friend newly diagnosed and stage 4 - looking for help for her

Puffin2014
Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I just got a Facebook message from a friend. She had her mammogram a couple weeks ago, was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a PET scan that showed mets to ribs, spine, pelvic bones, proximal femoral bones, sternum and proximal humeral bones.  Right breast lit up so she'll be having an ultrasound and a bone biopsy.

I don't have experience with stage 4 - looking for people I can put her in touch with that better know what she's up against and what her options are.

 

Please PM me with your contact info if you're willing to correspond with her.

 

Thanks.

Comments

  • Desmonds1
    Desmonds1 Member Posts: 54 Member
    #2
    Hi Puffin- so sorry to hear

    Hi Puffin- so sorry to hear about your friend- I am stage 4 breast cancer with mets to my bone- my planned breast chemo seemed to work well on my bone area- I also had radiation to my bone- happy to try and answer any questions-

    Susan

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #3
    Puffin,,
     
    great to have a

    Puffin,,

     

    great to have a friend like you...I also have no input , but a friendly comment and hello

     

    Denise

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #4
    Hi. I have mets to most of my bones.
    Most of my bones were affected at dx. Was also in my soft tisssue skin. I have had radiation for the pain and 2 1/2 years of chemo. Now I am on Aromasin, vit d, Fentanayl etc. But I am still here and they didnt think I would be here 3 - 6 months and now I am going on 5 years. Some days are good and some not so good, but I am still alive. The radiation has helped with the pain. I have had all the radiation I can have.
    This disease sucks. I am hoping we can find something else to keep me going, as of now, there may be a new chemo but to be on it, they have to change the.blood thinners that I am on for the blood clots that I got from the last chemo almost 2 years ago and the new blood thinner could cause issues with clottng. I dont think there are any easy fixes when you have stage 4. It is a chronic issue that you have to continue to treat, but they keep coming up with new things that have keep me here.
    Have her njoin and if she wants to pm me she is welcome I will answer any questions.
    Carol
  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #5
    camul said:

    Hi. I have mets to most of my bones.
    Most of my bones were affected at dx. Was also in my soft tisssue skin. I have had radiation for the pain and 2 1/2 years of chemo. Now I am on Aromasin, vit d, Fentanayl etc. But I am still here and they didnt think I would be here 3 - 6 months and now I am going on 5 years. Some days are good and some not so good, but I am still alive. The radiation has helped with the pain. I have had all the radiation I can have.
    This disease sucks. I am hoping we can find something else to keep me going, as of now, there may be a new chemo but to be on it, they have to change the.blood thinners that I am on for the blood clots that I got from the last chemo almost 2 years ago and the new blood thinner could cause issues with clottng. I dont think there are any easy fixes when you have stage 4. It is a chronic issue that you have to continue to treat, but they keep coming up with new things that have keep me here.
    Have her njoin and if she wants to pm me she is welcome I will answer any questions.
    Carol

    thanks Carol

    thanks Carol, I've told her about the site, will have to see if she's signed up yet.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #6
    friend headed to Mayo

    My friend is having a bone biopsy today and will be headed to the Mayo Clinic next week, and hopefully will get some answers to her questions there. Thanks for everyone's prayers.

  • Desmonds1
    Desmonds1 Member Posts: 54 Member
    #7
    Puffin2014 said:

    friend headed to Mayo

    My friend is having a bone biopsy today and will be headed to the Mayo Clinic next week, and hopefully will get some answers to her questions there. Thanks for everyone's prayers.

    She will be in good hands at

    She will be in good hands at Mayo-

  • Pixie Dust
    Pixie Dust Member Posts: 424 Member
    #8
    May the sun shine again

    Puffin, glad your friend is going to Mayo clinic. Hope and prayers that she will get help there. Hugs, Pixie

  • Kats2
    Kats2 Member Posts: 126
    #9
    Your friend......

    Hi Puffin....I too am a Stage 4 breast cancer patient with mets to bones....ribs, thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis, and I'm not sure about one hip. I'd be happy to correspond with your friend about her situation. Seems different doctors and hospitals do different diagnostic tests in different orders. ....For me, I first had x-rays, then a CT scan, MRI, and finally a bone biopsy which showed definitely that it was breast cancer that had metastisized. From there I went to the Oncologist who started me on hormone therapy as my bc was strongly ER+. The Arimidex worked for a number of months, then the Tamoxifen worked for about 6 months.....Now, on Faslodex, my tumor markers are climbing and my doctor wants me on Xeloda...(capacedimine).....I'm having a repeat bone scan and CT scan first to see if there was any improvement with the Faslodex.....If yes, then I'm staying on it....If not, then on to the chemo pill. I guess there are several out there.

    Tell your friend to "hang in there." It's very scary to be told that you have Stage 4 breast cancer. I'm slowly getting used to it. My prognosis is "unknown." They say it depends a lot on the person.     My Oncologist says that it's "not all that bleak." I hope he means it....! So, anytime your friend wants to talk about anything, tell her I'm available......We're pretty similar in our diagnosis I believe.......Courage and blessings to all!  Kats2

  • artistatheart
    artistatheart Member Posts: 7
    #10
    Kats2 said:

    Your friend......

    Hi Puffin....I too am a Stage 4 breast cancer patient with mets to bones....ribs, thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis, and I'm not sure about one hip. I'd be happy to correspond with your friend about her situation. Seems different doctors and hospitals do different diagnostic tests in different orders. ....For me, I first had x-rays, then a CT scan, MRI, and finally a bone biopsy which showed definitely that it was breast cancer that had metastisized. From there I went to the Oncologist who started me on hormone therapy as my bc was strongly ER+. The Arimidex worked for a number of months, then the Tamoxifen worked for about 6 months.....Now, on Faslodex, my tumor markers are climbing and my doctor wants me on Xeloda...(capacedimine).....I'm having a repeat bone scan and CT scan first to see if there was any improvement with the Faslodex.....If yes, then I'm staying on it....If not, then on to the chemo pill. I guess there are several out there.

    Tell your friend to "hang in there." It's very scary to be told that you have Stage 4 breast cancer. I'm slowly getting used to it. My prognosis is "unknown." They say it depends a lot on the person.     My Oncologist says that it's "not all that bleak." I hope he means it....! So, anytime your friend wants to talk about anything, tell her I'm available......We're pretty similar in our diagnosis I believe.......Courage and blessings to all!  Kats2

    Getting great comfort from posts

    This site and these posts with hopeful positive messages is the thing keeping my head above water. Thank you everyone.

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