This is not an easy note to write, and I am very sorry that it may be a difficult one to read.
I've come to the realization that I can no longer contend with the effects of metastatic breast cancer combined with multiple GI issues that prevent me from eating and drinking. I am hoping that hospice will help ease my transition and also lighten the burden borne by my husband Steve, who has remained lovingly at my side.
I've been extraordinarily fortunate to have outlived my prognosis. In the extra time I was granted, I’ve published a book for patients and caregivers called "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" and founded the Patient-Centered Dosing Initiative which was pivotal in transforming the "more is better" concept of oncology drug dosing to one which is far more humane and better-tolerated for cancer patients.
Yet the most important part of my life was being loved, and loving in return. Not only by family and friends, but also by other patients who have joined me in the trenches of this disease.
I ask for your understanding in that I may not have the wherewithal to respond to individual replies.
I am grateful to have no regrets, and think of this phase as having tied up the colorful ribbons of my life into a beautiful bow.
Thank you for being part of my life, and for all you have done to enrich it.
Anne
Written by
Bestbird
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Brought tears to my eyes but you’ve made a decision that works best for you. Good luck in your journey and thank you for all the help you’ve given to us all on this site. Hugs and kisses Chris
So very sorry to read your message. You have been such a blessing to this community with all of your efforts to keep everyone updated on the latest treatments and side effects. I know that you have impacted everyone's journey with the wealth of information you have shared.
May God bless you with comfort and grace. Love and prayers, Linda
Anne - you have been a beacon of hope, knowledge, inspiration and love to so many , including your Insiders Guide - what a blessing. I do hope we meet one day . Know you are cherished and loved.
Thank you so much for all the wisdom you shared with us. Your book and the insights you shared is a “Bible” for MBC patients. I wish you blessings going forward on your journey. We will all reach that stage, you are just one step ahead of us. ❤️
Thank you for all you have done to help everyone else out there with MBC. You truly are are blessing and I will be praying for you and thinking of you at this time.
Many prayers to you on this side of your journey. Thank you so much for your amazing contributions to help all who are on this road. You will be greatly missed, but your legacy will live on. 🙏💙
I am sending you my heartfelt love , you are an amazing lady , it makes me feel happy to know you have a lovely caring family and friends , be proud of yourself having a book published , you are an inspiration to all of us going through this journey ❤️
Thank you for posting this and my mom is having the same issues with GI problems and not being able to eat much or drink. The Ibrance stopped working after 3 1/2 yrs . Switched to kisqali and fulvestrant but because of fluid build up in her abdomen and weekly paracentesis they want to try taxol. Praying that will alleviate her symptoms but I am also aware it might not. She is worried she is a burden on us and putting us through this. I hate that she feels that way and we would do anything for her. We hate that she has to go through this. I hate that anyone has to go through this. I am grateful that I have the time with her and my dad and the privilege to take care of them. I pray you will have an easy transition and peace for your family.
Thank you for all that you have done to help others living with MBC. You are an inspiration to so many. May every day be filled with an abundance of peace and love.
You have been with me metaphorically all the way since my MBC diagnosis. Thank you with all my heart for the book and all the great advice you gave to so many people. Your achievements are there for posterity. My thoughts are with you. Love Marie❤️
God bless you and your family. Thank you so much for the work you have done for us all- you have really made the world a better place. Sending love and light. Rest easy.
Your research and book gave me so much hope in the beginning, it was one of the first books I read on the subject. Thank you for giving so much to us over the years. I have to tell you, I was recently having GI issues too and could hardly eat, I accidentally ruined my letrozole so I didn't take it for a few days and all my issues, including sky-high blood pressure resolved! Imagine my surprise as I had been taking letrozole for years without any such side effects, I was blaming the ibrance! So now I am on ibrance alone and I will take that until I get pulled off of it as I'll not tell the onc I'm not taking letrozole and I don't want a replacement, as I am fed up with being a guineau pig. Of course, my thoughts on that could change next week as I do try and keep an open mind on this roller coaster ride! Love and miracles to you and God bless you and heal us all in Jesus name, amen! <3
Wishing you comfort and peace. I think you knew my friend Cathy Esposito gone too soon. She often referenced you as an encourager to her, we met my first year of being diagnosed with MBC.
Thank you for your wise words and generous sharing. May your transition into the next journey be peaceful and pain free. You have planted many good seeds in all of us who have had the blessing of reading your words. Now is time they will bloom into beautiful flowers. Please carry these flowers with you and know that many of them will be carried forward by us, in your honor.
I totally understand your decision making. I will take the same route when I'm ready as I too am living with other serious conditions which affect my quality of life.
We're all entitled to our own views and for them to be respected especially by those who disagree.
You've made some great achievements and I admire you for them as will many others, I'm sure.
Ohhhh, Bestbird ❤️ you have been such a presence of information, support and love in my life and in other's who you dont persoally know but in many ways 'know'. Wishing you comfort, peace and love all-ways, Mary. 🌺
You have given of yourself so unselfishly and touched the lives of countless of people, all while living with this horrendous disease -I thank you! You truly are a blessing to all of us! May God hold you in his arms and cover you with peace and comfort, may you feel His love and the warmth of His arms around you. Prayers for you and your loving husband-Blessings to you!
Thank you for all you have done for the breast cancer community. I have read so many of your post and have a copy of your book, both which have been beneficial to me in many ways. I pray for peace in your life and strength for your family during this time in your life. Sometimes God drops little angels down here on earth to help others. You were one of those precious people. ❤️💗💕
Dear Anne, I am so sorry to read this. You have always been so wonderful and helpful to us on this site with your book, the information you have provided, and the work you have done with dosing protocols. I hope and pray for peace and comfort for you. Sending you and your family hugs and prayers.
This breaks my heart because I think we all expected you to live forever. What a gift your amazing wisdom and resources have been to all of us. Prayers and love to you and your family. Allison
thank you so much for all you have done to support and inform. Your book was the first resource I went to when my wife was diagnosed. Wishing you peace and comfort on the rest of your journey
Thank you for everything you have done for the community, Anne. Your book was a huge help to me when I was first diagnosed, and it continues to be so. What a legacy! Wishing you nothing but the easiest road, time with loved ones, and peace. Peggy
Hi & thank you for your honesty. It is a tough road we are on & I hope that I can be as wonderful as you are now that you are facing the last struggles. I guess it is a new adventure & we will all meet again -I know’’ that this is not the end. Please demand comfort from the doctors & slip peacefully into the new adventure Lou Anne
Oh, Anne, thank you so much for all your work and research for MBC. I once wrote an email to The Right Dose, and you responded immediately--thank you. The very best to you as you pass over. From all my reading, it sounds like a beautiful loving place. We will all meet there eventually. Kay Wolfe
I'm sure most of us will get to this transition point sooner or later. I hope when I reach that point that I move as kindly and gracefully as you are. Peace and love to you and Steve.
From the moment that I found out about my cancer I searched for anything I could to get me through this journey and there you were. You have always been right there for everyone, giving the best information and kindness. You will be missed by all and I thank you for all that you have done. God Bless you and your loved ones. Until we meet again 🙏🏽🙌🏽💜 Blessings and warm hugs Anne ~
Thank you for sharing this, and for all you have done to educate others, including us. I have read that hospice care often ends up keeping us alive and comfortable longer than without it. I met with a palliative care NP and she helped me manage pain and itching much better than any doctor had! I hope you know how much we appreciate you and the wisdom and kindness you share here. I have a great caretaking husband, too, and they deserve alot of thanks, too! Give yours a hug for me! Sending love, prayers, and hope your way............
Dear Anne you have helped so many people on this site & beyond. I will be eternally grateful for the wealth of information in your book giving me hope as I journey on this difficult road. May God bless you and your family with peace & comfort. To love & be loved is the greatest thing. Sending much love & hugs xxxx
Dear Anne, thank you so much for your tireless work putting together these resources for others with MBC and for pushing for more commonsense around the approach to drug dosing! I so agree, it has always seemed backwards to me. Why make us suffer more than we need to?
You will be missed here I know but I honour your choice to allow yourself to rest at peace and without suffering. Sending you much love and trusting that hospice will put you at ease through your journey
Dearest wonderful woman. Anne. Thank you for all you have done.
Be gentle on yo. Don’t reply. Just know that you are loved and appreciated as far down south as Melbourne Australia. I will miss your contributions here. I cannot think of what else to say with these tears in my eyes, I send you love and gentle hugs.
Anne, my prayers are with you and your husband right now. You have been such a blessing to us and your book has been a real support to me over the last several years.
Hi, Ann, I am new to this site, and I promise my intentions are Only good... I just wanted to know if you've seen a gastroenterologist and/or tried taking any enzymes to help with your GI issues, before you made your decision? The reason I ask is that I've been metastatic for over 7 years now, and ALL last summer I had severe diarrhea (up to 24 times/day.... I required a diaper, and spent SO much time just cleaning up. I thought about asking my doctor if I could get a colostomy. I was truly desperate and saw no way out. Since I started taking enzymes with every meal and snack I have not had diarrhea even once since September. Just wanted to run that by you. My heart hurts for you. I know I've already outlived my expiration date several times over... but so far I've been able to find a solution to unbearable problems that have arisen as a result of my treatment.
I'm not trying to talk you out of your decision. I admire you and know that I will be in your shoes before too long. I just didn't know if you had been allowed to try a supplemental treatment for your GI issues.
May God bless you. I wish you well... a peaceful passing.
Thank you for your remarkable work it saved my sanity and improved my health. We are all heading to the same place some of us are just going a little earlier.
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