Mets to liver lungs and sternum age 41

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Ward6636
Ward6636 Member Posts: 2

Hi all.

My wife was diagnosed in June with a second primary in her other breast after 8 years NED. On Saturday night I took her to the hospital as she was complaining of pain in her right side. After blood tests and a CT. Mets to her liver lungs and sternum were confirmed. Our world is upside down at the moment and we are at the mercy of the NHS in England. She starts a weekly regime of Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta on friday. The onc won't give us any idea of how long she may survive and I'm sorry to ask but are there any examples of how long ladies have survived with this awful illness.

Many thanks

Rick

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2019

    Hi there Ward, I am so sorry about the news you and your wife have just received.

    No doubt this is a serious diagnosis but Herceptin is a drug that works wonders for many people so do not give up hope. Please read the many stories of the women on here who are surviving and thriving. There are no guarantees of course - but there is plenty of reason to be cautiously optimistic. When I started treatment (I am also HER2+) my oncologist told me she was referring some of her patients to a longevity study for long time survivingStage IV women and they were denied because the study already had found more than enough participants. She was very optimistic when she spoke to me and also told me she has many patients who have lived 10 or more years with this diagnosis.

    I wish the same for your dear wife.

  • Ward6636
    Ward6636 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2019

    Olma,

    Thank you for your reply. I'm just so sorry that this disease even exists. I hope one day it will be eradicated, or controlled to give people the chance to live a long life.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2019

    Rick, we're sorry to hear about your wife's progression, but glad you've found us! We hope both you and your wife find this to be a supportive place.

    We know this is a difficult time, so you may also want to consider joining the For Family & Caregivers of Loved Ones With a STAGE IV Diagnosis forum, where you can talk with others who are supporting their loved ones in a similar situation. Hope this helps! Please keep us posted on how she's doing, we're all here with you.

    The Mods

  • Anotherone
    Anotherone Member Posts: 633
    edited July 2019

    Hi ward

    I am in UK as well

    I was diagnosed this month, er non responsive, I expect it to be her+ as it was before (her test not yet done).

    From what I see herceptin abraxane and perjeta is the best treatment available in mainstream healthcare anywhere in the world so NHS is probably not short changing you in it.

    Median survival rate 2 - 3 years but that's on older drugs .

    And I feel I may be here (and plan to ) for many more years.

    I accept it may not happen but feel it will.

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