I have had bone mets in several areas for over 2 yrs now. I have been having a lot of pain and had this strange sensation one night of something in my back collapsing. A CT scan showed that i had sustained pathological fractures to some ribs. Very sore but radiotherapy is being planned. Unfortunately the CT scan also showed lung mets which are fairly new as i last had a CT scan in April this year and my lungs were fine then. I have started on Xeloda which will treat bones and lungs I was just wondering how quickly lung mets progress and what i can expect. I am a nurse aged 51 and am now contemplating taking medical retirement mainly because i feel so crap at the moment i couldnt think of going to work but also and i dont want to sound morbid but i dont know how long i have to live and want to enjoy that time with my family instead of working shifts, weekends and public holidays. I guess i’m just wondering what folks with lung mets experiences have been. Just feeling a bit low at the moment as this is the first time i have felt like someone with cancer as i am feeling poorly tho i know its probably a little set back and i will feel better soon. Best wishes.
Sorry don’t have any experience of lung mets (but reading this, as I have concerns - getting CT results on Tuesday, as I have pain that radiates the full width of my back, sort of bra-line, I worry that it might now be in my back ribs, it’s already in my front ribs!) I am really sorry to hear about your fractures that must have been horrendous, but to then add the double whammy of lung mets…that’s just not fair.
I just had to reply to sympathise with you re the decision to give up work. It is such a hard decision to make, I understand as working gives you a sense of ‘normality’ and defines you as something other than a patient (well that’s how I feel!) However you have to put yourself and your family first and do what is best for you all. We all deserve a long and healthy retirement after years of really hard work, so need to take it when you will have some quality time to enjoy it!
I really wish you all the best and really feel for you.
I hope somebody comes along shortly with some experiences of lung mets (a long time ago!) to inspire you, as really that is probably the kind of support you need most right now.
I have lung mets (diagnosed October 2009 along with liver and bone spine mets). My initial treatment was radiotherapy to my spine and then Bondronat (Bisphosphonates)plus chemo (Gemcitabine and Carboplatin) which produced a good response for me - ‘significant reduction’. I finished this course of treatment in March 2010. At the beginning of July I heard a wheezing noise in my chest and subsequently developed a tumour in my eye. My CT scan in October showed that my lung mets had grown back and were worse than they were in September 2009 when they were first measured, same for my liver but my spine/bone mets appear to be no worse/better. So the lung mets have effectively grown back between April and October this year. I have now started chemo again this month on Vinorelbine and Capecitabine.
I applied for early retirement on ill health grounds and was granted this in June this year. I too am 51, with two teenage children and an extremely happy life apart from this awful disease. My initial prognosis was awful, and still is, but I decided that I wanted to spend the time I had left with the people who mean the most to me and so far I have not regretted it at all. I did have a scare and was very ill for most of December last year and that really made my mind up about quitting work. Maybe if I had got through the chemo as ‘easily’ (ha, ha) as I did the first time I might have tried to return to work again, who knows. It has certainly been the best thing for me and my family.
I joke that boing ill is ‘a full time job’ itself, I have thus far added Opthalmology and Dermatology specialisms to Oncology in the last year, so attending appointments, taking tablets has to be fitted in around my hectic social life - which includes doing something wonderful/lovely every day! Today I have walked over the fell and viewed the snow on the Lakeland Fells and I get to play Bridge tonight with OH and friends - fab.
It is a difficult decision to make as it seems like another door closing. There are times when I am feeling bright and well and think that I could maybe have carried on working longer but I have always been a bit of a perfectionist and know that I would be spending my time at home recovering ready to go back to work. I didn’t think I would be able to do both ‘jobs’ (Mum/Wife and career) as well as I wanted to. This way there are always ‘cakes in the tins’ for my son, and a hug for both of them when they come home from school.
Hi Trish,
just seen your post,and I wanted just to respond/reassure if I can. I have lung mets only(!?!), first BC dx in 1993 and secondary feb 2008. After 5xFEC, in 2008, there has been no more growth yet and am now on 6 monthly bloods and Xray or scan if i want/ask/have concerns My regular Bloods check liver, bone, electrolytes and creatinine as well as full bloods check, if that means more to you? Interestingly I also have pain in my ribs , in the same area as one of larger mets, but have been told that the mets shouldn’t give me pain… well something does!
I do have several mets on both lungs with 2 larger, but although am aware of breathlessnes and coughing and lack of energy at times, I keep plodding on, I’m 59 and retired already fortunately. Going for retirement if you can may be the best thing to take the pressure off.
I am reasonably active, we have a small flock of rare breed sheep and I spin their wool and weave, it takes my mind off the daily health concerns. I hope this helps a little, and that your ribs are soon less painful.
Liz
hi Trish,
just wanted to let you know that you are not alone-i was diagnosed with lung mets in April 2007, and am still going strong, despite periods where the lung mets have grown, and a bit of spread to my sternum and now 7th rib. I was a nurse as well, and was retired on ill health grounds about a year and a half ago, and despite still missing it sometimes, find I usually have enough energy for my 6 year old and enjoying life. I also do a bit of voluntary work so I still feel I am making some contribution. It’s a difficult decision, but one i’m glad I made.
Best wishes and good luck with your treatment.
Nicky