Stage 4 but my doctor said I was far from typical

Anonymous

Stage 4 but my doctor said I was far from typical

Madelineg

He said I had cancer for 5 years untreated. After my husband passed, I saw something on my breast yet I let it pass. I just wanted my life back so I traveled all over Europe. It was on a trip in April that I suddenly could no longer walk. I was sent home with a nurse escort business class by my travel insurance company. A Orthopedic doctor found the cancer in my hip and said it had to come from somewhere. I told him about my breast. My oncologist contacted a surgeon and she did a biopsy. I a'm walking and driving now. I was in a wheelchair. Then a walker. I use a cane ,but I can walk without it.I am now undergoing radiation for my breast after a mastectomy. I do not feel sick. Nothing hurts and the only pain medication I take is Tylenol. My oncologist went on to say that I will live to be an old lady. I have not had any chemo but I will be taking a hormone therapy pill the rest of my life.

Heidihill

Judging from the fact that you are walking again, you seem to be having a great response to treatment. Yay!! Far from typical could get you far indeed.

exbrnxgrl

Madelineg,

There are some outliers in the world of metastatic bc. My story line is a bit different. Double mastectomy, staged IIB. Port installed for chemo. Two weeks later, unrelated PET finds collapsed lung (nicked during port procedure) and spot on upper femur. Biopsy confirms that spot is bc. Welcome to stage IV. Chemo cancelled. I have been on AI's (and two years on Pamidronate)since then That was a bit more than five years ago. I am very grateful, but wish they could find out why I've done so well. Take care and happy holidays.

Freya244117

I've often wondered if any medical researchers study people who do well, to me that would make sense. Is it their body chemistry, diet, environment, genes, whatever. That information would be invaluable.

exbrnxgrl

Freya,

The answer is yes! I have given permission for researchers to have access to my tumor samples, blood saliva etc, in the hopes that they may be useful in figuring out the puzzle. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Project is involved in this.

Freya244117

Well that is great news I gave permission for samples of my tumour to be used for medical research, it's not like I needed it for anything I will do a bit of research into the MBC project.

Madelineg

I would have done that if I knew it was possible.