I have posted this on behalf of new user Maureen:-
Hi I just found this website and thought I would reach out. I was diagnosed in 2000 with stage 2b breast cancer, I had a double mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I was cancer free for 7 years, in 2007 it moved to my left lung. I had to have fluid removal and a plurodesis, which basically is a cauking of the site in my lung. So again went thru chemo for 9 months, everything reduced in size, no activity until this last march of 2010. Another recurrence and 10 more months of chemo. It is now end of june after 3 months free of chemo, always on Herceptin, they found more disease in my left lung again. I started chemo on friday and will continue for 3 months until another scan is in order.
OMG< I am so angry and tired and afraid. I try not to be or say anything, I am already so tired after the first treatment and that makes me so scared. I have been able to always tolerate the chemo, I have to keep being able to do so. I have a son whom is 23 and I want to be around for his future. I need support and help. Also financially i am in ruins, is there anyone else out there Like me. Maureen
Maureen - so sorry you are still going through disease progressing at times and more chemo. So hard to have to start again with chemo… my experience is of must 15 months of secondaries in my liver and bones but I already understand, for me, the ups and down, huge hopes, huges downers having had one chemo partially effective, hormone therapy not good but arthritic type SEs that really limited my activities, Taxotere that did not work but felt like my body was fighting it in loads of way - and now on Capecitabine chemo tablets and last report was of stability (so hoping scan on Monday is still positive). My experience is that once I start the treatment I feel better - am glad that it’s available - and try to keep positive about it being effective for me and keep busy managing SEs. What chemo are you going to have - there might be others who can help support you with SEs. There’s also a newish “lung secondaries” thread that has helped me.
I know it’s hard worrying about the future - even of older children - my son is 19 and I pray to be at his graduation, marriage (not girlfriend yet though!) and see his family life emerge over many years and hope the medical professions continues to allow this with the emergence of more and better treatments
Cyber hugs to you - do keep in touch - am hoping this chemo does not have too many SEs and really suits you
x
When I was first diagnosed with secondary breast cancer I was very frightened and scare of death.But since I’v been watching Ghost Hunters I’m certain there is an afterlife and now I feel better about it. I thought I’d only last 6 months and I told work I was giving up but now I know other people who have lasted 10 years and I’m now looking forward to going back to work as I love my job. I finished FEC chemo 5 weeks ago and had a soft tissue ct scan last week.I get the results next week from my oncologist.