It does get brighter. I didn’t realize how dark it had felt in the moment. But, when I look back on those earlier days, I realize I’ve come a long way.

I’m also in bones and on my scalp. My scalp met is about half the size of a dime. And I think...it’s getting smaller. Follow up appointment Tuesday.

❤️

[jtgmom in reply to Snowcone16]

Nice to meet you all😊. Thank you.

[Buffwright in reply to Snowcone16]

Scalp?? How did you/they find it? I don’t think my scans have included my head!

[Snowcone16 in reply to Buffwright]

It wasn’t found on a scan. Honestly, it’s hard to find any info on scalp Mets. I have 1 confirmed spot on my scalp but suspect 3. I had a spot that was flat, pink, and bald. It was no bigger than 1 cm. I had googled and was confident it was basal cell carcinoma. I went to dermatologist and she thought the same. We even scheduled the plastic surgeon to remove it. She found it curious it was bald. Sent it for biopsy. It came back as positive for breast cancer.

The biopsy caused a scab...now 3+ months, I still have the scab. It’s not growing. It’s pretty dry now. My husband wants to pick it off—lol. But oncologist said to leave it alone.

Interesting enough, it can itch. I thought because scab is dry but dr said today that breast cancer itches. Now I’ve been wondering if the itching at my bra line is it too. But they examine them every 3 months and I’m 2 years post radiation soon so maybe just sensitive skin.

❤️

[Rhwright12]

Hi! Diagnosis’s de novo with bone Mets July ‘16...On Zometa for the bone Mets...bone Mets sound so scary at first! But now I forget about them most days and I think I feel better than most because I’ve pushed myself in the exercise field...Aqua Boot Camp Monday night and the 5k Color Run on Tuesday...I think I feel better than most people my age(47) and it’s because I got cancer and am taking this health thing very seriously...good luck to u!

[Clair19 in reply to Rhwright12]

Gee that’s great! My lung mets really hamper’s my physical strength. I went to the gym everyday. My bones don’t bother me (knock on wood)! But when I get out of breath I get scared. It usually takes a few seconds to get back my breath. Maybe I need to try and work on that slow.

[jtgmom in reply to Rhwright12]

Thank you❤️

[Hidden]

Lovely post jtgmom, It is a great site for just getting things off your chest and so much support comes from other folks' stories. Stick with it!

[jtgmom in reply to Hidden]

Thank you soooo ❤️❤️

[PJBinMI]

HI, Linda,

I was diagnosed with bc the first day of the month of my 58th birthday. By that birthday, bone mets were found--I now call that my month from hell! lol But I am now 72 years old and you would never ever guess that I have an advanced cancer by looking at me! The only symptom I've ever had from the cancer was a vague itchiness across my breasts before I was diagnosed and treatment started. I know that I am really fortunate to have a nice lazy bunch of cancer cells that have been easily controlled, but I sure didn't know that when I was newly diagnosed. For me, the first year was the roughest emotionally. Such a huge kick in the gut to hear that we have cancer and then that it is metastatic and terminal! Yikes! But some of us with bone mets only do really well for long periods of time. And being postmenopausal is good too--everything is slowing down, including the blasted cancer cells. I hope that you will be another long termer and that your journey with cancer will be as smooth as mine has been. Not that there haven't been bad days but I am here and able to do alot of what I've always done. Don't be shy about asking questions. There is alot of knowledge here and wide experience!

[jtgmom in reply to PJBinMI]

Thank you

[Juliandrea in reply to jtgmom]

Wonderful to meet you jtgmom. I am 52 diagnosed feb 2018. Mets to bones and like you, these amazing ladies have been my lifeline. I am on ibrance and letrozole and am scared at times, but I also am so happy that my tm’s Have gone down I have hope. I look forward everyday to connect with all of you.

[jtgmom in reply to PJBinMI]

Been told last onc visit partial remission went from my tm 584 to 183... this gives me hope ...but when my body gets achy , I get scared again...just want you all to know I couldn’t get through this without this site... I wish and pray so much for you ladies... you truly are Warriors !!!!!

[Clair19 in reply to jtgmom]

Great news with markers! Don’t worry I do the same. My mouth is bothering me, right away I think it’s cancer. I think it’s very normal to feel like that. My markers where very high! Still 400. But I’m not sure what my new markers are I will find out tomorrow. Good luck 👍

[jtgmom in reply to Clair19]

Good luck tomorrow hopefully your markers will be lower....this past week for no reason I’v been sad ....I try hard not to worry.. or over think things, but this week it’s been hard.. I’m sending prayers your way🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[SeattleMom in reply to Clair19]

Good luck, Clair! I'll be sending prayers today!! XO

[Buffwright in reply to jtgmom]

Funny, i’ve been achy for so long (eg bursitis in hips) that I forgot it could be a symptom. I have never experienced lasting symptoms of the cancer (except fingers tingling—which resolved with axillary surgery and lymphedema, which did not). Aging on top of everything else....

[jtgmom in reply to Buffwright]

Trying to just live with it....😊

[dianeygirl in reply to jtgmom]

Dear jtgmom, I get really scared when my body aches too! That is one of the initial symtoms that I had when they discovered MBC.

[Juliandrea in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi there PjBinMI , you like all the women on this site are in inspiration to all the newly diagnosed . I was diagnosed with Mbc feb 2018 with mets to bones and these fine ladies have helped me so much and I am grateful for you all. PjBinMI I wanted to ask you when you were first diagnosed at age 58 was it Mets from the beginning on the bones? It’s stories like yours that gives us hope. God Bless and I pray you and all of us live long lives. I too am young, 52 and this came out of knowwhere. TM Have gone down from 300 to 65, so heading in the right direction. On ibrance and letrozole. What meds have you been on from the beginning?

[Buffwright in reply to PJBinMI]

It sounds like you’d be a good candidate for the long term survivor study at the University of Wisconsin Med Center! I was diagnosed at II b in 1994 (at 40) and stage 4 in 2016. Every day is a good one.

[darlenejulien]

Hi jtgmom! I was Dx in Sept. 2017 with mets to the spine. So far it's being "controlled" no new growth. This site, even if I don't respond has helped me immensely! It has become my safe place where I can ask question's or just read the remarks! Good luck in this "journey" & know you are never alone!

[jtgmom in reply to darlenejulien]

❤️ Thank you

[StE72]

We have all been there. Shock, numbness, denial, anger....list of emotions goes on. Just have to take it at your own pace, and when you are ready take control.

Keep strong!! X

[jtgmom in reply to StE72]

Thank you ... such kind, encouraging words....let’s me know I can do this!!!!

[My3girls]

Hi jtgmom, I'm 44 was diagnosed in feb2015 with bone mets. This is a wonderful site it has helped me not feel so alone on this journey and these ladies are going through the same stuff and have lots of helpful information and encouragement. Best of luck with your treatment plan.

[jtgmom in reply to My3girls]

Thank you ..love this site

[lashinator]

Hello and welcome. I am on the same meds with MBC in my liver. I too read more otten then reply. Everything is scary and it changes from time to time. These women have been my lifeline because they are going through it all too. Nothing like talking to people that walk the walk. All the best.

[jtgmom in reply to lashinator]

How true !!! And what a walk 😊

[blms]

We are sisters in the same struggle! The support here is tremendous and simply being able to ask questions and get answers to specific concerns while taking his medicines or having his treatments or the emotional trauma with successes that we deal with every day, every minute of every day. Welcome, and please feel free to express your emotions and ask whatever questions come to your mind it whatever time of day or night.

[jtgmom in reply to blms]

Thank you ❤️