New city, New diagnosis, Looking for support
Hi everyone, this is my first post. I was diagnosed with MBC (to bone) about 4 weeks ago. I was initially diagnosed at 36 with IDC. It was a difficult time as my daughter was only 5yrs and my son was only 5 months. But after a very difficult period during and following treatment (the whole shebang), it took around 5 years for our little family to mend itself and move on from the trauma. So my partner found work in a new city (Canberra) and we moved, looking forward to a fresh start. After my initial diagnosis I lost many friends who found it too hard to be around me as I was going through treatment, and this has lead me to be somewhat of a loner. But in a new city I felt like it was a new start, new people who didn't know what my health history was... I was getting out and meeting people, doing physical activities, and enjoying life until I began to get aches. Being my first proper winter in 10 years, I put the pains down to the cold weather, but it just didn't get any better. My 12 month review came up in August and that's when my scans came back with mets to my C2, shoulders, pelvis, ribs and femur. Needless to say I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and helpless as I don't have any support here. I have spoken with the social worker and have lined up time with the psychologist, but there isn't really anything that is on offer for someone with a now, 11 year old and a 6 year old. I don't need a cleaner, or a nanny service so I can rest. I'm working from home as well which keeps me somewhat isolated, and my employer is very understanding. I'm also quite gun shy about trying to make new friends because having to divulge my health history at some stage may drive them away. So I guess, I would like to know if there are any Mets groups in Canberra for younger women with children. I can't seem to find anything in the Canberra region. I'm really quite desperate as I feel so alone right now. Thank you :)
Bone mets vs arthritis
Hi everyone, well, today I had my first bone scan. My GP ordered it for mid upper arm pain that I've been having since the start of the year with no relief from cortisone injections etc. after the second stage of scanning they said they had found some hot spots in my spine and so I had to have a further 60 min 3D scan of spine followed by another full body CT. i do have a lot of back pain which almost makes me cry in the night.. ( hence I don't sleep much) but I've always put it down to arthritis which I have been dx with many years ago and just thought it was getting worse with age. My breast ca was only stage 1c T1c N0 M0 ....treatment was total mastectomy with no further treatment. Im feeling a tad anxious now 😕. Does anyone have any similar experiences?
Today’s Mood: cranky with a touch of psycho
I think I understand what little orphan Annie meant when she lamented that tomorrow is always a day away. This journey just never ends and I wonder whether the sun ever does actually come out (figuratively speaking). I keep thinking - if I manage to clean the house, I’ll feel better. If I can get healthy home cooked meals on the table every night, I’ll feel better. If I get up extra early so all the beds are made, uniforms ironed, nutritious yet appetising lunches packed, etc., then the school run will go smoothly and the kids will be happy. But it never does and they never are. If I budget better, money won’t be so tight and we might be able to do more fun things, but there’s always something unexpected. I feel like it’s always just out of reach and I’m never enough. I feel like I’m running a marathon but they keep moving the finish line.
Still crying
Hi Everyone, After 8 years clear I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer on the 19th December 2018 and I am devastated. You can imagine what Christmas and New Year celebrations have been like.... bloody miserable. I have been on the Ribociclib treatment since Boxing Day, the side effects have come in waves but not too bad... the fatigue and crying is the worst. I am hoping to get back to work on Monday but I can’t seem to stop the tears when I’m around friends and family, it’s easier to avoid them. Am I suffering from depression or is this still the shock of diagnosis. I have found comfort in reading some of the discussions, I don’t feel so alone.
newly diagonosed
Hi all. I have been diagnosed with st4 breast cancer going to the t4 vertebrae. This was found after I had been found to have a pathological fracture of the back. This has now travelled to my t3. My t4 has collapsed and the tumor is sitting very close to the spinal cord.The neurologist wants the oncologist to try to shrink the tumor as it hasn't got a lot of room. The pain is being treated with fairly high drugs and the cancer is undergoing hormone treatment. I already have had palliative radiation on the spine which may or may not have worked. The tumor in the back hasn't got smaller but it hasn't grown either. Because the cancer has now gone to the t3, they say that bone is compromised so a spinal fusion (in the future) would have to go from t2 to t5. Chemo is my next option. Was just wondering if anyone else has had the fractures in the back happen before diagnosis. I have read of many having treatment to stop this happening but hoping someone has some positive news for me. Thank you
