Mets in bone, liver and lungs after 10 years

ready2fight

Hi all.... I'm really glad I found this site and feel ope full after reading some of your stories!



I was originally dx 4/02, 2 days after my 35th b' day with breast cancer and 3 positive nodes. I had a lumpectomy and auxiliary node dissection. I did 8 rounds of Cytoxan, Epirubicin and 5-FU followed by radiation. My original tumor was highly ER +, PR + and Her2 -. I did one year of Tamoxifen and switched to Arimidex for five years after I had a complete hysterectomy. All my check ups have been great and I celebrated my 10 anniversary this past April.



Well....my world came crashing down about two weeks ago. I had been having some stomach pain which finally got bad enough to send me to my local doctor....it all appeared to be my gallbladder. My liver tests were only slightly elevated, just enough to indicate something like gallbladder. Three nights in the hospital and a gazillion tests later, a MRI showed a metastisis to my liver. I had a biopsy done and was released.



When we got the results back we were all surprised that the biopsy now showed ER -/ PR -/ HER2 -. Completely different from before! A PET scan also showed bone mets and small areas on my lungs.



For now, I'm staying with my oncologist and doing the treatment he recommends. I start this Friday, 7/27. I'll be taking Abraxene weekly, Avastin every 2 weeks, and Achieva (?? I think...was a little brain dead by the time I wrote this down) once a month. I'll follow this schedule for four months, with a new scan done after two months, then have a break. I want to go somewhere durning that break for a second opinion.



I'm scared but ready to fight hard. Any advice you can share will be GREATLY appreciated! I'd love to hear from anyone that is doing a similar drug schedule and how it is going. Since I'm wanting to go somewhere else for another opinion or maybe look at a clinical trial, throw any of that my way too.



Thanks!!

Lisa

ready2fight

I'm so mad, scared, frustrated......



Just heard from my doctors office and apparently my insurance is not going to cover the Abraxane (did cover the Avastin, though). For now, my doctor is switching me to Taxotere. He is going to being a peer to peer discussion with the oncologist with Cigna, writing letters, etc



I just really need some advice on what to do from here. I go for my first infusion tomorrow.

camillegal

Oh I am so sorry for all that's happened to u and to add to that the insurance Co. won't ok something--anything they are absolutelu insane.  OMG after 10 yrs what a shock---U'r Onc. sounds like he has it down on what to do--but of course get a 2nd opinion that's only right. U do sound like a fighter tho and that's great.

But on u'r behalf I am furious with insurance companies for their "drs" judging what u can or can not get. I hope u Dr. gets some good results with them. I'm sorry i can't be of any help to u, but just (((HUGS))) and prayers.

sweetbean

Ready2fight,

 You may have already done this, but definitely post on the Stage IV Forum.  There are lots of super helpful ladies over there who will give you a ton of advice and support.  So sorry to hear about your progression!!!  I hope this treatment kicks it ass!