Stage 3 and 4 diagnosis

RosePenny said:

One year clear

I am three years out from having the diagnosis of stage 3a Triple Negative Breast Cancer. 5 lymph nodes positive, with a 5.5 centimer lump. The cancer metatized to my right lung last year. My medical team did surgery and were going to resection my right lower lobe, but the lab test  came back as lung cancer while I was on the table. I woke up to being told I had lung cancer, and they had removed my whole lower right lung lobe. Later lab tests showed it was a bc lung met. Go figure. I didn't have chemo afterwards, as my oncologist was hopeful this was the only spread. He and I wanted to keep chemo in reserve, since it is pretty well the only option for triple negative cancers.

A year later, and my last test came back clear. I feel happy yet scared, as I am under no treatment other than living as healthy as I can... Scans every six months as a reminder, and some other health issues from the surgery and chemo. I hope to become a very long time survivor!

 

hugs Rose

Hello everyone,

 nice to see this thread gowing. I am 6 years suvivor of stage III C and 2 years survivor of stage IV breast cancer.

Rose, at breast cancer board we have long term survivors as well. I always come back to this post for encouragement and inspiration

Get well 

Tethys41 said:

My naturopath
My naturopath had stage IV ovarian cancer 20 years ago. She did not follow standard treatment, no surgery, no chemo, but got her tumors under control through diet, lifestyle, and integrative therapies, like high dose vitamin C. She is currently very healthy, despite the fact that her tumors remain. She keeps them in check by following a very expanded version of the concepts presented in Anti-cancer.

Dear Teth,

Was interested in your Naturopath's "method" and what you are referring to with "Anti-cancer".  I read a book called Anti-Cancer - A New Way of Life.  I thought maybe that was it, but don't know.

Anyway, I am Stage 4 Triple Negative BC and right now just juicing to try to slow it down.  Sounds like that is what she is doing too.  No sugar, no flour, no meat, no processed food.  At least most of the time.  I do cheat from time to time, but mostly this is my life now.

Can't wait to get my masticating juicer which will be here September 17th.  Till then using a Juiceman Jr.

Any tips would certainly be welcomed.

Thanks G.

Ladymonk said:

Stage IV Endometrial, almost 20 years & Counting...
For Jazzy1 and others, if it offers anything worthwhile:
I was diagnosed with uterine ca when I found a lump under left arm. Thought it was breast cancer, but biopsy showed it was not the primary. It originated in the uterus, spread to abdomen, chest, neck & left axilla. This was in the 1980s. I had a ton of chemo & radiation (a lot stronger and more primitive stuff then), achieved a partial remission. Repeated treatments several months later, and the remission attained was pretty promising, as far as could be determined. And yes, it returned- regularly, every few months, at least yearly, for nearly 9 years. I can't count how much chemo, radiation, surgery, etc, I've had without referring to the pages and pages of files in our attic. I think I've had most of the acronyms of the time- VBM, MOPP, etc. I've had "superradiation" for "hot spots", and a whole lot of other stuff that wasn't fun. But the point is this: after all those years of treatment, during the last round of chemo & radiation, it went into remission and just never returned. No magic bullet, it was really just one more round of crap, to achieve yet another remission. I have had no evidence of recurrence since 1992.

All that being said, I offer the following to you, although your cancer is different from mine, or the next person's- you are uniquely you: For a long time, you will question every ache, every cough, every headache, etc, that comes along. You will be in hyper-vigilance for quite a while. Embrace it- it's your body's way of protecting you. You may feel like the neighborhood neurotic for a while, but follow up on anything that worries you. In time, with each success, this will recede. But for now, it is really your brain's way of taking care of your body. If you learn some stress management techniques, it will help you to cope rationally with this markedly altered lifestyle. Networking with others who have walked your walk will help, as will prayer, massage therapy, yoga, hobbies, etc.

Do you remember when you were first diagnosed, when suddenly every moment became so much more precious? I recall getting up really early at times to sit on a rock at the ocean (I lived in Maine then), just to watch the sunrise over the water. I didn't know how many more I'd get to see, and each experience became a lot more special. I remember promising myself that, if I were allowed to live, I would never lose that sense of wonder again, that every moment would be savored, every relationship cherished. Unfortunately, after nearly 20 years, life has become "business as usual", and I take things for granted and gripe about stuff as much as anyone. Maybe that's a good sign... And yes, I've had a pretty fair amount of after effects from treatment, mainly pain issues and a few cardiac, thyroid, stuff, (lots of stuff to gripe about!) but the gifts far outweigh the disadvantages. I have seen my children grown, educated, launched, married, I have been present at the births of many grandchildren. 13 years ago I met and married a remarkable man who has been my rock. Life is good, whether it lasts for six more months or fifty years...

When I was in the early stages of "terminal", a dear friend came to see me and made all the difference. I was very angry, you see, striking out at anyone and everyone. I had three young kids and was in the middle of a divorce (ex hubby couldn't deal with a sick wife), and I was pretty ticked off at the world. I was angry at old people, because I would never get to grow old. I was angry at a friend attending her daughter's wedding, because I knew I wouldn't get to do this with my own. I was, most of all, angry at this evil thing eating at my body and robbing me of time. My friend came and sat me down and this is essentially what he said: "Yep, they told you that you probably won't live much longer. There are a lot of things you cannot control any more. But there is one thing over which you have total control: You can continue being a (bleep) and leave your kids with sorrowful things to recall of your last weeks or months together. Or, you can use this time to build beautiful memories to sustain them when you are gone from them. The choice is yours." I have never forgotten that day; it was my watershed. And it was the day that I decided to begin to fight this disease. And attitude, my dear fellow traveler, is absolutely everything.

Sorry this is so long. It's my first post. I taught nursing for years, don't know when to shut up (*grin*). I wish you well, and would be happy to communicate...

ps- don't be afraid to use complementary and/or integrative medicine, just don't abandon the scientific mainstream stuff. I have used Laetrile in Mexico, direct injection of chemotoxic drugs into tumors in Germany, yoga and reiki, massage therapy, visualization techniques, etc. Who knows what worked? Does it matter? Nutrition is imperative- even if you don't feel like eating, do. I lived on smoothies for ages, with organic yogurt, and lots of fruits & veggies, fresh seafood (hey, we lived in Maine!) long before we understood antioxidants and omega 3s. Just be sure that your physicians know everything you are taking.

Dear Jazzy,

I just joined today preparing for the worst.  I am 62, been on HRT probably too long, and am overweight.  I started spotting three weeks ago and immediately

went to the Ob/gyn. They scheduled my hysteroscopy for this Thursday. Yesterday I had the vaginal ultra sound. I got the results. The endometrium is 13 mm.

I am expecting cancer.  I found your post hopeful and this is not the end of my life.

I hope and pray you are still in remission.

I am going to print your message on my refrigerator as an inspiration to keep fighting. My life has been hell with so many orthopedic surgeries.

I hope I can fight another fight if cancer is my diagnosis.

Blessings and peace for you and your family.

Charlotte

ron50 said:

I was dxed with stage 3c

    Colon cancer back in 1998. I have had no recurrance since and am into my sixteenth year of survival. I may not have had cancer but my treatment insured a host of medical problems of an auto-immune nature. I have severe motor-sensori peripheral neuropathy,severe psoriatic arthritis and nephrotic syndrome. Ron.

  This month on 22nd I end year 17 of survival from stage 3c colon cancer into six nodes. Unfortunately one of the chemo agents I was on was levamisole an immuno-modulator It was banned in 2001 for often fatal side effects . I took around 220 tablets of it. I am cancer free but suffer an unknown auto immune disease of the kidneys . I take cyclosporine to control nephrotic syndrome. With treatment i lose 1 gram of protein a day thru my kidneys. Untreated 7 grams. I have moderate auto immune hepatitis, severe auto immune neuropathy of both feet and legs and left hand. I have auto immune psoriatic arthritis. I have an auto immune problem with my endocrie system causing low testosterone and under active thyroid. I have type two diabetes from being treated with 75mg daily of prednisone for nearly two years as well as calcium loss and lower spine degeneration. I suffer an unknown auto immune problem causing up to 13000 premature ventricular and atrial ectopic heart beats a day and in Rem sleep my oxygen levels drop below 80% resulting in my using cpap every night. I am now 65 ,my health broke up my marriage so I have lived on my own for ten years and I still work every week as a sewing machine mechanic. Surviving survival is not easy.....Ron.

pinky104 said:

UPSC survivor

I am a stage IVb UPSC survivor.   I was diagnosed at the end of March in 2010, had my surgery in May of 2010, and started 6 rounds of carbo/taxol in June of 2010 and finished it in Sept., 2010.  I've had no reoccurrences, thank God. I'm 65 years old now and other than aches and pains and a few minor other health problems, I'm doing well. My cancer had spread to both ovaries, the omentum, and the ilium, but not to any lymph nodes.  It was considered stage IV because it had gone out of the pelvis. 

I want to tell you that I always enjoy what you have to say on the uterine cancer discussion board.  You give very good advice. You've helped a lot of people.  I actually thought you had survived uterine cancer longer than I have from all the knowledge you impart to everyone. 

Dear Pinky

It is so encouraging to read your post. I pray you continue to be very very healthy.

I too was diagnosed with stage IV USPC (August 2015). Ovaries Fallopian tubes appendix colon omentum and one of 52 lymph nodes possible isolated cancer cells. I just finished carbo/taxol (6 cycles). had a CT last week, waiting for results. CA125 fell from 1218 to 7. 

I am reading many different things that I hope restore and maintain a healthy body. Keeping the focus on health rather than on being ill feesl right to me.

I'm really hoping that I will follow your course. If I do have a recurrence, I'm not sure I agree that chemo and radiation are the right thing; for me anyway.  

Restoring balance and health (emotionally, spiritually, physically) makes sense. 

How did you cope with the fear of recurrence?

All the best

Libby

Ladymonk said:

Stage IV Endometrial, almost 20 years & Counting...
For Jazzy1 and others, if it offers anything worthwhile:
I was diagnosed with uterine ca when I found a lump under left arm. Thought it was breast cancer, but biopsy showed it was not the primary. It originated in the uterus, spread to abdomen, chest, neck & left axilla. This was in the 1980s. I had a ton of chemo & radiation (a lot stronger and more primitive stuff then), achieved a partial remission. Repeated treatments several months later, and the remission attained was pretty promising, as far as could be determined. And yes, it returned- regularly, every few months, at least yearly, for nearly 9 years. I can't count how much chemo, radiation, surgery, etc, I've had without referring to the pages and pages of files in our attic. I think I've had most of the acronyms of the time- VBM, MOPP, etc. I've had "superradiation" for "hot spots", and a whole lot of other stuff that wasn't fun. But the point is this: after all those years of treatment, during the last round of chemo & radiation, it went into remission and just never returned. No magic bullet, it was really just one more round of crap, to achieve yet another remission. I have had no evidence of recurrence since 1992.

All that being said, I offer the following to you, although your cancer is different from mine, or the next person's- you are uniquely you: For a long time, you will question every ache, every cough, every headache, etc, that comes along. You will be in hyper-vigilance for quite a while. Embrace it- it's your body's way of protecting you. You may feel like the neighborhood neurotic for a while, but follow up on anything that worries you. In time, with each success, this will recede. But for now, it is really your brain's way of taking care of your body. If you learn some stress management techniques, it will help you to cope rationally with this markedly altered lifestyle. Networking with others who have walked your walk will help, as will prayer, massage therapy, yoga, hobbies, etc.

Do you remember when you were first diagnosed, when suddenly every moment became so much more precious? I recall getting up really early at times to sit on a rock at the ocean (I lived in Maine then), just to watch the sunrise over the water. I didn't know how many more I'd get to see, and each experience became a lot more special. I remember promising myself that, if I were allowed to live, I would never lose that sense of wonder again, that every moment would be savored, every relationship cherished. Unfortunately, after nearly 20 years, life has become "business as usual", and I take things for granted and gripe about stuff as much as anyone. Maybe that's a good sign... And yes, I've had a pretty fair amount of after effects from treatment, mainly pain issues and a few cardiac, thyroid, stuff, (lots of stuff to gripe about!) but the gifts far outweigh the disadvantages. I have seen my children grown, educated, launched, married, I have been present at the births of many grandchildren. 13 years ago I met and married a remarkable man who has been my rock. Life is good, whether it lasts for six more months or fifty years...

When I was in the early stages of "terminal", a dear friend came to see me and made all the difference. I was very angry, you see, striking out at anyone and everyone. I had three young kids and was in the middle of a divorce (ex hubby couldn't deal with a sick wife), and I was pretty ticked off at the world. I was angry at old people, because I would never get to grow old. I was angry at a friend attending her daughter's wedding, because I knew I wouldn't get to do this with my own. I was, most of all, angry at this evil thing eating at my body and robbing me of time. My friend came and sat me down and this is essentially what he said: "Yep, they told you that you probably won't live much longer. There are a lot of things you cannot control any more. But there is one thing over which you have total control: You can continue being a (bleep) and leave your kids with sorrowful things to recall of your last weeks or months together. Or, you can use this time to build beautiful memories to sustain them when you are gone from them. The choice is yours." I have never forgotten that day; it was my watershed. And it was the day that I decided to begin to fight this disease. And attitude, my dear fellow traveler, is absolutely everything.

Sorry this is so long. It's my first post. I taught nursing for years, don't know when to shut up (*grin*). I wish you well, and would be happy to communicate...

ps- don't be afraid to use complementary and/or integrative medicine, just don't abandon the scientific mainstream stuff. I have used Laetrile in Mexico, direct injection of chemotoxic drugs into tumors in Germany, yoga and reiki, massage therapy, visualization techniques, etc. Who knows what worked? Does it matter? Nutrition is imperative- even if you don't feel like eating, do. I lived on smoothies for ages, with organic yogurt, and lots of fruits & veggies, fresh seafood (hey, we lived in Maine!) long before we understood antioxidants and omega 3s. Just be sure that your physicians know everything you are taking.

I am 42 and just have been diagonised with Stage IV Endometrial, at the moment despite that I am in good health, though the chemo I started is taking it's toll. I feel I am so young and won't make it to 45 nontheless even to 50. Your story gives me some hope that maybe I can make it longer term even if the chances are slim; There is still a chance.

I was initially diagnosed with Breast cancer stage 2 just a year after I had my daughter in 2008. Did the whole mastectomy, chemo and radiation. All clear n progressing well. Then wham bam 2017 just a few months shy of my 10th cancer free anniversary- stage 4 - metastasis to bone Radiation AGAIN - targeted at the bones and now on lifetime medication. Yes the fear is there.. a tinge here, a pull there and it rears its ugly head - fear - will I see my daughter graduate? Aches and pains that my Doctor waves away as aging issues. But every morning I thank God I'm alive! I can function, work and live an almost normal life. I'm grateful for the time I have. The family that's SO supportive and feeling loved by family and friends daily is such a blessing!! Life is almost normal. So yes stay positive and enjoy life the best we can.