6 years cancer free...then I'm not
Hi all, just wanted to share a little about my journey and was also wanting some advice... My story begins in December 2016, found a lump in my right breast after running my first marathon (lost quite a bit of weight with all the training). fast forward 11 surgeries-lumpectomies, sentinel node biopsies, egg harvesting/preservation, bilateral mastectomies and insertion of silicone implants, removal of said implants, cesaerean section, hysterectomy, bilateral DIEP reconstruction and fat grafting and we get to 2022. I had my DIEP recon in 2021 (most horrific experience of my life-had to be resuscitated twice and in ICU for a week). After all that, I decided to celebrate the end of my cancer journey with my second marathon (great ocean road-bucket list and definitely recommend). Unfortunately, December 2022, have found out I have had a recurrence of the cancer (despite bilateral mastectomies and reconstructions) and it has now spread to my lymph nodes. I really don't know how to feel about this...so much has changed for me in the last 6 years since my diagnosis, I went from being happily married with no kids the first time around, to now seperated, single parent to a beautiful 5 year old that starts school next year, and a completely different job. I guess my question to you all is...is there anyone else out there who has/is going through the same? I know that I have both Chemo and radiation plus multiple surgeries in my immediate future. I feel...tired...like I really just don't know if I have the strength to endure this again. I am considering not going through any treatment and enjoying the time I have left with my son. I don't want to go through all the treatment and lose the quality of life I have now, especially if I could potentially die on the operating table anyway. I was 31 when first diagnosed and am 37 now, any thoughts?
Inspiration from Nightbird
For those of you who need some inspiration. This link takes you to a segment of America's Got Talent where a beautiful 30 year old woman sings her own song about her MBC journey over the last 12 months. The song, her voice, and her attitude is truly beautiful and inspiring (although a little bit sad). https://youtu.be/CZJvBfoHDk0
Video re Mets BC .... EVERYONE needs to watch it
My sister just shared this video on Facebook - this video went viral in 2015 in the USA and around the world, currently with 54,000,000+ views on Facebook alone. Holley Kitchen passed away in January, 2016, from Mets BC, age 43. 30% of those diagnosed with 'early, treatable, non spread' BC who have been told there is NED (No Evidence of Disease) will go on to be diagnosed with Metastatic BC - whether they have had their breasts removed or not. Most with BC are not made aware of this possibility in consultations with their surgeon or Oncs - but you NEED TO KNOW - so that if you DO GET unexplained ACHES & PAINS in the coming years - GET CHECKED OUT! It COULD be an indication of a problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQ0FjP7J-c And her follow up video a few weeks later - a 40% increase in awareness of Mets BC due to her earlier video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63yTZxj7FOk An interview with Holley Kitchen re Mets BC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijN11LLteTw There needs to be more research into Mets BC - to be able to identify it earlier & treat it better.
Hi
Hi all, I'm not meaning to exclude anyone as having metastatic disease is not great, but I'm just wanting to know if there are other young women out there with metastatic breast cancer? I was diagnosed with EBC at 25 and then ABC at 28. I'm looking to see if there are any other young women out there that are in the same situation that may like to connect. Thanks, Em
I'm new to this
Hello everyone I am Kylie I am 29 years old and last year I was diagonosed with stage 4 breast cancer. As does everyone this came as a huge shock as there no history or cancer let alone breast cancer in my family. I found a lump in my right breast while getting my weekly spray tan and everyone said that it would be a sist. March 21st was the worst day of my life even my doctors couldn't believe it all I kept hearing was your to young !!!! Then it all started after going through some horrible doctors and oncologist I was finally recommended to the best care I could possibly get. I was so lucky to have my partner by my side thought all this he didn't stop with the information until he found this doctor. I started off with radio therapy on the brain 3 full weeks everyday of being strapped into a bed in a freezing cold room with that horrible hair burning smell I thought was horrible !!! After that I started zometa herceptian and my chemo in the hope to shrink the cancers to as small as they could and hopefully in the near future be stable on herceptian and live a somewhat normal life. My cancer numbers were dropping but it was not good enough so after 7 months of that I was taken off this and started zometa tykerb and xeloda!!! So that's what I am doing now this is my 4th month of this new chemo daily tablets. I'm am an extremely positive person who loves life family friends nieces nephews just everything about daily life but I am still left thinking why me why so young I am just after some people that could maybe relate to my last 12 months as I have lots of beautiful friends that I can talk to but sometimes feel pretty alone as everyone I know is having family's and getting married not booking in who is coming to my next appointment or scans etc :D
Hi everyone!
I'm wanting to chat to people about similar experiences. I was diagnosed in 2010 with breast cancer and 2011 with secondary bone cancer. I'm 27 and have had a few different surgery's. Heaps of radiation, 1 lot of chemo, Tamoxafin, leterazole and now exemestane and everolomus. Please excuse spelling. I have cancer in my spine (middle and lower), my hips ribs and pelvis. Is anyone in similar boat? Thanx Connie