Need help!!! Diagnosed with mets in 5 organs

Roberta2

Not sure how in the heck this happened considering I was originally stage 0.  The other part I do not understand how in the world this is not in say one organ but in 5.  This is absolutely crazy to me!!!! Please see my DX's below.

I am not trying to be morpid and will stay positive, but does this consider me a terminal illness?

fifthyear

Roberta2,

Sending you hugs. Do consider posting in Stage IV forum, the ladies there will be able to give you better thoughts/perspective. There are many treatments out there, hoping your medical team will get you though this.

exbrnxgrl

Hi Roberta,

So sorry that you are having to face this. As sugested, come on over and post on the stage IV threads. We are all living with mets, at various stages of progression, and can lend support and knowledge for whatever you may be facing. If you do have bc mets, there are many possibilities for tx plans. You might be surprised to learn how much life many of us still have left! Ultimately, since mets are not curable, that is what most of us will die from, just not today!

Caryn

MaryLW

Hi Roberta, I was totally kicked in the stomach when I was diagnosed with mets in January. Unlike you, I probably should have expected it, but didn't. I have found a lot of support from family and friends, as well as from the Stage IV threads here. There really are many knowledgeable, supportive women here, and many of them have lived for years after their mets diagnosis. This gives me hope, and maybe it will help you.

pajim

Dear Roberta, I'm so sorry you are going through this.  Yes, unfortunately, this diagnosis means it's a terminal illness.

However, "terminal" can still mean many years.  There are plenty of women on the Stage IV forum who have had this illness 10 years or more.

What will happen, depending on the type of tumor, is the docs will prescribe certain drugs.  In your case anti-estrogen drugs.  You'll take those until they don't work anymore.  Then they prescribe the next set of drugs.  And there are many treatments available.

take heart!  Once you have a treatment plan you may feel better.  It is a scary time, but you will get used to it.  If you're having real trouble with anxiety or depression ask the doc for drugs.  Better living through chemistry.