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Wendyj's avatar
Wendyj
Member
11 years ago

Recently diagnosed secondary

It is almost 2 years since I was diagnosed with stage 2b IDC. That year went by so quickly as I went through first surgery, then chemo, then radiation. I worked through it all. I felt positive confident and hopeful. Last week I was told I had mets to the bones. Finding it heard to keep positive and hopeful. I have moments of " yes I can do this woman can live years with this diagnosis"to. "I am scared how long have I got" any help on coping mechanisms and stories of hope would really help. Any practical advice would be great too

15 Replies

  • Hi Wendy

    I was diagnosed with mets to my bones at the same time as the primary. That was in July 2009. I have had my ups and downs, but overall I am living a pretty good life. I felt fairly scare at diagnosis but as the time went by I began feeling optimistic. 

    Since then I have quit work, been on a family cruise, travelled half way around Australia and just this year had a 7 week trip to Europe, including England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I am not saying things are always easy but I feel I have achieved so much in the past five and a bit years.

    I try to not think to far ahead and keep my mind in the present. I took up meditation and try to exercise every day, when I can. Good luck on your upcoming experiences and remember that bone mets are not normally a death sentence. Sending you much Love, Light and Rainbows <3

     

  • Hi Wendy So sorry to hear about your secondary diagnosis. They discovered my bone mets soon after my first stage two breast cancer. The obtaining of the tissue during the biopsy was very scary (I was awake) but it didn't take long. I have to say, I had exactly your thoughts, will it increase in size, will it spread? And indeed how long I would have. As it happens, it has stayed the same size and not spread after almost 5 years. Yes, I get pain in it sometimes, mostly in bed at night. However it's not really bad, and the arimidex aromatose inhibitors - stop the cancer reliant hormones) are keeping it at bay. Radiation was tried, but didnt change it. That was dispiriting, but the big positive thing is that it hasn't changed or increased at all. I go with that. You can have it for a long time without it changing at all. The only downside is needing to take the hormone therapy all the time, and the sometimes annoying side effects - for me, they haven't stopped, but again, if that's all I need to cope with, I think I'm going good. This forum is great for chatting, sharing thoughts and experiences, and fears. Keep posting...would like to tead more of your story. Take care kind wishes Kathleen xx :)
  • Hi Wendy So sorry to hear about your secondary diagnosis. They discovered my bone mets soon after my first stage two breast cancer. The obtaining of the tissue during the biopsy was very scary (I was awake) but it didn't take long. I have to say, I had exactly your thoughts, will it increase in size, will it spread? And indeed how long I would have. As it happens, it has stayed the same size and not spread after almost 5 years. Yes, I get pain in it sometimes, mostly in bed at night. However it's not really bad, and the arimidex aromatose inhibitors - stop the cancer reliant hormones) are keeping it at bay. Radiation was tried, but didnt change it. That was dispiriting, but the big positive thing is that it hasn't changed or increased at all. I go with that. You can have it for a long time without it changing at all. The only downside is needing to take the hormone therapy all the time, and the sometimes annoying side effects - for me, they haven't stopped, but again, if that's all I need to cope with, I think I'm going good. This forum is great for chatting, sharing thoughts and experiences, and fears. Keep posting...would like to tead more of your story. Take care kind wishes Kathleen xx :)
  • I am sorry to hear of your secondary diagnosis.I don't have this,but I do know that there are many ladies on here with bone mets that have been living and working just fine,for many years.Hopefully some of them will see your post and respond to you shortly.Would you mind if I ask how did you find that you had bone mets? I am sure that I would be scared too,but I feel that if you can , try and look at the statistics,and know that this is NOT the end.Also,every day in Australia,great steps are being made in treating this.A lady with mets,posted on here a couple of weeks ago,"I am waiting around for the cure!!" I thought to myself when I read it,what a great outlook,and with advances in BC treatment in Australia,very,very possible!!! Please stay in touch,and I am sure that others with a similar story will reply to you soon.Robyn.xox