Hi, I am 44 & was diagnosed with breast cancer on 19 Dec 2012. Following MRI & CT scans, I was then told on 2 Jan 2013 that the breast cancer had spread to my bones. This was not a good start to 2013! I have a fantastic husband, family & set of friends who have been so supportive this last month; without them I would be lost. I think I have experienced every emotion going recently but I am trying to stay positive 
. Have started on hormone therapy - tamoxifen & goserelin, plus denosumab for the bones - side effects are starting to kick in now.
I would love to hear from anyone, especially with secondary cancer, particularly in the bones, & how you are coping with it. I don’t really know what to think about it all most days; it feels like there is a little black cloud sat above me all the time.
Good luck to everyone else on this horrible journey - we need it!
Hi helen44 sorry about your recent diagnosis. There are many lovely ladies on here with bone mets and a really good thread which offers lots of support. Heres the link to the thread.
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/comment/2078452#comment-2078452
Best wishes Melxx
Hi Helen and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the valuable support and shared experiences you have here please feel free to call our helpliners, they are on hand 9-5 during the week and 10-2 Saturdays on 0808 800 6000. They are here to offer you support and can talk to you about lots of other BCC services which you may find helpful, such as our ‘One to one support’ whereby you can chat to others in a similar postition by telephone and/or email.
I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Secondaries’ information page which you may also find helpful:
Take care
Lucy
Hi Helen,
As stressy says, do look at the bone thread - I’ll try and bump it up for you. I hope that by reading things on there you will get a lot of help and support and see that ladies have been living with bone mets for many years, granted there is the odd blip along the way but when that happens, we rally round. I was diagnosed with primary and then bone mets at same time in July 07 and have had a couple of lots of spread since then which have been kept under control reasonably well. I have just had bone scan results that show more spread and am going to ask onc about denosumab too as have heard good things about it. Having been on arimidex and goserlin (zoladex) for over 4 years now, I am thinking my body may have been getting used to them and perhaps we need a change to fool the cancer for another few years! Instead of the denosumab, I’ve been having zometa infusions monthly for my bones again for over 4 years and reckon that may need a change too.
Do come and join us on the bone mets thread very soon. We don’t bite (well not often!!!)
Liz x
Hi Helen - and Lizcat - methinks we need a thread for us “double whammy” folks. I know it would have encouraged me in Aug 2006 when I had my bone mets dx, 3 weeks after primary dx - but I was on dial-up in those days!!
I won’t recap on my history here except to say that I am doing well now. Yes, I still have bone (and liver) mets, but I’m about to start treatment no.7 - I’ve had three different chemos, and three hormonals - and most of the time am enjoying a relatively normal life. I take ibandronic acid tablets for my bones, but when first diagnosed I had intravenous pamidronate, then IV Zometa which is strong stuff but very effective.
Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me. You are very encouraging and helpful. I will certainly look at the threads on bone mets, thanks.
Hi Helen, just thought I say hello, I was diagnosed with primary and secondary bc in July 2012. I was 41 at the time, about to get married ( which we did), I also started a new job, I havent worked since my diagnosis. I was given a similar treatment…hormonal initially…tamoxifen, Zoladex and zometa (bio phosphates) This wasnt too effective for me and after 3 months I was put on EC chemo. The oncs were surprised it wasnt effective as I am Oestogen and progesterone + herc -. I am nearly at the end of chemo and the news so far is positive, my lump is smaller, bones are stable and no further spread. I have more scans in March and then will have another treatment plan will be organised to maintain me, most likely this will be letrazole.
The forum has been such a help to me, and I am aware that there are many treatments available and there is always someone who can help with answers to your questions. Everyone is unique too, and has there own treatment plan.
I know what you mean about the little dark cloud…I have had couselling to try and help. My friends have been great as welll as my OH but my family have found it really hard.
Keep smiling.
Mel
Ps, I am based at the Royal Marsen…how about you?
Hi Mel,
I am on the Isle of Wight! About as far away from anywhere that you can get! My onc comes over from Southampton & am due to see her at the end of Feb to see how I am getting on. My GP told me that the Denosumab for bones is a new drug recently licenced by NICE & is £309 an injection! He said I am worth it!!!
Have been to a support group today which was interesting, no-one there has it in the bones as well but it was lovely to talk to other ladies and share experiences - family and friends have been brilliant but I do find it hard to say what I am really feeling & thinking sometimes.
Good luck with your treatment!
Helen
Hi helen, i was dianosed in may2010 with breast and bone cancer, plus they found my bone cancer first with a rountine MRI SCAN because i suffered with my back , to be told i had numerous tumours on my spine, rushed straight to clatterbridge to start radiotheraphy on my spine! back then i thought that was it , my life would not last long. But HEY!!! Im still ere 3 years later and feel great. i had chemo at the time too! now i have treatment every 3 weeks of herceptin and zometa which i call '‘me bone juice’ plus injections too.
Im in no pain at all with my back and walking round like theres nothing wrong with me! its just the emotional side is hard to deal with and cope with knowing its not gunna go away! ive only just joined this site and im gunna go to the meet ups because i think its good to talk to people who actually know what you are going though! i wish you all the best and you take care! xxxxx
Hi, have you found the bone mets thread yet? Lots of support on there.
Mel