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Living with Stage 4 Breast Cancer.

mare
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Hi there. I am wondering if there's anyone out there who, like me, is living with Stage 4 breast cancer?

It would be good to be in contact with other people who are living with this disease.

In July 2011 I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma which was already widespread throughout both lungs and liver.

I would be interested to talk to anyone else who finds themselves in a similar position and who, despite the difficult prognosis, is determined to keep as fit as possible, access all medical treatment and eat well.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Mary

  • Offline in reply to lulabelle39

    Hi Lucy, I was just wondering how you are getting on. I am in a similar position and think I have also seen a few posts of yours on an American site. I also have skin mets which are triple negative. I am have just finished my first round of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel. I have not noticed any difference yet but am thinking it is probably too early. I just wondered if you found anything to soothe skin mets. I have searched everywhere but the only thing I can find to help is ice packs which help only until they defrost. I really hope you are doing well. Louise Xx

  • Offline in reply to sunny-day

    Hi Louise,

    so far so good in my world, I've had seven months of treatment I couldn't have immuno last time due to my liver function. Immuno had played havoc in my body what I thought were skin mets are eczema mine is a thickening of the skin and I have no pain now thank god!! They think they might be able to operate now as it's shrunk so much! Which is a fantastic outcome if I can have it done just waiting on a breast MRI result. 
    I found the pain lessened after a round or two of treatment and I stopped wearing a bra and only natural fibres which helped. I used francinsene oil with coconut oil I feel this helped but test it first as essential oils can irritate some skins. Also I didn't rub or touch the area too much as it seemed to inflame it. People get different reactions from treatment and at different speeds so don't worry. It's all very individual as we all have different dna, bodies and cancer even if we share a label it took me a while to get my head around that.
    It's very easy to get caught up in thinking others are doing better or that treatment won't work as it didn't for a different person. I have stopped reading and researching as I want to avoid cancerland until I have to be at the hospital for treatment 

    I hope things go really well for you lucy xx

  • Offline in reply to lulabelle39

    Hi Lucy, thank you so much for your reply. That is so helpful. I am so pleased you are doing so well. That is great news. Totally understand as well you wanting to do less research etc. Most of the time I am the same. Really hope you get your operation and that is goes well. Louise x

  • Offline in reply to sunny-day

    Hi Mare,

    I just wanted to quickly say thank you for taking the time to post on here and sharing your experiences. Although not everyone will be fortunate enough to live for a long time or go into remission, hope is a good thing and your story gives us all a bit of that.

  • Offline in reply to alexanderlondon

    Hi alexanderlondon,

    I hope you are well and keeping safe from all this Covid.

    I totally agree with you that hope is a good thing for us. I would even go so far as to say that I find it essential in order for me to keep going and maintain some sort of sanity!

    Thank you so much for your lovely words. They mean a lot to me.

    I was told my disease will never be in "remission", but merely "stable". And if "stable" is all I can hope for then I shall hope to remain that way for as long as possible. I try to help myself too, in as much as I look after myself as best I can, and eat as well as I can, as well as exercising if I am feeling well enough.

    With new treatments, and with people surviving longer with metastases, I like to think that hope is something we can all have.

    Please feel free to message me anytime, I am guilty of not checking on here as often as I could, but I will always reply eventually :)

    Best wishes to you,

    Mare

    x

     

  • Offline in reply to mare

    Thanks for your reply, Mare, and I hope you remain 'stable' until you're old and creaky. It's been a hard day for my sister and the family (she's stage 4 ER+) as we've just found a new spot on her hip but reading your posts gives me a little wink of hope at least. Best x

  • Offline in reply to rejy22

    Hi. I have just been diagnosed with stage 4 with curative intent. There's a study which shows the prognosis is similar to stage 3c however its dependent on allot of things. I'm trying to remain positive but petrified. Just wondered how you're getting on? Thanks. Sara

  • Offline in reply to Esposito1979

    Hi Sara! 
     

    i've sent you a friend request then i can message you privately :)

     

    Rhianne x

  • Offline in reply to mare

    Hi Mare,

     

    I have sent you a friend request as would love to chat to you if you don't mind?

     

    thanks,

     

    Faye

  • Offline in reply to fayeg

    Of course, I'll have a look now :)

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