Secondaries - lungs

Hi everyone

I am new to this site so hope I am doing this right.

I have recently been diagnosed with secondaries to lungs and ‘abnormalities’ to liver. Seeing onc at end of week to find out what treatment will be.

As you will know, my head is all over the place at the mo. Had lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed 2002 - all clear, and was told would be very unlucky to come back. Did not know about secondary breast cancer and it has been such a shock.

Would be lovely to hear from others in similar situation for mutual support.

Trixie

Hi Trixie,

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, I’m sure you’ll get lots of support from the many informed users of this site.

I have put for you below the links to some of BCC’s publications that you might find helpful.

Secondary resource pack: breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/2

Secondary BC:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.343

I hope these help. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

Hi Trixie, I’m so sorry to hear your news. This is a very supportive forum, you will always find support and friendship here…as well as info, feedback on the many treatments available to us. It takes a while to really get your head around a secondaries diagnosis but we all seem to find our own way of living with secondaries.
I wish you well with your treatment…Belinda…x

Hi Trixie,
we met on ‘live chat’ this evening so welcome to our club, not that any of us wanted to be here but we are all very supportive to each other.
I have secs to liver, bones and omentum. I am having a chemo break at the moment after 15 taxol. My secs were diagnosed 5 years ago in May and have been on various chemos in that time. My last scan showed really good shrinkage in liver mets and some have gone all together.
I am sure you will be feeling rather scared at the moment if you need help just come on here and we will all rally round and do our best to make you feel less alone.
Take care.
Love Debsxxx

Hi Trixie,
I was diagnosed with lung mets and possible liver mets two months ago after finishing treatment for primary b.c. in November 2008.

I know excactly how you feel, my head was all over the place at first but once I started treatment( I`m on Capicetabine) I started to feel much more positive.

My first reaction was to clear out my wardrobes and drawers, sort out my finances etc.!!! I also became negative and stopped excercise
and after a lifetime of eating well started to eat junk food!!
Althat has stopped now a

I have now decided to “go for it” and enjoy my life to the full!!

Sorry pressed wrong button!! CHEMO BRAIN!!

Anyway to cut this short, I am swimming ,golfing and going off on holiday abroad next week. I do have down days but what a waste!

I wish you lots of luck with your treatment plan,
Take care,
Love Janx

Hi Trixie,
Your head will be all over the place at the moment. It is a very scarey time after secondary diagnoses.
I was diagnosed in June 06 with secondaries to lungs and bones, I had a course of Taxotere and am now on femara and monthly pamidrondate. Last scan in March showed tumours in lungs have shrunk, some of the small ones have disappeared and my bones are stable. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You will find all the other ladies on here a great help and support.
If you need any help or advice we are all here for you.
Good luck with the treatment
Fayjay69 :o)

Hi there , just seen your post , have just been diagnosed with secondaries to the lungs , and am to start Taxotere on Thursday then Femara, any suggestions that would help/. Do you have any problems with your breathing now? Delighted to hear that you are now 3 years down the line from this nightmare
regards

Hi Ruffyp

Sorry to hear that you have secs to lungs. I was diagnosed in April this year with secs to lungs and abnormalities to liver, and have had two lots of FEC - have to have 6 treatments 3 weeks apart. First week tends to be the worst as no energy and feeling weak, but weeks 2 and 3 pick up until they zap me again.

I felt at first as if I had a football pressed to my chest, but this is easing so hopefully treatment is working. Have to see onc next week so shall know more then.

You are having different treatment to me, and I hope all goes well for you. You will find lots of support from the ladies on this site, and it does help to know there are others out there who understand.

Best wishes,

Trixie

Hi everybody, I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 weeks ago & started FEC two weeks ago.
I was told on on thursday that I have lung mets after a CT scan. (unsure about bones yet).
I was so shocked & despaired, my head was all over the place.
I’ve calmed down a bit now & am beginning to get things into perspective a bit more & eager to grasp some more understanding of what is going on inside me.
My son found this lovely forum for me & I am feeling a lot more positive today so thanks to everyone for posting their encouraging comments. Sera

Hi Sera

I am sorry to read about your recent secondary diagnosis. Here’s some information and support ideas from BCC which you may find helpful. We have published a booklet about secondary breast cancer in the lungs and also have a resource pack containing a DVD about living with a secondary diagnosis, the following links will take you to the order pages:

breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/10

breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/2

BCC facilitate a therapeutic support group called SECA which you may also find helpful, the group meets on a regular basis in various areas, this leaflet includes further information and contact numbers:

breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/136

You may also be interested in secondary live chat which is held every Tuesday evening 8.30-9.30, for more information visit:

breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.745

Please also call our helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Sat 9-2.

Take care
Lucy

Hi Sera and welcome to the club none of wants to be in.
It is early days for you and you will be all over the place emotion wise. Others who are in a similar position will help you all they can.
I have liver and bone mets. I had f.e.c. 5 years ago and that worked really well for me I had an 18 month break without chemo.
Wishing you lots of luck with your treatment plan and will speak to you again.
Love Debsxxx

Hi Sera

So sorry to hear that you have joined our club. I was also diagnosed with lung secondaries, in April this year, and was completely shocked. Had bc primaries in 2002, and was given all clear beginning of 2008. End of 2008 developed hoarse voice and cough, and chest x-ray showed multiple nodes on lungs and abnormalities in liver.

First feeling is total panic and also a feeling of isolation. Did not know anyone in the same position. Since then though I have found this site, and the ladies are so helpful and supportive to each other.

I am on FEC, had second treatment a week ago. Have to have six lots every three weeks. The first week I am not able to do much, no energy and weak, but weeks two and three pick up.

Wishing you well with your treatment. Best wishes,

Trixie

Hi
I am also new here, diagnosed in Feb with mets in the my lungs, but they can’t find the primary.
I am 44 next week and have 11 & 15 year old children. I am still trying to get my head around it all.
My partner and I dashed out and got married after 18 years!
I have had 3 Fec and so far 2 tax and 1 lot of herceptin the last lot of tax is due 24th June. We are then going on holiday at the and of July for 3 weeks, it’s been keeping my going, knowing my holiday is at the end.My Onc wasn’t impressed that I would need to have my heceptin late as it is due in the middle of my holiday!

I to have found this site so helpful,all the ladies are so helpful and supportive to each other.

Thankyou all.

Wishing you all the best with your treatments.
Mandylou

Hi Mandylou1

I have posted you on the Anyone in Kent thread, but have just read your message on this one.

Just had to congratulate you on your marriage, and I hope you have a brilliant holiday in July.

Best wishes, Trixie

Hi,

My mum was recently diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer and following a mastectomy and axilary clearance in May 2009 this year, was told that only one node was positive out of the 13 removed and that the outlook was promising. All her scans (MRI, bone, ultrasound) and X-rays were clear too.

Given the nature of the cancer though, she was advised to have chemotherapy and herceptin in case any traces were hiding elsewhere, and she started this on Monday this week.

However, she was also advised to have a CT scan and sadly today we had some unexpected news. The CT scan report revealed a 3mm solitary nodule to the lung that is likely to represent a metastases of the original breast cancer. We don’t know for sure it’s cancer, but the oncologist said it is quite likely.

My mum has only had one session of FEC so far, and potentially has 5 more to go followed by Herceptin. They may also try Taxotere at some stage as well. My mum suffers with her nerves, and I guess i’ve joined this forum to find some support and hopefully some success stories from treatment. The oncologist said that given the nodule is so small and there is only one of them, it could disappear altogether with the chemo …has anyone had any experience of this?

I have a particularly close relationship with my mum - she means the world to me, and is a very young 63 years of age. I am 34 and my wife is expecting our first child next week. This is such a frightening and difficult time for us all.

If anyone has any advice or positive stories to tell - this would be much appreciated. I can’t bare to think of life without her.

Warm wishes to everyone on here.
CJ

Hello CJ

You’ve come to the right place for support for both your mum and yourself, the users of this site have a wealth of information and are only too willing to offer others good support.

I have put for you below the link to one of BCC’s publications regarding secondary breast cancer which you may find useful to read, although I understand that at this point your mum hasn’t yet been diagnosed with secondary cancer.

breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/6

You might also find it useful to give the helpline a ring and have a chat with one of the staff here who will happy to discuss your concerns. The helpline is open again on Monday morning at 9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. (Mon to Fri) and Saturday 9am - 2pm. Calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000.

Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

Thanks Jo - it’s comforting to know there is help at hand. I may well give the helpline a call. Thank you.

Thank-you Lucy & Debs for your positive vibes & words of encouragement.
Have just spent a week in hospital due to my immune system being wiped out & picking up an infection. Ok now though.
Saw a different oncologist while in hospital & my treatment plan has been changed to a milder chemo for the remaining 5 sessions (poss 6) & no taxetore as originally planned. Seeing doctor tommorrow & going to ask for a second opinion just to clarify things. My tumor is HER2 positive + part hormone receptive. Have been trying to do some research without scaring myself too much. Grateful for any info anyone has. Sera xx