To All My Stage III Friends

My oncologist's office just called.  The neck node biopsy reveals metastatic breast cancer...ER+ / PR- ...same as my 2005 ILC Dx.  I don't have the formal report in my hands yet, should get that tomorrow when I see the neck surgeon.  I guess I am glad the Dx seems definitive and we can get started right away on treatment.  Will see my Onc on Friday for more in depth discussion and treatment plan.

I was driving my husband to his own doctor's appointment when we got the call.  I think he is taking it harder than me right now.  We will both feel better when we get some questions answered and feel that we are doing all we can.  I feel a sense of urgency now for so many things that will need to be done, but am trying to resist that knee-jerk response.  Hoping my oncologist can alleviate some of my current concerns.

I will keep you all updated.  Thanks for listening and supporting me.

Thank you again ladies!  It has been a crazy few days since learning my biopsy results.  I got the formal bx path report on Thurs from my surgeon,  I spent the rest of Thurs evening and night holding and saying goodbye to my 21 year old kitty Socks.  She has been fragile for some time with kidney disease but had taken a dramatic turn for the worse this past week.  Friday morning I held her while she was put to sleep. Friday afternoon I met with my oncologist to determine my treatment plan.  You can read the treatment plan details if you choose at this link on the Just Diagnosed with a Recurrence or Metastasis forum:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/106/topic/818888?page=2#post_3961682

The bottom line is my onc is concerned my cancer has become more aggressive.  She wants to get me started on treatment asap, however, we also are trying to see if I am eligible for the Paloma-3 clinical trial which is available at my cancer center.  This week will be full of gathering medical records, signing consents, having a bone scan, echocardiogram and any other tests required by the study.  Hopefully, if I meet the eligibility criteria I can get started on their treatment protocol by the following week.  If it turns out I am not eligible, my onc will start me on Faslodex injections as soon as we know the study will not work out.

I have also been in communication with my former oncologist who managed my cancer care from 2000 - 2011.  She encourages me that the trial would be a good opportunity if I am eligible.  SO...I will try my best to complete the application process and at that point I will accept whatever happens.  

I mentioned on my post on the Just Diagnosed forum and I will also state here, that I am planning to formally introduce myself to the Stage IV forums probably today.  I certainly plan to continue to follow the Stage III forum and post here when I can, but I feel as my life gets more involved in these new treatment protocols it is best for me to move those discussions to the Stage IV group.  Anyone is welcome to read the Stage IV posts as they choose, and I will continue to answer questions or provide my input here on the Stage III forum as appropriate.  

I truly hope everyone here can see the positive side of my 8 years NED after a very locally advanced dx.  I know there are many more women here with much longer periods of NED than me who are STILL NED!  There is ALWAYS reason to hold out hope for a long and quality filled life!  I had just turned 47 at my first BC dx in 2000.  I will turn 61 this year and these last 14 years have been full of a great and wonderful LIFE in spite of the periods of cancer treatment.  Don't forget to LIVE while you are fighting your cancer!  

Linda