In praise of Ibrance and Letrozole

[seiler]

My initial right-breast cancer appeared (grew very quickly to the size of a grapefruit) in 1992. I had 6 courses of chemo, very extensive mastectomy, 34 radiation, then 6 more chemo. I was clear of what all doctors said would be terminal. Had lots of physical therapy and crying. 24 years later, in 2016 I felt a pain down my right leg. Went to a chiropractor for 6 months, then was sent for an X-ray by him. Found recurrence of the breast cancer: 13 tumors consisting of 1 at the top of my spine, 1 had eaten away my sacrum (bottom of spine), 5 in my uterus (removed by a hysterectomy {easy and totally pain-free}) and 6 elsewhere. My main message: After 5 years of Ibrance plus Letrozole, my latest PET scan shows NO SIGN of cancer. I realize that in the future (I'm 77) I could get cancer again, but 5+ years of "extra" life are not bad. I haven't had normal taste the entire time, but that's a small price to pay.

[Teddielottie]

That’s fabulous news ! I wish you many more years of ‘ extra life ‘ x

[seiler in reply to Teddielottie]

Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Aloha from Honolulu (actually, from Kailua near Honolulu)

[Hidden in reply to seiler]

Wait! Not only are you NED after five years on the same treatment (and not starting from a great place....), but you live in Kailua!?! But that's MY dream!!

I've been to Kailua twice...rental on the bay, walkable to Kalapawai Market, and the only reason I remember that is because I have a coffee mug from that shop!

The first time I went there was for a spring break...I'd been working non-stop, had four teenagers in tow (mine plus a friend for each), and a long travel day, with a stop over at LAX...We arrived after dark, exhausted. The next morning, I woke up and stepped outside and my eyeballs nearly burst from the astonishing colors!!! The blues of the bay, the lush greenery (plants like I'd never seen), and the pinks/oranges/purples of the flowers...

...It felt like when I used to watch The Wizard of Oz and it turned from black and white to color...:)...and I can still see that initial image in my mind...

Thank you for helping me remember that and all I can say is, you're about the luckiest person I "know"! Good for you!

Take care, enjoy life!

Lynn

[jersey-jazz in reply to Hidden]

Me too! One summer, my husband and I exchanged our home in Scotland with a couple's home in Kailua. We took our camping gear and used that home as our base. The beach in Kailua was so beautiful and so were the beaches on the Big Island and on Kauai (spelling?). We had travelled extensively all over Europe, North Africa ( mostly in an old VW camper van) and the USA but the favorite place of all of my beautiful Scottish husband/soulmate was Hawaii. He remembered the smell of the ginger growing by the side of the road. He said that he smelled it when he got off the plane. I think that the spirits embrace Hawaii and grace the people that are there.

Sieler. I believe that the grace is washing over you and that you will continue to feel good health, living in Hawaii.

[Hidden]

Wow! What a scary rollercoaster you've been on. Thank you for posting your story and I wish you continued clear scans.

[Betbop]

Congratulations fellow warrior you've just made my day!

[Thrifty51]

Oh my! That is such great news. That gives us all so much hope. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and we pray all future scans are the same!!

Best,

Audrey

[Hidden]

Wow! That's truly phenomenal! I am so, so happy for you!

[Ilovehorses]

That’s awesome!! Thank you for sharing! Gives us all hope and inspiration!

[Hidden]

Fantastic

[Gatsby1]

That’s so reassuring to hear that this treatment works. I’m in rainy Scotland 😂

[Andersl]

I'm really pleased to hear you've had such a good response to the two drugs.

Letrazole didn't work for me. I was progressing. Of course it could have been the concomitant drugs also though once I switched chemo and stopped letrozole ive had a partial remission.

I wish the scientists could find a way to determine who it will/wont help.

All the best for continued success,

Xx

[Amm1]

NED wow! I’m delighted for you and wish you many more clear scans. Thanks for sharing your news. Xx

[AvidBooklover]

Wow, what wonderful news! Congratulations!

[syl70]

Thanks for sharing. You give others hope. Congratulations!

[JEY1]

That is awesome news!!! I have been taking Ibrance and Letrozole for 4 months and hope I have good results like you!

[Lokio]

Thank you for sharing! I was cancer free for 18 years before I knew I had MBC! You beat me in years on that front! (Pun intended!) Congratulations on your wonderful news! Your story is inspirational!

[Totheriver]

That is awesome and very encouraging words . I have had one year on ibrance and letrozole but have not had shrinkages but it is stable.

Thanks for sharing 💕

Theresa

[SeattleMom]

What a story you have shared with all of us! It should be headlined FORTITUDE AND HOPE! Thank you for your words of inspiration!

May God bless your life for many years to come!!

💗💗💗💗💗

Linda

[Hidden]

Such wonderful news to hear for you first of all, but actually for all of us!

Wishing you continued health for many, many more years!

[hdhonda]

Dear Seiler,

That is amazing!!!! Are you remaining on the Ibrance/Letrozole? Your story is music to my ears. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings, Hannah

[Phillipians4and6]

Thank you Lord!!! This is awesome news.

[Shelly1009]

Thank you for sharing this. It gives us newly diagnosed MBC gals so much hope. 💕

[Gmaoftriplets]

Wow 5years on Ibrance and Letrozole. that has been my course of treatment for 3 years. I was diagnosed with stage 4 at initial diagnosis, with 1 lesion on my right hip. So far so good, next scan is in September. Your story is truly incouraging.

[TwithBC]

... just amazing. So you you started with this combo drug treatment and remained on it for 5 years because over those years the tumors were slowing diminishing? what did the 5 years look like in terms of your scans etc? This is really wonderful and amazing.

[Lilykristymichael]

Thank you for sharing this positive information. It gives me hope. Madlyn

[Red1246]

Congratulations on hearing NED! You’ve given us all a gift of hope by sharing your news - thank you. Wishing you many more healthy years! Big virtual hugs. Kathleen

[Itisfinished]

You have really been through it. You are a living miracle! I think we all are miracles! Praise God He is so good to us!!