Introducing myself

[SMPG]

I am 66, living in MA, USA. I have had a double mastectomy in 2012. In 2019, they discovered some mets in my spine. I am taking Letrazole and Ibrance 75 mg.

[MacroMom]

Welcome to this group...we're sorry you have to be here but it can be a wonderful source of support from some feisty women!

I was on Letrozole alone for 14 months and it worked very well; combined with Ibrance you should do even better. How are you doing with side effects? If you put the name of your medications in the search field on this page you will find lots of previous posts about them that may be helpful.

May you find support, comfort and even some laughs here. Take care!

[SMPG in reply to MacroMom]

I don’t have much of side effects, thank God. I have dry mouth, a bit of tiredness but not bad. I took just Letrazole between October of last year and March this year when I started on Ibrance too. I am happy that we have this valuable resource in this forum. Very informative. Take care too!

Simona

[Hidden]

Hi Simona,

Welcome on board! I hope you find the help and resources you need on this site. It must have come as quite a shock to be diagnosed with metastatic disease following several years since your initial diagnosis. I hope your treatment proves effective for a very long time for you.

Take care,

Sophie

[SMPG in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sophie. Yes, it was a shock although I sort of expected it in the long run. My mother died of MBC at age 68 and it was terrible to watch her die. Because of that, I always took care of myself, had regular mammograms, did everything to be sure I did not get it too. But we have a saying in my culture (Romanian) that You don't escape what you fear most. That said, I am hopeful that since my mother died (1997), medicine has progressed and so, you can live a good long life even with this disease. My older daughter who is 28, is terrified of getting it too.

[Hidden in reply to SMPG]

Hi Simona,

Your situation sounds a bit like mine, except for the fact that I was diagnosed denovo in 2018 having had no prior cancer diagnosis. My mum also died from cancer, back in 2004. She had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, so like you I did all I could to protect myself from developing cancer too. But I ended up developing metastatic breast cancer instead, so there was no link between her cancer and mine. If you think your diagnosis is hereditary it might be worth asking about genomic testing. I had it done in January and found out I have the PIK3CA mutation. I can understand your daughter's fears. You are right that medicine has progressed a lot in the last few decades. I am hoping that we will soon see a cure.

Sophie

[SMPG in reply to Hidden]

Thank. you Sophie. My mother had the same disease as me. And died of it at 68. I am now 66. I had the genetic testing and it seems that I am ok. I have two daughters, 28 and 26 (I had them late). My older one is the one who is always agonizing about her health and so she is more worried. Yes, I hope and we all hope that a cure will be found during our lifetime.

Simona

[Hidden in reply to SMPG]

Let's hold out hope for a cure, Simona. So much has changed in recent years with cancer. So we may be the ones to benefit from a cure.

Sophie

[hopenowandtomorrow]

Hi SMPG: Welcome! None of us ever thought we would be here but have discovered a beautiful group of MBC women who share their stories, hearts, expertise, experience & hope with each other. You will learn a lot and be encouraged along the way. I am in Tampa, Florida. You can go to my profile page to see my medical story.

I wish you all the best with your treatment!

❤️🙏❤️

[SMPG in reply to hopenowandtomorrow]

Thank you. This resource is invaluable. In fact, all similar resources are great. When I was in the process of having breast reconstruction, I was on a forum on this topic. When I had foot surgery, the ladies there were also super helpful. This raises confidence in the goodness of the people's hearts.

[BluHydrangea]

Hi SMPG! I’m relatively new to this site but have already learned a lot and feel very welcome. I’m on Ibrance and exemestane (araomasin) I’m just finishing my 4th cycle of both. Glad you found us! Wishing you the best for your treatment.

[SMPG in reply to BluHydrangea]

Thank you. Wishing you the best too.

[SMPG]

Hi Sandra:

Wow, you are taking the highest strength of Ibrance and still you seem very much OK. You must have a lot of energy for the 20 km on a bike. Maybe it is the green juice. I never was a fan of green juices although my younger daughter, who along with her older sister, are with us now during the pandemic, does one or two a day. I am more a dancing, gardening, walking type of girl. I do dancing every day, in my basement, gardening most days and walking also sometimes longer sometimes shorter walks. I do not have side effects practically. Maybe a bit of tiredness but it could be from my age too. I am 66. Dry mouth, but nothing that cannot be fixed with water and moisturizing mouth wash. The WBC are not normal but not terrible either from what I heard. So, I am carrying on. Staying active and busy. I hope we all continue our lives the best we can for the longest time.

Simona

[mariootsi]

Welcome to an extremely supportive site. The women here are my heroes and this board has been a lifesaver for me. We are here for each other through good scans and bad, through med changes and just coping daily with this damn mbc.

Love,

Marianne

[Red71]

Welcome! This has been the best place to find positive helpful support and information. When I was first diagnosed with MBC two years ago my daughter-in-law found a site she thought might be helpful but it was women with all types of cancer and they were very discouraged and depressed...or so it felt to me at the time. When I found this group I was very encouraged. Not only are they supportive but they are inclusive of every new person that joins. We are all different and it helps to hear the different viewpoints and attitudes.

Hugs, Elaine

[Hidden]

This is a great group to be part of. A lot of experience here (although we would all like to have no experience). This group has helped me in numerous ways.

[Teddielottie]

Welcome on here ! Just noticed your post ...been enjoying the good weather in the garden ! I hope you do well on this protocol ... I have been on it for 30 cycles ( ibrance 125 and Letrozole) and tolerating it well so far , with good bloods . My main tips would be to always have water beside you and to exercise / move about often to prevent stiff joints . Take care ! x

[8576]

Welcome. I too, have gotten tremendously helpful information and help on this forum. Most important support here. Wishing you well on your journey.

Cheers, June S.

[hdhonda]

SMPG, welcome to the board. You will find it helpful. Many of us are on or have been on Ibrance/Letrozole combination. Most questions you have can be answered by someone. We are a friendly group, please come back often.

Blessings Hannah