From breast to bone

cnorthart
cnorthart Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi....I just found out that my breast cancer has spread to my bone, the tamoxifan isn't working. The doctor said that I will be switched to another daily drug and have something intervenous once a month (I'll know the names soon). He said no chemo or radiation because he wants to maintain my quality of life. Does this mean I don't have a chance anymore? I was afraid to ask him, I don't know why. Please someone give me some hope, I've always had such a positive attitude.
Thank you, Carol

Comments

  • cinder
    cinder Member Posts: 50
    #2
    Carol,
    I'm so sorry to hear what you are going thru. My breast cancer came back(after almost 10 yrs, 5 of which I was on Tamoxifen) in the same breast and spread into the Plurel Cavity. Mine did not go into the bone but I have a friend whose did. Hers went into the bone, liver, and lung, with meds she is doing real good and getting good reports. Do as the drs say and we'll all do alot of praying for you. Keep your positive attitute, that means so much.
    Prayers,
    Cindy
  • jake10
    jake10 Member Posts: 202
    #3
    There is always hope. I have a problem with the physician making the decision not to go Chemo and/or radiation route. The choices and information about those choices should be given to you so you can make an informed decision. The DR can and should make a recommendation even send you to another phyusician if he does not agree with your decision. But to dismiss options out of hand by only his judgement?????? Anyone else have problems with that? You are in my prayers and thoughts. Get busy, You have a lot to do. Beth
  • rizzo15
    rizzo15 Member Posts: 153 Member
    #4
    jake10 said:

    There is always hope. I have a problem with the physician making the decision not to go Chemo and/or radiation route. The choices and information about those choices should be given to you so you can make an informed decision. The DR can and should make a recommendation even send you to another phyusician if he does not agree with your decision. But to dismiss options out of hand by only his judgement?????? Anyone else have problems with that? You are in my prayers and thoughts. Get busy, You have a lot to do. Beth

    It does seem weird that the doctor didn't seem to say more about why he chose the options he did as well as the reasons why he decided against other options. Maybe Carol appeared too stunned at her recent assessment of cancer metastisizing to the bone for the doctor to go into much detail. The doctors I see seem to give me the big picture but generally give more comprehensive answers when I ask more comprehensive questions. Did that make sense? Some patients aren't ready to ask things at the beginning because they kinda want to mentally prepare themselves for the possible outcomes first. I also agree with jake10. There is ALWAYS hope. There is so much that the doctors can never predict. When I lost my sense of taste almost entirely for almost 3 months, the oncologists and the ear/nose/throat doctors had no idea why it happened. They claimed that the specific chemo I was on should never cause this reaction. Now my sense of taste has returned. And they also have no idea why that happened either. The doctors are not Gods. Carol, you have plenty of good days ahead of you.
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #5
    Cablevision's Health Network had two documentaries on women with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, all living normal lives. It was reassuring to hear them express all of the same thoughts and fears we have shared on the message board with one another. When you speak with the doctor about the names of the medications and get more information on the plan of care, it may clarify things. Many physicians are actually relieved when a patient seeks a second opinion because it takes the full load of responsibility and decision making and spreads it around to one more pair of shoulders. Don't hesitate to suggest that if you want to do so. The day that my surgical options were presented to me, the breast specialist/oncology surgeon bluntly stated that if the bone scan or CT scan showed any evidence of metastasis, there would be no surgery. I thought "that's what you think" and devised sequence that included a Plan B surgeon and a Plan C surgeon if necessary. Since I am the one who has to live with the consequences, I shall be the one to make the decisions. Period. To answer your question, though, it does NOT mean you don't have a chance anymore. It is okay and perfectly normal to be scared, but find the strength or ask for the help you need to identify your next set of options. Love, Denise

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