decisions

fighting

decisions

fighting

I am new to this web site and I am looking for any information on anyone that has breast cancer that has now spread to the chest bone.   I have just been given the news that my breast cancer has now spread into my chest bone and the only alternative that my oncl could give me was to do pallative chemo.  I was just wondering if anyone out there has done chemo for this diagnosis? and if so have you found it beneficial?  or has anyone deciced not to go this route and take a more holistic approach?  and if so how are you doing?  I am obvously having a very difficult time deciding which route I should take.  My oncl said if I don't have the chemo I will probably have 6months to a year and if I do the chemo it will give me a little longer.  I just don't know if it is worth it as I have heard some horrific stories when folks have gone thru the chemo route.   Quality of life to me is critical and I'm not sure if I will have much of a quality of life if I should decide on the chemo.   If anyone could shed any light on this for me I would be forever grateful.   God bless you all and keep the power of prayer going for all of us.    With gratitude.

mimi1030

Hello There,

I saw you post and wanted to invite you over to the mets board as your question will be answered over there.  You are not ready for this area yet.  People with bone mets can live 10, 20, 30 years with the right care and treatment.  Please do not feel that you cannot fight this.  Chemo's are good these days and there are some that cause no symptoms at all.  My mom is on weekly Tacol/Herdcetin and monthly zometa for her bones, she has bone mets and liver mets.  She is doing well, she has no side effects from her treatments.  You will hear horror stories but for the most part they are not the standard experiences with today's chemo's.  Please come over to our board so you can get the support and reassurance you need to help you fight this.  With bone mets you can live a long time.

I will post the girls in the mets board about this so we can be sure to get you over there.

Take care

Michelle

SunshineSmiles

Dear Fighting,

Your Onc needs a lesson in bedside manners, and needs to keep his dire predictions (outdated) to himself!  Goodness, how on earth could he say such things? 

Women with bone mets (and other types of mets) can live many years, find remission, and live active healthy lives just by using certain medications which aren't necessarily even chemo.  Are you on an anti-estrogen medication such as Tamoxifen or Arimidex?  If your cancer was er+/ pr+, then you should be.  These drugs can be highly effective against bone mets.  Also, Zometa is a great drug and is not chemo.  It helps your bones rebuild and fight the cancer.  It's a once-monthly i.v.  There are other options to discuss as you become educated about your cancer. 

Please come over to the Recurrence/Metastases Board so that we can help you see that mets are not a death sentence.  I'd like to spank your Onc for giving you such a dismal speech. 

Come on over-

Susan 

SLH

Dear Fighting,

1...Give your Oncologist the boot and find a more positive one.

2...Post your concerns on Recurrance (as Susan and Mimi suggested)  The women here can give you excellent guidance and encouragement.

3...It's not over 'til it's over.  Don't give up. There are so many treatments now, and there are more being developed.

You are among friends.

sally 

AnnNYC

Fighting,

I hope you can find an oncologist whose outlook is positive!

Also, here's a link to a conversation Michelle started for you on the Recurrence/Mets topic:

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/8/conversation/707075?page=1#comment_952497