Just returned from meeting with my oncologist today. I was feeling quite glum after reading my PET/CT and tri-phasic CT reports that noted the presence of liver mets. It would explain the sudden significant weight loss, tummy upset, etc.
I was afraid this was a significant turn, and had been talking to my cancer about how it had crossed a line by going into other organs and how displeased I was by this move.
My doctor was not at all worried and feels the Abraxane should address the liver mets. He was quite pleased that after one cycle of Abraxane my tumor markers had decreased by 1/3--far more than he'd hoped--and my liver numbers are stable.
I still have a large pleural effusion that makes exercise difficult, so we'll drain that one more time, and my doc feels it will stay gone with the Abraxane.
So I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief tonight and celebrating the gift of good chemo that works without too many side effects (fatigue, mild nausea, nutropenia). Hoping and praying for continued drops in the markers after the next cycle that begins next Friday.
Hoping we all stay safe from COVID-19 and are able to continue our treatments. Thank you for the opportunity to share with fellow MBCers who understand the marathon and journey we're all part of. I am so grateful for you all!
Written by
WordNerdSharron
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Wow, it sounds like the Abraxane is working remarkably well and I'm so glad that the side effects aren't too bad! It sounds like you've landed on a really good treatment!
Your post is really helpful in shifting my perspective a bit, too...I agree that there's something psychologically troubling about the mets moving to a new place but you / your doc really make sense about how, with a "systemic disease" I guess, the "where" matters less than hitting on the right treatment that fights everywhere! Also, I know I've gone back and forth in my mind re: IV chemo, but you give the perfect example of why we shouldn't "fear" the IV chemo...
Sounds like you have a great doc, good communicator, etc...
Thanks, Lynn! My gut feeling is that systemic chemo works better for me than some other therapies--at least in terms of knocking things back down into a livable balance. One thing I did with Taxol two years ago is buy a small yew tree to tend as a reminder that Mother Nature provides many paths to healing and wholeness. Taxol and its cousins are all derived from the Pacific Yew. My yew is not that particular variety but close enough. It's the one plant we uprooted and potted to take with us when we moved to Maryland. I look at it every day and give thanks for its healing properties. May we all find a good treatment balance so that we can thrive.
I love this!!! Next time I know someone who starts Taxol I will remember this as the perfect gift...and perfect reasoning/sentiment! Wishing you the very best...
Hi! Where in MD do you live? I live in Bethesda. I also had pleural effusion, most low for a while now. Although I understand the lymphatic system, I still thought my cancer would spread to inside my lung as the lining was affected. But as things go, my cancer as well as yours, spread to my liver and a small amount in my bones. That is my new finding after 3 years of letrozole and some Ibrance. This all happened for me a month ago and as you threw me for a loop and I had been an emotional mess most of that time.
My onco wants me back on Ibrance, no letrozole, replacing with Faslodex. Apparently faslodex also does well to manage breast spread to liver as well as IV chemo. I would love to connect with you if you are close by.
Hi Bonnie. I'm not that far away--Havre de Grace. Where are you treated? We tried letrozole and faslodex together, but it was too slow, and my markers continued to rise. Would love to chat. I will send you message.
Maryland!!! I am in MD as well! Where are you and where are you treated? I am always looking at people to connect with in this area but have not been too successful so far from this site.Bonnie
Bonnie, I think I'm about an hour/hour and a half from you. I live in Havre de Grace on the upper Chesapeake. I am treated at MD Anderson--Cooper in Camden, NJ. I think we messaged and I was supposed to call, but then my mother was hospitalized and I got pretty sidetracked with that. She's 92 and has a colonized e-coli infection and lots of UTIs. I think this time we've finally found a urologist who can treat her without inpatient blasts of heavy-duty antibiotics (which cause their own problems). My mom's a breast cancer survivor, too. Would love to chat once I get this current health situation resolved.
Wow, life never stops with trials!! Keep me informed how your mom is doing. My mother died at 52 from BC and all the women in my family died of BC before 52, mother, maternal aunt, maternal grandmother, etc.Funny but I was born at Cooper hospital! That was another time there. Italian family and neighborhood until we moved out when I was 18 months old across the river to Pennsauken, next to Cherry Hill. I have been in MD since 1972, so now longer than NJ. Interesting that you are going to Camden for treatments? Is that closer for you? I would have thought Hopkins or even Medstar Lombardi
Glad to hear that things are going in the right direction! I also give my cancer wee talks to try and keep it in line so I’m sure that you, along with the Abraxane has given it pause for thought. Your onc seems like he is confident that you’re making headway. I’ll be rooting for your tm’s continuing to drop next Friday.
Chris, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who talks to her cancer! I am so glad I found this new oncologist (the result of a very random sighting of MD Anderson--Cooper whilst driving by on the Interstate on the way to the beach last summer). He really knows his stuff but is also able to talk with me as a fellow human and not just a cancer patient. Thanks for the good thoughts. Wishing you all the best, too!
Thanks for the good wishes. You can’t believe how happy I was to see your post as I thought some people would think I was mad if they knew. Going for a tm test myself on Monday with results on Tuesday so fingers crossed it’s coming down. I’ve been exercising regularly since LynnFish’s post so that plus my spirulina and turmeric should have set it back.
Both spiralina and turmeric are great but be careful of supplements and what else are in there. I use powder spiralina and tumeric I take in various forms. I also love a tea I make with the roots of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon stick. Great in general for inflammation which we very much need to control
Thanks blms . My husband uses the powder but I use the tablets from Hawaii. Turmeric is qunol from Costco. I thought they were both good but let me know if you see any red flags. Thanks
Look at label ingredients. Try to find them as pure as possible with little other ingredients y except capsule. I always look for organic as well. I’m not home now so I can’t check brand I use. I do always try to use supplements that are made here not in China. Powdered spiralina is great mixed into a green drink
That is amazing. what looks to us like a disastrous turn can be handled by new meds and the side effects are tolerable. My tumor markers haven't fallen that much, but are close to the normal range; doc seems to think that is good enough. Great you got that reassurance. Other responses are also informative and reassuring. Word Nerd too! Call myself the Grammar Czar sometimes.
Are you doing wkly or every 3 week Taxol? Just today onco said my MBC moved to liver, so on to taxane iv. Sounds like se's are tolerable for you, hopefully for myself. Told onc wanted to start after turkey day. Prayers you keep getting good results.
Hi Zoe. I just saw your post - that you are starting IV chemo after Turkey day. Is this your first IV chemo? I just went on Doxil - my first IV chemo 7 weeks ago. I was very sad having to go on iv chemo. I wasn't looking forward to it - not that any of us do, but I really HATE needles so this is just icky all around for me, BUT I must say the experience was not awful, not even bad (accept in my mind) and the only side effect I had was feeling really sleepy. We all react differently to chemo. Just incase you have not had an iv chemo before I wanted you to know it probably won't be as bad as our minds sometimes think. Best wishes, Faith
If you have to have IV chemo, I highly recommend having a port installed. With that and some pain cream, it's easy peasy and gives your veins a rest--especially important for those of us with lymphedema that limits where we can be stuck. I went through my whole first chemo A/C/T/X without a port, and my veins were so tired by the end. The port is awesome!
TY for replying. I was dx de Novo MBC, 2016, er/pr + hers 2-. Been thru 6 meds. Never had bad se's. Hopefully the same will be true with iv. Glad to know you're doing well. Stay strong and believe.
Good luck to you, Zoe! You definitely have the right screen name for this disease since Zoe means "life." I hope as the medicine enters your system, you can envision it as life-giving to you. Blessings!
Hi Zoe. I was dx de novo as well in 2017. Hmmm...what a journey we are on. I wish you well. Keep us updated on how you are doing with your new treatment so we can all compare notes and continue learning from each other. Good luck and enjoy the upcoming holidays. Faith
Sorry finger fumble. As I was saying, deciding between HFS or hair loss, I'm very active just can't wrap my head around sore feet, with hair loss I can choose my head covering color. If iv fails, I still have Xeloda. This journey is a nightmare. We must keep soldering on. Stay strong and believe.
Glad to hear that your oncologist is optimistic. I gain a better perspective about this journey when I read such comments. Yes, we will progress, but it is treatable, and that is something I need to remember. Thanks for sharing. All the best on your new treatment.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Tumor Marker Confusion
one more tumor marker question? 
Brain mets in addition to lung, bone and liver
Tumor markers 
