Looking for encouragement

[Greatday2]

After one year on Ibrance, I have progression. I don't know what's next yet. Any words of encouragement for me? Please! That was my first line of treatment.

[Aprilfoolz1]

Greatday2, I'm sorry you have progression. Depending on the location of the progression I would want a biopsy of the new area so you can see if this has any actionable mutations . They will determine what the next line of treatment will be. I have a friend (not on here ) that is on her 4th line in 2 years and finally has a treatment that is working well . Hang in there !

[Praising in reply to Aprilfoolz1]

what treatment is that’s working?

[Aprilfoolz1 in reply to Praising]

She's now on Xeloda .

[Kim452]

Dear Greatday2,there are so many other treatment to help you.I live Metastatic breast cancer,I am on Kisqali 400mg and Anastrosole.I'm waiting the result of CT scan.Last year I had metastatic lung nodule,had a surgery,upper left lobe removed with all lymph nodes.

Next mets is on my femoral neck,and have radiation.

Well,who know what will CT scan results be?

But,anyway,I know that onc.dr.will find the way.

You didn't write,what kind of progression do you have?

They will find out what other kind of treatment is for you.

Please,be with us,-we MUST go on.

I know how hard it is,but we must be brave.

Hugs from Sydney,Australia 🌹

[bikebabe]

hi Greatday2 - my oncologist gave me confidence at the start of my stage 4 journey by saying that if and when the first line stopped working, they’ll just keep chuckingsomething else at it and that will keep going as new meds come on line all the time. I think it’s like outwittibg the cancer cells - a big game of chess or snakes and ladders. You get a bad rqp, brings you to your knees, then something good comes along to pick you up again. So it’s more about being resilient to weather the ups and downs and enjoy g the good times. Be kind to yourself…

[Gingerann1 in reply to bikebabe]

Love this analogy! When you are first diagnosed and the hopelessness and doom and gloom creep in and you find that there are actually so many options to outsmart the beast and more all the time it’s a hallaluia moment! Still fortunate to be on my first line treatment now into year 5 feeling confident and relieved there will be other treatments when I have progression. News to cancer: “Chuck it”! When you zig, we zag!

[Hazelgreen]

Assuming you have the most common type of breast cancer (invasive ductal), my suggestion is that you try ribociclib (Kisqali) as it too is in pill form, and easier on the body. I've now taken it for 3+ years and it has worked well in keeping my cancer antigens in the normal range. I hope you have equal good luck with it.

[Artesa]

Hang in there! There are other immunotherapies that may work when Ibrance is no longer effective. Kisqali, Verenzio (spelling may be wrong) are two that come to mind. Your oncologist will have more treatments. I'm sorry you experienced progression so soon. I am in a support group where 2 women take meds for metastatic breast cancer that I never heard of and they are stable after 6 years! I am wishing you success , something will work, I just know it.

[Bravespirit]

i’m sorry you’ve had progression - it like a punch in the gut when you hear those words, as many of us here will attest. I only lasted on Ibrance for three months before I progression and how to change my treatment. My next line of treatment only lasted four months! I was devastated to have to move to a third line in less than nine months move to a third line in less than nine months! But, I but I learned from the many individual experience shared here that it may take a while to find the right line of treatment for me, and for now I have! So, be encouraged. There is a right line of treatment out there for you!

As mentioned by others already, be sure to get tested for any potential mutations with a genomic test. Understanding how your cancer may be changing hope you’re oncologist zero inon the appropriate treatment.

I’ll also there have been two new drugs approved for my specific type of cancer in the last year, expanding and extending my treatment options. That gives me an incredible amount of hope!

if you are not already familiar with the organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer, I encourage you to look them up. They have an incredible wealth of information on their website, including achart outlining the standard lines of treatment for the most common types of metastatic breast cancer. I now understand there are a lot more options than I previously thought. Hope of abounds!

[Gingerann1 in reply to Bravespirit]

Hope abounds! Love that!

[Praising in reply to Bravespirit]

What are the new treatments?

[Bravespirit in reply to Praising]

It depends on your specific cancer dx, any mutations and what other treatments you’ve had.

[utahsara]

My Wife has Met Breast cancer that has spread to her bones. We have been battling Breast cancer from the summer of 2017 until now and will continue forward. She was on Ibrance, and it worked for maybe 6 months, was switched to Truqap, which really did nothing for her and had bad side effects. She is now on Xeloda oral chemo pills, 2,500mg a day, 2 500 mg pills in the am and three 500 mg in the pm, in 3 week cycles ( 2 weeks on, 1 week off ) 100% of her Cancer spots are completely gone on her last Pet Scan. It's as if she is completely normal, other than mild HFS. Her CA 15-3 and CA 27 29 markers went from a high of 880 down to 190. However, Xeloda only works in most people for 8 cycles ( 6 months ) then the cancer will slowly begin to return. We will find out soon what would be the next treatment to prolong her life as there is no cure for Met Breast Cancer spread to the Bones. We send Prayers to all in their Battles.

[Praising in reply to utahsara]

Let us know the next steps. Praying for all of us.

[SKoter in reply to utahsara]

Good to know that Xeloda is somewhat effective in short term. Hope you and your wife are doing well!

[SMPG]

There are many many lines of treatment. Please don't despair. You will be all right.

[Jmarkova]

Dear Greatday 2,

I am in a similar situation. I was diagnosed with MBC 10 month ago and I worry that the first line of treatment will stop working soon, at least my last PET scan was not so great. First, my oncologist told me that my prognosis is 5 years as I have metastasis in bones, liver, lymphatic nodes. However, at my last appointment, she said that I have at least 15 more years as there are so many treatments available and more treatment options are in the pipeline. It's very scarry, but there is a hope. I wish you all the best.

[Greatday2 in reply to Jmarkova]

Wow, that must have been great to hear your oncologist say 15 years!

[SKoter]

Hello, I know how scary it is to hear that the cancer is progressing. I’m also in a similar situation. I have PET and CT scans scheduled next month to see where I am in terms of the progression. Hoping to hear a good news. Just want to hear that I’m stable. My wonderful oncologist always tells me that there are many treatments options ahead and we’ll take it one thing at a time. Your doctor and you will find a med that work for you! Hang in there!!

[embrace28]

I was watching the news yesterday and I saw the first AI trial for breast cancer started, this made me happy so I wish to share this news to you. This is something big and I am very hopeful about it. Love and light to you.

[Greatday2 in reply to embrace28]

Thanks for sharing. Do you have any specifics on the trial? Company name, etc?

[WhippetX2]

At my first meeting with my oncologist I found out I had stage 4 breast cancer and as we walked out of the room I remember her saying to me "don't worry, there are so many treatment options for you". Of course, it took a long time for that to sink in. But being a part of this great group has shown me that there really are a lot of options and when one fails you and your oncologist will find another to try.

[Jessie55]

hi there. Sorry you had progression. We got 28 months out of it and hoped for longer. Next step for us was Piqray available if you have pik3 (?) mutation. Good luck 🧡

[Jessie55]

18 months I mean