How Many Are We?

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  • Helmie
    Helmie Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2013

    I'm a member since 2010, but don't post that much. However, I'm still stage IV and still alive.

    Hugs,
    Helmie

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

    And I was dx'd on 9-11-13 with mets to the lining of my left lung.  Lots of tiny spots outside my left lung, causing malignant pleural effusion.  But you probably stopped counting?

  • NatureGal
    NatureGal Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013

    Hi. I just got the news a few weeks ago. Still stunned, but ever so thankful for this group. You all give me the strength and courage to go forward.

  • stressmagnet
    stressmagnet Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2013

    Hi,

    I'm a 6 year survivor of Triple Negative BC. Diagnosed originally with Stage III IBC, now have stage IV mets to spine and lymph.

    I've been lurking here almost from the beginning of this whole experience. I get hope from seeing how many of us there are.

  • Mompsych
    Mompsych Member Posts: 516
    edited October 2013

    Count me in - joined in April, but dxed with bone mets about 2and1/2 yrs ago. Hangin in there ..

  • scoutmom
    scoutmom Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    I was recently diagnosed with stage IV. I am scared, confused, angry and definetly uneducated. I keep reading that woman are in treatment with chemo or they have had surgery. I just get one shot of xgeva and one of lupron a month. I don't go to any great cancer hospital. Should I stick with my local oncologist or go to a special cancer hospital? I feel like I am just sitting around waiting to die. I cant find any statistics on stage IV. What are readers opinions on different hospitals? Do I just live every day as if I have another 40 years? I don't know what to expect.

  • bestock
    bestock Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2013


    Scoutmom, It is different for all of us, where are your mets? Did you have BC before?? and what treatment did you have.??


    Some people live a long time with treatments,some have survived for 7-10 yrs .


    ASK your doctor wow many patients he/she has treated with stage 4...,ASK any question you want and keep asking..If dr is not forthcoming find a new one, do you live in a large city???


    and this site is a good source you


    will be prayed for for sure.


    Becky

  • chanah
    chanah Member Posts: 366
    edited October 2013


    Are you anywhere near New Brunswick NJ? There is a large oncology group there.

  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2013


    scoutmom, I understand your fear. I am sorry to learn of your stage iv diagnosis. If I were you, I'd start a new post in the stage iv forum and ask the questions you've asked above so you can get some responses from the women who are stage iv and may have similar experiences as you.

  • JimmieBell
    JimmieBell Member Posts: 147
    edited October 2013


    Hello. I am new here. I am stage IV with 2 liver mets.


    I was diagnosed with LCIS in 2008 after biopsy of benign lump. Was on Tamoxifin for almost 5 years before finding thickening of breast tissue. Did not show on mammograms. Diligent radiologist found shadow on sonogram and recommended biopsy.


    Even though I thought I was doing everything right, and was being carefully watched, this thing snuck up on me. I feel foolish for not following my original surgeon's recommendation for more radical treatment of the LCIS, but it was contrary to everything I read, and my oncologist's recommendation. I waited til I had a cancer dx to get the mastectomy, but the cancer had already metastisized


    Currently on chemo with Taxol and Avastin (clinical trial) since April. The liver mets have shrunk from over 3cm each to 8mm and just above 1cm, so the chemo is working. Before bilateral mastectomy in Jan, bone scan showed no mets, did not have abdominal CT til March (medicaid would not fund a second scan, but clinical trial did) when liver mets were found. Recent scans show 4 calcifications on spine and pelvis, indicating mets not detected by CT, but eliminated by chemo.


    Now I'm just hoping for a few years of NED til better treatments arrive.


    I am a very happy, upbeat person, even through all of this. Life is still good. Joining this forum is part of my acceptance of having a terminal disease, with which I hope to live for many years or until there is a cure.

  • Priscilla0929
    Priscilla0929 Member Posts: 90
    edited October 2013


    Priscilla Dzurich Ribera. Sorry I haven't been on in awhile and just saw the message.

  • Law828
    Law828 Member Posts: 33
    edited October 2013


    Me. I am now stage IV with one lesion on my spine. Started chemo and doing good so far. Will start with radiation in January. I'm not ready to quit

  • WanderingSpirit
    WanderingSpirit Member Posts: 122
    edited October 2013


    Me! Stage IV, diagnosed June 2013. Prior, stage IIIa in 2002. Remission for over 10 years.

  • patsback
    patsback Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2013


    I found out this June that I had breast cancer. In August, after my mastectomy and a PET/CT, I was informed it was Stave IV, with mets to bone

  • shiri_le
    shiri_le Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2013


    i'm 29 years old, and have stage 4 breast cancer (met to liver and bones) for almost two years... :)

  • BethCon1
    BethCon1 Member Posts: 132
    edited October 2013


    Yesterday I had commented on an article that someone had posted on FB and Dr Susan Love herself responded. It gives me a boost of hope, so I wanted to share.


    "


    Susan Love- I think you can be encouraged...our treatments for metastatic disease are better and more targeted than ever. And the one that really works is just around the corner! The research on treating mets is robust and the answer is likely to be one of the targeted treatments or immune modulators. I will be at all the meetings this year and will keep all of you abreast but I am more encouraged than ever!"

  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2013


    Beth, that sounds very encouraging.

  • Lynn1234
    Lynn1234 Member Posts: 169
    edited October 2013


    I was diagnosed as Stage III in March 2013 and had a mastectomy and chemo. In June, I found out that I had several bone mets in spine and pelvis that were there before the surgery. I am mainly a "lurker" and have been inspired and learned a great deal, too.

  • Susanne73
    Susanne73 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2013


    i'm 40 years old, and have stage 4 breast cancer since 2005 (met to liver and bones)


    2012 rec. mets to lung

  • cristina1945
    cristina1945 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    Hi I was wandering if you can tell me if the xeloda treatment worked for you?


    My onc just started me on this treatment..... I have metastatic breast cancer to the bone.


    it seams like you have use many treatments??? what is working for you.

  • cristina1945
    cristina1945 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    when did you start the Xeloda a soon did you start to see any impruvments?

  • cristina1945
    cristina1945 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2013


    Go to a cancer treatment center I wish I did sooner, my local oncologist pretty much did away with me


    give me 6 months to live and said call me if you need pain killer.


    I was like you just waiting to die, I have stage IV breast cancer.


    I went to MDAnderson clinic not only they said "you are not going anywhere in


    6 months but they made me feel like I matter the have


    several options, I just stated Xeloda I am not sure if it will work but please don't give up......

  • jenn_h
    jenn_h Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    hi, I believe we were in the feb chemo gals group together back "in the beginning ". I finished chemo, had dbl mastectomy and lymph node removal and went on to radiation which I finished oct 2011. A routine Pap smear and ultrasound in November showed enlarged ovaries and this became my first mets. By summer 2012 my lungs and liver and bones were invaded. I have been on xeloda and avastin since, but today got news that 4 biopsies taken from lumps near my skin All over the place were positive. Have to wait to see docs tues and wed so I have no idea where I'll be heading next treatment wise.

  • LnP168141
    LnP168141 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2013


    I haven't logged in in a while, so I didn't see your message. I thought I'd add myself to the list of stage four friends.

  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited November 2013


    I was just diagnosed with a recurrence that is stage IV metastatic BC.

  • bestock
    bestock Member Posts: 322
    edited November 2013


    karebear. I agree there is LIFE after this dx. ..the Lord is with us.

  • smtray
    smtray Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2013


    Hi I am 36 and have stage iv mets to bone. I was dx in may of 2012. Doing great. I am on herceptin and zometa treatment every 3 weeks.

  • smtray
    smtray Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2013


    Hi I am 36 and have stage iv mets to bone. I was dx in may of 2012. Doing great. I am on herceptin and zometa treatment every 3 weeks.

  • cristina1945
    cristina1945 Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2013


    Hi you can add me to your list


    Stage III Dx in Oct 2010 did it all Chemo, Radiation, double mastectomy.


    Stage IV Feb,2013 mets to the bones.


    I had a real bad oncologist she give me a short time to live. I am now at MD Anderson in Arizona


    they have give me hope, but I am very confused.


    This site is helping me so much Thanks.


    Just started Xeloda first treatment no bad......

  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited November 2013


    I'm new, so count me too. Maybe you will update your list in the future, thanks for doing this. There may be 150,000 of us in the world or in the US, not sure.

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