Hello All,
I am new to this group. I was diagnosed with Oestrogen Receptor-Positive (ER+) breast cancer on 19th March and after a whole round of MRIs, CT scans, biopsies to three different parts of my body, and so on, I was told on 16th May that the disease had metastasised to a couple of spots on my spine. The first four doctors told me the disease was localised and could be cured, but the oncologist gave me the news that this was not the case, on 16th May. I am taking Letrazole, which has effectively put me through the menopause (I am 39) Zoladex injections once a month and a Zometa infusion once every three months.
Hi
I had breast cancer when I was 40 and had zoladex injections..letrazole wasn’t around then..I’m now 64 with bone mets..on letrazole and Ibrance
Take comfort that you have only bone mets as they respond very well to treatment..my doctor likent the condition to a chronic one like diabetes
There are lots of treatments and I’m feeling fine on letrazole
Best wishes
Barb x
Hi Barb,
Thank you for your message. It is reassuring to know that you have been doing well over the years and managing your disease. When my oncologist said I was "chronically ill" that scared me, as it sounded like she was telling me I did not have long left to live, but she also said that I have "many years" ahead of me.
I know a lot of women (friends and acquaintances) who have had breast cancer, but they have all been much older than me and they have all recovered. So I suppose you could say I have felt quite isolated in terms of being able to relate to others, and vice versa. I had another CT scan recently to see how things are going, and I am seeing my oncologist on Monday to get the results. I am hoping I am responding well to treatment.
All the best,
Sophie x
Hi
I have my fingers crossed for your scan results to be good
I have a ct scan next week and like you I’m anxious about what will show up
I’m afraid life is going to be like this now for us..treatments scans worry etc but there’s no choice..just have to get on with it
I was diagnosed in April with the bone mets as I had a fractured vertebrae and was in pain so I’m just coming to terms with this and still mad as hell that I have this disease
There are lots of us in the same situation and you will find lots of help on this website
Barb x
Hi Barb,
Thank you!
Let's hope your CT scan goes well next week. I know what you mean about being anxious about the results. I have had so many tests and procedures since all this began that I am now really familiar with the different departments of the hospital where I was born! I was also under gynaecology for a while, as one of the MRI tests showed that my right ovary was enlarged. I was worried in case it was ovarian cancer too. I had an internal examination and an endometrial biopsy, followed by a hysteroscopy on 18th June. My ovary was fine, but they also found a polyp and a couple of fibroids on my womb. Again, I thought it could be cancer. But the results from the hysteroscopy showed that it was benign. So I try not to worry too much, as it's not always as bad as you think it will be. My husband is a big help too. I hope you have support from family and friends.
It is hard to come to terms with this disease. I went through a "mourning phase" as I like to call it where I had to come to terms with the fact that I was not in perfect health anymore. I remember sitting in town one day and I was watching some elderly people going about their business. This is probably going to sound odd, but I envied them! I envied their longevity and got quite emotional.
I have never missed a cervical smear test, I eat healthily, get lots of exercise, have never smoked, I get a flu jab every year, I have been backwards and forwards to the doctor's a lot in recent years for any little ache, lump or bump, and every time I was told I was OK, apart from one time where I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency. So I did not ignore my symptoms, I was right on it! I think the doctors might have thought I was a hypochondriac!
I am also getting my right hip investigated. When I saw my GP on Tuesday for my Zoladex injection she examined me and said the pain is probably not related to the disease. But I am going to get a referral to see a physiotherapist. Depending on what the oncologist says on Monday I may cancel that appointment. We'll see.
Sorry to ramble on! My name is Sophie, by the way, not Sal. But I didn't think my name would be available. I'll see if I can change it.
Take care,
Sophie x
Hi Sophie
I’ve felt the same as you about envying people...mine was the other day..saw a really obese scruffy woman who obviously didn’t give a hoot how she looked and I thought..I wish I was you as you don’t have mbc!.. feeling sorry for me as I don’t think I deserve this..healthy lifestyle etc
No point though feeling this way but sometimes I can’t help it
Anyway we might end up old and decrepit..then we’ll moan about that!!..don’t mean to be flippant..it’s a horrible way for us to live with this
However I’ve just got off my horse and feel pleased with myself..I thought I’d never ride him again and horses are such a big part of my life..took lots of painkillers and just had a steady ride out..mentally it made me feel better
Love
B x
Hi Barb!
I'm glad I'm not the only one envying other people. I try not to do it so much now, but when I saw those elderly people I thought "I want to make it to their age" and that made me well up. I also see people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle and wonder how they are still healthy, while people like us who have taken care of their health end up with this chronic illness! I was joking with my husband the other day that maybe I should have had fry ups all the time, and never exercised and then I may have been healthy!
Well done for going horse riding. I have ridden a bit in the past, but now I just admire horses while I am out dog walking (I run my own dog walking and pet sitting business).
Have a good weekend!
Sophie x
Hi Barb, thank you for your story. I have had Mbc since feb 2018 and on ibrance and letrozole. You are an inspiration and thankfully you are doing well. I wish you continued success on this journey. You have really given all of us hope. How long have you had Mbc , since you have been 40?
Hiya
I don’t feel an inspiration!!..my cancer came back after 24 years... I just assumed I was cured..I’m 64 now and full of hell its spoiling my life now..I reacted worse this time even though I’m older whereas when I was 40 and first diagnosed my children were 6 and 2 and I think I was more worried about them not having a mother
I have my crying days so if I feel rubbish I go out somewhere or see my horse..that’s therapy..just take loads of painkillers if I ride
So you and I are in the same situation..Ibrance and letrazole..I’ve only managed a few weeks on Ibrance due to wbc too low..had an iron infusion a few weeks ago to boost red cells as was anaemic and that perked me up a lot
Stay well
B xx
I know I have theee kids and my little boy is only 15 and this is the worst card I have been dealt. Came out of knowwhere. But I will do whatever I can to stay around for my kids. They all need me for a very long time to come. Stay strong