question about mets

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mtmom
mtmom Member Posts: 59
in Breast Cancer #1

I just found out yesterday (Friday) that I have cancer in my lymph nodes and liver. It has not quite been a year since I finished treatment for breast cancer. I go in next week for biopsies and a bone scan. And you know how it is in the office...never think of the questions to ask until you leave and there is no one to ask. :)

I've been assuming that if the breast cancer metastasized we would just do similar treatment to what we did before. So, I've been planning for that. I looked up mets online and I think I'm very much mistaken. Could some of you please share your experience with treatment of mets? I'm confused at this point...add that to scared and I don't want to wait until Tuesday. Thanks for the help.

Blessings,

~Mtmom (I worry for my kids.)

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  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #2
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    sorry to hear this.
    The treatment will depend on the biopsies. First they will make sure that it is mets and not a new cancer. Until then, you really wont know. Depending on what kind of cancer and wher they may treat it with chemo, or rads or both, or hormone blockers. I thought whrn I first got mets it was going to be the same chemo. Mine was in the skin and bones, so they did radiation and tamoxifin and biophosphates. Then chemo and then added herceptin with the chemo. Now I am on aromison. Each of us has been a little different depending on the type of bc and where the mets are. With the. initial in 2002, it was surgery, chemo and tamoxifen.
    With the mets it has been treated as a chronic condition, when one thing isnt working they try something new. I just keep hoping they keep coming up with new meds.
    Hugs and prayers,
    Carol
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #3
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    ? about Mets

    Hi Hun, I was diagnosed with mets last April (I am still here!  Yay me)  My onco was gloomy and basically told me that they could put me in a 'holding pattern' palliative care regime.... told me to bugger off home and get my affairs in order.... NOWAY did I take his  advice,  I stick to my treatment regime everyday and he was WRONG, now I am in remission, I stick to my load of pills and told him right from the start... NO BLOODY CHEMO!  I would never go through that again.  I now have no treatment (as the pamidronate screwed my veins up) and I had the Cyberknife to mets in spine (Oh wow, that helped)  Now I only attend scans, so I can see what is going on.  PM me if you want to talk. Jules xx

     

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #4
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    tasha_111 said:

    ? about Mets

    Hi Hun, I was diagnosed with mets last April (I am still here!  Yay me)  My onco was gloomy and basically told me that they could put me in a 'holding pattern' palliative care regime.... told me to bugger off home and get my affairs in order.... NOWAY did I take his  advice,  I stick to my treatment regime everyday and he was WRONG, now I am in remission, I stick to my load of pills and told him right from the start... NO BLOODY CHEMO!  I would never go through that again.  I now have no treatment (as the pamidronate screwed my veins up) and I had the Cyberknife to mets in spine (Oh wow, that helped)  Now I only attend scans, so I can see what is going on.  PM me if you want to talk. Jules xx

     

    Will do!

    Thanks, Jules. I will talk with you next week.

    ~Marge

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #5
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    Thanks

    Thanks for the info. I ALMOST made it to my first birthday...drat!

    Not that I have any control over it, but would having a new cancer be "better" than having mets? This is such a nasty beast.

    Blessings,

    ~Marge

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #6
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    mtmom said:

    Thanks

    Thanks for the info. I ALMOST made it to my first birthday...drat!

    Not that I have any control over it, but would having a new cancer be "better" than having mets? This is such a nasty beast.

    Blessings,

    ~Marge

    Marge, I have wondered the same thing.At
    At least with a new cancer you have a shot at a total remission! Waiting for info is always difficult, but it is 4 years and I am still here. And the rads to my spine at the beginning did wonders for the pain then. Now the pain is back and they said no more chemo to my lower spine/hips. But that made it tolerable for a long time.
  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #7
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    So sorry

    I'm so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a nightmare. I just wanted to tell you that between doctor visits, I have a post-it on the fridge to jot down any questions I have for my surgeon and onc. When I go to my appointments, I just peel it off and put it in my purse. The doctors like it because I seem organized and they can answer all my questions in about 5-10 minutes. Good luck to you.

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #8
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    button2 said:

    So sorry

    I'm so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a nightmare. I just wanted to tell you that between doctor visits, I have a post-it on the fridge to jot down any questions I have for my surgeon and onc. When I go to my appointments, I just peel it off and put it in my purse. The doctors like it because I seem organized and they can answer all my questions in about 5-10 minutes. Good luck to you.

    Sticky notes!

    Oh, I like this idea and sticky notes are easy to take with to the doctor's office.

    Smile

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #9
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    Want to hear my stupid? Last

    Want to hear my stupid? Last month I went in to the surgeon's and had my port taken out. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

    I know I've read several of you ladies saying your veins are shot. I guess if liquid chemo is the weapon of choice I will go back to have it put in.

    Thanks for being here.

    Blessings,

    ~Marge

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #10
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    mtmom said:

    Want to hear my stupid? Last

    Want to hear my stupid? Last month I went in to the surgeon's and had my port taken out. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

    I know I've read several of you ladies saying your veins are shot. I guess if liquid chemo is the weapon of choice I will go back to have it put in.

    Thanks for being here.

    Blessings,

    ~Marge

    Hi Marge

    Sorry that you have to deal with mets. Every one is different as well as oncologist's approach. Mine has bee very aggressive in treatment. We started from different Chemo than I have had first time around. For stage 4 we have more choices and better drugs. I was on oral pill Xeloda is similar to IV drug 5FU, than clinical trial, than Faslodex shots and Xgeva for bones.all of them are FDA approved only for stage 4. After your biopcy your oncologist will discuss your treatment plan with you. Every year a new drug gets approved. Please stay cool we are here for you.

    hugs

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