I have seen the oncologist, not as good a news as I had hoped for. Apparently the cancer is in the chest wall/muscle, and he has told me that I am no longer considered “curable”. I have been advised to consider my work options and do all the things I wanted to do now before its too late.
I am going to have more radiotherapy 5 weeks, going to get measured on Friday. He does not want to give me any chemo at present as he wants to keep this option open for the future
My head is in a spin and not sure what to think, I am seeing him on Friday again for any questions I may have, does anyone have any idea of any other questions I should ask
Linda, what devastating news for you and your family! My heart goes out to you. Maybe a phone call to Macmillan might help to answer a lot of questions and prepare for your next appointment. Maybe a post on other forums ie bcpals or breastcancer.org may bring more experiences of other women in a similar situation. I hope you will find the support you need and deserve. Thinking of you. X
I’m so sorry to hear your news - it seems to hit harder when you are not expecting it and you haven’t psyched yourself up.Sorry I can’t think of any useful questions.
Just sending big hugs.
Oh Linda, that’s a horrible bit of news for you. I can’t offer any suggestions for questions to ask but I would like to offer my own helping of hugs to go with the others.
Hi Linda, just wanted to send my love and best wishes to you too, im waiting results of biopsy on lumps in chest wall/muscle, seeing onc tomorrow!!
sorry cant help with questions…ive tried not to go there yet.
Hi Linda,
I am so sorry to hear that, it must have been heartbreaking to have that said. It must be very difficult for you and the family as well as it seems so final but lots of ladies on here will tell you that they have kept going. I want to try to help you make this a little easier to bear if I can. Not curable does not mean thats it for you right now, it means they cannot say we can get rid of this for you. I have read of so many people on here that were told things like that and are years on from then. They are saving chemo so that means rads now and then all the chemos you haven’t tried later can be tried after that IF and WHEN needed. I believe you are private so that would mean avastin is available.Ladies on here have taken xeloda and it has kept them stable for years and are still going. I read that on the breast area, rads are more effective at killing Bc than anything else so 5 weeks sounds like they are hitting it hard. Big hugs and it will take time to get used to this new lowering of your hopes but there’s no fat ladies singing yet just another fight
Hugs and hope to meet up soon
Lily x
I am so sorry. I hope that treatment will control the cancer and give you many more years. It’s hard to think what questions to ask; you may find you think of most of them after your next consultation.
Oh Linda
So sorry to hear your news, but I have to agree with Lily, there is always hope. I know you’re in a bad place right now but please don’t give up.
Love and hugs
Laraine xxxx
Linda - I know exactly how you feel - I was told the same before christmas ie its no longer curable and it does knock you for six. I know from my ramblings at the time (I was inconsolable) I got so much support from many ladies on this site who have been in this postion for years and the fact its not curable is not in itself a death sentance - its just that it can’t be ‘cut out’ or killed off. As others have said there is a huge amount available to manage it and keep it at bay for a long long time - and the fact they are starting with radiography is a good thing which gives you a huge bag of other treatment to fall back on if needed.
When you see your Onc tomorrow I am sure he will go through the treatment options with you in more detail and how they will monitor you and keep the horrid disease in check. take care and hugs xxx
Linda
Sorry to hear your news, and hope you have a useful conversation with the onc today.
I have been on teh forum for 7 years, and as others have said there have been many posts from those with more extensive spread who have survived for many years.
best regards X
Just to add to this, it really doesn’t mean that’s it. I was diagnosed with lung mets last year and I feel totally fine, on oral chemo but it’s really not causing me any probs at all and I feel and look better than I have done for ages! Head over to the secondary BC forums, there are loads of women on there who have been doing really well for years and years. And who knows what treatments are just around the corner? I do feel for you, the shock of news like this is just horrendous but don’t give up on yourself. Take care xx
Im so sorry about your news and I am sending you all my love and positive thoughts - when you see the Onc tomorrow I know he will give you a treatment plan and as previously mentioned not curable just means he cant cut it out but can be treated. I have learnt so much on here that every case is so very very different and people do defy the professionals. When I first was dx with BC my Dad reminded me of his boss from years ago whom got told the same as you - I cannot remember where exactly it was but it was in one of his internal organs and he defied them and is still here living with the treatment and still works. I know everyone is different and I know you have alot to take in. please keep posting on here and gaining strength from many different people, i send you very many cyber hugs
Shar xxx
Am sorry to hear your news and sending all my thoughts.I to was told 14mths ago my cancer is now incurable.Onclogist has said chemo is an option at later date and wants me to enjoy present quality of life [believe me I am]if chemo was given now then my quality of life would not be as I know it now.So we carry on taking each day as it happens.Take it all in your stride and stay positive.
Many many hugs
Sue xxx
I’d just like to reiterate what some of the others have said. ‘Not curable’ does not necessarily mean the end is near. Improvements in treatments means that Cancer is increasingly being seen as a chronic medical condition rather than a death sentence. I’m in a similar situation with an inoperable primary recurrence in my chest wall. This has been shrunk by chemo and what’s left of it is being held back by hormone therapy. I also have bone mets and while I know that I probably won’t live as long as I would have if I hadn’t got it, I am expecting to be around for a good while yet.