It would have been 7 years September in remission, but following months of tooing and frowing to the Dr’s I had it confirmed in June that I now have secondary breast cancer. I originally went to my GP in February and was told it was likely to be Pleurasy but after antibiotics the pain in my side did not get any better. I eventually had a chest X-Ray was was told It was a blood clot on my lung (as if that was’nt bad enough)then my GP referred me back to my Oncologist who asked me “what did I know” so I said I was there to see him about the clot then he told me it was a bit more than a clot. I was totally devestated. It appears in my liver and lung and then whilst at home one night I suffered a seizure because there was also a patch in the brain. I spend 4 days in hospital and had radiotherapy to the brain. Since that time I am now on tablet chemo which appears to be ok no nasty side-effects. I was however put on an epilepsy tablet which left me completely zombie like, I fell and hit my head and 8 weeks on still have a lump on my forehead. I had no appetite and was rapidly loosing weight so they have removed me from the tablet and I feel so much better for it. I’m part way through Course 4 of 6 but feel so unsure of my future. Whilst in hospital I was told by my Oncologist that this time it’s not curable but treatable but what does that really mean. I’m too afraid to ask if they can put a timescale on my life as I have a wonderful family and a 13 year old son. Does anybody else have the same fears as me, I’m a very positive person but do have my dark times usually in the middle of the night, I’m not ready to give up the fight yet
Hi Julie
Sorry that you have found yourself on the secondary forums. We all wish we weren’t! but there are a group of us that find this forums a godsend and are really grateful for the support and inspirations that can be found on here.
I am still a newby in terms of secondaries and I am sure that many others will come along to share their stories and encourage you.
I think that your onc telling you your cancer was incurable but treatable is a good start! It took me a while to turn from ‘dying of cancer’ to ‘living’ with cancer and believe me there is a difference. I came on here in May, feeling my time was up after a quite negative oncologist gave me a 2 year prognosis. I was overwhelmed with supportive messages and stories of people, many who will no doubt come on here shortly, telling me that they have lived for many years with a similar diagnosis. That is what I am listening to…inspirational stories. Don’t get me wrong I have my black moods, I too have a 14 year old son! and worry for his future, however I think I have accepted my prognosis now, as being unpredictable. but at the moment Femara is working for me (my last scan showed no further spread) so I am clinging to that thought, that it is treatable and until my body gives up on me completely, I am trying to hold on to that!
I wish you all the strength need to fight this s**T! A group of us meet on a thread called ‘feeling low’ to support and encourage each other, come and join us! I also recommend live chat on a Tuesday.
Take care and as I’ve said I’m sure others will come along and tell you their stories. Take care Nicola xx
Hi Julie
As Nicola says we are a supportive bunch on here - the place none of us want to be 
I don’t have knowledge of all types of secondary BC although I do suffer from bone mets. I also seek inspiration from ladies on here who have been living many years with a secondary diagnosis and there are many treatments that can be used to keep them that way. Obviously we are all different and it may be worth doing a search on here to identify with others in a similar position to yourself treatment-wise. As your oncologist has said secondary BC is not curable but it is treatable which is what keeps it at bay or even shrinks areas of mets.
I hope all your treatments work well for you and you can get on with ‘living with secondary BC’.
Nicky x