Topic: Stage IV Survivor

Carrie how do u know if u are NED  ? u say tumor markers  and CT scans showed this . My CT scan show the mets in the R8 rib..but has said there is no change from Jan this yr..last tumour markers

  CA 15-3 were  68-100  had some more done last Friday get results on Wednesday...oh u said u had a PET I havent done this yet..would love to but they arnt easy to come by this way.

What I am asking as my bone met hasnt changed since Jan  does that also mean that I dont have any Active ca in this bone? I also have skin mets..but they look to be stable also..

thanks for any help with this question..

Hugs to all

Oz

Hi girls, I just thought that I would share a story...When I was dx a IIIc, I was crushed, but my aunt came to my rescue. She was dx a stage 4 from the beginning....that was 17 years ago. She was 70 when dx,she had a radical mast, she is er and pr pos, her-, 6 pos nodes. Her cancer went to her bones. She has had bouts of it through out the years, she is currently ned. She is 87 years old and is still getting around, mind you, a little bit slower, but still getting around. She is my hero!!!

Diane,

Like you I am nowhere near quitting!!!! I am 44 years old with a beautiful 2 year old daughter.   I am currently fighting.....I did three months of Chemo and am now on Aromasin.   The chemo "resolved" the cancer in the lymphnodes...but I still have it in breast and lower spine.   Bone scan and markers did not show anything when I was originally dx.  So I have had 3 PET scans since dx to follow the treatments.   In the back of my mind I wonder if the PET scans are accurate???   My family and freinds are unbelievable and very supportive.  This is my first comment....

Beth

hey everyone its me "lovehealswhole". i am doing well and handling the chemo. they want to switch me from Zeloda to another med similar that's said to have better results.  anyone out there know the names of any other meds for stage IV bc with mets to the bone????

sign, never gonna give up

mx,   get a second opinion.  One doctor doesn't know it all.   I would suggest going to John Hopkins if at all possible.  And also try to get on a clinical trial.  There is ALWAYS something new coming out.  Here's praying for you sweetie. 

hi, my name is Carrie and this is my first visit,I'm 38 and was diagnosed with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer July 28 2007.I participated in a clinical trial that consisted of 6 rounds of combination chemo, double mastectomy, four more rounds of chem and then I had 32 radiation treatments with an additional five "boost" radiation treatments to the scar line and chestwall. During the radiation I also had a hysterectomy. My last radiation treatment was April 28th. I am currently taking Femara. I have read that Avastin was approved (June 2008) to use in conjunction with chemo for stage four and inflammatory breast cancer. Ask your doc about adding Avastin to your treatment plan.

I also havr four children, the youngest is my son who is just 17 months old. I have had two PET/CTs since April and a chest xray. So far...so good. CEA tumor marker was low but the CA27 is still elevated to100. Probably something microscopic floating around in me...hopefully the Femara will keep it in tact.

I think you can say I am a stage IV survivor, I was first diagnosed 1990 with bc and 10 years later

it was metastatic. Liver, lungs and bones. My right hip was the most affected area. I had chemo and radiation and it stopped the cancer. Now, 8 years later I´m still with you. For 7 years I have had zometa and tamoxifen and now arimidix. Last year I had a brain tuomur and hopefully I can survive that too after radiation. My doctor says it´s not commen to live so long with mets in the liver and no chemo. Now I need sugery for my broken hip but the doctors don´t know if its possible. Please tell me if you know anyone with the same problem. Thanks, Anna from Sweden

Thank you so much for the story!!  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 with mets to the illiac bone in May, 2008.  All I can think about is the survival rate being only 2-3 years for most people and only 16-20% for 5 years.  I really needed to hear your story.  Thank you!!

Karen

I was diagnosed Feb 2007 with Stage IV BC with extensive bone mets (pelvic, hip, femur, tibia, spine, skull) and had fractures and severe bone damage which left me unable to walk.  I was given Taxotere and Cytoxin until Sept and then put on Femara.  I have also been receiving Zometa monthly since Feb 2007.  I am now scheduled early Sept for a major operation (cementing a cage to my pelvis and cementing a rod in my femur) which, hopefully, will allow me to walk again and improve my "quality of life".  I am hoping that soon I will be able to inspire others who may be in the same situation.  I am grateful to hear of so many with "quantity of life" stories.  Blessings to all. 

Hi Carrie,  How are you doing?  Ihope you are still hanging in there.  I just read your message and I wondered about you.

Irene