Treatment
I have recently been given the diagnosis we all dread, metastatic her2+++ in my liver I started treatment with Pacitaxel with pertuzumab and trastuzumab. I had a reaction after 7 minutes of pacitaxel so it was stopped the next week when I went for next treatment I was informed that they were changing the treatment to trastuzumab and vinorelbine in three weeks time. I am really anxious about the whole situation the oncologist that I have been seeing for past eight years has been on leave and I have dealt with three different oncologists since receiving the diagnosis four weeks ago and it seems impossible to get information about the change of treatment. When first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 I was given lots of information and support this time it feels like all I am getting is pity and am all alone and anxiety is eating me alive I am trying to be positive but it seems so much harder this time around.
Newly diagnosed
Hi I’m 44 and have just been diagnosed with triple negative metastic breast cancer. It has spread to my liver. First time cancer and extremely scary. After first finding out it was cancer it took nearly 3 weeks to get oncologist appointment and then had a pet scan. They have referred me for a clinical trial at the PA but everything seems to take so long. Meanwhile I’m scared it’s spreading more. Finally got a phone call yesterday to go in tomorrow to have all this pre screening tests done. Let’s hope I meet the criteria. I’ve been just trying to live life normal and trying to be very positive but is so frustrating.
Podcasts
Today, there is an article in my local paper about the Cancer Council podcasts called "The Thing About Advanced Cancer". Apparently they were launched this week. There are 10 episodes which look at what it means to have advanced cancer. Topics include treatments, hope, life and loss. They are hosted by broadcaster Julie McCrossin who had cancer. The first two are now available. The rest of the episodes will be released over the coming weeks. They are not breast cancer specific.
new bone lesions....help whats next for me
Hi all, I thought I was off this merry go round that is cancer. I've just been diagnosed with METS on 2 ribs(one each side), humeral head, scapula and a also in pelvic bone. I originally thought it was only in the 2 ribs which were discovered via a bone scan and then a follow up MRI. I elected to pay the exhorbitant fee for the PET scan and my breast surgeon has just called tonight to tell me it's in the places other than ribs. He has said they are only tiny spots. At my oncologist appt the week before xmas (when all i had was the 2 rib mets) the game plan was shit hot drugs as she called them - letrozole and ribociclib, then a massive single dose of radiation to the ribs. Now, I'm not sure what next step will be seeing as though its in different spots. She did tell me at my last appt not to google but to come in here so here I am. Sorry, this is really rambling. I am absolutely shit scared, I have 2 kids who are young teenagers and have recently divorced my partner, long story but he couldn't cope with my ongoing medical issues as cancer was 95% caused by me according to him and I couldn't live with the ongoing guilt. Now I'm in limbo land with everything. <My oncologist is away until mid Jan when I have my next review. Hoping for any words of wisdom, the letrozole is absolutely killing my joints in my feet particularly and I haven't even started the ribociclib and won't until the review with her. Thanks in advance xoxox