"Highly Probable" mets lungs and bone

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welela52
welela52 Member Posts: 38
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I won't bore you with the details, but it is "highly probably" that my breast cancer has returned.  I just had a PET-CT scan this week because of a cough that wouldn't go away.  Results were quite startling to say the least.  Numerous spots are in the lump nodes in my lungs (bilateral) and of more concern to the doctor and radiologist are the 8 lesions on my spine.  I had an MRI of my lungs in December which showed one nodule on my right lung and a spot on my spine.  The next week I had a Nuclear Bone Scan which luckily turned out clear as to the spot on my spine.  THe docs took a wait and see attitude about the nodule on my lung.  Now that spot has grown and there are more, and now I have lesions on my spine.  All of this was ordered by my primary care doc.  I love this doctor, he has been very thorough in my care since the BC in 2008 (exactly 2 years from my BC diagnosis).  He have been very aggressive.  I knew something was definitely wrong when he called me first thing in the morning the day after my PET-CT scan and wanted me to come to his office for the results.  I knew pretty much right then that the cancer had probably spread to my lungs... however, I wasn't prepared to hear about the spots on my spine.  He said it is of great concern because in Dec/Jan there was noting on my spine... now there are numerous lesions.  I go to my onco Tuesday morning to get her opinion.  I am fully prepared to go thru chemo and rads again... not looking forward to it, but I'll do what I have to do.  My doc said it's possible that my onco may want biopsies before making a final diagnosis.  

I am calm, very calm.... again the Lord has given me peace.  

Wish me luck on Tuesday, and keep me in your prayers.   

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2010

    Bless you.. to find your Lord in the midst of this.

    good luck to you and of course I'll pray.

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited September 2010

    Wishing you all of God's grace and continued peace.  I am sorry you are facing this.  Will you please keep us updated on your appointment? You will be in my prayers, and do you mind if I share your name on the prayer thread?

    ((((((HUGS))))))

    Traci

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2010

    So sorry to hear of this- I will keep you in my thoughts as well.I had similar dx to yours a few months later.keep us posted.

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010

    Please do add my name to your prayer group... I think the more that are praying, the louder the voice we make... LOL  

    Thank you.  I will definitely post my oncos opinion.   

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2010

    Added.. Sending showers of peace and blessings..

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2010

    Added in NY as well.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2010

    I always pray to God that if He doesn't heal me, that he grants me peace, strength, courage and wisdom to get through whatever storms He allows in my life.  I pray for the same for you.

    Love

    Bobbie

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  • WellWater
    WellWater Member Posts: 6,546
    edited September 2010

    Adding my prayers for you also.....I like your calmness, it makes it easier for you and your loved ones to get through whatever is thrown your way.

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010

    Well, the saga continues.  I go tomorrow for a needle aspiration of my right lung.  Hopefully they will be able to draw enough fluid.  If they cannot, I will have to have a regular biopsy.  Needless to say onco is concerned and said that it if is cancer, treatment would begin immediately.  However, I won't get the results of the aspriation until next week.  Onco will, however, have results of liver blood test (?) tomorrow.  I am scheduled for needle aspriation at 9:30 and then as soon as I am released from the hospital I have to go straight to onco's office.  They will give me the results of the liver test tomorrow. 

    As I like to be prepared for whatever, I'm trying to gear myself up for chemo and rads.  Wondering if the chemo cocktail would be the same as it was for the BC- since if this is cancer again, it is most likely mets.  Does anyone know?

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited September 2010

    Sending prayers, love and support!! xo

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited September 2010

    I am wishing you luck and benign results :>

    Make sure they test the her2+ when they do the pathology because that has changed for a few of the people over on the stage IV forum.....herceptin and tykerb are nice weapons to have in your arsenal.  Hugs to you!  lisa

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2010

    You were wondering if the chemo cocktail would be the same as it was the first time.  First of all, we're all praying this is something else.  But if you are dealing with mets, there are different combinations they would look at based on the pathology.  Hang in there, and I hope you get some good results. 

    Hugs
    Bobbie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    I am praying for you and hoping that this is controllable.  Go kick ass. 

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited September 2010

    Praying for you here in California.  (((welela52)))      Deanna

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010

    Saw my onco today.   It is cancer in both spine and lungs.  We will have the final pathology report on Tuesday to see if it is mets breast cancer or another cancer.  I may have a lung biopsy.  Also on Tuesday we will decide on a course of treatment and I will be given the IV of Aridia (sp?) for my bones - which is a osteoporosis medication found to be helpful with bone cancer.  I will not be cured, but we will keep looking for the chemo cocktails that will put me into remission.  And when I come out of remission (and I WILL come out) then we will try another chemo.  I  don't know if you know of Kay Yow.  She was a basketball coach for NC State and she fought the same thing for nearly 30 years!!!  She is my inspiration along with my best friend's mother.   I will LIVE!!!  

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited September 2010

    Yes you will, I have no doubts!  You have been in my thoughts and prayers.  Live on Lady, and we will cheer you on :)

    Traci

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2010

    You are going to kick cancer butt!

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited September 2010

    Welela, best of luck with whatever treatment you have.

    Leah

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited September 2010

    We are all here to hold your cyber hand thru this journey, which will be veeeerrry long!  I'm shooting for a minimum of 30 years myself.....you will LIVE!!! 

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  • Sara_Louise
    Sara_Louise Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2010

    Will keep you in my prayers, and I love your attitude, with that and your faith, you are going to kick some major cancer butt!!!

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited September 2010

    Welela, I hope they find the right combination of chemo to kick the cancer into submission at the first go.  Prayers for success are coming your way.

    Love n hugs. chrissyb

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited September 2010

    Welela52:

    I know you will kick major cancer butt - how can you lose with Kay Yow as an inspiration (I lived in Greenville, SC for many years so was well aware of her) - you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sandy

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  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2010

    Your attitude is contagious, will be thinking of you! 

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010
    • SmileThanks so much all of you wonderful wonderful women.  With you, my family, friends and the Lord, how can I possibly lose?  I will definititely keep you updated and praying for each and every one of you.  {{Hugs}}  Wink
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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited September 2010

    welela,

    Please do keep us updated.  We tend to get a little attatched here :)  You are in my prayers!

    Traci

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010

     Hi All! 

     I hope everyone is well as can be on this gorgeous (well at least here in NC) almost Autumn day.

    Okay... bottom line ; I have Stage IV Advanced Mets Lungs (lymph nodes and lung spots) and Bones (spine) and there are a few more suspicious areas in my chest wall.  So, that said... I still have to go for more testing.... another bone scan on Friday to correlate to the PET-CT scan I had on 9/1/10; I may have to have another lung biopsy and if I don't get into this trial the onco wants me to try, then I may have to have another port put in on Friday, as well - if I am not accepted into the trial. 

    I've been doing pretty good emotionally, a bit stressed today since the thoracic doc I saw this morning was so fast and out of the blue.  But I got past that.  Then, stupid stupid me... ( I have a love/hate relationshp with the internet) I started reserach this new diagnosis and frankly, it could scare the crap out of me if I was trusting in the Lord.  I saw that only about 20% of women survive past 5 years... and then there was the average survival rate of 16%....  that's could scare ya for sure and it did at first.  But then I recalled that I was trusting in the Lord for peace and strength.  I also remember Kay Yow, and though I am certainly not her nor do I pretend to have her strength, I will fight with everything my skinny (and skinnier) little body has to give.

    Onco wants to put me into a trial:  Faslodex and Dasatinib combo.  We'll give it a 4 months and if nothing happens or I get worse, we will switch to conventional chemo.  This trial is done by pills everyday (Dasatinib) and once monthly injections of Faslodex.  I also had my first Aredia treatment yesterday - that will also be monthly. 

    So everyone, I'm open to your thoughts.  

    (P.S. I cried today at the thoughts of my daughter having to go through this with me, and the fear that someday it could happen to her.)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    Hey girl...I am so sorry to hear what you're facing and wanted to suggest that you visit the Stage IV board. Those women are incredibly strong and very straightforward. I think that you'll find not only an abundance of solid emotional support there, but a wealth of practicle information as well.

    I'm sending you my most positive thoughts and wishes...and I'm only miles away from you in Morrisville/Cary!

    ~Marin

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  • welela52
    welela52 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2010

    Thanks very much Marin - I'm going to go check it out now. 

    Hey, we are almost neighbors - I live in Kittrell but work in Raleigh by Crabtree Mall.

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  • Julie50
    Julie50 Member Posts: 227
    edited September 2010

    I'm so sorry to hear this.  Like you I have had a cough starting 3 weeks after radiation.  Just had a chest x-ray said it was ok, except for COPD starting (Yes I used to smoke)...;(  Should I ask for a PET scan????

    Thank you

    Julie

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  • Sara_Louise
    Sara_Louise Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2010

    Praying that you will kick some major cancer butt, and with your positive attitude and faith in God, I am sure that you will!!  God Bless!!Smile

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