Cancer that have spread to bones

Hi! My breast cancer also spread into my bones. I have a rod in my femur and a pin in my hip. It is in my other hip and spine, but my oncologist is just keeping an eye on that. I am currently on Ibrance and Arimidex. I am only 3 months into this new diagnosis and medicine. Had a mastectomy last April. 

Hello There,

I am 39 years old and two months ago, I felt lump in my left breast. Initial diagnosis from Mammogram and Ultrasound, biopsy revealed that it is stage 2 breast cancer as it has spread to couple of lymph nodes. After PET scan, we found three spots on bone: T1 on spine, sixth rib and lower back. I went to MD Anderson for second opinion. I had brain MRI done to rule out short memory loss (At times I can't remember people's name). Also spine MRI to confirm PET scan results as I have back problem and couple of discs are degenerated. PET scan picks up all inflammation in the body. Spine MRI confirmed Metastates. I had also bone biopsy done. I am ER/PR Positive and HER2 negative. I also did genetic testing to see if I have any more risk of other kinds of cancer in future or not. Genetic  testing came negative. For my treatment, I am qualified for one of the trial which is done for treatement plans rather than drugs. I am getting six months of Chemo. Three months for Taxol weekly, with Zometa every four weeks. After 12 rounds of Taxol, I will have four rounds of AC every three weeks. Followed by Breast removal, radiation and hormonal treatment. 

As per my Oncologist, it is very aggresive treatment with intesion to cure and they have seen successful results. I had three chemos done. Tomorrow will be fourth one. Going strong and will be strong till I get rid of the cancer from my body. I am still working full time. Walking every day - 7000 steps a day is target and also practicing yoga for 15-20 minutes in the morning. It is helping me to stay fit and keep immune system up. I have got best of the best husband and in-laws to take care of me.

There is a book called Anti-cancer. Please read it. The book is written by Neurologist -Ph.D. Doctor who himself has gone through Brain Cancer. Very informative.

I will pray for all of you. One thing,I want to say is keep positive attitude. Stay strong and Happy. Be normal as you were before. Believe in God. Believe in yourself. Cancer will go away and will never return.

desiwonderwoman said:

Stage 4 Breast Cancer with three sites on Bone- Metastates

Hello There,

I am 39 years old and two months ago, I felt lump in my left breast. Initial diagnosis from Mammogram and Ultrasound, biopsy revealed that it is stage 2 breast cancer as it has spread to couple of lymph nodes. After PET scan, we found three spots on bone: T1 on spine, sixth rib and lower back. I went to MD Anderson for second opinion. I had brain MRI done to rule out short memory loss (At times I can't remember people's name). Also spine MRI to confirm PET scan results as I have back problem and couple of discs are degenerated. PET scan picks up all inflammation in the body. Spine MRI confirmed Metastates. I had also bone biopsy done. I am ER/PR Positive and HER2 negative. I also did genetic testing to see if I have any more risk of other kinds of cancer in future or not. Genetic  testing came negative. For my treatment, I am qualified for one of the trial which is done for treatement plans rather than drugs. I am getting six months of Chemo. Three months for Taxol weekly, with Zometa every four weeks. After 12 rounds of Taxol, I will have four rounds of AC every three weeks. Followed by Breast removal, radiation and hormonal treatment. 

As per my Oncologist, it is very aggresive treatment with intesion to cure and they have seen successful results. I had three chemos done. Tomorrow will be fourth one. Going strong and will be strong till I get rid of the cancer from my body. I am still working full time. Walking every day - 7000 steps a day is target and also practicing yoga for 15-20 minutes in the morning. It is helping me to stay fit and keep immune system up. I have got best of the best husband and in-laws to take care of me.

There is a book called Anti-cancer. Please read it. The book is written by Neurologist -Ph.D. Doctor who himself has gone through Brain Cancer. Very informative.

I will pray for all of you. One thing,I want to say is keep positive attitude. Stay strong and Happy. Be normal as you were before. Believe in God. Believe in yourself. Cancer will go away and will never return.

Hi desiwonderwoman,

Being ER+, has your Oncologist suggested that you have your ovaries removed? Ovaries in a pre-menopausal woman produce lots of estrogen, and if you're ER+, BC feeds on the estrogen that your body produces. That's why anti-hormonal drugs like Arimidex, Tamoxifen, and Faslodex are prescribed for ER+ women, especially is they're pre-menopausal. Post menopausal women also are on anti- Estrogen pills because the adrenal glands produce Estrogen too, but not as much as the ovaries. I know several pre-menopausal women who have had this done as part of their BC treatment.

I was wondering if you have Lobular BC, or a high grade  of cancer, and that's why IV chemo is being recommended for you. I'm a little confused about the IV chemo protocol, then breast removal when the cancer has already left the breast. But now I realize that you're in a clinical trial. And I also see that you'll be getting radiation and hormone treatment after the Chemo.That's good. I wish you all the best with this BC journey.

Yes, a positive is definitely needed!! You're to be congratulated on being so pro- active in getting well. You're young and determined and I'll be sending positive  thoughts and energy that you'll beat this. Prayers help too! I do a lot of praying and will keep you in mine.

I also have bone mets and was told that because the BC travelled from my breast to another location in my body, I am now Stage 4. I'm fighting hard and hope that I can get into remission or at least remain stable without any further progression. So far it's stayed in my bones. I would love to have this BC completely gone! Miracles happen. With God all things are possible. Sending you light and love.  Kats2

desiwonderwoman said:

Stage 4 Breast Cancer with three sites on Bone- Metastates

Hello There,

I am 39 years old and two months ago, I felt lump in my left breast. Initial diagnosis from Mammogram and Ultrasound, biopsy revealed that it is stage 2 breast cancer as it has spread to couple of lymph nodes. After PET scan, we found three spots on bone: T1 on spine, sixth rib and lower back. I went to MD Anderson for second opinion. I had brain MRI done to rule out short memory loss (At times I can't remember people's name). Also spine MRI to confirm PET scan results as I have back problem and couple of discs are degenerated. PET scan picks up all inflammation in the body. Spine MRI confirmed Metastates. I had also bone biopsy done. I am ER/PR Positive and HER2 negative. I also did genetic testing to see if I have any more risk of other kinds of cancer in future or not. Genetic  testing came negative. For my treatment, I am qualified for one of the trial which is done for treatement plans rather than drugs. I am getting six months of Chemo. Three months for Taxol weekly, with Zometa every four weeks. After 12 rounds of Taxol, I will have four rounds of AC every three weeks. Followed by Breast removal, radiation and hormonal treatment. 

As per my Oncologist, it is very aggresive treatment with intesion to cure and they have seen successful results. I had three chemos done. Tomorrow will be fourth one. Going strong and will be strong till I get rid of the cancer from my body. I am still working full time. Walking every day - 7000 steps a day is target and also practicing yoga for 15-20 minutes in the morning. It is helping me to stay fit and keep immune system up. I have got best of the best husband and in-laws to take care of me.

There is a book called Anti-cancer. Please read it. The book is written by Neurologist -Ph.D. Doctor who himself has gone through Brain Cancer. Very informative.

I will pray for all of you. One thing,I want to say is keep positive attitude. Stay strong and Happy. Be normal as you were before. Believe in God. Believe in yourself. Cancer will go away and will never return.

Hi, thanks for sharing your story.  Your attitude is perfect.  Keep your nose in the blue as pilots say; a positive attitude/altitude makes all the difference.  I wanted to share the notion of keeping a journal of all of your medical appointments, dates, dr. names, and notes about medications, dosages, names etc.  We found that to be tremendously helpful.  My friend has been living with stage 4 breast cancer for 2.5 years.  Having good notes day to day has been really helpful.  You think you'll remember but you don't always. 

Even now I keep a journal on the counter and track her morphine, liquid intake, foods/calorie intake, Miralax (important to keep things moving).  I keep a separate notebook for dr. appointments complete with questions/answers.

So glad your cancer was caught earlier.  Godspeed to you, you will survive and thrive.  hugs

For all of the brave and amazing women with mets to the bones, keep the faith! Pray for a cure for this dreadful disease!

Hello all - a little late to the party here, but found these posts relevant.  I was diagnosed with BC/some nodes mets in my lower spine.  Initially I was stage 2, but there was a "blip" on the bone scan, so a biopsy follolwed.  Positive for cancer and was bumped up to stage 4.  My mode of treatment is Ibrance and Letrozole with a monthly 30 minute IV of Zomata for my bones.  I had a bone scan (after the initial one) last month.  The tumors in my breast were almost undetectable, along with nodes.  My spine showed little improvement, but all is moving in the right direction.  

So, the drugs are doing their thing.  It's been 6 months.  I was told I would NOT have a masectomy...still trying to wrap my head around that.  I'm in Boston and have THE BEST doctors, I'm in good hands and I have full confidence with my staff.  I feel good and am optimistic.  Yes, I do have bone/joint pain that shifts.  Losing a little hair, but I have a ton.  I've put on a few pounds, but I'll take all these SE's over the alternative...  I feel much better reading these posts, thanks for letting me chime in.  Best of luck to all!  Kat1962.

Apaugh said:

Kat

You sound very secure in your medical team and in yourself.  I feel blessed to know such a brave person as you are.  Keep us updated when you can. 

Prayers for better positive days going up for you.  Hugs,

Annie

Hi Annie.  Thanks for your kind words.  This site I find helpful to read other people's cancers, treatments, working or not, advice and general questioning and bitching.  I do have friends, but communicating with people who are going through similar circumstances is so very helpful.  I've learned a lot in this short time.  My next appt is Thursday - hope the news is still on the upswing!  Let's keep in touch!  Thanks - Kat

I just found out a few days ago my breast cancer has metastisis into my back bone. not sure what all is going to happen I haven't slept much for 3 days right now I am so very tired.  got to go take a nap just wanted say hi and prayers to all. I just signed up so I will be back for some support.. It always good to talk to people that have gone through it ..  take care talk later.. soupycarr

This is my first time on here. I discovered enlarged lymph node on neck in Feb. Found out I have above referenced cancer in multiple bones. I’m taking Letrozole (Estrogen positive), Zometa IV drip every 3 months, and Ibrance. I‘m Having lab work twice in April and onc said numbers should be better when I go see him 4/25. I just started medications in March. 

Kat1962 said:

Hello all - a little late to

Hello all - a little late to the party here, but found these posts relevant.  I was diagnosed with BC/some nodes mets in my lower spine.  Initially I was stage 2, but there was a "blip" on the bone scan, so a biopsy follolwed.  Positive for cancer and was bumped up to stage 4.  My mode of treatment is Ibrance and Letrozole with a monthly 30 minute IV of Zomata for my bones.  I had a bone scan (after the initial one) last month.  The tumors in my breast were almost undetectable, along with nodes.  My spine showed little improvement, but all is moving in the right direction.  

So, the drugs are doing their thing.  It's been 6 months.  I was told I would NOT have a masectomy...still trying to wrap my head around that.  I'm in Boston and have THE BEST doctors, I'm in good hands and I have full confidence with my staff.  I feel good and am optimistic.  Yes, I do have bone/joint pain that shifts.  Losing a little hair, but I have a ton.  I've put on a few pounds, but I'll take all these SE's over the alternative...  I feel much better reading these posts, thanks for letting me chime in.  Best of luck to all!  Kat1962.

I am on same medications that you are getting. Started and found out about Stage IV in early March, last month.