Breast cancer spread to liver, skull, spine, ribs, hips etc.

I had 5 months chemo and 35 radiation treatments

They are going to put me xgeva. Haven't started that yet

Sending you lots of love and healing thoughts 🙏♥️🙏

My recurrence was re-diagnosed 12 years after my left breast mastectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy. I took 18 months of exemestane, but couldn’t handle it because it was very debilitating. I’ve been feeling unwell for a long time so I probably have had the recurrence for a long time I just didn’t think it was cancer I thought I was just getting older. But it’s stage four metastatic breast cancer to my liver, lymph nodes and bones. My journey started July 2022. And started on my meds in October 2022. That’s how long it took to get through all my test and figure out what was wrong. They put me on anastrozole, Ibrance, and an infusion of Zometa every 90 days, I just finished my second infusion took my second PET scan and my meds are shrinking all across-the-board a few other areas have popped up but apparently they aren’t concerned about it. It has been a long three months and I have to say it was difficult to say the least, but if the meds are shrinking , I guess I can put up with the side effects if it’s going to help me live longer. But along with this good news comes the unreality of your family thinking you’re cured. I know they want me to be cured. I know it’s wishful thinking, but with this diagnosis it’s not curable it’s just treatable. It’s very difficult for them to understand the side effects from all of the of these drugs, somehow I wish there was education for families so they could understand the reality of what we go through. All of us have to live our lives pretending, so everyone else feels better. That’s very difficult to do. my new favorite phrase that I learned from a friend of mine who is turning 104 this year , she always says I’m not complaining I’m just explaining. Bless her heart, I get it, 12 years ago when I had this I had nobody to talk to, I tried to find somebody to talk to, and there was no one so I am very grateful for this site it helps so many of us who just need to talk. Hugs from my grateful heart, Maria

Your story sounds so similar to mine. I had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation 12 years ago. Was on anastrozoleand Tamoxifen for over 10 years. Stopped Tamoxifen in Sept of 22. Sore hip in March of 22 turned out to be bone metastases. Cancer also found in liver and lymph. Been taking faslodex, zometa & verzenio since April. Fortunately I am tolerating the meds very well, but am just hanging on mentally...waiting for them to stop working. Like you I don't want to make family/friends feel bad and worry so the standard line is I feel great....really feeling not so great emotionally but doing my best.

Hi J, I struggle every day with the aim fine syndrome. I’m alone a lot so I hide it well. I’m so sorry you too are going thru this. The meds I’m am taking make me so sick. When I did the 8 rounds of chemo at least there was a light at the end of the tunnel. But this, is not my happy place. I have so much to be thankful for with the exception of a husband only pretending to to care THIS TIME so people don’t shun him like last time I had cancer. It’s all too much tidy. It was an awful day. Thank you for writing. It means the world to me. Maria

I'm sorry to hear you are not tolerating your meds well and sorry you don't have real support from those closest to you when you need it the most. I am finding it difficult to talk about how I feel even though I do have support from my husband. The cancer is always on my mind.....it's very difficult to act like life is good, when you are so anxious about what the future holds.....living for today s definitely easier said than done. I guess we just have to do our best....whatever that is. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

J,
In 2014, my wife Jenny had a lumpectomy and radiation. Nov 2020, she fell to her knees while walking the dogs due to a crippling pain in her back, was diagnosed with stage IV MBC with mets, and several compression fractures throughout her entire spine, and mets scattered throughout multiple other bones, none in any organs. You are on the same treatment plan that she is, she started with 150mg Verzenio, and over the course of her treatment, her ONC lowered her dose to 100mg, now she's on 50mg. She was having major issues with the side effects, especially in the beginning, glad to hear that you are tolerating it well. She gets the Faslodex inj's monthly, and recently went from monthly Zometa IV's to every 3 months, she's been on her treatment plan for two years, and it is still working. I'm curious as to which Verzenio dose you are on, if you wish to share.
We also feel as thought we are waiting for the other shoe to drop, I understand the not feeling so great emotionally, but hang in there, and yes, living for today is easier said than done.
Reach out anytime, Kris

Maria,
I am sorry that you are going through this alone, my wife has stage IV MBC, and we are so blessed to have family and close friends that are so supportive and encouraging, we don't live near biological family, but our church family has filled in the void. I too wish there was education not just families but for everyone, prior to this diagnosis for Jenny, I had no idea what cancer patients and their spouse or caregiver go through, I'm not sure about you, but our life is like a rollercoaster ride, we never know what is in store for us each day, but recently she has been having some great days. I'm sorry that you don't feel any support from your husband, Jenny and I openly talk about her cancer, death, etc., and we are big jokesters, she said to me once "it's a good thing you don't have cancer, you wouldn't be able to handle it", we both laughed, but it's true-I'm a big baby.
Do you think maybe your cancer diagnosis has scared your husband, or maybe he is angry about it, and projecting it onto you ? Do you talk to a therapist ? You are not in this alone, I have not been able to find a group of spouses of those diagnosed with MBC, but I feel lucky to have found this group, being surrounded by others that know what you are going through feels like a big ((hug)). Feel free to reach out anytime, Kris

Kris,
Wow, it is really great to hear from someone who is on the same treatment plan and know that it has been working for 2 years. Thanks for reaching out. I am on 150 mgs twice a day. My neutrophil count has dropped twice so I was taken off the med for a few days....more labwork showed it went back up so back on the medication again. I really don't have any major issues with other side effects at this point. Curious to know what side effects have caused your wife's dosage to be lowered. It's great you are there for your wife. I would be lost without the support of my husband. Hope the good days continue for you both.