Hi, I've not got the same cancer but it's stage 4. I have inflammatory breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, both lungs and liver. 

I've been refused surgery as it's spread out of the breast. I've had 7 cycles of chemo. My last one is next month and then I'll continue on the target drugs until end of life. 

I was told that I had upto 12 months left if I declined treatment and upto 2 years with. However my last scan showed that the treatment is working. The 11cm by 9cm breast tumour had completely gone ( quite often there's no tumour with this type of cancer). The lymph nodes were clear as were the lungs and 2 out of 3 tumours on the liver had gone and the remaining one had shrunk significantly. I've had a couple more treatments since and am expecting to be cancer free next month when I have a scan.

When I was told that I was stage 4 I told my oncologist that I was too young to die (51) and that I intended to meet and get to know my grandbabies. 

I saw him earlier in the week and he was amazed by how well I've responded to the treatment. I have a positive attitude most of the time and I'm determined to live as long as possible. Like yours my cancer is extremely aggressive. However I don't think that any professional actually knows how long any of us have and they just work from statistics which are often year's old. 

Anyway take care of yourself and most of all be kind to yourself.

Barb

I'm stage 4, and I'm 54, I've read so many times you cant cure stage 4 only treat it, so is this not true, and people can be cancer free,  so even though they said  you have 2 years to live, are you expected to get rid of cancer 100%

Hi, you're right yes I have incurable cancer. My cancer has spread throughout my body through my blood/lymphatic system but hopefully there won't be any live cells active once I complete chemo. That's what I mean by cancer free. 

However there will be dormant cells lying around which could spring to life and resume growing at any time. There are several ladies on this forum who have stage 4 breast cancer and survived 10 years or more. 

The truth is nobody knows how long we'll live so I've decided to live well and not become a statistic. Stage 4 isn't an immediate death sentence anymore and I'm hoping that a few years from now with all the research that there'll be a cure for cancer. 

Barb

Hi Barb, 

Though My mum has endometrial cancer stage 4,the reason I'm writing on this post because I'm felt extremely positive when I read how you have fought cancer so strongly. Since mum was diagnosed early lockdown I was worried that there is less hope; she finished her 6cycle of chemo and waiting for scan results at the moment. My whole family went through this covid situation and she just turned 60 this year. My heart aches when I see her face. Sorry I'm writing this as I get emotional every day but reading your post today has lifted me with better hope. Best wishes to you Barb.

Sami

Hi Sami,

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad that I've been able to inspire and help you during such a difficult time.

I'm sorry to hear that your mum has stage 4 cancer. Hopefully your mum will get good results from her scan. 

Barb

This has given me fresh hope. I was disagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer which had spread to my liver last august. I'm 36 and have 4 amazing kids with another due in April. I began chemo straight away and have managed to reduce the main tumour in link to just 2cm from 6cm and the liver is down to 1.7cm. The oncologist was amazed at the end of the six months and I'm now on an additional 3 months chemo as it's still working. 
 

thank you for story and good luck to everyone going through this hell