Just Diagnosed

Metster-Mom

Hello,

Even as I sit here typing I can't believe this is my life. Three years ago at the age of 35 I was diagnosed with IDC, Stage 3A. I did everything I was supposed to do - even tried to do it with a smile. Now three years later, and I was just diagnosed with mets to my lower sacrum. I will have my ovaries out this week and will then start Ibrance and Letrezole 2 weeks later. I, of course, am a mix of emotions. I have a 9 year old son who I want to watch grow up so I don't plan on going anywhere! The weird part is that other than a little lower back pain, I don't feel sick at all. My blood counts are normal and I feel great. Has anyone else felt like this at the time of diagnosis? I'm on here hoping to find stories of positivity, strength and HOPE! Cancer really sucks.

Cure-ious

Metsta

First, breathe! You are the same person you were yesterday, and will be next year- except that next year there will far fewer cancer cells floating around your body! You are so young, the challenge is much greater, but try to imagine that there are treatments coming along that will extend you life till you die of something else entirely. None of us know the future, but you don't want to look back and wish you had done everything the same except freaked out so bad. Enjoy this moment, and then the next one, step at a time, and try to stop your mind from projecting ahead

pajim

Metster-Mom, welcome to the club! Very exclusive -- only the best ladies get to join.

You are in the what I think of as the shock-and-awe period that happens right after diagnosis. It's really scary. We've all been there. I promise you that it will get better. Life will return to a semblance of normal.

With a little luck (you don't need a lot), you'll live to see your son grow up. The median time to progression on Ibrance & letrozole was 26 months in the trials. So that's two+ years on this med alone. And there are a large number of meds to try.

I've been at this 4.5 years now. I have and still feel perfectly healthy. Be happy and go out and live your life.

Blume

Metster-Mom I'm 4 months ahead of you since my diagnosis, trust me it gets easier. There are lots of positive stories out there, use this board and read some of the old threads, you will learn a lot and gain strength from others experience.

I generally do feel healthy myself (I'm 52) , go kayaking, cycling, walking in the mountains, travelling, still work. Enjoy the things you have always loved and make plans for the future with your son, you can be around to watch him grow up.

I also just started ibrance and letrozole, praying it works for us and everyone else on it for many years.

Partyoffive

Metster:So sorry that your have had to join this very exclusive club but take a breath things will calm down once you have a treatment plan in place. I was diagnosed over 4 years ago and was feeling great(diagnosed de novo)and still do. I have mets in most of my bones but have zero pain and am still on my first medicine-I have only taken tamoxifen and xgeva. I wasn't lucky enough to participate in a vaccine trial a couple years ago that immunotherapy based. I have 5 children and understand how you feel when it comes to your son. My youngest was 8 at the time and I was/am determined to see her grow up. Good luck to you and the women/men on this site are very knowledgeable and caring.

Kristi