Newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer

Hi 
 

ive just been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in my liver and I am very frightened. 
I'm 57 and have two grown up

children and a loving husband. I've just about to have my 2nd chemo treatment

this has come as a shock as I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer straight away

  • Hello JulieD123, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. I hope you won't mind but I have slightly edited the title of your thread to include the words "with metastatic breast cancer". This will allow other members of our forum who may have had a similar diagnosis to spot your thread more easily. It must be a bit of a shock for you. I am glad you are surrounded by a loving husband whose support I am sure means a lot to you at the moment. 

    I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and that there are many lovely ladies here who will know exactly how you are feeling at the moment after your diagnosis. I hope that your chemotherapy treatment goes well and if you ever wanted to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses, you are welcome to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  •  

    Hi Julie,

    Welcome to our forum - the forum that nobody really wants to join. I am so sorry to hear about your results. It must have come as quite a shock to get a grade 4 cancer diagnosis straight away.

    This is a very frightening experience, as there are so many unknowns. It sounds like good news that you are about to have your 2nd chemo treatment, so they can still do something for you. How are you coping with the chemo and, how many sessions are you due to have? I know that chemo is no walk in the park but, I sincerely hope that this treatment will help you.

    It is good to hear that your husband and two grown up children are there for you and, I hope that they can give you the support you need through this. I am in a similar position and, have found it great to be able to speak openly to them about everything and anything. Since we all opened up about our feelings, I have found it so much easier to cope with everything. I hope that you can do this too.

    My mum had breast cancer for 12 years before she was told that it had spread to her brain, bones, lungs and liver and we sadly lost her. That was 23 years ago and, I have had two bouts of breast cancer myself in the past 11 years. There is just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care which we both experienced. Great strides have been made in the past few years, so there is still hope.

    We have a number of ladies on the site who have metatastic breast cancer and, I hope that they will come along to chat to you soon. It really does help to talk to people who know exactly what you are going through.

    Please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Dear Jolamine

    Thanks for your lovely post. I had my second chemo session today. 

    Wow family mean everything don't they and I am also very 'open' with mine. I couldn't be anything other. The emotions are raw and wretched aren't they. 

    Us dear folk must stick together mustn't we..... and encourage each other. Great strides are being made in secondary breast cancer and it is important to hold onto that hope (speaking to myself now too!) 

    Thanks again

    love Julie x

    Its important for us to stick together on this forum through thick and thin and shasre our inspirational news. 

  • Hi Lucie

    I'm a bit of a novice to this so thanks for putting my post inthe right area.

    its so good to know the support is out there for us. Thank you.

    Emotions are running high and the world seems very unfair at the moment and I'm finding myself angry and resentful - characteristics that I wouldn't identify with my usual personality but I recognise it as grief. I look forward to a day will become a little more 'normal' but I was only told just over 2 weeks ago.

    i have Her2 positive 3rd stage secondary breast cancer in my liver (4cm in size) I'm on a 3 week course of taking Hercepin, Perjeta and Docetaxel at the moment for 6 sessions, being scanned half way through and at the end. I'm also getting a second opinion on my liver treatment as I may be able to have liver ablation if my liver cancer can be reduced to 3 CM. So that's my prayer. It won't cure it but hopefully is another tool to help control it.i may need to call line when in a state  of desperation...

    thanks 

    Julie X 

  •  

    Hi Julie,

    We really are so fortunate that we have loving family members to be with us and support us throughout this. As you rightly say, family means everything and yet, there are so many brave souls here who don't have that support and, I am truly in awe of how they cope.

    Your emotions are bound to be running away with you at the moment. This is not at all unusual. Many of us fel angry, resentful, frightened of the unknown, tearful - the list goes on, but things will eventually get easier as you move forward with your treatment.

    I am also saying a prayer for you that your chemo reduces your liver mass sufficiently to allow you to have liver ablation.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Julie

    i also have mets in my liver and spine and was diagnosed with this nearly 4 years ago, having my primary diagnosis 11 years ago.

    its scary but treatable. Stage four is a scary diagnosis but I'm still here. Feel free to message me if I can help 

  • Hi gailH

     

    Thanks for your posting. I've now finished my 6 sessions of chemo. Now on Herceptin and Perjeta infusions for the rest of my life which seems quite a daunting prospect. 
    Good to hear that you're still here and doing well. 
    Am trying hard not to overthink things

     

    xx