How are people with liver mets doing?

I agree Grannex. Go for it. I was the main speaker at an American Cancer society fundraiser gala snd was terrified. I was rewarded in so many ways fir putting myself out theremuou are the perfect ambassador. I agree however that summarizing you in one paragraph is impossible. Go snd have fun. Enjoy your pampering.

Thanks for the encouragement. I think I'm going to do it. Yikes. I woke up this morning with a story in my head. I quickly wrote it down before I forgot the words. It's basically one paragraph. Should I share it here for all of you to critique?

My DS is not home from work yet. After he gets some rest, I will tell him about next Friday and see if he's available. He is on call so he may have been in the OR all day and night. He's an anesthesiologist.

I agree that the more exposure we can get, the more money for research, etc., will help all of us. Not just for MBC but any cancer with spread to the liver. What's the worst thing that could happen if I do it? I'll fall flat on my face and they will put the video on TV! That would be terrible but it would be exposure for sure.

I don't think that is probable, if they let me wear flats! I have some sparkly silver ones.

Grannax2. DO IT! Represent us Stage IVers and post photos.

Here it is:

There's a monster in my life. He's real, not just a nightmare. He killed my mother and her mother. He haunts me and my family, including my sister. The monster is metastatic breast cancer.

I, however, am living with, not dying from metastatic breast cancer. I've had four diagnoses of breast cancer ( the first at age forty four) and even though I've had six different chemotherapy drugs, countless surgeries, radiation, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, my monster still came back with a vengeance. However, successful treatment to the metastases in my liver has given me new hope. I knew nothing about SIR- Spheres Y-90 as a local therapy to treat "a lot of liver tumors." This treatment is my superhero that fights my monster. Liver tumors no longer have to mean certain death. I had my SIR Spheres Y-90 procedures 1-1/2 years ago and my tumors have been inactive since May 2017. My superhero zapped them into oblivion with the power of Yttrium.

I don't see my monster anymore.

Grannax. Great job!!!! Love it!

Bsbs

grannax, I love it! I've found the accepted thought, decision, for these procedures, where I am, is that stage 4 is “systemic" and they 'wouldn't' be helpful. But I mention it in discussions every so often to let them know i am interested and have not checked it off my box of possibilities. I was very close when on Abraxene, then I it stopped working. It definitely makes a difference in some cases.....it would be great if the possibilities were known and used by more in the MSBC community.

Thanks ladies. I talked to my DS last night and he's excited for me. He liked my story, too. And, best of all, he thinks that they will be able to come! Now pray for Suzanne to says it's ok for him to walk me down the cat walk! I'm not so scared now.

You can Google her. Suzanne Lindley and Say Yes to Hope. Very inspirational lady from Canton, Texas.

If this benefit/ fundraiser can give knowledge to other stage 1V patients with liver mets, then it's worth me wobbling down the runway. Every excuse I had for not doing this has had an answer. It's just come together. Except for what to do about my missing boob. I guess the seamstress and I will figure that out on Friday morning.

Oh, the announcer reads my story while I'm walking down the runway. Sure glad I don't have to read it. I get all teary eyed when I talk about my mother. I still miss her.

Grannax2, your story is very well-crafted and I am proud of you. You will look gorgeous and you will not be afraid and you will have a blast. It's good to remember that these moments are exciting, and real excitement can feel very much like stage fright. Just tell yourself you will receive any jitters as joy!

A voice teacher once told my nervous daughter before a public performance, "Just take care of the song." That diffused her stage fright enormously, because it took the focus off of herself. It's just human to feel self-conscious on stage. Now whenever I do any public speaking, I think, "Just take care of the words, the message, the hearts listening."

Maybe you can find a way to make that helpful to you. I can't wait to hear that you had the night of your life!

Grannax-you go girl! You will be exquisite!

Enjoy your day Grannax. You will be great, I’m sure.

Any news on Z? It’s been seven weeks since she last logged in. Worried...

I adore Ann Silberman. "But Doctor I Hate Pink" is a Facebook page, as well, and she updates it frequently, unlike her blog. Her chemo tips really helped me when I was facing AC late in 2015. Seven (or is it eight?) years of continual treatment have taken a serious toll on her QOL, but she has been around to see both of her sons graduate from college and has grandkids!

Houston scientist Jim Allison awarded Nobel Prize for Immunotherapy

Houston scientist Jim Allison was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine Monday for his pioneering research that has led to a new type of cancer treatment that frees the immune system to attack tumors.

Read the full story

Allison, MD Anderson Cancer Center's chairman of immunology, conducted research that's led to a class of drugs that unleash immune system brakes. The research realized the tantalizing promise of immunotherapy, which is now taking its place alongside surgery, radiation and chemotherapy as a prime weapon against cancer.

Is anyone under the care of this MO? Participating in some of his immunotherapy clinical trials? I would love to be under his care. I wouldn't mind taking risks if I had a chance at a complete remission.....it would be so nice to wake up one morning and realize this long nightmare had been only a dream...

I too miss Zarovka's voice and hope she's doing great. Hopefully she will update us soon....

Last but not least: James Allison, one of two cancer researchers who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine Monday, struggled to get drug companies interested in his cancer discovery. (But of course...what’s new)

Hi all-

Grannax, we are all so proud of you for putting a face on MBC, its the most fun to do stuff that was never on your radar before!!! I'll bet its uplifting, and that afterwards you won't believe you even considered not doing it! Lots of really caring people in the audience will be rooting for you, and so mostly maybe just try to relax enough so that you can enjoy and really be in the moment..

I've been quiet cuz there just have been no developments of note for a long time now- at this point, don't suppose anything much will come up until San Antonio conference in early December.

Jim Allison is fantastic choice for the Nobel, he pushed so hard to move pharna into this field, and is still pushing MD Anderson to be sure to do genetic analyses of biopsy samples following progression on immunotherapy to see why resistance crops up, and is pushing hard still in the lab to try to figure out what combinations of drugs or targeted agents could make immunotherapy work on lots of other cancers:

And yes, the boards are not the same without Z!! Hope her chemo is doing great and she comes back, but yeah there is so much on her plate...

Grannax-How wonderful! Love the paragraph you wrote. Just go for it, and post the pics. I too have stage fright. I was in chorus in Jr and high school, and being very shy, it kind of brought me out of my shell. I would look up at the ceiling, but eventually, I could look at the people. I even sang in a smaller group in a select chorus. I did readings at my sister's and nephew's weddings, as an adult, and I was a nervous wreck! I hope they let you walk with your son. Big smiles!

Lynne

changing treatments again. Find out more Thursday. Ugh