I have just been diagnosed yesterday with 2 tiny mets in my liver. I feel desperate. The treatment plan is to change from Tamoxifen to Letrozole along with Zoladex. I feel so lost. This is now my 3rd diagnosis. No-one used the word terminal with me yesterday. Chronic was a word that was overused. And if one more person calls it my ‘cancer journey’ I think I may want to punch them.
I had first 9 years ago in left breast and was free from it. Met the man of my dreams, got married - life was so happy. Then BOOM two years ago an new cancer in my right breast. And that was whilst having yearly check ups. It was in all quadrants of my breast as well as 34/34 nodes. That left me in no doubt it would come again and here we are two years on from horrid chemo, radiotherapy that floored me and more Tamoxifen. I still have no idea why they prescribed that when it clearly did not work to stop the second cancer coming. I am looking at my life and want to scream WHY ME… ? There is no answer to that huh.
The stories on here are encouraging to read that there are people living with secondaries for long periods of time. May I too be one of you. And avoid nasty bus accidents too!
Love and miracles for everyone on here. Cx
As Kaz tragically passed away a few weeks ago, I wonder if it would be appropriate to take this thread down, as it seems her question has been answered in the saddest way imaginable.
Hi C, I do know how you are feeling at the moment, quite desperate as I was when diagnosed with mets in my lung 2 years ago. I too had chemo, rads then tamoxifen, I have been on letrozole for the past 2 years which is keeping me stable, I feel well and my Professor is confident I can go on for many years. It is such a blow when you first hear the news but believe me you do eventually get used to it and start to get on with life the best you can. I know we are all different but I hope this gives you some hope and inspiration. I am sure it will lift you when you read the stories of all the ladies on here living with secondaries.
Thinking of you
love Marina x
Lemongrove - totally agree with you can we take this thread down please, its so upsetting, I had only just made friends with Kaz and was so shocked by her passing.
Totally agree with Lemongrove. It breaks my heart to see Kaz’s original posting. I have met Kaz personally on a few occasions and I’m absolutely sure that she would not have wanted this thread to be upsetting to other people with secondary diagnosis. Sadly treatments didn’t work for her, but they do work for many others, and that’s the message she wanted to give to all of us.
Yes, Lemongrove - agree completely. I’ve sent a message to the moderators to look into this for us
RIP Kaz
x
Thank you for your comments on this thread, I have split the topic leaving Kaz’s original thread intact although also allowing C to gain support from here where she has posted for help.
Kind regards
Lucy
Dear C,
What an awful time you’ve had, hardly recovered from treatment and then a diagnosis of secondaries. No wonder you’re in a state of shock.
I was diagnosed with a new primary and a secondary in a distant lymph node in 2002, 12 years after my first diagnosis in 1990. The secondary was the size of a walnut and very aggressive apparently. In 2002, I had surgery, the dreaded FEC and started on letrozole.
My daughter was only 5yr at the time of my original diagnosis and 17yr when I got the secondary. I never thought I would see her grow up, let alone go to university. She is now 26, with a first class honours and works for the BBC.
Letrozole has proved to be an extremely effective drug for me. Here I am 9 years on and still in remission. According to the consultant I will need to stay on letrozole indefinitely.
So believe me, there is hope.
Take care.
Wendy