There IS a thread for those of us with liver mets, I posted on it recently to bump.
breastcancercare.org.uk/comment/2055919#comment-2055919
Hi Mrs Blue
Thanks Mrs Blue for bumping up this post for liver mets. Glad to hear that you are doing well with your liver mets and living a life as ‘normal’ as you can.
I was diagnosed with liver mets one year ago after living with bone mets for two years. Had docetaxol which reduced the liver mets significantly and have also been feeling really well. In fact, I’ve had more problems with my portacath than anything else but that’s another posting. Now waiting for appt for the ct scan and will then be in the scanxious waiting room once again although feel hopeful that the news will be ok.
How are other liver mets ladies doing? Hope you are all coping ok with treatments and enjoying the autumnal weather.
Liz x
NannieSpiky - Have you had the results of your CT scan? I hope they were good. I have a scan today.
Ann
Hi Ann
See the onc on Tuesday for my results after the usual two week wait but had other things to deal with as the day after my scan, sadly, I had to have my portacath removed as my skin had broken down around it and I had a small hole in my chest through which you could see the port. Extremely rare for this to happen, apparently, and I have just been ‘unlucky’ to quote the surgeon. Anyway they had to leave the wound open in case of infection and pack it, so I have been going to the surgery every other day to have packing removed and redone. The first time they gave me gas and air - bliss! Forgotten how good it was - should be on prescription for all bc ladies to be used as and when required! Anyway, the wound is healing well but should take about a month they reckon so I certainly could do with some good or hopeful news on Tuesday - fingers crossed.
When do you get your results?
Hi Ladies im the newbee…and living with liver mets for the last 2 years…treatment from last year xeloda and lapatinib…Lapatinib being paid for by me…Fundraising the cash…not an easy thing to have to do…but no harder than fighting the disease…I havent had pain from my liver, just a little discomfort every now and again…any good news on drugs out there to treat liver mets…Im watching closely the progress of TDM1 for her2+…
Hi Carolynp
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums where you will find that the users of this site have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them and give each other wonderful support. Anything you need to ask, just ask away there’s always someone with some info, plus our freefone helpline staff are only a telephone call away if you need to talk 0808 800 6000. You might also like to join in our live chat service on Tuesday evenings 8.30 - 9.30 p.m. which is just for those people with a secondary diagnosis, I’ve put you the link below so you can have a read and see what you think.
breastcancercare.org.uk/community/chat
Hope this helps. Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
NannieSpikey - Well, I am assuming I will get the scan results next Monday (12th), at my three-weekly clinic appt. I may ring onc’s secretary to make sure they chase it up. I had the CT scan last Friday.
Good luck for tomorrow!
Ann x
Well, mixed report yesterday. Lab said they did grow something off the portacath which was the reason for all my woes so I’m relieved that it’s now out.Bone mets are doing well and I have one small node in chest but, for some reason, the liver is showing that one met has increased to 2cm when all the other liver mets have virtually disappeared. My cons feels that maybe my cancer has changed receptors so I need to have a liver biopsy to try and solve the mystery. Has anyone else had this done? Once they know the answer then I will have RFA to get rid of the little blighter and my treatment will probably need to be changed. Bit of a nuisance but not unduly worried at present as my cons is very good and tells me that I am doing extremely well and this is just another little blip that we have to get by.
Anyway, she has given me the all clear to go off and enjoy my holiday 19 Nov and the biopsy will be done on my return. So, off now to pay for my insurance quote from Mia online.
Hope your news will be good Ann.
Liz x
I am now NED in liver. Nearly three years ago I had mets in liver, suspect chest nodes and bones. All organs are clear now but my bones are progressing. Onc says this is what’s called a ‘mixed response’. Says it all, really. About to re-start xeloda. Fingers crossed that it works as well on the bones as it did on my liver. Good to know that RFA is an option for you Ann.
x
Liz - You onc sounds lovely. I never seem to get encouraging news from mine, just matter of fact. He is nice enough but it would be lovely to get some good news for once.
Enjoy your holiday!
Ann x
Ann - have you had your results yet? Been thinking about you and hoping that you had good news.
Tawny - sorry to hear about your bone progression. Good luck with the Xeloda - that might be my next treatment when I’ve had my liver biopsy done.
Hope other liver met ladies are coping well at the moment.
Liz x
Hi
I’m sorry to butt in when I haven’t had a diagnosis of liver mets, but I’ve been having worrying symptoms and I am on a very slow train to finding out if my triple negative breast cancer has spread to my liver. The symptoms are worsening quite fast and it will be about a month until I have had a scan and find out the result.
Can anybody tell me what symptoms, if any, their liver mets give? I’ve looked up my symptoms online and they point to cancer in the liver rather than anything else but my G.P. claims to suspect gallstones, which I do not have the classic symptoms of.
I didn’t contact my oncologist about the symptoms because I find him difficult to deal with.
Hello, sorry to hear that you are so worried. As I was eventually diagnosed with liver and bone mets, it is a little difficult to describe the symptoms individually. I don’t think I have ever had any physical symptoms from my liver although, along with chronic back ache, I did have pain in my right shoulder. I later found out that this is a referred pain often associated with the liver. Apart from that, I have never had any problems and, having responded well to treatment so far, I am currently NED in the liver. I hope others will come forward with their experiences.
I understand if you would prefer not to contact your oncologist, but if you are worried, this may be a way of fast tracking your scan and he will have more specialist knowledge of your symptoms. perhaps you could bring someone with you as moral support.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the very best and please do not hesitate to ask any questions.
Alison x
NYH, in answer to your post/question: it’s tricky because other conditions (such as gallstones) can have similar effects to liver mets… and the symptoms of liver mets can depend whereabouts the secondaries are, e.g. I think jaundice only happens if a tumour is blocking the bile duct - uncommon - but don’t quote me on this!
I do hope you get reassurance soon, hopefully a clear scan! … meanwhile, here’s a hug if I may, while you’re waiting.