Forum Discussion
Secondary breast cancer
Hi this is my first blog,
I have been living with mestatic breast cancer for 4 months now, well that is when I found out that the cancer had spread to my skull, spine, pelvis, ribs, throat, chest wall and 2 weeks ago I was told that it is now in both my lungs.
I am still working full time, now that the pain has been managed, it's amazing the treatments they have out now, I thought I was going to be bed ridden with the pain.
Though I think the best medicine is having a positive mind, faith and HOPE. I know there is no cure for my cancer now, but there is always HOPE as new treatments are coming out that will prolong my life. I could still be around for many more years to come, well I am going to be around for many more years to come, that's better thinking.
I praise the Lord for helping me with his courage, spirit and wisdom.
64 Replies
Yes it certainly is a new kind of normal, thanks for your post it is great to talk to other women about what is happening, it gives me strength to hear from others that are fighting the fight.
hi Deb,your story of how to tell the children really resonates with me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed,mets from the start. at the time my children were 13, 8 and 5. I had no idea what to tell them. I was lucky though. My surgeon referred me to a wonderful Breast Care Nurse who was able to give me a really good idea about how to start the conversation, what the likely questions would be and guidance on how to answer.I didn't want to know my prognosis at the time but have since found out it was, let us say, rather poor. 5 years on we all live, reasonably well, with Mum's new "normal". We have hiccups of course but my psychologist, bless her, listens and offers advice, as does another Breast Care nurse I have maintained contact with. One of my children formed a good relationship with a counsellor at school and has been able to check in there when things are tough. Its not an easy path we have and I dont want to make it seem like it is. This is just what I have found helpful for us.On the financial side I have recently been referred to the Cancer Council which can sometimes help with a referral to a financial planner. Maybe that could help with your worry about the mortgage. That must be such a scary thing for you on top of everything else.Good luck with it all. No question it would make you furious, anxious, etc etc becaue membership of this particular club is not exactly one with queues of people waiting to join. Take care and be kind to yourself. LLS
hi Deb,your story of how to tell the children really resonates with me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed,mets from the start. at the time my children were 13, 8 and 5. I had no idea what to tell them. I was lucky though. My surgeon referred me to a wonderful Breast Care Nurse who was able to give me a really good idea about how to start the conversation, what the likely questions would be and guidance on how to answer.I didn't want to know my prognosis at the time but have since found out it was, let us say, rather poor. 5 years on we all live, reasonably well, with Mum's new "normal". We have hiccups of course but my psychologist, bless her, listens and offers advice, as does another Breast Care nurse I have maintained contact with. One of my children formed a good relationship with a counsellor at school and has been able to check in there when things are tough. Its not an easy path we have and I dont want to make it seem like it is. This is just what I have found helpful for us.On the financial side I have recently been referred to the Cancer Council which can sometimes help with a referral to a financial planner. Maybe that could help with your worry about the mortgage. That must be such a scary thing for you on top of everything else.Good luck with it all. No question it would make you furious, anxious, etc etc becaue membership of this particular club is not exactly one with queues of people waiting to join. Take care and be kind to yourself. LLS
hi Deb,your story of how to tell the children really resonates with me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed,mets from the start. at the time my children were 13, 8 and 5. I had no idea what to tell them. I was lucky though. My surgeon referred me to a wonderful Breast Care Nurse who was able to give me a really good idea about how to start the conversation, what the likely questions would be and guidance on how to answer.I didn't want to know my prognosis at the time but have since found out it was, let us say, rather poor. 5 years on we all live, reasonably well, with Mum's new "normal". We have hiccups of course but my psychologist, bless her, listens and offers advice, as does another Breast Care nurse I have maintained contact with. One of my children formed a good relationship with a counsellor at school and has been able to check in there when things are tough. Its not an easy path we have and I dont want to make it seem like it is. This is just what I have found helpful for us.On the financial side I have recently been referred to the Cancer Council which can sometimes help with a referral to a financial planner. Maybe that could help with your worry about the mortgage. That must be such a scary thing for you on top of everything else.Good luck with it all. No question it would make you furious, anxious, etc etc becaue membership of this particular club is not exactly one with queues of people waiting to join. Take care and be kind to yourself. LLS
hi Deb,your story of how to tell the children really resonates with me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed,mets from the start. at the time my children were 13, 8 and 5. I had no idea what to tell them. I was lucky though. My surgeon referred me to a wonderful Breast Care Nurse who was able to give me a really good idea about how to start the conversation, what the likely questions would be and guidance on how to answer.I didn't want to know my prognosis at the time but have since found out it was, let us say, rather poor. 5 years on we all live, reasonably well, with Mum's new "normal". We have hiccups of course but my psychologist, bless her, listens and offers advice, as does another Breast Care nurse I have maintained contact with. One of my children formed a good relationship with a counsellor at school and has been able to check in there when things are tough. Its not an easy path we have and I dont want to make it seem like it is. This is just what I have found helpful for us.On the financial side I have recently been referred to the Cancer Council which can sometimes help with a referral to a financial planner. Maybe that could help with your worry about the mortgage. That must be such a scary thing for you on top of everything else.Good luck with it all. No question it would make you furious, anxious, etc etc becaue membership of this particular club is not exactly one with queues of people waiting to join. Take care and be kind to yourself. LLS
- I was 40 when diagnosed. Now 43. Diagnosed with mets from the start. Good to be positive but like others say. Important to let the grief out too. I hope they find a treatment that works for you for a long time. X
- I was 40 when diagnosed. Now 43. Diagnosed with mets from the start. Good to be positive but like others say. Important to let the grief out too. I hope they find a treatment that works for you for a long time. X
- Hi, welcome max1ebob I had ebc in 2002 at 28yrs of age, May 22nd 2012 I was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer at age 38, after being admitted to hospital with terrible headaches, chills, and vomiting I was found to have a bacterial blood infection septaceamia, upon running tests they found my secondaries, one lucky lady that I got sick. There are lots of us here now, nice to see chrismelb (waves) coffee time again soon? All the best
- I can't believe there are so many of us! And I now don't feel so alone in my age bracket (under 40). It really is reassuring to hear of so many of you that are by far outliving the absurd time frames that docs give us. If any of you aren't a part of the special 'advanced breast cancerous' I urge you to all join this group, it is really beneficial for us all to air our fears and hopes with people that really do understand xxxx
- I turned 40 in June.
