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Stage 4 confirmed - back on chemo next week

TwinTwo
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Hi All,

Got the confirmation today that the breast cancer has metastasised to my right hand side so definitely stage 4 now.  Will be having Herceptin and Perjeta on Tuesday then chemo (Carboplatin) on Wednesday.  After that they will be delivered together every 3 weeks.  6 Cycles of chemo but Herceptin and Perjeta look to be for as long as I live.

They had been discussing chemo being permanent but they still think I would benefit a lot from having the bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, so they will do 6 cycles, give my body a short rest and then see if I am well enough for the surgery.  Then it will likely be back on chemo but time will tell.  Oncologist is still seeking second opinions as it's still proving to be a complex case apparently.

Radiotherapy now off the cards for the foreseeable as they would be treating too large an area, I presume they want to keep radiotherapy as an option for when there is organ involvement.

Hoping not to get hit too badly with the side effects, don't think I could keep working if I get the diarrhoea, and want to keep working.

Am looking at signing up for Race for Life 10k (end of May).  Have never been a runner before, but if I can get some friends to do it with me I'll give it a go.

That's all for now, need to go cuddle my man and check he's alright.

LJxx

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    Hay you wonderful amazing lass ... I've never known anyone like you ... in a good way .... and if there's any justice you will get through ... I'm sending you a big vertual hug ... and no one can be strong all the time ... if ever you need to have a scream and a rant ... you do it ... 

    Always here ... cancer sucks big time ... Chrissie 

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Thanks Chriss, definitely going to need to scream and rant while training for the run :D  Not sure quite what madness took over me, but put it on Facebook a couple of hours ago and 5 people have volunteered to join me so mob mentality will hopefully get me through it.

    My organs are still fine and because I found a lump I caught the metastases in the early stages, so if they can give me even just 10 years then in that time immunotherapy will have advanced even further and who knows what they will be able to do then.  I do keep reminding them I have an identical twin, just in case they can use her immune system for me ;)

    Got 4 days at work now then will do the obligatory meal out the night before chemo starts.  Let's see what fun it brings me this time!

    In other news, it didn't take long (like 4 hours) before the mother-in-law said "maybe you won't be well enough to move back to your own house" with a clear 'trying to hide a smile' look on her face.  She so doesn't want us to move out :D but we want to get our house sorted and be back there, even though it's been lovely living  here.

    LJx

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    Hi TwinTwo, I have read a lot of your posts giving information and support and I am so sorry you are having to go through all this again, you are such a lovely caring lady.

    I wish you all the best in this next journey and wish you a speedy recovery, take care xx

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    Difficult to know what to say other than repeat what Chrissie wrote. I don’t know if you are on twitter but there are some amazing women behind the hashtag #busylivingwithmets - some still going strong 10 years + 

    I have no doubt you’ll get to 10yrs and beyond.

    take care x

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    Hi LJ,

    i was just thinking about you and then read your post. You are a very inspiring person and what you say is true. Treatment can keep you going for a long time in which time different treatments crop up. I am,myself, on tablets newly licensed by NICE. I think they have lots of things up their sleeve.

    sending my best wishes

  • Offline in reply to Dragonfly46

    Hey twintwo.....Well what can I say hun. You have an amazing outlook. I remember your very first post and then the start of your treatment.... I can't believe you haven't had better news hun. We are all here if you want or need to chat. Best of luck for the run...you're an inspiration x

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    Aw Twin Two

    I can't find the words. You are remarkable and I salute you. Much love, you are the bravest, most positive person I have met (virtual of course).

    ️

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    Thanks all of you,

    I'm doing grand.  Started training for the run yesterday, that went well.  Did some training tonight, broke the treadmill :D  Just as well I'd decided I feel confident to actually go out training from tomorrow.  Just wanted to use the treadmill initially as I was worried the neuropathy would kick back in and I'd end up constantly falling over if I tried to run.

    7 nutters have already signed up to join me on the run.  I was worried that going back to treatment every 3 weeks indefinitely that time really would go back to flying by in 3-week pockets, so I think having the run training to focus on will make each day count a bit more.  Hopefully after the 10k I'll be well enough to find another goal.  Anything to breakup the horrible 3-week cycle!

    Now I just need to choose some films to download for the 6hr day 1 of Herceptin since my husband insists on coming with me.  Or maybe a comedy boxset?  The hospital WIFI is alright but I don't think it will be good enough for streaming Netflix or anything like that.

    Hope you're all getting on well?

    LJxx

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    I admire your tenacity, I couldn’t run for toffee so can never see me signing up for a marathon. Don’t know much about hospital WiFi, I just took a book in with me to read when in for my op. Hope things go well for you. Take care x

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