Mets after 19 years

pamtriggs
pamtriggs Member Posts: 386
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, My name is Pam from New Zealand. I am new to this site and have read all you support & emncouragment for each other. ou sound a great groups of peple. 19 years after my original mastectomy for breast cancer at age 35 (and a negative node report) I now have mets in most of my bones & left lung. I have been down but now I am determoined to beat this thing. Currently on Tamoxifen as I am eostrogen receptive and having radiation on some spots in my back & pelvis to help pain relief. So far I am responding as my marker count is decreasing rapidly but it seems this thing is dominating my life. Any tips to help me to cope mentally with this?

Comments

  • jane38
    jane38 Member Posts: 123
    #2
    Hello Pam from New Zealand. What a beautiful country you live in! As to coping with mets after 19 years I would imagine would be extremely hard. Just remember, all of us are here with you and for you. We are a good sounding board when you just want to scream at the world for this nasty turn. We are also here to cheer you on when things are going good. Your treatment seems to be working. Hallelujah. I will be praying for you to beat this thing again. Jane
  • tiger
    tiger Member Posts: 277
    #3
    Hi Pam,this is Tiger from Canada. It must feel good to be a survivor of 19 years, I hope I can pull through as long as that.Just because it has spread does not mean anything.I have stage IV met breast in the liver and I have been doing chemo for almost one year, I am currently doing Herceptin and Taxol, it is working, my liver tumours which were growing are now shrinking after only three infusions. You're best bet is to not let this thing take over your life, go about business as best as usual and laugh at your cancer,if you feel like crying then do so and you will feel SO much better afterwards, scream or throw something and get it out then carry on,I dont look on myself as having cancer,i just happen to be off work for awhile and staying home enjoying being a mom and wife for a change. Family and friends are very important, dont be afraid to ask for help,spiritually,emotionally,mentally or around the house, when you are tired,rest, our minds will keep us going,positive thinking is the key, it is really hard sometimes, especially right after a chemo,but like all bad things it will pass.Look to the future and enjoy each day as it comes.I have found this site and these ladies to be fantastic, one day I was feeling very low and depressed so I sent out an email for a pick me up and not an hour later someone had mailed me and made me feel better, that is what we are all here for, and it has made me stronger mentally to have these wonderful ladies to vent on or laugh with because they are truly the only ones who can actually say"I know what you are going through"
    Keep in touch with us,even if it is a one liner to say you are tired,we will pick you up.one of us may be calling on you for help someday so stay strong and fight like hell!!!Big Hug, Tiger xo
  • catherine
    catherine Member Posts: 18
    #4
    Dear Pam:

    I am Catherine from Taiwan. I'm also new in this site. I hope my experience can help you.
    I got breast cancer at the age 28, I accepted a surgery of removing my whole left breast. Two years ago, cancer cell spread to my spine(mutiple), skull and brain, so I accepted the brain operation. After that, my doctor use "Taxol"+"Adriamycin"(6 courses) plus brain radiation to treat me. Besides, he also used the drug named "Pamidronate" to strength my bone. This drug can relieve the bone pain, prevent the cancer cell to spread to new place, it can be combined with Chemo Theraphy. I've received "Pamidronate" for 24 times, my doctor told me that 24times(once in a month, 90mg by injection, 3~4 hours) is the maximum. He said that I don't have to inject it over 24 times.

    It really works! My bone metastases is under control. You can consult with your doctor for this drug.

    I think "mental power" is so important to us. So, tell yourself:I can survive! then you will find your body is getting better and better.

    At first, everyone around me thought I might die in 1 or 2 years, but I live so happy, so confident and so healthy now. God helps those who help themselves! So, trust yourself and tell yourself everyday: I can win in this war.

    Be brave! Be happy! Don't be brated by this disease!

    If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.
    May God bless you!

    Catherine Chen
  • pamtriggs
    pamtriggs Member Posts: 386
    #5
    catherine said:

    Dear Pam:

    I am Catherine from Taiwan. I'm also new in this site. I hope my experience can help you.
    I got breast cancer at the age 28, I accepted a surgery of removing my whole left breast. Two years ago, cancer cell spread to my spine(mutiple), skull and brain, so I accepted the brain operation. After that, my doctor use "Taxol"+"Adriamycin"(6 courses) plus brain radiation to treat me. Besides, he also used the drug named "Pamidronate" to strength my bone. This drug can relieve the bone pain, prevent the cancer cell to spread to new place, it can be combined with Chemo Theraphy. I've received "Pamidronate" for 24 times, my doctor told me that 24times(once in a month, 90mg by injection, 3~4 hours) is the maximum. He said that I don't have to inject it over 24 times.

    It really works! My bone metastases is under control. You can consult with your doctor for this drug.

    I think "mental power" is so important to us. So, tell yourself:I can survive! then you will find your body is getting better and better.

    At first, everyone around me thought I might die in 1 or 2 years, but I live so happy, so confident and so healthy now. God helps those who help themselves! So, trust yourself and tell yourself everyday: I can win in this war.

    Be brave! Be happy! Don't be brated by this disease!

    If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.
    May God bless you!

    Catherine Chen

    Dear Catherine

    So nice to hear from you. I am from New Zealand so this website certainly gets used worldwide. I hope you get as much from this network as I have. I will do some research on "Pamidronate". Was your cancer hormone receptive? So far I have not needed chemo. I am on Tamoxifen & it seems to be working very well. After only 3 months since recurrance & being put on Tamoxifen I am feeling quite well again.

    Keep in touch & keep well. As you say a positve frame of mind seems to be a big part of survival. So YES YES YES we are going to beat this again aren't we?

    Love & hugs
    Pam
  • catherine
    catherine Member Posts: 18
    #6
    pamtriggs said:

    Dear Catherine

    So nice to hear from you. I am from New Zealand so this website certainly gets used worldwide. I hope you get as much from this network as I have. I will do some research on "Pamidronate". Was your cancer hormone receptive? So far I have not needed chemo. I am on Tamoxifen & it seems to be working very well. After only 3 months since recurrance & being put on Tamoxifen I am feeling quite well again.

    Keep in touch & keep well. As you say a positve frame of mind seems to be a big part of survival. So YES YES YES we are going to beat this again aren't we?

    Love & hugs
    Pam

    Dear Pam:
    Yes, my hormone receptor is "+(positive)". Regarding the hormone theraphy, my doctor uses the drug named "Zoladex" to control the cancer cell. Zoladex is a newly developed drug, given once a month, injected from the right side or left side of navel. The function is to control hormone in my body. As long as hormone is controlled, then the cancer cells are controlled, so it can reduce the recurrence chance.

    After getting breast cancer, my philosophy for life is "Creating some different ideas to make everyday is a happy day", "Everyday must be better than the previous day." Positive thinging can make us healthier.

    If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

    God is always with you.

    Catherine Chen

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