Hi Clare
i was given the choice between chemo or hormonals, both work in the same way but chemo is more aggressive! I also had a local recurrence and I wanted that to shrink/disappear as soon as possible so I chose the chemo route. Having said that the chemo I was on, FEC, has left me with long term heart problems which I wasn’t aware could happen so may have gone the other route given that info. After chemo I was on hormonals, Arimidex, for 4 years and stable for all of those until a CT scan showed progression back in Feb of this year. many ladies are on hormonals right from the start of a secondary dx and they are very effective and, like Mel, I’m sure you will be assessed along the way so treatment may change if its not effective.
Nicky x
I am pretty positive most of the time. I would say this my biggest problem is sleeping. I was a shift worker (now retired) so sleeping has never been straightforward for me. Had a bilateral Mx last week so am taking tablets to help but have promised myself that I will stop using them when the dressings are removed. I am only having hormones and it did worry me initially, but I am much happier new since my first blood tumour test result was so encouraging.
Hi Ladies
I would like to say I agree in that it takes a while to get use to, I am one year on and still getting use to it, maybe as the pain in my leg back in 2011 whch I and GP thought was a trapped nerve has almost gone. WoW that was a shock, funny I don’t know why I didn’t realise until this website that you can get SECONDARIES anywhere in the body.
So yes, a shock that it was BC. Dx Jan 2012 and put on Letrozole and then six months of Zometa. All was fine pain gradually going THEN went to Spain to have a rest with my Spanish friends for a month and felt so positive and on returning was planning on going back to work, THEN in Oct 2012 check up showed that a spot on the liver looked like it had increased in size, not 100% sure so best “put you on Paclitaxel chemo”. How disappointed was I. That said, it is now April and chemo finished in Feb 2013 and now recently started Arimidex as they said Letrozole did not work for me hence spot size increase so recently started Arimidex and (Zometa in tablet form)= Ibandronic Acid daily. I can’t believe how far I have come. I have arthritis which was fab whilst on chemo but now the RA people are sorting me out so hopefully by July when back in Spain I can enjoy that intense heat, though as a WOMAN OF COLOUR, will not be visiting the beach with my friends or we will have to get a BIG UMBRELLA as told to keep out of the sun for a while. I now understand the full meaning of ROLLERCOASTER… I am so glad that for the 8 years after primary I did not sit at home and moped about… ladies, I hope you all have plans for summer and get to do the “stuff” you want to do.
Now where is that DIET PLAN?
Salsa Babe - you cannot swear on this forum - D I E T indeed!! What’s that?!
Just to add my two pennorth - I was dx with bone mets in Aug 11 - my original dx was Mar 09 and there was a concern over my sarcrum area then but it was put down as age related degeneration - given that is the ‘bottom’ not to put too fine apoin ton it of my string of multiple spine mets I think it was probably there then. Hormones didn’t do me - I went thru them quite quickly - and started Cap chemo in Sep 12. Been on it since with no progression.
Yes its scary. After my sec dx I was scared to even think about Xmas 11 - I wouldn’t be there. As times progressed I can think and do plan ahead. Have holiday booked for Xmas 13 already, and look forward to OH 60th in 2 years time - I’m going to be here!
Live each day as it comes, enjoy the little things and ignore the negatives - like Nicky I’ve found out who my real friends are!!
Nina
Thank you ladies for yet more encouraging comments. bone scan done so just waiting on results. Should be 10 days. Councelling may be a good way forward. My doctor has suggested it and it means I can vent my fears and anger at others as sometimes feel I can’t burden family and friends. They are so supportive but it’s hard on them too. My mum has also been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last fortnight ( I know. You really couldn’t have any more bad news)!!! And so trying to be strong for her too .
Missed the live chat last night so will aim for next week. Good luck to everyone this week with whatever you doing
Thank you ladies for yet more encouraging comments. bone scan done so just waiting on results. Should be 10 days. Councelling may be a good way forward. My doctor has suggested it and it means I can vent my fears and anger at others as sometimes feel I can’t burden family and friends. They are so supportive but it’s hard on them too. My mum has also been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last fortnight ( I know. You really couldn’t have any more bad news)!!! And so trying to be strong for her too .
Missed the live chat last night so will aim for next week. Good luck to everyone this week with whatever you doing
Not sure why the post appeared twice. Sorry
Evening ladies. Thought I would come on the sight as feeling a little down tonight and having felt more positive , struggling again. it is so good to hear all your comments and I really appreciate the positivity. Just keep thinking I am dying here !? Anyone else think this on occasions?! I am also experiencing anger and this is so not like me. Kaz. I know you said this and I suppose its to be expected but I feel that I don’t want to do anything !
Can anyone else relate to this please ? I am on day 3 of the tablets now so at least my treatment started. Sorry to burden you on here with my ‘down’ day. I really do try to keep positive But fail ! The children are definately a good distraction which I know is good.
thank you everyone. Clare x
Evening Clare! I can definitely relate to what you’re feeling and saying. For me, there is more of a sense of bereavement than anger: 7 months ago I didn’t have a care in the world, felt well, ran our family business, looked after the family, cooked, shopped, went out alone in the car…All that went overnight with the diagnosis 4 months ago. I have to come to terms with it and some days are better than others.
What is so positive is that we’re on treatment now, monitored and cared for. Among friends on this forum who understand. Better days will come, of that I am sure. Keep popping those pils and posting on the Forum. And let’s learn how to seize the moment, especially with our children.
Susan xxx
Great words Susan ! Yes our children are our hope ! It’s just all the uncertainty as well. You saying its like a bereavement is so right. I hadn’t really thought of it like that but so so true. Off to bed shortly. Been a long day. Sleep well all
I agree with ponsmuir, the kids are certainly helping. Good days and bad days. Sometimes I forget others I can’t.
I have to admit that my darkest thoughts are when I am in bed, before getting to sleep.
At the moment I worry that my health could detoriate during the next two months And it would affect the future of my kids. The oldest one is finishing uni and is well on her way to get a first. I don’t want to ruin that. The second is finishing school and wants to go to a top uni, so I don’t want to ruin this either. She told me that if she is going to get £50000 in debt from uni, she wants it to be from a very good uni. I get her point, but gosh, she is putting pressure on herself.
So I am glad I don’t have any scans planned.
Seizing the moment, enjoying every laugh with them, planning to go to the BBC proms. Carpe Diem my friends.
Hi
at both of my secondary diagnoses, the first one 5 years ago and the second one 2 months ago I have felt an overwhelming sadness about my situation, my family, what I’ll miss etc. However once I saw that my treatment was working and therefore I was actually beating the BC and turning the clock back on the condition of my mets (if this makes sense!) I did feel stronger. I am currently still in this sad phase with my current dx of spread to my liver but hope that my scans due next week will show improvement. I think that will give me confidence and start ‘living’ more again, at the moment I’m in a state of limbo not knowing if I have to change treatment etc. I agree bedtime is the time for worrying 
I would like to add though that I did feel so much better 5 years ago once I could see the results of scans etc and really did get back to ‘normal’ with added appreciation of how precious life is so I got on and enjoyed it to the full 
Nicky x
ps, just edited this to say my youngest daughter was starting A levels 5 years ago and has now gone on to complete her degree. We went to her graduation earlier this year, something I didn’t think I’d ever see all those years ago!
Thanks Nicky for your kind words and words of hope. For me the children are the one thing that are getting me up and going each day , but on the other hand it’s them that make me feel so desperately sad having the bc. I cannot imagine not seeing them grow up and yet I think about it constantly at the moment.
I keep looking at statistics and prognosis for secondaries which sometimes give me hope and other times make everything even worse. I am having good days though and am now allowed to drive which is better as this gives me back some sense of normality. Ponsmuir I’m with you as well about night time. Time to think and feel so overwhelmed.
its the weekend now and I am determined to enjoy it. I wish you all a great one too whatever you are up to and good luck with results next week. Lots of love to all
clare x
Baggie dog and other ladies. yes, I also went through grief and sadness and now have days of real happiness. I appreciate good moments with OH and with friends and in my garden, And they feel more intense and more appreciated than before. We didn’t allow the dx to stop the plan of getting a puppy and a kitten and they make me smile every day. I now write a quick note in an online diary every day just capturing what made me happy or a poem or a saying that made me think and also with a photo, whether it’s blossom or kids or a cake. have a lovely weekend - I am off on a day’s photography course at a wildlife centre. Should be fun! Bean bob Xx
Hi all
I was diagnosed with bone mets in May 2012. What a shock to be told you have secondary cancer and they didn’t know where the primary was. Thought I needed a new hip as the pain was there. However 12 months down the line, I had radiotherapy last June followed by chemo, followed by more radiotherapy in February on my spine. I have been stable since beginning of September and have now started to lead a “normal” life. Go for my next scan at beginning of June with results at the end of June. Has anyone had problems getting travel insurance to Europe, cheapest I can get at the moment is £1717!!!
Travel insurance - try Eurotunnel - no medical questionaire - all thats required is a note in your hospital notes to say fit to travel a week before you do - I was quoted 12K for 2 weeks in mexico at Xmas then founds IO could get an annual worldwide inc US policy for 2 for £112!
HiHIV luv I’ve must also been diagnosed with breast cancer which has spread to the bone also her2 positive, I’ve had all the test and scans plus MRI scan on Monday going to see the oncologist for the first time on Tuesday, I’ve been really worried but reading all the comments on here it’s given me some home , as everyone seems so positive.