Breast Cancer Now Forum

Forgot to mention, my gallbladder was also removed during the keyhole liver op too. The PET scan which revealed the liver met showed I had gallstones too. How embarrassing.... 😊 ... View more

Hi chick! My solitary liver met (2.5cm) popped up after being on tamoxifen which did absolutely nothing for me! Prior to this I had 3 "low volume" bone mets in my spine. I'm ER+ (8/8) PR+ (3/8) and HER2- Initially I was offered radio frequency ablation (RFA) but due to the position of the met, the specialist was reluctant due to possible damage to other organs, no clear margins etc. After I was told RFA wasn't an option I was sure I'd be put onto oral chemo (cape) However, I think due to the fact I'm very young and my onc doesn't want to "burn through drugs too quickly" I was offered surgery. I was referred to a different hospital for the actual op (I'm based in North London) During my pre op consultation the surgeon said he'd try to to it by keyhole but things might change whilst I was in theatre! It was a pleasant suprise when I woke up that he'd managed to do it by keyhole! I now continue to be on zoladex and anastrazole post op. My medical team are wonderful and I've never had to push for anything. Even after my stage 4 diagnosis I was allowed to continue with my mastectomy and reconstruction as well as being offered ovary removal too. I think the fact I'm young and completely asymptotic from cancer has gone very much in my favour! I hope that helps. Tomboy X ... View more

Hello to all of you lovely ladies. Just checking in for roll call! To keep you updated on my progress, I'm now home after a liver resection to remove a 2.5cm solitary liver met. Surgery performed via keyhole. I was in hospital for 4 days. As is the way with this forum, I'm happy to answer any questions/share my experience if anyone is interested. Personally, the wealth of knowledge on here has been a lifeline for me! Big cyber hugs to all of my SBC family xxx ... View more

Hi Janette. Thanks so much for asking about me! After finding out RFA wasn't possible due to the position of my liver met, my wonderful medical team have referred me to a specialist who has agreed to cut the met out by keyhole. Just waiting for surgeon to get back from holiday and op should happen early September. They're also going to analyse the sample to make sure my status hasn't changed. Despite being 8/8 ER+ for my primary, the hormonals aren't working as well as they should be. Just itching to get cracking now!!! Lots of love to all of you amazing ladies. Remember you're fabulous! xxx ... View more

Hi Julia. I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I've had lots going on so I haven't checked the forums in a while! I've had absolutely no symptoms at all from my 2cm liver met. Its appearance took both me and my oncologist by complete suprise! I was on tamoxifen earlier this year which did absolutely nothing for me so guessing it might've popped up then? I'm on anastrazole and zoladex now which seems to be working well on my bone mets. RFA was offered to me without asking for my solitary liver met. However I've since had an appointment with a specialist who believes this isn't possible (met too close to colon and gallbladder apparently) As such I've now been offered surgery to cut the little ugger out. The surgeon is doing the op via keyhole for a quicker recovery time (woo hoo!) Keep me posted on your progress too. It's always good to hear the experiences of others and outcomes of the various treatments out there xxx ... View more

Hi all. More drama. Saw RFA specialist on Friday. Seems this treatment isn't an option due to the position of my liver met. I'm being discussed at an MDT meeting on Tuesday and have brought forward my Onc appointment to Thursday. So disappointed. RFA specialist also told me that surgery may not be considered as it's a secondary cancer. So frightened nothing can be done. I've been put back into anastrazole which they're not even sure is working (met has appeared since being on this drug- though bones have shown improvement!?) Has anyone else had intervention for liver mets that didn't include RFA or the dreaded chemo? I want to go to my appointment on Thursday armed with options to push for! Xxx ... View more

Hi Janette! Thanks so much for asking about me. Maybe stupidly I started a new thread under "treatments and medical issues" called "liver biopsy mystery" I suppose I was vainly hoping that the PET scan false flagged after a pre-biopsy ultrasound couldn't see anything. Had an MRI last week and today a single liver met (2cm) was confirmed. Apparently the ultrasound didn't show it because it was quite deep (?) The plan is to have radio frequency ablation to burn the met off. Onc is quite relaxed he'll be able to wipe it out. Seeing an RFA specialist tomorrow and having the procedure in the next few weeks. Rather confusingly I've been put back onto anastrazole as bone mets were showing improvement!? Liver met appeared whilst I was on anastrazole. Maybe they think it originated from when I was on tamoxifen earlier this year (which didn't do anything for me!) Obviously gutted but feel better now there is a treatment plan in place and my hospital are acting quickly. I just didn't think I'd have progression so quickly (I was diagnosed with SBC in bones from start in March 2014) 😢 ... View more

Just an update from me. An MRI confirmed a single liver met (2cm) Apparently the ultrasound didn't show it because it was quite deep (?) Having radio frequency ablation to burn the little uggers off. Seeing a specialist tomorrow and having the procedure in the next few weeks. Rather confusingly I've been put back onto anastrazole as bone mets were showing improvement!? Liver met appeared whilst I was on anastrazole. Maybe they think it originated from when I was on tamoxifen earlier this year (which didn't do anything for me!) ... View more

Ugh, more drama! Went for liver biopsy today and got sent home- they couldn't find anything on the ultrasound scan! The Doctor doing the procedure said the liver looked perfectly normal and healthy. The single lesion I'm meant to have didn't show itself. Booked in for yet another scan tomorrow (MRI) Pretty sure something must be there as I'm not lucky enough for it to be a false alarm! Honestly, cancer is like having a full time job sometimes! ***goes off muttering obscenities*** ... View more

Just a quick update from me. I'm booked in for a liver MRI and biopsy on Tuesday. Thankfully my hospital are super efficient! I'm not too worried about the procedure and my Mum & Dad are coming down to pamper me for a bit. Consultant appointment to receive results is on Thursday 16th July. I'll let you know how I get on. In the meantime, enjoy Wimbledon and Pimms in the cyber cafe! I understand the warm weather has led to a topless waiter policy? This is in the interests of employee wellbeing, of course. We wouldn't want Mr Poldark passing out on us with heatstroke (especially as I'm not sure what you ladies would do to him whilst he was unconscious!) xxx ... View more

Thank you so much for your kind words. Although I've never met you ladies, I felt like you were all there holding my hand today. Ellie- I know what you mean about being a planner! Same goes for me too. I'd just adjusted to the bone mets and was in the process of buying a house, getting married and working abroad. Yet again everything has been thrown into chaos. I'm so fed up... Belinda/Janette- Feeling extremely sweary today.... Although it's very therapeutic. I just told someone to **** off when they told me to stay positive (luckily they took it in good spirits) I was also just ranting on the phone to my 81 year old Granny. Oops. Nicky/Mermaid- Weirdly I'm sort of hoping my HER2 status has changed. It would explain why the hormonals aren't working and some ladies on here seem to be getting great results with Herceptin. Other than that, onc says it'll be the Cape next. Hey, ho. Just another frustrating day in the BC game of snakes and ladders. I just wish there were more ladders. Even my onc can't believe nothing has worked for me yet! Good luck to everyone else receiving results. Big cyber hugs to all xxx ... View more

Bone mets stable but they've now found a spot on my liver. Onc is going to do another scan and take a biopsy. This is the second hormonal which hasn't worked (tamoxifen and anastrozole with zoladex) I'm so angry as I'm 8/8 oestrogen positive and 3/8 progesterone positive- why aren't the drugs working!? They've stopped the anastrozole for now but had my denosumab & zoladex today. Onc says the liver met appears to be isolated so they can cut it out or blast it with radio. Onc is also going to check if my HER2 status has changed (my primary was HER2 negative) I'm so angry and sick of receiving bad news!!!!! Any kind words for me ladies? Help! ... View more

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. There seems to be so much riding on this scan. If I have further progression I'm pretty sure I'll pull out of the America job offer. I might not even want to proceed with working full time, buying a house and even living in London. All of this will definitely cost me my relationship. I'm petrified. Results are next Thursday. I'll keep you posted xxx ... View more

Thanks Janette. I just feel so exhausted, achey and depressed right now. I keep crying for no reason and the smallest things tip me over the edge! For instance OH pressurised me into getting our dog back from my parents this weekend. They've had him since my treatment last year so he's quite settled there. My Mum and Dad love doggy to bits, they're both retired and have a big house and garden for him to run around in. We on the other hand live in a small London flat (where we're not allowed pets) and work full time. However OH insists doggy should be with us! Result= sad dog, sad parents and extra cleaning, walking, sleep deprivation (the dog barks all night) and guilt for me. Brilliant! Just what I need right now... Hoping my current state is due to meds and scanxiety. Fingers crossed for good results next week which will make me chill out a bit more! ... View more

Thanks B. I'll let you know how I get on. Rest assured I will definitely be staying in touch! Like many ladies, this forum is a lifeline for me and keeps me sane during intense periods of scanxiety (i.e now!) It's so good to get the opinions of those who understand. Good luck to everyone waiting for results/receiving treatment xxx ... View more

Thanks Belinda. You always give such great advice! My oncologist is on board with the America move as my "total volume of cancer is very low" and he believes I can be maintained for "many years" My company are also covering medical costs whilst I'm out there. I had a complete response to chemo and I'm 8/8 for oestrogen positive (HER2 negative) However I feel like an old woman since being on hormone therapy! I keep thinking about a quiet life, back in my native North. I could get an easy job and escape the craziness of London. However my partner is dead against it. I think it would cost me my relationship if I made any drastic decisions (although I feel like my body is crying out for a change of pace!!) Do the side effects get any easier? I'm also scheduled to have my ovaries removed later this year- is a more "natural" menopause any better? I hate feeling like this! ... View more