How do I know there is no mets?

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MrsH
MrsH Member Posts: 96
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I battled a systemic candida infection (dx May 31, 2012), which I treated with diet change, green juice and an anti-fungal (100 days of Diflucan). At the end of last year I was Dx'd with IDC. I've had surgery (uni-MX) and am seeing onc docs to see about any adjuvent therapy, but I keep asking the above question in my head: How do I know there is no mets? They did and MRI, PET-CT scan, even had an ultrasound of my ovaries, and subsequent uterine biopsy which revealed no cancer or pre-cancer - phew! I guess I'm just not convinced and that the mets has just not been found. This is because of the systemic candida and all my reading which says that dysbiosis in the body can lead to cancer. Anyone have any thoughts on this or maybe a similar experience? Thank you :-)

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2013

    Sounds like you've had all the scans and have done what you can do at this point. If you're asking for a sure fire way to find out if there are mets, well there is no such thing! Keep up with your mo's recommendations for treatment and follow up and enjoy your life. It looks like you have a lovely family. Don't fritter away precious moments worrying about things that haven't and may not happen.

    Caryn

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    I totally agree with Caryn's remarks. My understanding is that most early stagers don't routinely get any scans so you can breathe a little easier knowing that, for now, your experience has already exceeded the standard of care. For the future, the best recourse is to follow your treatment plan and report to your MO anything that lingers for 2 or more weeks. Nobody truly knows what precipitating factors may cause a recurrence or mets for a particular individual and I think it would be exhausting and drive me nuts to always worry about it. If you haven't already done so, talk with your docs about the likelihood of any relationship between specific health issues and your dx, and then trust in their experiences. Frankly, it's hard enough dealing with the health stuff that may or may not be the result of treatment. At this point, trying to stay on top of all my health-related issues seems to be the best thing I can do to have any sort of control over the uncontrollable. It's hard to find peace when you have had such a life-changing event but the more I can, the easier it becomes to not let cancer be what defines or robs me of joy in my life. Even on those days when hanging out in bed is about the most I can manage (and there are about 3 of them following my monthly Xgeva shot), I am learning to find creative and fun activities to focus on when my body is a little more cooperative...and I feel a bit better mentally for that effort.

    Sending hugs and Light.

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  • MrsH
    MrsH Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2013

    Thank you Caryn and Ysa :-)

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited February 2013

    thank God and stay Positive and Always have HOPE, this from a 18 yr Survivor, this is what I did each and every day, and I still to this day.msphil(idc, stage2, 3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen) I was diagnosed with cancer while preparing for our wedding, now married this yr, 19 yrs.

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