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Sprout's avatar
Sprout
Member
13 years ago

Here We Go Again

I was initially diagnosed in January 2002.  I had found a 3.5cm tumor under my left breast.  A whirlwind of tests and treatment followed... Lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy, hysterectomy, 5 years tamoxifen followed by 3 years Letrozole.

And now its back!!  

Mets have been found in my left humerus, liver and many of my lymph nodes.  To top it all off, my humerus is broken in 2 places which adds another level of challenge to coping day to day.

I have just had week 3 chemo - Abraxane.. so today is day 19.

I guess you could say i'm lucky, I'm fairly financially secure, I have a huge support network, no small children and only me to think about.  This makes it a lot easier to focus on nothing but fighting this and getting better.

I was so happy to find BCNA and see there are so many caring supporting people here.  It helps so much to have stories to guide me through this next stage of my journey.  I hope that maybe my experiences will be of help or comfort to someone too.

Good luck to all you beautiful people xxx

chemotherapy
lumpectomy
radiotherapy
tamoxifen

2 Replies

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    13 years ago

    Have you had many bone density tests done throughout your very bumpy road.xoxoxoxo

  • Sprout's avatar
    Sprout
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Mich

    Thank you for a warm welcome :)

    YES!! The value of the information on this site is priceless.  There are so many tips and hints that really give you a chance to try and help yourself.  The journey for each of us is so similar but so hugely different.  So many side effects that you may or may not experience.  As someone else mentioned in a blog its pain management and fear that drags you down, but once you find strategies that work for you the journey isnt so bad... we can only be grateful that there are treatments to try and little tricks that make life easier.

    I have no idea how I broke my arm... I guess the bone is so deteriorated that even picking something up could of caused it.  I am so happy that it is broken tho.  Over the last couple of years I have complained of pain in my arm but reassured it was "Normal".  Without the break they probably wouldnt have found the cancer until it was too late.

    Like you say... you have to stay diligent and proactive.  All my yearly examinations have assured me that I was healthy and still cancer free.  The last examination with oncology I had was Feb this year where I was told everything was fine.  By March after alot of whinging and nagging scans were done which showed that my arm pain wasnt normal but was cancer with breaks.

    I think the hardest lesson on this journey is believing in yourself and trusting instincts and not relying on professional opinion when you feel something is wrong. Keep at them until somebody listens!

    Big hugs and love to everyone travelling this bumpy road xxx