I’ve just been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to my spine. I feel like I’m not coping and getting upset all the time. Is there anyone else that has recently been diagnosed with this ?
I'm so sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to your spine. It's understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed by this news. It's a lot to take on board.
We have a few members here who are living with different stage 4 diagnoses, and I know that they will understand just how difficult this period of adjustment can be. Hopefully some of them will post to share their experiences with you soon.
What has your care team said about treatment options to help manage this? If it would hel pto chat things through with one of our team of nurses, you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0808 800 4040.
We have some information on our website about cancer and mental health, but I also wanted to suggest that if there is an organisation such as Maggie's in your local area, you might reach out to them as well. I know that many of our forum members have found it helpful to talk with someone about their cancer diagnosis, and Maggie's offers many different face-to-face options. If there isn't one locally, then do ask your care team what services are available in your local area. You could also visit the Breast Cancer Now forum who have an area specifically for people living with secondary breast cancer.
Please keep posting here in the Cancer Chat forum, AviMcc, if it helps to have a safe space to put things down in writing, to ask questions or to simply chat with others who understand. We are here for you.
Sending my best wishes, Jenn Cancer Chat moderator
Hi AviMcc I am sorry to hear about your stage 4 diagnosis, it is so scary. I have stage 4 lobular breast cancer spread to my pelvis, spine, ribs and skull. I am on targeted therapy, Ribociclib, exemastane (as it is hormone based) and denosumab injections. I was diagnosed at the end of 2024 so is just coming up to two years and now my cancer is stable. I am happy to chat as on here most days.
Thank you so much for your reply. As it’s been 2 years please can you let me know mentally does it get easier to live with ? Do you have days you manage not to think about it ? Every morning when I wake up it’s my very first thought - my cancer.
Hi AviMcc yes mentally it does get easier as times goes by. When I first saw my oncologist, he asked me what I knew about my cancer. I said I know it is terminal, he said No it is Not terminal, it is incurable But it is treatable. He also said I have to try and be positive because our bodies follow our minds. I have tried to live each day the best that I can. This is working for me and I am determined to live a long and happy life. Yes my husband and I have had to change major plans, we were going to live overseas last year now we can't. Our NHS is a wonderful organisation and I feel that I am getting the best possible treatment for me. I promise it does get easier. I have been on holiday to Iceland and Portugal this year, holidays that I thought I would never take again. I had counselling in the beginning that Macmillan organised for me, it helped to talk to someone that I knew would not get upset and could say anything to. Do you know what treatment you are going to have? Any help I can give you, I will.
Thank you so much for your reply and explaining how you cope I very much appreciate it. It’s so good to hear how you stay positive and are enjoying life. I very much want to get back to that,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer initially in June 2023. The cancer had spread to lymph nodes so my consultant had said to me back in December 2023 there was a high risk of cancer cells still there. However for last 3 years I had every treatment finishing with Abemaciclib in October …..I managed to live a very happy life and forget his words …I was optimistic that maybe after so much treatment he was wrong. When I was diagnosed a few weeks ago on the 29th October with the bony metastasis I was just so shocked.
Anyway yes my treatment - so they have taken a blood sample on 30th October and it can take up to two weeks for the results. They are checking if there’s a ESR1 mutation if so I can go on a trial - Adela. She also mentioned another trial about to start - Rediscover-2. It’ll be good to get started on treatment hoping the side effects aren’t too bad.
In the meantime I’ve joined a group - Make 2nds Count who meet once a month so I’m going to that.
I’ll let you know how I get on and thank you again, When I’m having a moment I will think of your positivity and as you say try to have the best day I can.
