Best Of
Re: Were you diagnosed young (under 45) with breast cancer? We'd love to hear from you!
I was diagnosed at the age 37 in August 2024 with IDC stage 1a. It was the scariest time of my life. I had a 5 year old daughter and was terrified I was never going to see her grow up. I had a lumpectomy, 4 TC bc of high oncotype, 20 radiation sessions. I take astrozole daily for 10 years and get monthly Lupron shots. My doctor said we will revisit that after 5 years. I have tolerated all treatments with very little problems. However my mental state will never be the same. I take Zoloft and Ativan for anxiety. The fear of reoccurrence is with me daily and I don’t know if I will ever come to terms with my diagnosis. I try so hard to just live my life. The thought of thinking about this for the rest of my life is debilitating. Thoughts to all women who have to deal with this.
ollie_19
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@threetree You sound just like me. It is the bending and reaching that gets me. @mara51506 I have been going through a drawer every couple of days, one at a time. It helps my psyche! And I use cleaning house as my PT. I can do something for about 15 minutes before I have to sit down. Vacuuming is out but I can light mop and dust if I don't reach. We do have a Roomba and it does great for light vacuuming, but as you know it doesn't get the corners or between stuff. My BILs family are coming over tomorrow so I am trying to get some things done in the kitchen today. We will just B B Que hamburgers and my SIL will bring sides and dessert. They understand my limits and don't mind the dust, but I do. My SIL even offers to clean for me but I have a hard time with that. I guess it is my silly pride.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@mara51506 - I really admire the energy you have! I can get an occasional motivation to go through closet and drawers, etc., but then when I actually try to do anything I am just "cut down" by how stiff and sore I am. I have extreme difficulty doing all the bending and reaching, etc. that that sort of thing requires, and then I poop out in no time, even if I brave the stiffness and soreness. I would love to keep up with the household chores and getting rid of things like you do, but I just can't. I think in my case it is the Faslodex and Verzenio that just wipe me out. You've given me some food for thought for today though, and maybe it will motivate me to do at least a little; what I can. I hope you have areal nice day also, and I'm glad to hear that the humidity doesn't get to you too much. You're lucky there too!
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
So children have no rights — is that it ???
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
My daughters pool is finally repaired and being filled. Hopefully I will be swimming soon. This has been a challenging summer. Hot and stormy. Spent this last week fighting a stomach bug. Hope to be back on track and swimming next week.
Re: Bone Mets Thread
hi everyone,
This is an update on my condition that I previously described here — perhaps it will help someone going through a similar situation.
I had written earlier about the unexplained rise in my CA 15-3 tumor marker.
The PET scan did not show any new lesions, and the existing ones are in continuous regression.
However, the MRI showed a suspicious area in the T9 vertebra, which was accompanied by some pain — though the pain lasted only a few days and then resolved.
We followed up with a PET scan, which showed no uptake in the T9 area, leaving the oncologist puzzled and unsure about the next step.
He suggested that I meet with a radiation oncologist to explore the possibility of radiation treatment to this vertebra and to discuss the situation further.
After a meeting between the three of us — the oncologist, the radiation doctor, and myself — the radiation doctor suggested we wait for a month and repeat the MRI to monitor the area.
If the lesion shows progression, we would proceed with radiation therapy.
If there is no change, we would continue with the current treatment and keep monitoring.
Regarding the L4 vertebra, where the lesion initially appeared when the disease recurred (and where there is now a fracture),
both the oncologist and radiation doctor recommended doing a vertebral cement procedure (vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) to fill the gap, which they believe is the source of my ongoing back pain.
As for the scattered areas that showed uptake in the recent PET scan, they were soft tissue and not bone,
and the report mentioned that they are unlikely to be lesions.
Still, the doctor recommended an ultrasound to confirm.
I already did an ultrasound of the left foot area, and now I will be doing one for the shoulder area.
My question is:
Has anyone else been in a similar situation — feeling stuck due to conflicting findings and uncertainty in decision-making?
And can a doctor decide on radiation therapy based solely on MRI findings?
I asked for a biopsy, but the doctor was not supportive of that, as the area is risky and full of nerves.
Re: waiting for results
Hi @millymoo, and welcome. We're so sorry for the worries that bring you here, but we're glad you've found us and posted about your concerns.
@maggie15's post is 100% spot-on. Only a biopsy can determine whether cancer is definitely present or not. So, while it's difficult to wait for answers, try to remain positive and keep your mind busy until you have the results.
Please keep us posted with what you find out — we're thinking of you and hoping for the best!
—The Mods
Re: ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call
Just saw berta's obituary website. So glad that she was surrounded by her loving family. Thank u for sharing
snm
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@shanagirl - Shana, my heart really goes out to you and I am just so, so sorry that you have to deal with this. I get them withholding the Xgeva because of the dental issue, but why the Verzenio? I assume you continue with the Faslodex. That should help some with that fear of mets getting worse while off the drugs; you're still getting the benefit of the Faslodex. My onc told me that was the most important part of the drug combo. I totally agree with @mara51506 about the 4-7-8 breathing. I really like it and use it all the time when I get really stressed. I just feel so helpless and wish there was something I could do to help, other than just send you good vibes and best wishes. Know that I am thinking of you and in your pocket for this whole big mess you are in for awhile. I like to think that the doctors know what they're doing and that they wouldn't put you at such a big risk of a major "mets spread" just for the sake of one tooth. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and have fingers crossed for nothing but the best outcome!