Stage IV: His Yahweh and my God

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nancyartcrafts
nancyartcrafts Member Posts: 36
edited July 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Oncologist Mark Levandovsky, MD, is a smart cookie in more dimensions that I will ever know. He certainly read me well on our initial visit, handed me tissues without fanfare, kept direct eye contact, was kind in his manner while being straightforward, and did not overload me with information. When I told him I would not fight the metastasis to the bone via tooth and nail, just wanted to be kept comfortable and keep the cancer at arm's length as long as possible, his response was exactly what I wanted and needed to hear. His yarmulka stayed pinned on his head while my silver cross was caught in my reconstructed cleavage.

Dr. L's reply to my questions as to how we would treat this without going overboard in loading up the system with toxic drugs (this cancer will never be eradicated, hence cured), Dr. Lsaid he would treat it with "this and that" and if this and that did not provide relief or slow down of growth of tumors, he said he would treat it "with the other." He sensed I did not need to know specific effects of seven syllable oncologic drugs, nor would I remember their specific names even five minutes later. He just knew that I was leaving the specifics in his hands. The analogy is that he and God are taking care of all the details.

This morning I go iin for patient education on oral daily drugs. No IV's this time, no hair loss. My friend who had this same type cancer at the same time I had it initially (invasive lobular, HR strongly positive) DID have the cancer return to her bones three years ago and did everything possible to keep it at bay, including IV chemo which made her lose her hair again and made her very, very ill); she lost her battle two years ago and died in a very painful way. So maybe friend MAUREEN helped me select the alternative I am choosing with "a little this, and a little that." And then maybe "a little something else."

My anxiety is under control with drugs and I have slept much better the last couple of nights.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. As for me, it is good to be near God. Psalms 73:26
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Comments

  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited July 2016

    So sorry you are joining this club. It does sound like your appointment went well. I'm praying a little of this and that is all you need. Wishing you the best.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2016

    Sorry that you're joining us. "Yamahah"? If he's Jewish, it is called a yarmulke (Primarily Yiddish) or Kippah (Hebrew). All the best to you.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2016

    Hi Nancyartcrafts and welcome to BCO. It's a great place to get the support we need to get through all that this disease throws at us.

    Sounds like you will have a good working relationship with your onc and that is really important as he literally has your life in his hands and it sounds like his hands are being guided well.

    I also have bone mets, take a little pill that hasn't given me too many things to deal with but it has got me to NED (no evidence of active disease) and kept me there for five and a half years. Anything and everything is possible, just take one day at a time and live it to the fullest.

    Wishing all good things and much success with your treatment.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

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  • JudyKRN
    JudyKRN Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2016

    Welcome nancyartcrafts. I too, have mets to the bone. My oncologist said it's a bit easier to treat than when in organs. He said, with a recurrence, he would start out with oral meds (for me, Letrozole, Ibrance and Xgeva (an injection to strengthen bones) . Although some hair loss is a side effect, I have been lucky and not had any more loss than usual. I do use Nioxin products for potential hair loss, so maybe that helps. My onc also assured me there are many choices now days and IV chemo would be the last choice. I am hoping the is many years down the road, for me. (((HUGS)))

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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited July 2016

    Welcome Nancy. I hope you will find much support on these boards. The first few weeks are a nightmare, but it sounds like you are facing the news head on and with a good idea of the approach you want to take. I noticed in your profile that it says your cancer is nor HER2+. I am almost to 2 years with HER2 bone Mets and I have a very good QOL on Herceptin and Perjeta. I wish you much success with whatever regimine your doctor has planned for you

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  • nancyartcrafts
    nancyartcrafts Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2016

    oops, sorry about he misspelling, iPad does weird things with words and spellings sometimes.

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  • nancyartcrafts
    nancyartcrafts Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2016

    wow, five plus years. When I first learned of the mets I thought maybe I had a year at most. But now after reading through the forum, I am realizing this is more of a disease to live with, not one to die from. This forum had Ben helpful to me in so many ways! Thank you for your reply

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  • nancyartcrafts
    nancyartcrafts Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2016

    thanks for your reply, shutterbug...you have reminded me to get out all my paperwork and review what I put in my profile for accuracy...

    Will start on Femera and lbrace this week. There was a mix up in the mail and the pharmacy in Michigan did not get my paperwork, so lbrace is still not here.

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  • Lynnwood1960
    Lynnwood1960 Member Posts: 1,284
    edited July 2016

    Welcome Nancy! You will learn more here then any doctor could ever tell you! I'm on Femara and Ibrance and Xgeva. Started 15 months ago with widespread bone mets in almost every bone in my body and now NED

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