anyone else stage IV

I'm stage IV
I was diagnosed in July this year. Click on my name, and it will take you to my blog. Since my dx is so much newer than yours, I probably don't have much to offer in the way of advice. Just want to say how sorry I am you are going through this. Hugs. Gracie

Hi JM
I'm new to this too, I'm stage IIIC, (just under 4). I was diagnosed 8-18-09, so only had two treatments, however, there are many wonderful women on here, just hang on, someone will reply.
Welcome aboard!!
Keeping the Faith,
Kari

stage 4 also
yes, i am stage 4 also and just finished xeloda and ixempra treatments. Keep your skin especially your hands very moisturized, i had a horrible time with the skin on my hands cracking and splitting. It also turned the skin on my hands dark. I wasn't nauseated at all on the xeloda. if there is anything you would like to ask e mail me at surfinbyrd2@bellsouth.net i have been on chemo since 2005 and have been on several different types. Lisa

JmG86 said:

Thank you for answering - I
Thank you for answering - I heard about the hands, were your feet affected too? And did you get mouth sores at all?

xeloda effects
yes my feet stay tingly but i keep lotion on them everyday and they have not split or anything like that. I lost my taste but am told it will come back. everything kinda taste like cardboard so i just add hot sauce.I have not had any mouth soreness at all. Hope this helps some....Lisa

roseann4 said:

Have 2 friends who are stage 4!
I am stage 1 but have 2 friends who are stage 4. One has been stable for 7 years so far. She is estrogen and HER2 positive. Her secret is doing volunteer work, yoga, and going to her support group every other week. My other friend has just moved to stage 4 and is still struggling with the diagnosis. She has started chemo this week and is doing as well as can be expected. We all are in a support group with Dr. Bernie Seigel. He wrote, "Love, Medicine and Miracles" as well as several other books. He has a support program called ECaP which is national so there may be one in your area. Sorry, but I don't know much about treatment for stage 4 except that more and more women are living longer and longer. Where's the cure!!!

Great to hear you are doing so well.

Roseann

My mom was dx stage 4 nine
My mom was dx stage 4 nine years ago and was estrogen and progestine positive as well.

Please know that it is not a death sentence. My mom's attitude has been one of the most important things in her fight along with prayer, and a good support system.

This site is a great support system! You will find some awesome women are here. You are so not alone in the fight.

She is taking Xeloda right now and the creams are important. Both her hands and feet have been extremely dry. Her feet have turned dark, but not her hands. Mouth sores haven't been a problem. She's experienced some nausea and swelling in her hands and feet, but we're not sure if it is caused by the Xeloda or something else.

Don't give up!
dh

JmG86 said:

Funny that you say "you are
Funny that you say "you are not so alone in the fight". I know I am not alone (look at all the amazing people on this site!)...but sometimes I do feel very alone in my situation. I don't feel I can talk to my friends and family, because I think it makes them uncomfortable to talk about it. So I rarely talk about it. And I rarely say anything negative, even if I'm having a bad day - I don't want people to think I'm complaining. I'm normally a positive person, and things can always be worse, so I figure what right do I have to complain, and who wants to hear it anyway, right? So I am truly happy to have found this site, and see and hear other peoples stories!

Jm,
You have every right to
Jm,

You have every right to complain, to lament, to scream, to cry. It's not fair, this whole cancer thing is not fair. And it's OK to lament and get it out of your system. There was a thread posted yesterday (I think?) about someone who wrote out their frustrations on plates and then threw them on the floor, smashing them. And there's healing in that. Get it out!

Contact your local American Cancer Society to see if they can hook you up with a support group. For me, it's important to have at least one person in my life that I can be completely honest with ... my fears, my tears.

Truly you have sisters on this site and you are not alone!

Hugs,
dh

JmG86 said:

Funny that you say "you are
Funny that you say "you are not so alone in the fight". I know I am not alone (look at all the amazing people on this site!)...but sometimes I do feel very alone in my situation. I don't feel I can talk to my friends and family, because I think it makes them uncomfortable to talk about it. So I rarely talk about it. And I rarely say anything negative, even if I'm having a bad day - I don't want people to think I'm complaining. I'm normally a positive person, and things can always be worse, so I figure what right do I have to complain, and who wants to hear it anyway, right? So I am truly happy to have found this site, and see and hear other peoples stories!

Family has a tough time with living in the present.
One of my friends (Stage IV) was visiting her family in England. They were eating strawberries and she said, "These strawberries are to die for!" She heard a gasp and everyone looked down. Those of us with BC, no matter what the stage have a different relationship with death. During the weeks of waiting, most of us did not know whether we were stage 1, 2, or 3. We will never look at life and death the same way again. Those who are currently "healthy" may be reacting to their own mortality which they have not yet had to face. I love the saying, "Enjoy today, life is shorter than you think." Another author once said, "It is only by accepting our death that we can truly experience life." I can't remember who wrote it but I have never forgotten it and think of it often.

I think we need to keep our sense of humor and focus on today as that is all any of us has for certain.

I'm so glad you are doing well.

Roseann