Hi guys
Maybe I shouldnt be posting but I’m terrified. I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over 3 weeks ago. They told me there was nothing to suggest it had spread and after the initial ‘oh sh*t’ feeling I was quite positive and always have an ‘it is what it is’ attitude.
At the results appt I mentioned my right arm was hurting so the nurse said she would put me in for a PET scan just to be safe (I would not have got this had I not mentioned my arm).
Went for the results on Tuesday and they have told me there is ‘something’ showing on my liver - COMPLETE SHOCK.
I now have to wait nearly 3 weeks for an ultrasound to confirm but in my heart of heart I know it is.
I’m trying to stay positive but everything you read basically says its a death sentence and I’m totally sh*tting myself.
Hoping some of you can help me in ways to cope
xx
Hi there,
understandable you are scared. When I was diagnosed in 1999 with BC they found something on my liver, a mass they told me. Well after freaking out big time it actually turned out to be a cyst which they drained and it went away ( it didn’t hurt).
My cancer did return 16 years later but am still doing ok. You will find lots of ladies on here who have liver metastases and we are all coping. There are lots of treatments and hope.
I know it’s hard not to worry but have a read around these boards and you should find some reassurance.
sending a hug
xxx
Hi Mel
I was in yours shoes in March and the first thing I did was google - so Don’t. The information is misleading and frightening. Here you will get support and the truth. Ask to go on the Tuesday chat, which is great as you can chat with others in the same boat.
like yourself I have it in my liver and I thought it was a death sentence but it isn’t the liver is an amazing organ and can still function very well with the cancer.
My first scan in June (started palbociclib and letrozole in March) showed considerable shrinkage intact they had trouble finding it so there is hope.
take care and please ask if you need any help or reassurance
Cathy
Hi
Im in similar position, but my liver mets have been picked up on my CT scan, first after diagnosis of bone mets in hip and and only 5 weeks after starting Palbociclib. I had no idea pain in right arm/shoulder could indicate this!!! I too am very very scared, im getting a further scan on 3rd August, having given Palbociclib 3 full cycles to have hopefully shown some stability, however im doubting this as I don’t feel so good now (however praying this is my extreme anxiety!)
I really hope things work out for you and you are spared this diagnosis.
hugs xx
Hi Mel,
So sorry to hear you find yourself here and then the additional diagnosis of “there’s something in your liver”. Its incredibly frightening and I’ve been through a similar experience so sending lots of hugs xxx
You’ll find lots of positive posts, stories and chat here. Lots of people live with mets to the liver for a very long time as the right treatment can keep it under control. As someone else has already said, the liver is an amazing organ - it regenerates itself so it can cope better with mets than other organs.
I was diagnosed with secondaries in January 2020 and they thought there was something on my liver but I get a lot of cysts so they decided first it was that…then three months after being on Palbociclib they found some new lesions on my liver and decided it was definitely mets alongside some cysts. It was all looking like doom and gloom at that point and I didn’t think I was going to live through the next 12 months!
I was switched to Capecitabine in May 2020 and since then, all my mets in my liver and bones have completely shrunk. My liver has mostly cleared up aside from one pesky met apparently. I’ve been stable ever since then.
Like you, I was petrified of dying and panicking about what was happening to me. I sort of had an epiphany when I switched to Capecitbine. I decided to fully embrace the “it is what it is” mentality that you also have. I found once I let go and decided to just accept things and get on with life, everything felt a lot better.
I managed to go back to work full time (working from home) and I manage short walks on a daily basis. I feel so fit and healthy compared to how I did when they first diagnosed me - its kind of incredible really. I still have days where I get side effects and I feel knackered or upset or afraid…but I have more good days than bad.
We’re all capable of adapting and finding out what makes us keep going every day and you will too. Once you find that for yourself and you’re on a settled treatment plan, you’ll find ways of coping and living with this big uncertainty - so be kind to yourself, ask for all the support and help you need and drill your medical team with all your questions to get the info you need that will help you to cope! xxx
Hi,
I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in my bones in March 2020. In the last month I have been told it has spread to my liver. My oncology team still think there are things that can be done. I’m still pretty fit and healthy, still working full time. Don’t give up if it comes back to say it’s in your liver. There’s still options for you. Good luck with your results x
Fiona