Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum and would love to hear anything positive about stage IV breast cancer w/ mets to the bones. I am 49yo and was diagnosed with Stage IV BC right off the bat. I was totally shocked as I have never ever missed a mammogram since turning 40. Hubby and I were completely devastated at first but after multiple conversations with my oncologist and reading other Stage IV BC survivors stories I now realize that it is not an automatic death sentence. I have learned that I can very possibly live a long time with this. I was diagnosed with ER/PR positive HER 2 negative breast cancer at the end of July. At that time they thought it was either a Stage II or III as it was detected in my lymphnode in my right Arm pit area. After all of the other routine tests...CT/Bone Scan/ MRI's Ultra Sounds and a bone marrow biopsy it was determined that the breast cancer at spread to my bones. Mainly ribs, femur, pelvic area I believe. I have just started my treatment on 9/13/17. I am taking Letrozole and Ibrance as well as receiving an Xgeva injection monthly. It hasn't been quite a week yet but so far I really have not had too many side effects yet. I assume it is probably too early. I am noticing an increase in hot flashes but I also had my ovaries and tubes removed on 8/28/17 as well. Today I am having a little bit of outer thigh pain but that could actually be the bone mets pain itself. I am learning more and more about this diagnosis and remain very positive. I am nowhere close to being ready to leave this earth any time soon. I have a 20 year old daughter and another daughter who is a Senior in High School. I plan to be around to see them both graduate from College and live successful lives. We have family vacations in our future and my hubby and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year. I have too much i still want to do. I am really hoping that this treatment that i am on will work well. I am also told that if and when this particular treatment stops working that I have so many other options available based on my type of cancer. Hoping this true. Anyway I am happy to hear your stories and any advice you may have about possible side effects etc.
Thanks
Sandy
