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diana50
diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

i have had second thoughts about posting here but then i decided that knowledge is worth it,

 as you all know i had some progression to T4 vertebra.  this all happened because my tumor markers doubled in august.  i want you all to know that i am doing great and have a plan in place.

 i have no symptoms.  no pain or anything; just the elevated markers.

 my plan is this

radiation to the T4 vertebre because the tumor is heading towards my spinal cord.  as i said; no symptoms or pain,

 the rads will be low dose over a longer period of time to avoid spinal damage, but to kill the cancer

zometa for two years, 1x a month.

AI as long as it works

PET scan in 3 months to look for response. if no response then chemo  (IV)

 i am really optimistic. of course, who wants to do this again, but i think treatment is so important and it gives you

hope.  i know it has been a hard month or two for stage III  peeps.  just don't give up.  there are so many options out there for us. 

hang in there. there are so many options for us. i am cycling and doing good. yeah, i have to take time to wrap my head

around this. i hate being an active cancer patient; but that is what i am now. sigh. 

don't let fear run your life.

keep on sisters,

ox

diana

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited September 2012

    Yikes! Never occurred to me you would stop posting here. We still need you, probably now more than ever. And you are my person-who-has-been diagnosed longer than me who I like to keep up with. (There aren't many 2002'ers still loggin' on.) Weesa

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited September 2012

    so the tumor markers helped you find it? my MO doesn't do them. I am scared to get them, but I think I need them

    I hate BC 

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for the update. I enjoyed reading about your ten year anniversary in February. I was so pleased for you, and you really gave me inspiration and hope. And now you are still doing the same. If I have to face progression some day, I want to do it with the same optimism and courage that you're showing. I am sorry you're going thru this. My thoughts are with you. Please don't stop posting here! Kay

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2012

    Weesa. I am doing good It is a hiccup. Like I said no issues. Just the elevated marker and spot on spine. They will take care of it. I just care about my stage III sisters I feel great. The rads will take care of the issue. I just dont want peeps to give-up.

    Keep on.

    Ox

    Diana

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2012

    My markers over a period of 10 years showed the progression they work for some and for some no. But for me they worked and found the progression early. Early for me is hope.

    Diana

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited September 2012

    You go girl - have been thinking about you every day. Appreciate your postings here SO MUCH. When do the rads start? Will you go back on Arimidex? You are still our voice of reason, optimism and hope!

    Hugs, Julie

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    Agreed Diana. It has been a rough couple of months for the Stage III ladies, but I don't want anyone to lose hope either. There are so many Stage III folks who never progress. And actually, I probably was Stage IV from the beginning instead of Stage III and just didn't know it. Keep on keeping on girls. I look forward to posting with you ladies until a ripe old age.

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  • AgentMo
    AgentMo Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2012

    Diana, wasn't it planned that you will treat this spot with an agressive chemo therapy? If I may ask, why did you change plans to use hormonal therapy only?

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2012

    I would also like it if you would keep posting here. I think the reason I am still on boards at 2 years out is I'm trying to learn how to live with this disease. If I didn't have substantial risk of progression then I guess this journey would be behind me. Oh except for 1 boob and lymph edema It helps me when I read how others are coping Whether stage 3 or stage 4.

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  • mamabee
    mamabee Member Posts: 546
    edited September 2012

    Diana, Thank you for updating us. You've been there for so many of us over the years, now it's our turn to be there for you.

    Sounds like you have a good plan to zap that little bugger and get to NED. Go get 'em! 

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  • katyand4
    katyand4 Member Posts: 171
    edited September 2012

    You are always going to be my stage III sista and I'm going to continue to look up to you cause from day one when I joined this board your name has continually popped out to me and you have been and continue to be my inspiration.  Your attitude is terrific and I have no doubt you'll be kicking that cancers ass in no time at all.  Thank you for continuing to post here and letting us know how you are doing.  Sending positive thoughts your way for your treatments!

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2012

    thanks everyone. 

    plan

    1. start rads to T4 vertebra on monday.  low dose over a period of 20 some days.  doing it this way perserves spinal cord from being damaged   vs   high dose over short period of time)  this will take up october pretty much,  it is daily.  side effect will be a sore throat. they have to get on this. i saw the damage to the bone and it is making its way toward my spinal cord.

    2. start zometa infusions 1 x month for 2 years.  start AI  .

    3, PET scan in three months to look at cancer.  there were two lymph nodes in my chest that showed up on PET scan, they could be beign (inflammatory) or cancer.  they weren't as hot as the spot in my spine,but they were there, that is why they were talking aggressive chemo.  if the PET shows the nodes and if they have changed,,,and look more like cancer then i will get IV chemo in three months.  they can't biopsy the nodes becasuse of location so they can only go by a scan.  doc doesn't want to give me IV chemo unless i really need it, so waiting to see if there is a change in three months . i can wait and see what happens. sometimes you have to wait 3 months with stuff going on to be sure before you make a decision.

    so that is it in a nutshell, my cancer didn't change in 10 and half years.  how about that?  i went off the AI after 6 years and so now after rads i start again with the AI.  i feel good about the plan and i don't feel any different then i did a year ago,  hah take that stupid cancer. 

    do i wish i would have stayed on the AI?  nope.  i wanted to go off it when i did .  for some, it is better for them to stay on it.  i am very glad i can go back on it now though.  lol

    again, thanks for the hope, prayers and support stage III peeps.  love love

    diana50Cool

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  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2012

    Diana, what an incredibly generous post! With all you are dealing with you take the time to come here and try to reassure us. Just proves what a truly class act you are.



    I started that thread back in Feb when I happened to notice it was your 10 year anniversary. So when you posted about your progression it made me both sad and angry. Just doesn't seem right. But of course it never does.



    Hoping your treatment is successful in completely zapping that little bastard out of there and that you are once again NED soon and forever!!!!!!!!!!



    Cyndi

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited September 2012

    I like the plan. It sounds like it will deal with this "blip" in the most efficient way and allow you to keep some semblance of a normal life as long as possible.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2012

    Hi Diana,

    I was just thinking of you earlier this morning, and what happened.  I think the radiation plus AI will most likely take care of things.  This happened with a close friend who had BC spread to her lungs.  They found it doing pre-op for foot surgery.  Well, she had a different surgery than planned, then hormonal therapy ever since.

    This was about 13 years ago and she is just fine, leading a full life.  Her career is flourishing.  Like her, you will most likely have to stay on an AI for the rest of your life.

    From my experience on anastrazole, hardly the worst of fates.

    I was able to cycle throughout radiation, so suspect you will too.  Hoping you can avoid chemo, but again, you are strong and fit so should weather it just fine.

    This approach sounds wise and do-able.  I am convinced you will be just fine, regardless of what transpires.  As a bit of counsel, I said gentle stuff during radiation such as "die, you suckers, die"! - Claire

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited September 2012

    I am another one that thinks of you every day.....

    Keep the fists up.....and know we are sending you good vibes that your plan will do the trick and you can be back to NED real, real soon.

    Jacqueline

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2012

    As Claire says "die you suckers, die". My new mantra. Lol



    Again thank you for your care and support.

    Keep on. And I really mean it.

    Hugs

    Diana

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited September 2012

    hi Diana, so good to hear the plan of tx. Sounds good to me. Please keep us in the loop so we can celebrate your NED status soon!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2012

    Diane, I'm glad you have a plan in place and your spirits are still high.  Keep us up to date on things and never stop posting :) 

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2012

    "Die you suckers die" is the funniest thing EVER, since I think of myself as humorous and I believe in the power of words. I'll use that philosophy. I was just thinking today that life is tough for a lot of people out there, and every day that we can say "screw cancer" and drive on is a win. Love you, Diane. Keep us focused, and keep on cycling!

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited September 2012

    You are our go to gal!!!  We love you girl!!!  They are gonna zap that sucker and you will  be dancing with our favorite guy again....NED!!!!!!! Love you  dear Warrior, thanks for continueing to lead the pack with your amazing outlook!!!!!

    Prayers and major Blessings,  from Our Dear Lord to you my friend!!!!

    KEEP ON KEEPIN ON!!!!!!  FAMOUS WORDS by Diana.........................XO

    Steph

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2012

    Off cycling in the AM......no rain or howling wind this time for the Kitsap Color Classic.  Doing this one for you, Diana.  Will be cool too as in the Puget Sound and temps in the 60s.

    My other mantra was telling my lymphatic system that it had better get used to the idea that I would be exercising and figure out alternate pathways as I was in no way cutting it any slack.  It did!!!

    I have lost weight recently so my big accomplishment today was snagging pyjama bottoms that don't fall down when I do my overhead free weight presses.  My old ones were descending to my knees.  I can't wait to have this problem in my past.

    Good night everyone.  Will post my results tomorrow on the exercise thread. - Claire

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  • StefS
    StefS Member Posts: 157
    edited September 2012

    I'm also sad and angry to hear about the progression. But Diana, you are handling it with such grace. It is inspiring.

    Die you suckers die. 

    ((hugs)) 

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited September 2012

    I too, am happy that you haven't left us! And your messages filll me with hope and not fear. I, like Elizabeth, come on here to learn how to cope with my uncertain future. It really is not possible to live in fear for too long. The body, mind has ways of coping. It is always back there in your mind but you find ways to mute it and to shut it up. I know you are going to do well.

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited October 2012

    ok peeps. doing really good. start rads tomorrow; 25 sessions low dose to T4 to protect spinal cords.   finish nov 1 .starting femara oct 15.  zometa infusion is oct 23.  kicking cancer's ass.  i will be NED... i told a nurse today at the rads place..."they say they can't cure stage IV...but i don't believe that"  she said;"keep believing that:"   

     plan is in place.  i will check back in after three months or so.  i will get a PET scan then and they can see how treatment has worked.  again, i feel great.  no pain and i don't feel sick. 

    never give up. always know that there are options and each day brings you joy.  cancer really sucks...but life does not. hang in there.

    hugs

    diana

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited October 2012

    Thank you Diana for keeping up with the stage 3er's. You have filled a long standing void for us. Incidentally, you have inspired me to get tumor marker tests on Wednesday, which I have never done. Like you, I feel great... Admiring you from afar, Weesa

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited October 2012

    If you need any help kicking cancer's ass, I can land a well-placed steel-toed shoe tip to its solar plexus!  I also believe you will be cured of this.

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited October 2012

    Hi Di - from another one of your countless well-wishers! This will indeed be a different pinktober than you've had before, but hopefully it will be SO worth it. And I, too, intend to ask for tumor markers at my next onc appointment in December - better 6 years late than never!

    With you ALL THE WAY...Julie

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited October 2012

    Glad u have a plan in place Diana. I still feel kinda like I'm in limbo. Guess its still too new. Healing wishes coming your way.

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited October 2012

    Diana, I am glad you starting the treatment!!! You will be NED soon!!! Keep believing. Your attitude is amazing... Love and hugs to you!!

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