I was diagnosed in 2008 with Type IIB, had double mastectomy, then two years later a full hysterectomy (BRCA gene). Then really was NED for 10 years. After reaching the 10 year milestone, I had a reoccurrence in my lungs and I am stage IV. Started on Faslodex and Ibrance and just finishing my first cycle. The first few weeks I felt ok, this week I am exhausted. I have a great husband (very supportive) and two kids, 12 and 13 years old.
Nice to meet you and looking forward to connecting with others! Have others been able to still work FT? What about working out? If you have kids how are they handling it. So many questions!
Look forward to getting to know you....
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M2PLFighter
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My mbc came back after 24 years but I suspect it’s been there a while.. only pain made me have an X-ray and a fractured vertebrae was found
I haven’t worked since my diagnosis in April as I was an emotional wreck..I was planning to retire anyway so just brought it forward
I have two daughters aged 30 and 26..they have coped well but I think put a brave face on in my presence!!
I’m a keen horse rider and have 2 horses..one of my girls rides one of them..I stopped riding for about 3 months mainly due to pain but I’m back in the saddle (on strong painkillers!!) and it certainly has perked me up
My horse stood on my foot accidentally a few weeks ago and I think I have a broken toe!!!.. all I needed
I was diagnosed with mbc in march last year. I've had 9 cycles of ibrance 125mg and faslodex. I work full time and spend over 2 hours driving to and from work each day. I've been lucky as my only real side effect has been fatigue which comes and goes but is manageable (and a little hair thinning). My kids are older, 20 and 22 (still children to me). My daughter copes better than my son who tends to internalise his worries, but talking to them about what is happening has helped.
I've found this site to be very supportive and the information from other women going through this is both reassuring and informative.
Hello, I'm older (65) my son is 25 and only peripherally present in my life, my husband is very supportive. Unfortunately he lost his job in October, so I cannot retire at this time. I work full time. I do get very tired. It comes and goes. I am also on Ibrance and Faslodex, recently switched from letrozole, and actually feel better on Faslodex. I have mets to both lungs. I am overweight, but except for the cancer, reasonably healthy. Working on the weight and fitness. Raising 2 kids and having mbc and working full-time will be a handful. You'll see how it goes, and make adjustments. Hopefully your husband will take over some of the household things you currently do. If you hit a rough patch, SHARE has a helpline which was a God send several times when I hit rock bottom. Glad you are doing well. Look forward to your posts.
Sorry to hear this. If you continue to work, and you live in the US, please remember that you qualify for reasonable accommodations to do your job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hi know this area very well due to my job. First, check out a good, user friendly, neutral website “Ask JAN”. JAN stands for joint accommodation network. It lists useful accommodations for different medical conditions. I’ve negotiated many accommodations for clients: flexible work and departure times, work from home when you’re overly fatigued, lifting restrictions, regular break times, etc. The first step is to approach your HR person with a list of possible accommodations. By law, the employer must have an “interactive dialogue” with you. They can’t unilaterally say no. If you have a good HR department, they will know how to do this. If not, find a seasoned employment lawyer to help navigate the process. It’s straightforward. FYI the law prohibits retaliation. Second, if you qualify, the federal Family Medical Leave Act entitles you to take up to 12 weeks of leave, either in chunks or incrementally. (Qualification is based on hours worked and if the employer has 50 or more employees within a 50 mile radius.) It’s not paid leave so you’ll have to use up your vacation first. Which is why it’s better to start with asking for reasonable accommodations first. There are plenty of good resources on web. Check out federal FAQs for Department of Labor for example. Some states like MA offer brief paid medical leave. Good luck.
Thanks so much! I actually work in HR so know a lot of this....that said, I absolutely love that you are helping others by posting info. Keep it going Marthasvineyard!
You re welcome to our group I had Breast Cancer Stage 2B on 2014 had bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation and July 2017 MBC to bones started with Letrozole then Ibrance then switched to Falsodex I feel tired thin of my hair anemic low white blood cells and a lot pain on my pelvis specially at nights I am married and have two sons
I work full time and wish I can work one more year , I like my job and I feel better when I work I work three times per week 12 hours per shift and I have a good health insurance another reason to keep working I would like apply for disability later but I wish I can work longer but on the other hand I would like have more time to do things. I take one day at the time and I investigate about my treatment to be proactive God bless you
Hi! I work full time as a teacher (academic coach). I was on Ibrance for 10 months and felt great! Now I’m in a clinical study and I have more side effects. I still plan to work as I love my job. I also have two kids 14 and 18. We have kept them informed but not to in detail if that makes sense. I wish you the best!
Welcome and glad you found us but sorry you had too. I am not on the same treatment as you are but I still work full time and workout 3 times a week. I just try to do as many of my usual things so that my focus is on staying strong and not on the cancer. Do what you can. Work is a great distraction and so is working out. Listen to your body. My kids are 28 & 29 and married so they are self sufficient but it still worries them.
Hi, welcome to this board. Sorry your here. I was just dx with mets to plural area after 7 years. I have two older children 22 and 38. I’m taking Letroze and Ibrance. It’s my first cycle with Ibrance. So far I’m doing well on it. I’m still floored with the emotional part of this dx and trying to figure out the “new normal”. Take care, you will find a lot of support here.
Thanks - it's nice to "meet" you all, even with this dx in common. It makes me feel less alone (even though I rationally know I am not).
I vacillate between being ready to fight (again) and then just scared of the stage IV dx. This third week on Ibrance has NOT been great and I feel like a patient today (so much for denial!)
I am 44, I want to keep working FT as I love my job (which involves travel), I want to continue to work out and also be there for my kids/husband. I am not one to sit around and I like to be active all the time, but I know I am going to have slow down and listen to my body. I just am not mentally ready to adjust to slowing down...this week is the first time it felt more real.
Hi, and welcome. I am on same combo, 9 months now. I found the physical side effects evened out about 3 months in. During the 4 weeks, make note of when you are more tired. Everyone seems to be different. I mark that week and try not to overschedule myself. I work full time, and exercise 4-5x a week. My son is 20, and I try to keep explanations to a minimum. I hate to be the doom and gloom, and people live with treatments longer and longer. It's hard to stay positive all the time. I found some great new friends at a support group. It's different when you talk to people that are living scan to scan like we are. Everyone will have different advice on talking to children. You have to do what feels right for you. Good luck and stay on these positive boards.
Finished my 6 th round of Ibrance and Faslodex. I work full time but have a great boss who lets my schedule be flexible. I have 3 grown children who I make it a goal to show them how well I'm doing when I go to visit or they come home. I walk 3 miles almost every day and ride my bike whenever I can. I travel often for vacations but evey once in a while I get run down and have to take a few days off from everything
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Happy & Hello 
Just saying hello as a new member 
New primary Breast Cancer! Grade three lobular triple negative! Unrelated to my MBC. Time frame for surgery?
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