My Mets Breast Cancer Story: Questions about Low WBC, spots on liver

I would love for others to chime in to this conversation. I am going to say, ask your oncologist. He will be tracking your WBC , while it is low. He can also look at your overall health.
If it is me and I have no MD guidance, this is what I do.
If it is outside, I go! I don’t stand or sit in the crush of people, but maybe off to the side, or in a less populated area. I take a mask with me, that way I have it if I cannot get a distance from others in certain times.
I love to go to outdoor events that are in parks and somewhat casual, but I don’t go to any concert where there is a crush of people, the risk is too great for me.
What kinds of outdoor events do you like to attend?

Thanks for your reply. I am in great health. I love going to outdoor arts/crafts shows. Fall is a great time for these activities. I live in Asheville NC so the fall shows are many.

I have been to Asheville. What a beautiful place. Enjoy the shows.
If I am in large crowds any where I use a mask just to be safe.

Yeah, me too.
I typically avoid any crowds but if I have to go somewhere crowded, I put on my mask. If someone makes a nasty comment (common where I live) I remind them that I might be protecting them from what I have. That usually does the trick. 😂
It just doesn’t pay to get a cold or flu if you have low white cells. Hand sanitizer in my pocket is a great addition when attending outdoors where there may not be a place to wash.
I love to go to the arts festivals and the craft shows we have locally, it is getting past that time of year now. Will you attend indoor shows or markets over the winter?

We usually have an outdoor show in the summer and an inside one in the winter
I will probably go to both but wear a mask. The flu is going around in our community now. I live In the maritimes Canada.
I'm with you on sanitizer. I always have that with me and a mask in the car.
Enjoy the art shows, aren't they fun, you never know what new crafts you will see.

Thanks everyone for your posts! As a RN, I have always been one to assess the risks and benefits of my actions. In this case, since I am newly diagnosed with met breast cancer, I am being overly cautious until I get accustomed to my "new" lab values and the new routine of medications and scans. Once I have settled in with this diagnosis, I will be better able to assess the risks and benefits of travel, concerts, and outdoor shows.

@maliamd I applaud your approach to your diagnosis :clap:

There are some research that supports having acupuncture to raise WBC. If it is available to you, you might want to try. I have ER+, HER2- mbc and I tried 3 acupuncture sessions (once a month for 3 months) and saw a raise in my WBC. I cannot say whether it was definitely because of acupuncture or not, but wanted to put it here as a resource.maliamd I applaud your approach to your diagnosis :clap:

There are some research that supports having acupuncture to raise WBC. If it is available to you, you might want to try. I have ER+, HER2- mbc and I tried 3 acupuncture sessions (once a month for 3 months) and saw a raise in my WBC. I cannot say whether it was definitely because of acupuncture or not, but wanted to put it here as a resource.

Hello All, Diagnosed 3 months ago with breast cancer met to several bone areas. Was dx with breast ca 4 years ago. Very small, HR+, no lymph node involvement. Lumpectomy and rad. Placed on aromatose inhibitors. Needless to say was a shock to hear about the spread which was found as an incidental finding for a lower spine x-ray. Very active, runner, healthy lifestyle and a RN. Treatment for this bone met Ibrance, Zometa, an d Fulvestrant. Feel good. Minimal side effects. Repeat PET scan this week to see how it is going. Bone hot spots responding well to treatment. One hot spot gone. One hot spot hotter. The scan did show a very small minimally active spot on my liver. Question to y'all....what are the treatment options for the very small liver spot?

@maliamd Wow, I would be shocked to hear about the spread too based on your initial diagnosis and treatment. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm happy that the targeted meds are working well for you and you're feeling good! Don't know about the typical liver spot treatment, but keep an eye on leeann66 who is doing a clinical trial for her metastatic breast cancer and it's working great. Stage III trial on Tropion. Who knows when it will be FDA approved, but hopefully by the time any of us need it.

Also, histotripsy is a new FDA approved ultrasound treatment for malignant liver tumors. Check out threads on that.

So far only a couple cancer centers have signed up for it because it's expensive to implement and insurance coverage is unknown. I'm not sure which facilities, but my IR thought Cleveland Clinic may be one of them, but not sure. Prayers for you.

Thanks Zebra for the links! I will print and put in my file.

It was a shock to learn of my bone ca. But I am a fighter and in great spirits.

Hugs,
Mary