Anyone from Boise, Idaho with Metastasis Cancer?

freebird53

I have lived in Boise, Idaho for going on 2 yrs this March 2015.. orginally from Wisconsin born and raised...I took my 3 children in 1998 and moved to California where....I was first diagnosed in 2010 with Breast Cancer Stage 2b....I had a tumor that I left go for almost a year...(due to not having insurance) and was told that the lump was inconclusive...so they told me that it was probably a infection in my milk glands...which I have had previously in my life...so I had a bout with Diverticulitis and went to the emergency room where I showed my left breast to the ER doctor..and the faces when they saw my breast is a lasting memory in my mind...I was immediately admitted and given a biopsy...in which they found the cancer...I had chemo right away to shrink the tumor...then my left breast removed along with 13 lymph noids which were all cantankerous... more chemo...and then to complete the process radiation...then was put on the 5 yr drug Tamoxifen...went back to work in late 2011 in remission "I thought"...July 2012 started bleeding and I haven't had a period for years...went in found I had Uterus Cancer...had a total hysterectomy... healed  6-8 weeks went back to work...then my youngest daughter and her hubby asked me to move to Idaho...because her hubby's family lived here and he got a transfer from Bakersfield,CA Auto Zone to here in Boise...I of course wanted to join them because she had my first grandson...so we came to Idaho...I found work right away and we all lived together the first year to get on our feet...In Sept 2013 I started to have severe mi-grans....every day and it was on bearable...went to my primary doctor..."strained neck"...had a MRI of my brain...nothing...no stroke...no tumors...continue on 6mths like this until I had enough of going back and forth to the doctors and emergency rooms for pain management...I ask the doctor to preform other scans...March 27 2014...I had a CAT scan..within 24 hrs...I was given the news that I have CANCER and now it has Metastasis's into my bones...one tumor on my "BRAIN STEM"...hmmm...one on my spinal cord bone...and one on my hip....started rapid radiation...along with oral Chemo....April 28 2014...all most died...due to side effects of the chemo....the diarrhea had caused me to have a bowel rupture...which they had to end up taking 2 ft of my colon...and a colostomy bag...I'm now going through weekly chemo treatments...my tumor markers are down in the 80's...had a recent PEP scan no NEW tumors and the tumors I do have...have dissipated significantly... I'v lost 53 lbs since April...which i needed to loose..but not this way...I am dealing with the fear of dying ...because I don't want to die...I'm not ready...I want to see my grandson's which I now have 3 grow up and graduate from High School at least...I hate this disease...I am lonely...very lonely..i have caretakers 3 times a week...but my family...they do what they can...and friends...a support group...nothing...i need people to care...and at least check in and find out what's up with me...I lost a great friend Aug 29 to a massive Stroke...OUT OF NO WHERE...she's gone...and that scared the hell out of me....we talked weekly...I got a card from her weekly...Facebooked me with inspirational comments...and she is gone...I just want to talk to folks that have something in common...and be with others....Hope to here from you...Thanks for taking the time to read... 

kt1966

Hi Freebird, I'm  not from Boise but just wanted to give you a virtual (((hug)))

You've certainly had a rough ride. I hope someone will come along from your region. You might want to look at the Stage IV section for people going thru similar things too.

Does your hospital/cancer center have support groups? Or someone (nurse navigator or similar) to help you find support?

Hope you feel better soon

kt

exbrnxgrl

So sorry that you're going through this. Come on over to the stage IV forum. Even if we can't find you an Idaho pal, we can all be your virtual pals!

dlb823

I'm not from Boise either, but my heart goes out to you for all you've been through and are going through.   I'm so sorry about your friend's sudden passing.  That would be tough no matter what, but being kind of new to the area you're living in and not having a lot of other support would make it especially hard.  I'm so sorry.  But I'm so glad you've found BCO now!

As far as local support and contact, is there a breast cancer support group where you're being treated; or is there a patient navigator or psychologist or anyone there who could direct you to additional support groups or services?  Some hospitals run classes like art or yoga, for example, for cancer patients, and assuming you can get out, those would give you the opportunity to meet new people.   I'm also wondering if you reached out to the local American Cancer Society office if they have any programs that would help you connect with others?   Just some thoughts...

It's wonderful that you have no new tumors and the ones you have had are improving!  That's great news!  I hope whatever treatment you're on continues to work well for a very long time!    (((Hugs)))   Deanna

Moderators

Freebird we are so sorry to hear all you have been through. We are reaching out to you virtually and assure you that this community is made up of an amazing, inspiring, and supportive group of women and men who can understand and relate to you and can support you and your journey. 

Here is a link to the stage IV forum that exbrnxgrl suggested to you: Stage IV where you can join current threads or start your own one.

Here are some active threads that you might like to join in. 

Bone mets thread

Chemotherapy forum

Sending you big hugs

From the moderators.