Being a Breast Cancer Survivor without chemo/radiation

Kats2

Terrible side effects!

J--,

You had a terrible experience with chemo. I don't blame you for feeling as you do. Adryamyacin is called "The red devil,'' I believe, and it's a hard one to take. I'm surprised that more wasn't done for you to make you more comfortable and the side effects less. Do you live in the U.S.?

I'm Stage 4 but never had IV chemo. I may down the road, not sure. My tumor was so tiny it was almost laughable but ONE sentinel node was positive. Chemo not recommended, but radiation was. I had a lumpectomy and radiation which was very tolerable. Then onto Arimidex and Tamoxifen. Bone mets everywhere 1 and 1/2 years later. Now on oral chemo pills. Been 3 years so far with mets.

Yes, we all need to make our own individual decisions concerning treatment. It's a tough situation to be in. I wish you much good luck and very good days ahead!   Kats2

HapB

Kats2 said:

Tumor marker #s

Hi HapB,

Look at your lab test results for bloodwork. On the printout there  should be one that says CA 15-3 Antigen, or CA 27-29 Antigen. If you don't see those, then your doctor doesn't do them. Look for anything that has CA in it. Even better, the next time you have an appt. with your Oncologist, ask him if he does tumor markers.( Some doctors don't, saying that they're unreliable .. That's debatable... ) Some doctors rely strictly on scans.

As soon as my Oncologist walks into the examining room, he tells me my tumor marker # right away. Then he looks at his computer and brings up my lab work from the previous months and tells me if they're getting higher or lower. He also looks over my other results, especially my Hematocrit level. That shows whether you're anemic or not. ( At one point I was and needed to get Procrit shots to get to an acceptable level)

Anyway, good luck with everything. Let me know what you find out.    Kats2

Tumor markers

kats, I just saw your post. Thank you! I will look and when I see the MO, I will ask about it. 

HapB

Kats

Were you triple positive? Did they recommend chemo? I am sorry about the mets, but it sounds like you are doing ok?  

Kats2

Not triple positive

---

Hi HapB,

No, I'm not triple positive. I'm ER+, PR-, and Her2-. I'm on Afinitor and Aromasin.

I've been on this combo for almost 2 months and will see my Oncologist on Thurs.

He'll tell me my tumor marker number and basically check me out. I have a feeling that I'll be getting a bone scan soon. Wishing everyone well!  Kats2

HapB

Clumpit said:

No. I'm heading home in a

No. I'm heading home in a week.  I have two appointments a couple of days apart for evaluation and plan of attack.  I assume that they will suggest a lumpectomy with whatever follows. The lesion is only about 1cm.  I would guess they'll take a few of my lymph nodes while doing the lumpectomy to check them and go from there. I'm trying to decipher the pathology report  ACS has a pamphlet you can download to explain the pathology. It's intimidating to look at the numbers and understand what they mean. 

Pathology report

Clumpit, your pathology report may change when you have the lumpectomy. Mine  did. Good luck with it!

Apaugh

Kats2 said:

Terrible side effects!

J--,

You had a terrible experience with chemo. I don't blame you for feeling as you do. Adryamyacin is called "The red devil,'' I believe, and it's a hard one to take. I'm surprised that more wasn't done for you to make you more comfortable and the side effects less. Do you live in the U.S.?

I'm Stage 4 but never had IV chemo. I may down the road, not sure. My tumor was so tiny it was almost laughable but ONE sentinel node was positive. Chemo not recommended, but radiation was. I had a lumpectomy and radiation which was very tolerable. Then onto Arimidex and Tamoxifen. Bone mets everywhere 1 and 1/2 years later. Now on oral chemo pills. Been 3 years so far with mets.

Yes, we all need to make our own individual decisions concerning treatment. It's a tough situation to be in. I wish you much good luck and very good days ahead!   Kats2

You are proof...

As you are proof.  It dont matter how small the tumor is.  It justs takes one cell to escape to cause destruction. 

I keep you and all cancer survivors in my prayers for successful and painless outcomes.

Hugs,

Annie

LarkAlexis

Eating dark chocolate M&M's!

One funny thing that often occurs to me is that my diet was much better before Cancer came knocking. Since my bone mets showed up, I sorta decided I should just go ahead and eat whatever I wanted. That doesn't mean I turned into a junk food junkie, just that I get more treats than I used to - like dark chocolate M&M's in bed at night!

A month ago, I was rearranging my bedroom and apparently pulled a groin muscle. And THAT HURTS!!! I don't think it's in any way related to my bc, except for the fact I used to be a yoga instructor, and was in great shape. Since I have been stage 4 for about 2 1/2 years, and have osteoporosis and bone mets, I read that gentle walking is the most appropriate exercise for me. So I am not in real good shape now.

So, anyway, I just got back from 10 days in Mexico, where my sister had to push me around in a wheelchair, mostly. How I do hate feeling like a partial invalid. I did some pool walking, and thoroughly enjoyed not having any responsibilities or chores to do.So you see, there are advantages to Stage 4 cancer! Eat what you like and go on vacations!

I was happy to read from a couple of members here that some are not doing chemo or radiation. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but as we all know, we are grown-ups!!! We get to choose what we want to do!! Yay!!!

To refresh memories, I never did radiation or IV Chemo, but I feel good, never sick, (knock wood) and hope things keep on in that way. I take Boswelia (oil of frankincense), turmeric, and a couple of other supplements, and am just riding this thing out to see what happens. I aim for no stress. My cancer markers go up and down: I have them checked every three months. My CA15-3 at 253, is lower now than it was two years ago, but my CEA has slowly crept up to 205. The CEA supposedly measures "tumor burden" and helps predict the person's prognosis. I know I have lots of bone mets from my skull down to my hips. But if I hadn't pulled a groin muscle, I'd be feeling good. People tell me all the time that I "don't look like I have cancer." 

 I have searched online multiple times, trying to get information/statistics on how long women can be expected to live when they don't do any standard medical treatments. I'm not having much luck at all. Is no one keeping track? I must write that down so I remember to ask my oncologist next time. Surely oncologists take notice when a patient of theirs, who was only being followed but not treated, dies. I've made it 2 1/2 years so far: my oncologist told me that she thought I could live 10 more years without treatment!l

Hang in there, everyone!

L.A.

 And P.S., Marisa, I like the idea of keto/ low carb diets, but I really like my carbs more!

 

HapB

Stage 4I hope

LarkAlexis! I am sorry that you are stage 4 and so sick. You had every right to decide on your treatment plan. I have done much research on Breast Cancer and alternative treatments and the bottom line is that no diet or alternative treatmenthas been shown to kill breast cancer cells once they are in your body. There is some evidence that diet and lifestyle can prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, but for us , it is too late for that. 

I hope that you are able to enjoy your time!  I think longevity varies on the patient once they are stage 4,but quality of life matters too. My friend only lasted 7months once there were bone mets and was in constant pain. You have done well so far.

wishing you some pain free days ahead!