MBC 7 years later: Do you ask yourself why and what ifs?

My situation isn’t really like yours, but I am a breast cancer survivor and I did not want to leave your post unanswered. This is just heartbreaking.
I understand the no more treatment with stage 0 DCIS. My question is about screening, have you been screened regularly? Have the doctors discussed treatments yet?

I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2015 with referral to breast cancer oncologist. Who said no further TX. I did have regular screenings primarily with breast cancer surgeon and gyn. I participate in a aging, memory mood NIH study which involves periodic functional MRIs. Which in May 2021 showed lytic lesions of skull bones. Because I have a history of medullary thyroid cancer in the 90's. Underwent multiple diagnostic tests to determine type of cancer, biopsy of lytic lesion on L5 confirmed mbc. New wonderful breast specialty oncologist started me on Verzenio and Anastrosole 10/1. So far so good, with PET scan scheduled for April to check therapeutic effect.

Current oncologist said that he would have given me either Tamoxifen or Anastrosole when first dx with DCIS in 2015. Feel frustrated that I didn't question 1st oncologist because TX with Tamoxifen or Anastrosole 70% effective against further cancer growth.

@ks3 Great that Chris answered. She is so helpful. As a fellow MBC, sorry that there is another chapter to your cancer story. The reality is your cancer could be related or not, or detectable earlier or not. Everyone has millions of cancer cells in there body - why they get turned on is open to debate of genetics, environmental factors, etc. Breast cancer is sneaky, heck any cancer is, and I question the wisdom of a person thinking that they are “cured”. Mine came out of no where. And I am not sure it will be of any help looking back nor dwelling on the water under the bridge. Rather focusing on what is at hand and potential treatments etc is important. I also would encourage you as you are waiting for answers to be healthy. Exercise, eat right, touch base with your other doctors. Since you had it 7 years ago, new meds and treatments have come
a long way and will keep coming. My doctors have repeatedly told me to start thinking of cancer as a chronic condition that I will live with - there will up and down periods ( I have gone through a few). As you know more, reach back out. Don’t be concerned about asking detailed questions about experiences, or treatments, or choices. People on this site are very helpful and you will find that you are not alone on your journey.

Just saw your additional info - I did Verzenio and Anastrozole. Glad so far so good. PET scan will definitely be helpful. You sound informed and good that you like your new team.

Thanks for sharing your story and your encouragement 😀🎀

@eku , here is one place to talk.😊 I may tag in more as I can find them.
I hope you are having a great day!

@keepmoving2 "My doctors have repeatedly told me to start thinking of cancer as a chronic condition that I will live with ".
Thank you for writing this.

After 10 years diagnosed MBC to chest wall. abdomen, spine, ribs, liver and Mets to bones. Currently doing chemo and tumor marker numbers are coming down. Just had chemo #3 of 6. Will do scan in the next 2 weeks to see size of tumors and will go from there. I think about this chronic disease all the time and how much time I really have on earth. I’m not giving up but will fight with all I have. I keep my faith and continue to talk to God, he does hear prayers. I plan on living each day to the fullest.

I am now 7 years out and wonder how you know you have mets. I have bone pain from a bone medication and fractures, and have arthritis. So when the oncologist tells me to come in with significant bone pain, it doesn't really help. How did your mets get diagnosed? And sorry you are dealing with this...these days people do seem to live with mets like a chronic illness.