Forum Discussion
TrenzaloreACT
6 years agoMember
Metastatic de novo diagnosed 20 July
Hello, I was diagnosed on 20 July with grade 2 stage 4 De novo BC. As many of the ladies on this forum have mentioned regarding their own experiences , it’s been a wild roller coaster ride. The diagnosis of BC was confronting in itself, to find out it had already spread to my hip, well I was just gobsmacked. I’m 58 and keep very fit by running and going to the gym. I run around 40km per week and just couldn’t believe I had it in my hip. I’ve absolutely no pain, and ran in a 10km race the day before my diagnosis. Well, I could deny it all I wanted, the fact is, it’s in my hip. The next complete shock was to be told there is no cure. In the interval between the original BC diagnosis and the PET scan(which showed the hip lesion) I’d been reading and researching everything I could on the various treatments etc. and preparing myself mentally for surgery, chemo etc. to then be told that none of it was for me, as it’s metastatic, well that was just devastating. However, I’ve now received some good news. My health team has recommended an aggressive approach to treatment. Since the hip lesion is small and is the only evidence of BC outside of my breast, and I’m young (😂) and fit with no other health issues, they are going to try for cure by starting with hip replacement surgery and radiation, Two weeks post surgery I will start on Chemo for 5 - 6 months and will then undergo a mastectomy. It’s terrifying, but also gives me hope. It’s been 3 weeks now since diagnosis and I just want to get on with it. I see the orthopaedic surgeon on Monday and hopefully have surgery the following week. I’ve found the comments and discussions on this forum to be such a help, inspirational really, so a big thanks to everyone.
22 Replies
- TrenzaloreACTMemberThank you all for your comments, this forum is amazing and so very helpful. I’m extremely lucky to have a wonderful husband who is supporting me in just the right way for me. A shoulder to cry on when I need it (usually around 3:00am!) and a ‘let’s get on and deal with this thing’ when I need strength. Also, due to COVID, we have our daughter living with us, and she has been terrific. I’d been worried that this might all be too much for her, as she has some health issues of her own, however she has shown me she is much stronger than perhaps I’ve given her credit for in the past. I’m trying to keep busy and get as many things done as I can before the hip surgery, yesterday we did a big pruning job in the garden, which was a good diversion from endless appointments. So nice to do something ‘normal.’
- iserbrownMember@TrenzaloreACT
Sorry to read your post. What a sneaky thing BC can be!
Best wishes for your appointment and upcoming surgery.
Your fitness will certainly help with recovery and any ongoing treatment.
Take care and stay safe - arpieMemberAll the best with your appt with the surgeon @TrenzaloreACT and your surgery ... you've been dealt a cruel set of cards but great that your team is thinking outside the square for you.
Try not to use Dr Google too much - as every case is so unique - and a lot of stuff on google is just either outdated or not relevant. Record your Appointments on your phone so that you can go over them later - it is easy to miss a part of the conversation due to pondering a previous comment. Do you have someone to go to your appts with you? An extra set of ears (and support) is invaluable.
Take care, stay busy in the meantime and fingers & toes crossed for you xx - Caz1MemberGood luck :) it’s a long slog, I’m still in mine!
Just put one foot in front of another and keep going...you sound like you are in a good position to start :)
Caz xxxx - DeanneMemberWishing you all the best with this treatment plan. Hope is a wonderful thing to have and I hope everything works out for you. You sound like you are in the best possible position to get through this. I have everything crossed for you. 🤞
- jennyssMemberDear @TrenzaloreACT
from jennyss in Western NSW (but a former ACT gal - I remember before the lake! - TrenzaloreACTMemberThank you ladies, you are the best. Afraser Absolutely. I’m so very fortunate to be in the very small percentage of women with metastatic BC for whom a cure would even be contemplated. No guarantees of course, but I’ll give it my best shot.
- PV123MemberBest of luck with your treatment @TrenzaloreACT. My oncologist has always insisted that metastasis in the bone will always cause pain, which is one of the reasons she doesn’t advise anyone to have yearly CT and PET scans, however in your case you had no pain. Hopefully that means the lesion is very small. Do you have someone to help you after your hip surgery. As you mentioned your healthy lifestyle will assist your recovery.
- SisterMemberNo words to make it better but good that you have a plan.
- Cath62MemberSending hugs. What a ride it all is. Thinking of you ❤