Unwelcome Guest

Kandy, I am so sorry to hear about your unwelcome guest. I know how you feel. My unwelcome visitor decided that the bones, where all his pals live, just weren't good enough for him, and he recently became a squatter in my liver. Doesn't he know that I had planned to be a super-responder? I was going to stay on Arimidex for five years. Oh, and the liver? Hey, I have been very good to that liver, and it betrayed me.

I wish you could have been spared this news. You have been through so much already. There is no explanation for why these things happen. There is no sense going the "maybe I should have" or "maybe if I hadn't done" or "what if they had" route. The past is the past, and I firmly believe that we are in no way responsible for the downturns in our condition. No one deserves to receive the news you received. Researchers still have so much to learn. In the meantime, we go with the best treatment plans available, and move forward. I know this is a huge shock to you. I hope that you feel better once you have a treatment plan in place. I also hope that the new treatment plan blows away that unwelcome visitor and that he is replaced with that NED guy that I have heard so much about.

Allow yourself time to feel sad, as you do now. Get angry. Have a pity party if it helps. It is all part of the process. Don't feel that you have to put on a happy face if you don't feel it inside. When you are ready, pick yourself up and get on with life. Remember that you are strong. You have a wonderful family to be there with you. You also have all of us ready to step in and hold you up. You will get through this

You have your wonderful grandson whose birth and life you can continue to celebrate. I think you will be around for many years to see him grow.

I will definitely pray for you. I hope we can give you the support and strength you need.

Hugs from,

Lynne

The hardest thing is to keep going through the treatments, the decisions, the waiting. Harper will keep you going, so that's half the battle right there.

You've been pretty lightly treated. You have a few very good options. It may be as simple as adding Xgeva or Zometa.

Once you have a plan, you quickly get your life back. The waiting is a tough. Make sure Harper gets lots of attention ...

>Z<

Nooo !!! What a way to rain on your moment ! So frickin' unfair. I'm so mad. I mean really... Aaaaaah!!!!!!

All of that said, my first (and only so far) progression after stage 4 NED last year really threw me for a loop. But besides switching treatment, it didn't change my life much. I hope this is true for you as well. You'll get it in check and move on with that handsome grandson of yours.

But jeeez, talk about timing.

Bah, humbug!

But seriously, if the spots are small, maybe you don't need to switch treatments right away. Or maybe you can add Ibrance (as I did). We stalled for a year before adding it.

You'll still be able to carry your grandson for many years to come.

ahh Kandy. I'm so sorry. Just concentrate on Harper and let your MO figure out a plan. Ibrance has been good to a bunch of us.

I know it takes time to absorb a new dx but you have a baby to smell. Enjoy him as much as you can. We will be here to rejoice and commiserate.

Sending prayers for unwelcome guests to be evicted and for your undiluted joy to return.

Kandy,

Do you feel like a ping pong ball yet? I bet you have emotional whiplash. Enjoy Harper..... he will be your best medicine, well, except for the real medicine. When do you meet with your team?

*susan*

SBRT is interesting because it can trigger an immune response. IOW if they treat the tumor that they see, the immune response that follows may take care of the rest that you can't see. My friend had a response like that to SBRT.

Here is an article that looks at combining SBRT and immunotherapy.

Main point: there is possibly a major upside to SBRT.

What does Harper have to say about all this?

>Z<

Kandy - I expect Harper will get what he wants. When you watch Harper graduate from high school you will look back and realize he arrived just in time to get you through this.

>Z<

Progression is hard. But this is your first one in 3 years? and its just 2 small spots not causing any issues. I know you want stable, or NED, but in my 8 years with mets, this would be an OK scan. small. manageable, not causing harm. My doc would maybe switch a hormonal or watch and wait, or like you said, zap them mothers.

I like the term FEAR, Face Embrace and Recover. Onward and Upward. This is not an easy road, and our scans can be a huge disappointment. Plans on watching that baby grow. You have responded great so far.

congrats on the grand baby!

Kandy....WOOHOO MIMI...the title that you've waited for!!! I missed Harper's arrival info...I'll scour your posts for that...but I can feel the love!!!

And crap! I like Fitz's FEAR description! You've definitely had to recover from some major gifts this unwelcome guest has heaped on you...time to put that sign out...no gifts necessary!!! (bc gives us great analogies). Anyhoo...I like the fact that they've caught these small buggers. My TMs are like yours...they tell a pretty clear story, and I wait, every 6 weeks, with a bit of anxiety (we all know what "a bit" means) to get markers. So happy you've got a plan quickly in place & ready to hear that it's working! This go-around, you'll have something that will help take the focus off stupid C...every day will be new and exciting with A GRANDBABY!!! Hugs to you & cuddly Harper!

Kandy,

So sorry to hear of your progression. I changed treatment for the first time this summer (not sure if you'd call it progression, but what is there got more active again, so my onc decided it was time to move on to the next tx), so I know how discouraging the first time can be. I'm glad they caught those new, unwanted guests of yours when they are small and hope that zapping them takes care of them and any unseen ones that may be lurking! Enjoy Harper! Grandchildren are such a joy! Our little guy is two now, and such a blessing! He is so much fun and melts our hearts. Enjoy all those cuddles and special moments.

Love and hugs, Amy

Kandy,

Harper came along just in time. He's the best medicine you could ask for! I can't find your announcement thread? Where is it hiding?? Glad your doctors already have a plan! My pain is a lot less so I guess they were telling the truth when they told me the radiation works even after they finish. I scan on sept. 1 and will be anxious for results. Enjoy every minute with Harper that you can. He sounds luscious!!