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Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer

Sw33tpea
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Hi all.  I just wanted to introduce myself as I was diagnosed last month with metastatic breast cancer and to share my story,

Im 42 years old, nearly 43.  I noticed I had a lump in my armpit for a while and I thought it was just swollen lymph nodes, how wrong was I.  I finally made an appt with the dr who referred to the local breast cancer screening service.

I had a mammogram followed by an ultrasound which picked up the lump then I had a biopsy.  When I got the results of the biopsy, I was told it was metastatic carcinoma but I needed to have more tests to determine if there was cancer anywhere else in my body.  I had a breast MRI, a CT scan and a PET scan.  The results of these tests showed the cancer had spread to my bones and it was found in my spine, rib cage, breastbone and pelvis.

Im waiting to start chemotherapy.  Im already taking Tamoxifen and vitamin d tablets with a view to receiving bone strengthening injections.

Im aware that my cancer cannot be cured.  I just hope I will not be in this much pain for the rest of my life. I didnt realise bones could hurt so much and sometimes, like today, the pain is debilitating, I struggle to move about.

  

Parents
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    Hello and sorry about your news.  2 years ago in March I was in your situation, I was 48 and diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer from the off.  I did not even have any symptoms, I am still here and still no symptoms.  The breast cancer was also in my bones (Hip / Femur / Rib / Spine).  Now after starting treatment (Denosumab/hormone therapy/targeted therapy) my bones look normal on the scans.  The drugs they give you today are very effective and you can live life like you normally would.  It is very common to have aches and pains and feel a bit tired when you start hormone therapy but eventually it will wear off.  The most important thing is to not give up hope, and you have to be a good advocate for yourself, push for things and don't give up the fight.

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  • Offline

    Hello and sorry about your news.  2 years ago in March I was in your situation, I was 48 and diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer from the off.  I did not even have any symptoms, I am still here and still no symptoms.  The breast cancer was also in my bones (Hip / Femur / Rib / Spine).  Now after starting treatment (Denosumab/hormone therapy/targeted therapy) my bones look normal on the scans.  The drugs they give you today are very effective and you can live life like you normally would.  It is very common to have aches and pains and feel a bit tired when you start hormone therapy but eventually it will wear off.  The most important thing is to not give up hope, and you have to be a good advocate for yourself, push for things and don't give up the fight.

Children
  • Offline in reply to Lizee

    Hi all.  Just a quick update.  I start chemotherapy on 29th January

  • Offline in reply to Sw33tpea

    Hi Sw33tpea,

    I am glad to hear that you now have a date for chemo to start and, I sincerely hope that you find treatment as effective as Lizee has. I hope that you can also look at your cancer journey as a chronic illness, rather than a death sentence, as Lindsay suggests. Keeping positive will get you through this and I sincerely hope that treatment will help to reduce your pain.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that, we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

    .

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