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Introduction. And advice please

6cobham
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Hello

i I have heard today that following removal of my ovaries on 21/7, the histology has identified secondary breast cancer. I had breast cancer and a mastectomy in 2017. 
I have been told that the cancel unit will be told by email today of this histology. I plan to call tomorrow to see if anything known. I have been told they will likely need more scans. 
My worry is that I lost my husband suddenly last year following a tragic accident aged 60 years so my greatest concern is for my 2 daughters who need me. 

Can anyone tell me what to expect next? Are there any good news stories around where people have survived for a number of years? I desperately want to see my daughters settle down, marry etc. 

thank you. 

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    Hi cobham,

    A very warm welcome to the forum.

    I am so sorry to hear that you lost your husband last year and fully appreciate why this has heightened your concern for your daughters.

    Do you know what type and stage your cancer was initially and what treatment you had? I hope that you are recovering from your recent surgery. This latest news must have come as a tremendous shock so soon after that!

    I have had 2 bouts of cancer and 1 of pre-cancer all within 1 year. I had a lumpectomy to start with and then a double mastectomy second time around. I has previously lost my mum to secondary breast cancer after a hard fought 12 year battle with the disease and was terrified that i was facing the same fate. I had a teenage son and daughter when I was first diagnosed and was keen to see them reach adulthood and to share some of their milestones with them. Fortunately, diagnosis, treatment and after care have all made tremendous advances in the interim and our experiences were totally different. That was all 16 years ago now and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. In this time I have seen both children leave school, go to university, graduate, find gainful employment, fall in love, marry and provide me with 2 precious granddaughters - I sincerely hope that you can do the same!

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine

    thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post. I found your words really encouraging and I’ve actually copied them and sent them to my two daughters and best friend today. They certainly made me feel more positive about the next steps.

    In terms of my previous experience I was diagnosed with Lola breast cancer in May 2017 and had a mastectomy and lymph nodes removal in June 2017. The cancerous cells had gone to one of the lymph nodes, which is Cleary where this current episode must’ve started. I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy I’ll list here the information I can recall:

    ER 8 (oestrogen receptors)

    PR 7 (progesterone receptors)

    HER2 negative

    11 x 5 cm tumour

    Grade 2 

    Stage ? 3?

    lymph node (1/12)

    If you can shed any light on what I can expect now that would be really helpful. My secondary breast cancer cells have been identified in an ovary that was just removed.

    Take care and many thanks again  x

  • Offline in reply to 6cobham

    Hi 6cobham.  I am sorry to read of your diagnosis.  I had lobular breast cancer in 2013.  It was also ER and PR8 + and HER2 -.  4 cm tumor.  Grade 2 stage 3 with one lymph node affected.  I had op, chemo and radiotherapy.  In November 2024 was diagnosed with secondary lobular breast cancer with bone mets in pelvis, hips, spine, ribs and skull.  I am on targeted therapy which are ribociclib, exemastane and denosumab injections.  At my last scan my cancer was stable which is good news.  I am not sure what treatment you will be on.  I do know that although stage 4 or secondary cancer is not curable but it is treatable.  I am on the Macmillan website a forum called living with incurable cancer - patients only.  There are people on there that have been living with their cancer for years.  I have come to realise that we can still have a good life.  I walk my dogs, go to pubs, restaurants all the same as before.  I am a bit slower now but still enjoy my life.  My husband and I are going on holiday to Portugal in three weeks.  I really wish you well and I am sure that you will live to see your daughters settle down.   Please let me know how you get on.  

    Lee x

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