I was diagnosed with ER+ breast cancer in November 2006 - a lumpectomy followed, 8 cycles of FEC-T and a month of radiotherapy and then Tamoxifen. I had 3 monthly CA15-3 bloodtests (via my GP) which not many patients seem to be told about - it shows a BC cancer count and can indicate spread when the cc rises above 30. My count rose from 18 to 40 during one three-month period and it was found that the cancer had spread to my liver. The mets was found to be HER2 which is quite unusual I believe and I have been on constant chemotherapy since secondary diagnosis in June 2012 and have had several procedures - a liver resection and two procedures of Nanoknife to liver tumours. Mets were found in my brain in Jan 2015 and I had Cyberknife radiotherapy treatment which has stabilised the brain at this present time. Sadly the liver tumours continue to grow and further spread has been found in my shoulder and several abdominal lymph nodes. My health has deteriorated during 2015 but I still mostly have a good quality of life and cope with the treatments pretty well with the support of a good GP providing good pain relief etc. I am under no illusions that I am living on borrowed time - I was told that my prognosis was 4-6months in 2012 and am still here - I try not to dwell on it too much but feel very sad that I have to leave my lovely family long before I would have expected.
