Need hope

Letrozole failed so now on aromasin but the side effects are horrendous. Get scan results in 2 days. 2 large tumours in breast not shrinking. 1 in armpit painful. 2 on shoulder blade. Had scans etc to see if cancer spreading but feel it has. Feel so ill. Think he will say there is no hope. Is anyone else in this condition please.? Have serious heart problems so he will not operate. Is this the end.? Nightmare time now. Need a little hope.

[MyMiracle13]

Hello. You are not alone when you feel like it is the end. I felt that way last year and almost gave up but I’m still here now. Letrozole failed for me so did Ibrance and Fulvestrant. My Mets are to brain and lungs and am on Xeloda. It is not the end I assure you. You don’t seem to have visceral Mets so maybe your onc just has to lower the dose of the Aromasin or change it to another medicine. Have you been on Ibrance and Fulvestrant? There are still a lot of meds out there. Hope and have faith. God bless you🙏

[Hidden in reply to MyMiracle13]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really thought this was the end of me . I live on my own after my husband died with multiple myeloma and thinking I am about to die a horrid death but you have given me hope, . I woke up screaming this morning after a nightmare and just wanted it all to be over. I have only been on letrozole. The tumours are getting bigger. Very frightened. My husband was very brave but I think I must be a coward ( don't know why those lines got underlined, not very good with modern technology) Thankyou for understanding.

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Hidden]

Hang on in there. We are just an email away. You’ve only been through Letrozole so there’s a lot more to keep the cancer at bay. I know how you feel. I’ve also asked for the Lord to take me several times. But then I wake up and it’s a new day.

[Hidden in reply to MyMiracle13]

Thank you. You have given me hope.

[mariootsi in reply to Hidden]

You are not a coward. We are all scared. I've had those dreams too, but tomorrow is a new day.

[Praising in reply to MyMiracle13]

How long were you on Ibrance? I became Mets in Nov. and on it

[Rhwright12]

Praying for you…There are many lines of treatment out there. So maybe 3 times a charm. Just don’t give up quite yet! Hugs 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Rhwright12]

Thank you for praying for me that means a lot.

[BluHydrangea]

Hi Peskyone— I’m in Aromasin and I take it with Ibrance. I’ve had great success with this combo. Try to be gentle with yourself and try not to worry until you get the results and know the next steps. Can you reset your worry by going outside— or enjoying a hobby? There is always hope for tomorrow.

[Red1246]

I’m sorry to read your fear in your message but so understand it. It’s hard enough going through cancer with a partner but being alone exacerbates the anxiety, stress level etc.

You are not alone, however; I and many others have found tremendous help on this site.

There are many treatments now available to those of us with METS and I suggest you discuss these with your oncologist if the current drug is making you feel so poorly.

I have bone and lymph node Mets and have been stable for 2 years on Ibrance and Letrosole. Scans end of month will show current state.

Sending big hugs to you and hope things will improve. It is possible! ❤️

[Praising in reply to Red1246]

Great to hear. I’m on Ibrance exemestane bone Mets to neck. Stable.

[Hidden in reply to Red1246]

Thank you so much . Seeing oncologist tomorrow for the results of scans and tests. Feel the worst news as bones in my chest hurt so much with sharp stabs. Grateful for your support and understanding.

[Red1246 in reply to Hidden]

Look forward to hearing more after your medical visit. Thinking of you and sending big hugs. 🙏🏻

[Garden-Lady]

Dear Peskyone, I am praying for you at this difficult time. The book Radical Remission by Kelly Turner has been helping me find a way forward. Sending warm love.

[Hidden]

I can hear the fear in your message and it’s so understandable ~ don’t give up hope I know it must seem hard

I am just listening to /reading the book Cancer Whisperer by Sophie Sabbage her story is inspirational and it’s full of great advice

I would also recommend Jane McLellands book one of the ladies in my support group started following her advice ~ 3 years ago after being given weeks to live and is still thriving today

[Lionore]

You are not alone. Please accept my digital hug and support. Right now you are alive. Breathe deeply and give your body and spirit the gift of life. When I have pain, my first instinct is to tense up, but then I remember to just go with it. Not fighting keeps me connected to all beings. We are together now. Bless you!

[Hidden in reply to Lionore]

Thank you for your support.

[Teddielottie]

Sending love and hoping the next treatment is the better one for you . Wish all goes well tomorrow ... hang in there ! x

[Phillipians4and6]

Good morning. It doesn’t matter what he says. You can always have hope. It’s within. Dig deep. Focus on something that brings joy to your heart. You’re a thriver. You got this!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬‬

[Itisfinished in reply to Phillipians4and6]

Amen I agree!

[TwithBC in reply to Phillipians4and6]

...You can always have hope. It’s within. Dig deep. ❤️❤️❤️

[RLN-overcomer in reply to Phillipians4and6]

Amen

[PJBinMI]

I am so sorry that your husband died, especially from cancer! I think any of us who lost such a close member of our family would be suffering as much from grief and fear as from our own cancer! Personally, I fear my husband's death more than my own! Do be very open with your onc about how you are feeling, both the pain that is likely from the cancer and the internal pain and grief you are experiencing. If you are seen at a cancer center rather than a small practice, there very well may be a social worker or psychologist there who specializes in counseling those of us with cancer. And I have always heard really good things about the grief groups that Hospice programs offer for those who have lost a spouse. You don't have to have prior connections to Hospice but I believe that they ask that people wait until it's been six months since their loss. Now, on to the cancer. I am a long timer and while I am not a medical professional, I have attended quite a few conferences and heart BC specialists speak about MBC. It's a bit unusual to be prescribed Aromasin after Letrozole stops working. Much more common to be on Faslodex, another but different anti-estrogen med that is given by injection. If your onc is not a bc specialist, one who sees only bc patients, you might want to get a second opinion from one. If you are in the US, the top tier of cancer centers are those designated "Comprehensive Cancer Centers." Those are listed on the website of the National Cancer Institute. There is a link to that on this page, upper right, under Topics then Useful Resources. Your own onc should support you doing that and may be able to facilitate getting you an appt soon. My onc suggested that to me right after initial staging found bone mets. I had just started treatment and she was able to get me an appt within 10 days with a bc specialist. My husband and grown daughter went with me, and as that bc onc spoke with us after seeing my records and examining me herself, I could feel their anxiety lessening! She was so reassuring. Plus when she examined me, her fingers felt different than any doctor or NP who had examined them before, as though she had radar in her fingertips. And I have gone back there a couple of times since then when big treatment decisions have to be made. Sending cyberhugs, love, healing thoughts and prayers..........

[Praising in reply to PJBinMI]

Where did you go

[Valisa]

Sending strength, hope and hugs your way.❤️ 💪🏻 🙏🏻 🤗 ❤️

[hopenowandtomorrow]

Praying for solutions that work for you ❤️🙏❤️!

[MaryCos]

Sending you a big virtual hug, Peskyone. I hope that your scans come back with good news, and offer some relief from your worries. I also hope that they/you can figure out a way to counter these side effects. xoxo

[Totheriver]

So sorry that you have to go through this alone. We are all hear for you. You may even pm me to chat. I was told when I got mbc that there were more treatments if this one failed. Will keep you in my prayers 💕

[Snallygaster]

Hang in there! It is hard to do that and keep positive thoughts instead of going to a dark place. I find that is the hardest thing about MBC, is the roller coaster ride of knowing at any time when the rug will get pulled out from under you sending you free falling.

Does your clinic or hospital have any cancer support groups or resources? Can you confide in a friend or other family member or someone on your oncology team?

Let us know how the scan goes. And try to stay positive...Easier said than done...

[mariootsi]

Don't give up hope. There are so many more treatment options out there. But, I totally understand how you are feeling It's scary knowing you have to change treatment. I wish you good scan results and an easily tolerated new treatment.

[Hidden]

I share others heartfelt concern and good wishes. Please keep us posted

[AnnaP668]

There is always hope. May be buried deep, but it is there. I pray you can find it and will soon feel better. Try not to worry about what may or may not come. Take things as they come in the present. ❤

[RLN-overcomer]

Greetings: Sister/warrior I pray Dr. GOD will work everything out in your favor Amen🙏🙏

[mudakurag]

Get a second opinion! Each time I had questionable scans I ve gotten a second opinion at Dana Farber and each time I've come out feeling so much better than when I went in. It's always great to look at our problems from a different perspective.I'll be thinking of you and sending positive energy and prayers

Mary