Lung mets

Living with secondary breast cancer Supporting each other and sharing experiences
1

Hi all, it’s probably 2 years since I was last here and not sure where to post this but now find myself in the secondary group, looking for a bit of support. Brief BC history - 01/17 self detected multifocal bc in R breast. Biopsies confirmed

1st one ER/PR - HER2+ and 2nd tumour ER/PR- HER2 - , grade 2 IDC + axillary mets.

3/17 pertuzumab (P), herceptin(H) and docetaxel x 6, then 3 weekly P and H. Some reduction

12/17 biopsies pre surgery show TNBC.

1/18 R MX +ANC - 5 of 15 nodes showed mets.

4/18 to 5/18 15 x radiotherapy to R chest wall + SVF

P and H continued till 9/18.

Regular 3 monthly CT scans and a bone scan throughout.

9/18 ct showed small progression in lungs, too small to biopsy.

Onc decided to try H and Capecetabine to target either or. Discontinued after a week becomes of awful side effects from Cape.

01/19 ct stable , continued ct monitoring but had almost a year treatment free. New onc confused my scans with someone else and gave me the “put your affairs in order” talk!!!

11/19 ct shows some progression in thorax,  need biopsy to determine phenotype to work out any treatment

So, just had VATS pleural biopsy at Guys and waiting histology results! 

Sorry for the long message but everyones bc is so different, that it’s hard to compare treatments and outcomes without all the info. 

Lung nodules have shown up since 1st scans but it seems there are more of them now though they’re still only small and “pleural deposits”. Managed to stay fairly positive and focused during treatment  but took a bit of a mood dive last year when I felt a bit cast adrift and new onc wasn t helpful(!!) but I’m told that’s normal after treatment ends.Just not sure what to expect next - do I need to dust off my wigs??

Obviously no longer a new grandma and another grand child on the way so much to still be grateful for but although I’m now 73, I want much  more time!!! 

Grateful for any encouragement or info to keep me going. Thanks for taking the time to trawl thru all this. Pam

2

Unfortunately, I think the only answer right now is you need to wait for those results… 

 

I’m also at the beginning of discovering what having lung mets is gong to mean for me, but one thing I have been told is that there are a LOT of options out there and not to get too bogged down in the idea of it being mets and secondary.

 

It sounds like your team is good, is it possible to request a change of main oncologist though as the one you have now doesn’t sound so good for you?

 

Other than that, I can’t help much I’m afraid, I can give virtual hugs and the promise that folks here will be there if you reach out, it could well be worth you looking at the “someone like me” section to find someone close to your situation who may be able to help you through this initial process with better empathy.

 

Good luck, and stay positive… ? 

3

You are so positive, well done.     Think Ive gone through similar to you but for 2 years (seems like a lifetime).   Suffered with breathlessness, had plueral lung drain, and then talced !!! Been ok for quite a while , but now breathing bad again,  Waiting for scan results, but dont feel very positive. Im 71 and would have loved a few more years, but am worried treatment stopped working, Im on capecitabine, with no side effects, except fatigue.   Good luck to you. Keep in touch .

.

4

Hi good to hear your story. Who is you onc at Guys ?