Stage 4 breast cancer
I have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer recently, lungs and bone involvement. Hormone receptive high. After reading up about it I was feeling very upbeat. Then I met my oncologist, she wa...
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Hi thereGerry2 Metastatic Breast cancer is a shock to your system. I’m 6 years down the track. The range of treatment available is so much better than when the 5yrs was worked out.
like you I researched it all and until you dig deeper into those studies you discover they’re older then the new treatments available.
As for the side effects yes they’re rough to start with. Because they’re different. With my treatment I was asked to hang in there to see if they settled down to tolerable which they have. From cancer markers creeping up to now they’re the lowest they have ever been. I’m 68 now and it’s not the mets that are giving me issues now. it’s all mostly age related and being female that gives me grief these days.
You can only give the treatment a go. Only you can decide whats best for you.
Hi Cranky Granny,
Thank you for your reply. My problem is at night when I start googling.... I know I shouldn't but I guess I'm looking for hopeful new therapies or ground breaking studies or something. Sometimes I'm optimistic when I read about people lasting 10 years + but I know that it's unusual. Other times I read that because it's in my lungs I'd be lucky to live for 2 or 3 years. I know I should stop reading dr google but I'm trying to get a handle on what to expect and because the oncologist says I have a 50-50 chance of making it to 5 years it's so vague. They don't really give me a lot of information and I think it's because they don't know. During the day I live my life normally, the meds are tolerable so far but I'm swinging from hope to despair. How do you stay level headed and hopeful? Is it because my diagnosis is only a few months old and most people get on with their lives and learn to live with not knowing?
I do see a psychologist who's great but it's at night that the fear starts and I can't seem to stop once it's starts. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has been through this particular struggle, I'm sure everyone does go through it.
Thanks for reading this. I can't talk to anyone because during the day I'm ok, it's just at night.
Love Gerry x
Hi!
Cranky_Granny mentioned Friday Funnies | BCNA Online Network https://share.google/DbvOHkYwTvYHYT37B
Helps when you need a break!
Just wanted to say that Googling isn't always wise. It has a lot of opinion, perceptions and outdated information. As cranky_granny suggested stick to reputable sites such as BCNA, your Specialists, Government health sites to name a few
Best wishes
Gerry2 I agree night time is the worst for google crap.
like tonight. Only having 3 hrs broken sleep and now after my surgery I’m still wide awake. And yes googling.
but for a different reason this time. Trying to sort out the order and times to take my medication and my new stuff to make sure I don't get blocked up. I couldn’t afford the scripts they sent me home with. So had to chase up alternate that would do after a couple of calls between the specialists office and then the registrar at the hospital we came to solution. All i had to do is work out how to add in the new stuff properly. I have learnt over the years to use only reputable sites. Mostly government backed ones or hospital based ones. The other trick I had to use was put the technology out of reachi use this site as a diary for what happening health wise and BC related stuff
also a journal for writing down those many many concerns that came up in the start if my metastatic diagnosis
I've been known to go through friday funnies on here i go back as far as i can just to have a laugh which helps to change my mindset
reading a good book instead of technology , watching a movie on the box or those HGTV home shows also i find a boring monotonous show put that on a then put the timer on for it to turn off I have the volume low It seems to work for me other times I have used full body relaxation methods to shut my brain off Dr Google only makes things worse its information overload and sends me into the. Downward spiral of If Only State.. Wish I could come up with more for you I can only give you what has worked for me
Tonight is a little different With my poor timing of taking my medications added to a belly full of wind that is not very comfortable not much I can do with that until it all passes I have no idea where I put my journal I switched to using notes on my phone calendar with all the questions I have fir each different specialist
Take it easy on yourself.
I am so sorry you are going through this tough patch cranky_granny xx Sending you big hugs xx.
Warm Peppermint water (from the chemist) might help with shifting the wind! I used to give it to patients at RNSH after their surgery ... as they had to pass wind before they were allowed to go onto a soft diet, then pass a motion before going onto a normal diet! (I used to feed them!)
Can you contact your hospital's Welfare Officer, your BC Nurse or Cancer Council or Can Assist for $$ assistance re affording your meds? How close are you to the Threshold to get them at no cost?
I am thinking of you bigtime and sending healing wishes. I hope this surgery is your last - specially as it is in an uncomfortable spot xx
take care xx
Oh I'm so sorry you are going through all this. I hope you can catch up on your sleep and you have a long deep rest tonight.
Sorting out the drugs and schedules is a so hard, I worry I will miss something or get it mixed up. I have 3 little bags, some with meds scrips etc... my notes on when I'm due for bloods, scans, palliative care etc.. and another for the different exercise classes and catching up with friends. My GP gave me 2 pieces of great advice. 1 Be the patient. 2 Looking after yourself is now your full time job. Easier said than done but it was good advice.
I was worried I wouldn't wake up in time to take my dog for his walk. It's a silly thing, but it gets my steps up and gets me out of bed and into the day.
But compared to what you are going through it's nothing. I really hope you feel better soon. I know what you mean about the meds, they are so expensive even when they are on the PBS and all the other extras like petrol and parking costs when you get to the hospital.
But dear Cranky-Granny we are still in there like everyone else. Doing the best we can. I wish I could give you a huge hug so I'll send you a virtual one instead.🤗 Thank you for your advice and I will stop googling, it's a terrible thing to do and I know that it's stupid to go down the. Dr Google route especially at night when you think you're the only person awake and worrying.
Take care, thank you for responding and giving me advice and reassurance especially when you are feeling so crappy. I hope you find your journal and feel better soon.
Much love to you xxx
