Newly diagnosed metastatic cancer
Rhubarb21
Member Posts: 1 New Member
Hi, I only just got my breast cancer diagnosis 1.5weeks ago and initially it was tentatively said to be Stage 3 due to being grapefruit sized and lymph node involvement. Then a couple of days ago after unrelated investigations it was discovered that there were mets in my vertebrae so I have been upgraded to stage 4. My cancer is HR+, HER2- and grade 3.
Feeling completely overwhelmed and terrified for the future as I am a 40yr old single mum with 3 kiddos.
I have started hormone blockers and will get a PET scan in a couple of days so we can get the full picture to be able to make an informed treatment plan.
Anyone else in a similar position or further along and can provide some reassurance that it will be ok?
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Welcome @Rhubarb21
Perhaps you could join the private group which is for those diagnosed with metastatic BC.
The ladies there will be quick to respond and to provide support as they know what you are going through.
If you add your general location to your profile you may find someone lives in your area and can assist with available services.
All the best.
I will add the link for you ......
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/2-living-with-metastatic-breast-cancer
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I am SO sorry to see you joining us here @Rhubarb21 - the club that no-one wants to join
It is a tough call, being diagnosed with Mets straight up - but the treatment these days is advancing in leaps & bounds and now that immunotherapy has been brought into the treatment as well for mets - there has been some astounding results recently, with Enhertu & other treatments. If your Oncologist doesn't mention it, ask them if Enhertu would be suitable for you? 
Definitely join the Living with Mets group above - and continue replying to this thread, so that you have continuity of replies xx There IS life after a Mets diagnosis - and your medical team will be doing their best to give you the treatment that will benefit you the most xx. You should be assigned a Breast Care Nurse too - who will become your buddy & you can also ask her ANYTHING to do with your treatment and your physical and mental well being xx
Wishing you all the best with your ongoing scans & treatment. It is a big shock to you - so ask your GP to refer you to a counsellor if you feel overwhelmed xx I hope you have good family support & friends too, that will be able to help you with the kids too
Click on this link, to take you to both series of Charlotte Tottman's podcasts on her own breast cancer diagnosis & treatment (Listen to Series 1 first, as that is following her own BC diagnosis path) ..... She is a specialist Breast Cancer Counsellor & was diagnosed about 5 years ago - she found that her own response to the diagnosis was totally different from what she 'thought it would be', given that she'd been advising others on their own diagnosis for years previously xx She chose a double mastectomy and stayed flat ....
Her podcasts are REALLY easy to listen to & she will cover all the emotions that you are feeling .....
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html
Also, you may like to check out this post that has a lot of info on the forum (some off topic threads) and also some tick sheets down the bottom for you to 'self assess' yourself re your physical & mental health as you go thru your treatment etc xx. Sometimes it is easier to give them the ticked sheets, than to talk about it xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
Ask away on ANY questions that you have - there are NO silly questions
Take care xx1 -
Hi @Rhubarb21, I have that same pathology and I have mets to my spine and liver. I fractured my spine in January 2023 so that was the start of my mets. My original bc was in 2020 and I had surgery, chemo, radium and hormone blockers at that time.
I am.older than you but fit and active. It is very scary when you find out you have mets. I found the first 6 months absolutely terrifying but there is hope for sure.
I am currently on Fulvestrant injections every 28 days and I take Ribociclib tablets too. I get scans every 3 months. I had radium on my spine and that spot is not active now. My mets are also in my liver too.
What I have learnt is there is hope. There are many treatments available to prolong life and keep you healthy too. I still travel around in Australia and i am active most days. I do get fatigue. Trust your oncologist as they are amazing and so knowledgeable.
Take all the help you can get. I hope you have supportive family and friends. See a psychologist if you need to. I did and it helped. It takes a good 6 months to process this and realise your not dying and there is a long way to go. New treatments are coming and never give up. Feel free to reach out via the private message if you want to and join our mets group. There are some amazing ladies in the group and we really get it!
Breathe deeply, treat yourself and surround yourself with your favourite people ✨️. Best wishes to you.5
