Anyone have info about cardiac effusion with mbc?

[sunnyday3]

Hi I'm new here are scared...just found out I have fluid around my heart and googled it and said I have average 2 months to live. I'm in shock. Have been doing well with Faslodex and have good tumor markers but was considering going on Ibrance. Any info..anything would be sooo helpful. Thanks. I'm just hoping google is wrong.

[Bestbird]

I am so sorry you googled the information about prognosis, and I'm glad to tell you it's false.

In 2011 I was diagnosed with mets to the lung accompanied by malignant pleural and pericardial effusion. Thankfully, I responded well to endocrine therapy and no one would know of my situation by looking at me. You have every reason to believe you'll continue to do well for a long time, and your favorable response to Faslodex is a very good sign!

If you are interested in learning about approved treatments, coping with side effects, cutting edge research, and more, you may be interested in my book, "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" which is also available as a complimentary .pdf at insidersguidembc.com

With warm wishes.

[sunnyday3 in reply to Bestbird]

Hi BestbirdThanks so much for responding and with such positive news. It lifts my spirit and gives me inf o to focus on. I am thinking of going on Ibrance along with the faslodex but was hesitant due to white counts and Covid.

Are you able to share what endocrine treatments you went on in 2011. I know everyone of us is different but it so helps knopwing you had this way back in 2011. And also thank you for the Insiders Guide info. I'm starti g to move from shock to hope. I can't thank you enough!!

[Bestbird in reply to sunnyday3]

Sunnyday, in 2011 there were no CDK4/6 inhibitors like Ibrance. So I was prescribed Letrozole, which has thankfully been a good choice for me. As you said, everyone is different!

Wishing you a long and sustained run on your treatment!

[sunnyday3 in reply to Bestbird]

Hi BestbirdThanks again for everything and congrats on your long .successful journey!

[SoCalLady]

I am assuming that emergency/hospital has removed the fluid around your heart and is watching it? Never heard of this being fatal if treated. I had it two years ago and am still alive.

[sunnyday3 in reply to SoCalLady]

Hi SoCal LadySo glad to hear that! I had an echo and ekg thatshowed my heart was functioning properly. My cardiologistis scheduling a 2nd echo within 7-10 days to see the status. She said depending I would have the fluid removed. I'm going to ask for it to be removed but nervous about going to hospital because I live in a heavily Covid infected area. Thanks so much for your response...so unlifting when I need that.

[jersey-jazz in reply to sunnyday3]

About the safety of hospitals during covid, my experience is thus. I have had to go to three hospitals in two states, in the past year and experienced a feeling of complete safety, except for the first time when I didn't know what to expect.. Hospitals are designed to be clean and personal are careful about people's health. They have well thought out systems of care. I feel so much safer than in any store or supermarket that I have to go to. I hope this helps.

[sunnyday3 in reply to jersey-jazz]

Thanks JerseyJazzI know my local hospital is excellent in keeping things clean cause I've been in 3 hospitals and my local was so much more careful. I need to stop listening to my neighbors who are healthy but riddled with fear. Since I live in a fairly rural area the best docs etc and at least an hour away and both me and my car can't do it. Might risk a ride into NYC since I'm so familiar with it but no way the other direction..."smile."

I love this site...so responsive and helpful. I live alone and getting that news was just exacerbated by being isolated. Thanks for a reality check! to you aned everyone else.

[Itisfinished]

Never ever rely on Google for anything. Google will have you dead and buried in a few minutes. My dad had fluid around his heart for years and lived a long time! So let go of F E A R....False Evidence Appearing Real because that's the devils way of keeping you bound and tormenting you and stealing your joy. I declare Joy over you bubbling over!! 😂🤣😃😄

[sunnyday3 in reply to Itisfinished]

Hi ItsfinisheNo more Google EVER!!!!!

Hearing your Dad's story and some of the others on this site has done wonders for my state of mind. I can't thank you enough for your response nand Yes to Joy and kicking fear out the door!!

[PJBinMI]

i've been surviving with metastatic breast cancer for almost 17 years! Diagnosed on 3/1/2004. I got almost five years from Letrozole, over 9 from Faslodex and just over three now on Exemestane. In about 2016 I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and put on a blood thinner. About six months ago, a scan showed fluid in my chest and after more tests, a leaky mitral value was found. I was put on a diuretic and that has helped alot, much less fluid in my chest. I also discovered that there are cardiologists who specialize in treating people who have both heart disease and cancer! Both at major med school affiliated cancer centers and in the mid sized city where I see most of the medical specialists I need. I'm another who looks much better than my medical chart would suggest! I'm 74, almost 75, just had cataracts removed and am able to go without glasses for the first time in 60 years! So, I'm going to be talking with my hair stylist about changing how I wear my hair and am having fun with eye makeup! lol When I was first diagnosed, I was pretty scared! About five months later I heard of some women who had been living with mbc for twenty years, met some other women with mbc at a bc weekend retreat, had good results from treatment and was able to get rid of alot of anxiety about this whole cancer business! Alot of us do really well with anti-estrogen meds. I agree that the internet has alot of crazy scary misinformation about all kinds of health related stuff! The oncology nurses often have good info as do our oncs. Nobody knows how long we have left, not before cancer and not now! Even hospice staff can't really predict death until the last few days! I've known more than one metster who was in the hospital with serious liver issues and bounced back after being close to death! Those of us who do well with a first treatment often go on to have good results with the next and next after that meds. I hope you will do well and begin feeling at peace with this living with mbc!

[Beryl71 in reply to PJBinMI]

So lovely to read your hopeful story. I've been on letrozole and ibrance since last April. I keep wondering how long I've got, but plan and live as if I have the same future as anyone else! What I haven't yet explored because of lockdown is how much my medication schedule might restrict my freedom. I am 71.

[jersey-jazz in reply to Beryl71]

Beryl. My goal in life, these days, is to die of old age rather than cancer. I like your idea of living as if I have the same future as everyone else.

[sunnyday3 in reply to Beryl71]

Hi BerylI haven't felt tied down by my meds for the past 4 years but when I first started on chemo for 4 months I wasd definitely tied down.

Hopefully this doesn't sound morbid but when I see all those healthy people dying from Covid my heart goes out to them and their families, but then I think, I'm still here.

at first almost with a sense of awe. I did have 1 doc tell meI has 6 month to live when I was first diagnosed...never saw him again...

So good to hear of of women here living many years with mbc. I'm 75 and plan on being around as long as possible.

[sunnyday3 in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi PJBinMi17 years!!!! How wonderful. I hope some of the women newly dianosed will read your response.....so hopeful and encouraging.

I was diagnosed 41/2 years ago and was put on Taxol which nearly killed me and the tumors kept growing...bone mets, lung mets. ...had a surgical wound that didn't heal for over a year...needed help at a wonderful wound care center...when I was put on Tamoxifen it was a miracle drug for me...on it for over 2 years...then Faslodex which I'm still on but lung tumor just showed"slight" progression as well as the fluid around my heart...will see my oncologist this week and most likely go on Ibrance...my concern is what to do if Ibrance doesn't do it"s job. I always feel better when I know there's more ammunition down the road. For now I'm hopeful that Ibrance will keep the lung mets stable. Thanks again for your encouraging words.

[PJBinMI in reply to sunnyday3]

If you don't have a cardiologist, you might want to see one about that fluid around your heart. Plus there are now doctors who specialize in cardiology for those of us with cancer. So many changes since I was first diagnosed denovo mbc in 2004! New meds, new scans, new specialists......... new survival medians and longevity.....

[Totheriver]

I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2017 and they drained the fluid with IV. Since then am doing fine and only take a fluid pill as needed. In May if will 2 years since I srarted letrozole and ibrance and am doing ok. Hope things go well for you.Theresa

[sunnyday3 in reply to Totheriver]

Thanks TheresaI think I'll feel better if they drain the fluid...kind of wonder if its an insurance thing where there needs to be enough fluid before they agree to drain it.

Instead my cardiologist said to go to the ER if I feel dizzy or have severe shortness of breath before I have the next echo...they are waiting for someone to cancel and get me in next week. As I mentioned this is a fairly rural area and I was more used to a much larger metropolitan area with major hospitals and facilities.

She did say they would probably need to drain it with an IV.

Thanks for your kind words and positive news...I should have joined this site and never gone near google.

[Totheriver in reply to sunnyday3]

I joined this sight about a year ago and I find it so helpful and mostly encouraging!!

[hurricaneheather]

with the mets dx in July 2015, there was malignant right pleural effusion. nine days after the dx, flexible bronchoscopy, VATS surgery, drainage of effusion, excision of pleural tumors, intercostal nerve blocks, talc pleurodesis, and wedge resection.

in Aug 2015, started Ibrance, Letrozole (switched to Anastrozole in Dec 2015), and Lupron (switched to Zoladex in Oct 2020). while not thrilled about the treatment plan, the body reacted "well' to it; tumor markers dropped significantly in the first two months, and scans indicated NEAD, Stable since Mar 2016.

though not the heart, surgery and treatment have allowed me to live a quality life. believe in integrative care, the body's ability to heal, and "radical remission." was still running 5ks in Sep 2015; they are slower now as "chemical menopause" changed this body, not long thereafter. have remained active, with a different ability. may you be at ease.

[Magsue]

I started w liver Mets 8 years after original BC - - - 2 years later I ended up w pleural effusion in both lungs and heart - scared me but thankfully with a couple of drains and new meds and the will to live .. I’m alive and well! I have been clear for 1 1/2 — It’s so scary but know that you will prevail! My cancer was ER+ and fluid showed Triple Negative - so changes meds did the trick. I’m now on Lynpatza - but honestly I think it’s my body doing it’s thing! Markers have consistently been under 20 bi-monthly ...and thank god everyday. You got this! 🙏 Margie

[Andibo]

Never google. It will tell us we are going to die in minutes! There are so many treatments and options out there now. Talk to your doctor.