HER2+ Advanced BC Liver Mets
Hi, in the last month i have been diagnosed with HER2+ advanced BC liver mets. This has been a massive shock to say the least. I am 46 yrs and have had problems with my left breast for over 12 months now, with nipple discharge but negative mammogram results. So in early Jan I had an abnormal mammogram, 1 week later a biopsy, 1 week later advanced bc liver mets.
As I am sure you can all appreciate the diagnosis is one thing but dealing, or should I say trying to come to terms, digest the next steps has been extremely confusing and just plain scary.
Everything has moved extremely fast and I had my first day of Chemo yesterday, which will continue every three weeks for 18 weeks. I am still very confused about what a cycle means in relation to the whole Chemo journey. Is a cycle one lot of Chemo (18 weeks)? Sorry if that is a stupid question, but not sure. I am also unsure of whether I will only have one cycle of Chemo or if this happen again later. I'm sure that this will be determined by how well my body is 'dealing' with the bc. I am on Docetaxel (first 4 treatments) Trastuzumab and Peruzamab (whole treatment).
At this stage the next step will be surgery and then who knows after that.
I have been reassured that my Oncologist is the best here in the NT and I have no doubt this is correct. It has taken a few visits to get used to his bed side manner and delivery of results style - straight to the point - but am now thankful of his approach. I suppose that there is no use in beating around the bush. He is very methodical and matter of fact, which is good.... I think. When my husband asked about prognosis etc he was not very upfront and I suppose he isn't really in a position to be, all he kept saying was that it is not good. We understand very clearly that there is no cure for advanced bc but it was initially very frustrating as he did not seem to offer any kind of hope around new and emerging treatments or even prospectively of the success of Chemo, just that 80% of women react well to the Chemo. I am sure that I am not the only one who has experienced this so any advise would be greatly appreciated.
We are taking the view that advance bc is part of our lives and that we have to remain positive and learn to live with it and try to keep it at bay as long as we can. We have three beautiful supporting adult children and two 11 years olds so we are all in this together.
I would appreciate any advise around the journey and what I can do to better support myself and my family.
Thanks
Melissa
As I am sure you can all appreciate the diagnosis is one thing but dealing, or should I say trying to come to terms, digest the next steps has been extremely confusing and just plain scary.
Everything has moved extremely fast and I had my first day of Chemo yesterday, which will continue every three weeks for 18 weeks. I am still very confused about what a cycle means in relation to the whole Chemo journey. Is a cycle one lot of Chemo (18 weeks)? Sorry if that is a stupid question, but not sure. I am also unsure of whether I will only have one cycle of Chemo or if this happen again later. I'm sure that this will be determined by how well my body is 'dealing' with the bc. I am on Docetaxel (first 4 treatments) Trastuzumab and Peruzamab (whole treatment).
At this stage the next step will be surgery and then who knows after that.
I have been reassured that my Oncologist is the best here in the NT and I have no doubt this is correct. It has taken a few visits to get used to his bed side manner and delivery of results style - straight to the point - but am now thankful of his approach. I suppose that there is no use in beating around the bush. He is very methodical and matter of fact, which is good.... I think. When my husband asked about prognosis etc he was not very upfront and I suppose he isn't really in a position to be, all he kept saying was that it is not good. We understand very clearly that there is no cure for advanced bc but it was initially very frustrating as he did not seem to offer any kind of hope around new and emerging treatments or even prospectively of the success of Chemo, just that 80% of women react well to the Chemo. I am sure that I am not the only one who has experienced this so any advise would be greatly appreciated.
We are taking the view that advance bc is part of our lives and that we have to remain positive and learn to live with it and try to keep it at bay as long as we can. We have three beautiful supporting adult children and two 11 years olds so we are all in this together.
I would appreciate any advise around the journey and what I can do to better support myself and my family.
Thanks
Melissa
