Hi, had secondary breast cancer diagnosed last month, 6 years after original diagnosis, what a shock, having Faslodex injections at moment, will have chemo later, also having trouble with arm swelling and pain/discomfort under my arm (waiting to see lymphoedema nurse) would appreciate any support/advice please, Thanks
Hi 15Mags
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, I hope you will find them a great source of support.
I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis. Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with their knowledge and experience you may find it useful to have a look at the BCC secondary resources pack, it has been specifically designed for those newly diagnosed with secondaries. Here is the link for you to order one:-
If you would like further support or to talk things through with a trained member of staff please do give the BCC helpline a call on 0808 800 6000. The lines are open weekdays 9 to 5pm and Saturdays 9 to 2pm.
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi 15mags,
So sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. I can’t really offer any advice, other than to say that the ladies on here seem lovely and supportive - I have only just started posting on here, but follow various threads. I am sure someone will be along soon with helpful pearls of wisdom.
I had my primary and secondaries diagnosed within a month of each other back in the summer. I still can’t believe I have cancer, let alone something that will never go away.
Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and wishing you strength.
Beachwalker
Hi Mags,
so sorry to hear that you have been dx with 2ndaries. It must have been an awful shock after 6 years. I hope you will find a lot of help and support on the forums - there are plenty of us alive & kicking with 2ndaries here. I have had extensive bone mets now for 9 years (my first primary dx was 21 years ago). There are quite a few threads about specific secondaries - one is bone mets,another liver mets, then there is a liver & bone mets thread - these two threads are quite active at the mo. I think you will also find quite a number of members with lymphodema problems who I am sure will be along soon with lots of help.
Dawn
xx
hi Mags
Sorry to hear that you are joining us here, but you have come to the right place for lots of support and inspiration. I see that Dawn has already replied to you, as she is someone who has been ‘living’ with secondaries for many years.
You didn’t mention where your secondaries are, but as Dawn said, there is also lots of specialised support on individual threads.
It is interesting to see that you are having faslodex, I too have that. My mets are bones and liver.
Take care and if you have any questions you know where we are.
Nicola xx
thanks for comments so far, my secondaries are in lymph nodes in my neck and under my arm (the same side as my mastectomy) and possibly in a lung. Am seeing a lymphoedema nurse on Friday, so am looking forward to finding out about the famous (infamous?) sleeve, it’s the swelling at the top of my arm that’s causing the most discomfort at the moment.
15mags
Hi Mags,
Glad to see you have replied. My secondaries too started in the lymph nodes around my neck - collarbone area and right up to under my ear lobes on both sides. I had already had two mastectomies at different times. I guess you must have had further scans yet like bone, CT etc? to find the ‘maybe’ in your lung. When mine were found in the neck nodes the onc wanted to play a waiting game which I found a bit tough. But his thoughts were that I had already over the years had a lot of chemos and he preferred not to give any more at that time :(. I hope the lymphoedema nurse can help to get you more comfortable. I don’t have any experience of that which I can share.
Dawn
xx
Hi Mags
Sorry to hear about your dx.
Re sleeve: They do them in black as well as the ‘american tan’. I think the black ones are less noticable espcially when wearing dark clothes. For some reason black looks less ‘medical’
Alex