Letrozole has stopped and tumours growing fast.

hi ladies just had appointment with oncologist. Letrozole has stopped working and the 2 very big tumours in brease are growing also I have a new one under my arm and in clavicle. Going for ultrasound in 2 weeks and he said he would take it from there. He cannot operate as I have serious heart problems. I hate that these tumors are growing inside of me and I can do nothing. Grade 3. Does anyone have any advice or comfort please. Having nightmare time. Xx

[Hidden]

I’m very sorry. I don’t have enough expertise to offer ideas. I will keep you in my thoughts. Please don’t hesitate to vent and to keep us posted

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Marthasvineyard The fact that you cared enough to answer is comforting

[debbiedo2063]

HiSo sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope when you get the ultrasound there will be other treatments you can try. I was on Tamoxifen and 6 years clear, they switched me to Letrozole thinking I was through Menopause (but apparantly now oncologist said I was borderline) and 2 years later was diagnosed with MBC so it did not work for me either but doing ok on Ibrance, Falsodex and the Bone injections since Dec 20. I will pray for you that there will be a better treatment to suit you and I hope you can relax a little bit this Bank Holiday Weekend and find some peace, hope and energy for the coming weeks, you can do this. Lots of love. Keep us posted.

Debra xx

[Hidden in reply to debbiedo2063]

Thank you debbiedo2063 If only the oncologist had said there may be alternatives or we can try something else but he didn't want to talk. However I know they are so busy and must get very tired.

[Justme153]

Are you on letrozole by its self ? If so how long have you been on it? Did your oncologist give you any indication of what the next step may be? Please try to relax I'm sure if your oncologist was hugely concerned he would not be waiting 2 weeks for an ultrasound. That alone should comfort you some!! Take some deep breaths and tell your self look I know I will have to either switch treatment or possibly just add to the existing one no big deal!!! Worry never helps anything nor changes the out come . Relax RELAX RELAX! That is your best medicine !!! Take care

[Hidden in reply to Justme153]

yes that does comfort me. Thank you. I was on letroze 14 months until now. Oncologist never mentioned any alternatives. I asked questions but all he would say is wait for the scan. The cancer is inoperable as first Oncologist said there would be too much to do, I felt as if I had been sent home with no hope. Yours words have given me comfort and I will keep telling myself what you have said.

[Hidden in reply to Justme153]

I know what you mean about waiting 2 weeks although in this country we have to wait. After having 2 core biopsies a year ago I had to wait 4 weeks before seeing a oncologist to talk about treatment. However your words have given me comfort so thank you.

[LibraryGeek]

Hi Peskyone. Sorry about your news- progression is horrible, but there are so many options out there and your oncologist will find the best one for you. The next treatment will hopefully shrink those tumours and everything will settle down again. Try not to worry.Jackie x

[Hidden in reply to LibraryGeek]

LibraryGreek thank you so much. You have given me hope when I thought there was none and it was the end of life. Thank you again.

[BallerinaMel]

Peskyone, I am so sorry about your tumors growing. As many ladies said on this post, there are many options out there. Keep your chin up! Sending you prayers.

[Hidden in reply to BallerinaMel]

Thank you so much. Need prayers now. It is so kind of you.

[Totheriver]

So sorry to hear this❤️

[Hidden in reply to Totheriver]

Thank you. I just feel so sorry for my son and grandson and don't want them to suffer grief.

[Totheriver]

We always want to protect our family right!💕

[Topood]

Thinking of you....I’ve had 5 kinds of treatment, and my doctor says there are quite a few more, so I hope you find one of them and fight those tumors and thrive!!!! I was in a bad place a few months ago, but now have a new lease on life thanks to a different medication....I hope the same thing happens to you...do your best not to worry too much....I know that’s hard, but I’m trying to remind myself that I’m alive NOW and to appreciate whatever I can....thoughts and prayers!

[Red71]

Letrozole is one of the first line treatments but there are many after that. I have been on Ibrance and now Capecitabine and there are more options after that. I don’t know why your oncologist is waiting so long to find you a follow up treatment. I would be badgering him at this point or looking for a different more proactive oncologist. I have learned that we cannot be passive participants in our care, we have to fight for the best care we can get. If you tend to be more passive, find someone to help you ask for more! My thoughts go with you in this journey. Elaine

[JoyBe in reply to Red71]

I completely agree 100 % with Elaine!!Peskyone, You need to honor your name and be a Peskyone until all of your questions concerning your MBC are completely answered.

From my perspective your sitting on the side lines of your life.

I am encouraging you to get in there and play ball because your life depends solely on you advocating for your life.

Your Oncologist being tired or over worked is not your concern, unless it is actively interfering with your care. Which it appears it is, evident in you having the unnecessary stress of not having your questioned answered.

No one on the planet can RELAX while hanging in limbo from an oncologist who is not explaining to you:

1. WHY the letrozole stopped working?

2. WHY you have to wait 2 weeks of scans?

3. WHY you have no idea of all the options of care and treatment that are very much available of you right now?

I'm not a doctor, however, I agree, surgery to remove tumors from breast cancer is NOT an option for you or anyone else for that matter with MBC.

I don't know if anyone who has MBC which is stage 4 breast cancer ever having surgery to remove tumors that have metastasized from breast cancer.

That is why all the new medications and research are striving for and have shown to be successful treatments.

My suggestion is to immediately request a new oncologist who specializes in MBC and if possible familiar with your underlying health conditions.

You can do this, because there is still a whole lot of life for you to embrace.

You have to believe your deserving, Blessings to you and your love ones.

Allow your family to support you by being still to receive.

Be Well, Sue

[Ski2sea]

So sorry to read but please know you are not alone! There are so many treatment variations that are available to you. Take it one step at a time. Cry that ugly cry if you need it. But also give yourself some grace. Sending the biggest hug to you. Tara ❤️

[Carolhelen]

So sorry you are going through additional stress. My onc is kind of the same. My markers continue to rise each month for the past 5 months and she said "I don't think it's critical at this point" after I had found additional lumps in my breast and my hip is very painful. I was so mad about that. Sometimes all we need is the onc to be a bit empathetic and talk to us about our fears. I did end up calling back and told her I had no faith in the system if I am left to worry for weeks on end. She then scheduled a body CT scan, a bone scan and more marker tests. Sometimes you have to speak up and call them up on their flippant attitudes.

I have tumors in both sides my neck, sternum, breast and nodes in my lung. There may be nothing to do other than to extend life, but I feel now that I've spoken up and taken some control of my MBC and care, I feel a bit more positive.

Hang in there. Speak up and remember this is your body, your life and you have every right to not only have the right treatment medically, but also to be treated as an intelligent person who should be consulted each step of the way.

Sending you huge hugs, love and lots of positive vibes.

[Hidden in reply to Carolhelen]

Thank you for your reply and helpful words. It is so good to speak to someone in the same kind of condition, someone who understands.

[jersey-jazz in reply to Hidden]

My hope is that this loving, knowledgeable group of people who have wrote about their experiences similar to yours will have given you a heap of advice and positive energy. Please try to take it in that there are a mess of us that have MBC and that are with you in spirit. Never mind worrying about the grief you will cause your family when you die. It will happen when it happens. Please spend your valuable life enjoying any little thing you can enjoy, knowing that none of us have forever.

[RLN-overcomer]

Sister/warrior I do pray that GOD will provide the right treatment(s) to heal your body Amen . I know it is easy to say, but keep the faith. I might not be able to recite some long prayer's, but I definitely know how to recite the Serenity Prayer.🙏😇🙏😇🙏

[Hidden in reply to RLN-overcomer]

thank you so much. Prayers and kind thoughts are much appreciated.

[blms]

Definitely need scans to see any potential increase in cancer activity before meds. Maybe Ibrance and fadlodex fir bones but you will see soon. There are lots of choices depending. Hang in there