Forum Discussion
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,
Your post caught my eye as I am a similar age to you (45), have bone mets in my spine and also live on the Central Coast NSW. I don't know if I can offer much advice, other than to reiterate what others before me have said - treatments are changing all the time, people respond differently to them and everyone's cancer story is going to be unique. Sometimes I think that dealing with the diagnosis of secondaries is sometimes the greatest challenge - coming to terms with it mentally can be painful, confronting and confusing, particularly when nobody can actually tell you much about what the future is likely to hold. And on top of that, those around you don't really understand what you are going through, even though they may be supportive. I consider myself lucky in that I have only one spot on my spine that was treated last year with a new technique using high dosage radiotherapy and now doesn't seem to do much.
I'm not so great at online support, but if you are keen to meet at any stage, even just to rant about it all to someone who has been there, I'd be happy to help. You can email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Take care
Penny
Hi Morry,
I wish I had the energy to play golf or go for a long walk sometimes. I find that I get tired easily & sometimes out of breath. I dont just sit around all day. I go out most days visiting friends or having coffee or just enjoy doing craft work or enjoying the garden. I live on the central coast of N.S.W. & it is not far to go to the beach just for a walk or just watching the wave is always relaxing. With Christmas coming up fast, I sometime wonder if i will be my last Christmas but I soon put thoes thoughts out of my head & go out & do something. I just wish the years would'nt go so fast . We need more time.
Stay well, I've always liked tapestry.
Wendy67
- Hi Wendy I am now Into my third year of Bone Mets. I had BC sixteen years ago and was quite shocked also when I was told the news. I have just recently had CT and nuclear scans and the good news was it was exactly the same. I manage to play golf every week and when I do this I think of nothing else. It is not easy to put it from your mind as we have to deal with it every day whether from medication, chemo or radiotherapy. Every time I say to my husband this time next year I might not be around he always tells me "it is not in my tapestry " and until the tapestry is finished you and all the women like us will keep going on.
- Hi Wendy great to hear how well you are doing. I thought I had mentally prepared myself for the results but now know nothing can prepare you. See above reply for some positive things I have done today which really helped as well as reading your post too so thanks
- Hello there. It is so positive to hear your story and really gives me hope. Thank you for posting
Thanks for your reply. Yes it is an emotional rollar coaster this week that is for sure however today I got on to the. Cancer NSW hotline and they were brilliant. I now have someone who will be contacting me re finances etc I have been out on to a support group in the area of women under 55 who meet once per month, have been in touch with the breast cancer nurse who really made me feel more comfortable with things and have made a referral to get some counselling so I can enhance the coping strategies I had before the first time round. So in the end ended on a much more positive note.
- Thanks for your reply. I actually went in for my normal 6 monthly blood test. My tumour marker was slightly elevated CA15-3. I have been sitting at 18 since after the surgery. This time it was 51. Sounded high to me but actually was only one over the normal range of 50. My onc though was on to it straight away and just booked me straight in for full body scans, brain MRI bone density tests and another blood test. So it came up in the bone scan. I was having a few achy joints prior but only after going bush walking or doing major gardening so just put it down to being more active or the tamoxifen as it always went and I never needed any pain killers. So that is how I found out. My onc said a lot of her colleagues don't check the tumour markers as they can be elevated for so many reasons other than cancer but I am glad she did in my case even though the news wasn't good.
Hi, Wendy,
My name is Wendy as well. I was diaognosed with B.C almost 17 years ago so it was quite a shock when it came back in my bones almost 3 yrs. ago now. I have been on chemo, radiation treatment, & now on chemo tabs. ( Xeloda ) The side effects can be a bit of a pain at times but I try not to let them get me down. My cancer has stayed stable for a while now so life goes on. I think I am a stronger person for getting through the treatment & I feel that I appreciate life alot more.
Stay strong, sending you love as well
Wendy 67
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
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
