1. < Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer: Anyone else?

Posted by rae3 @rae3, Oct 6, 2016

Hello...I am new to this site. I had BC originally in 1989 with lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. After 4 months of pains, thought to be muscular from lots of tennis, xrays revealed cracked vertebraes in the spine and led to MBC diagnosis, to the bones. I have been receiving xgeva and faslodex injections once a month since February 2015. One round of radiation in August to the hip eliminated that pain by reducing the tumor. Just wondering if there is anyone out there in a similar situation and how are you doing??

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 29, 2022
In reply to @mssewest "I didn’t mean you weren’t advocating for yourself. It just seems some oncologists will not do..." + (show)
@mssewest

I didn’t mean you weren’t advocating for yourself. It just seems some oncologists will not do minimal testing and I don’t know why. I expressed localized pain to my oncologist quite often and she wouldn’t even order blood work. She suggested taking gabapentin, increasing magnesium and suggested taking Claritin but was so shocked she wouldn’t order a PET scan. I discovered a lump in my clavicle in November and turns out breast cancer has returned and it has metastasized. CT showed swollen lymph nodes on both sides.
I’ll be starting chemo the end of January.

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Hi @mssewest, I just thought I'd pop in as I was thinking about you. You'll be starting chemo soon, right? What regimen are you starting and how often will you be having treatment?

How are you doing today?

REPLY
1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 18, 2022
In reply to @mssewest "I didn’t mean you weren’t advocating for yourself. It just seems some oncologists will not do..." + (show)
@mssewest

I didn’t mean you weren’t advocating for yourself. It just seems some oncologists will not do minimal testing and I don’t know why. I expressed localized pain to my oncologist quite often and she wouldn’t even order blood work. She suggested taking gabapentin, increasing magnesium and suggested taking Claritin but was so shocked she wouldn’t order a PET scan. I discovered a lump in my clavicle in November and turns out breast cancer has returned and it has metastasized. CT showed swollen lymph nodes on both sides.
I’ll be starting chemo the end of January.

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i am sorry you are in the midst of this new situation. What we all wait for, subconsciously or consciously. Without the lump in the clavicle I wonder when it would have been found. My oncologist discharged me at years out, even though risk continues to go up for hormonal cancers. I found another one. COVID has been a factor in not following up in person. Good luck with the chemo!

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1 reply
mssewest | @mssewest | Jan 17, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "They require intense unchanging pain that is localized. I advocate for myself, believe me. My point..." + (show)
@windyshores

They require intense unchanging pain that is localized. I advocate for myself, believe me. My point was that some of us are in pain a lot of the time so how to ever distinguish.

Jump to this post

I didn’t mean you weren’t advocating for yourself. It just seems some oncologists will not do minimal testing and I don’t know why. I expressed localized pain to my oncologist quite often and she wouldn’t even order blood work. She suggested taking gabapentin, increasing magnesium and suggested taking Claritin but was so shocked she wouldn’t order a PET scan. I discovered a lump in my clavicle in November and turns out breast cancer has returned and it has metastasized. CT showed swollen lymph nodes on both sides.
I’ll be starting chemo the end of January.

REPLY
2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 17, 2022
In reply to @mssewest "I would advocate for yourself and ask your doctor for a PET Scan." + (show)
@mssewest

I would advocate for yourself and ask your doctor for a PET Scan.

Jump to this post

They require intense unchanging pain that is localized. I advocate for myself, believe me. My point was that some of us are in pain a lot of the time so how to ever distinguish.

REPLY
1 reply
mssewest | @mssewest | Jan 17, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "I had breast cancer in 2014, grade 3 with lymphovascular invasion. I had a double mastectomy,..." + (show)
@windyshores

I had breast cancer in 2014, grade 3 with lymphovascular invasion. I had a double mastectomy, no chemo or radiation, hormone treatment only. With arthritis, osteoporosis and fractures, I have a lot of bone pain. How do we ever know to ask for a bone scan for MBC? I am sorry you are dealing with this!

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I would advocate for yourself and ask your doctor for a PET Scan.

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1 reply
mssewest | @mssewest | Jan 9, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "I'd like to welcome @mssewest to the MBC group. Mssewest, would you mind re-posting your story..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I'd like to welcome @mssewest to the MBC group.

Mssewest, would you mind re-posting your story here?

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Sure, thank you Colleen

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jan 9, 2022

Please join us in the best group you never wanted to join. @mssewest

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 9, 2022

I'd like to welcome @mssewest to the MBC group.

Mssewest, would you mind re-posting your story here?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 19, 2021
In reply to @louis0705 "Since I’m just getting shots they said I can go anywhere but I’ll still be going..." + (show)
@louis0705

Since I’m just getting shots they said I can go anywhere but I’ll still be going to Mayo for that oncologist and to get all my scans every few months.

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I would go to Mayo for scans and checkups if I lived closer. They are so amazing. Crossing my fingers for you to find a local clinic for your injections, and for positive results with the new meds.

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louis0705 | @louis0705 | Sep 19, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I am hoping you find a more local oncologist for your care. Have you asked your..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I am hoping you find a more local oncologist for your care. Have you asked your team at Mayo about helping you find local care?

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Since I’m just getting shots they said I can go anywhere but I’ll still be going to Mayo for that oncologist and to get all my scans every few months.

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