Well, damn.

Awwww Tina. Blah. Just Blah. I was hoping you'd kicked these dudes to the curb.

It's really hard to know what to say. Behind your cheerful demeanor I'm guessing you're banging your fists against the wall. I would be.

Here's to hoping that Faslodex continues it's magic. Bottom's up!

Tina,

Sorry to hear this, I was really hoping you were done with treatments. Not sure if you're in the US but you might want to reach out to Jaycee on the ibrance thread. She has so much info on programs that will help with the cost of Ibrance.

Tina, no one likes the news of progression and I'm sorry to hear about yours. You had almost a year and a half of no treatment which seems to me like a nice break for your body. I know you were grateful for the break. I hope the Faslodex/ Ibrance combo takes you right back to stable.

Btw, it's an abomination what Medicare does not pay for the Ibrance, that we do not have a cap on prescription costs. Pfiser has copay help according to income so hopefully you can qualify for that. I had to pay several hefty copay chunks and the damn stuff didn't even work which was like adding insult to injury. I never used to like the phrase “battling cancer" or “fighting for our lives" but on some levels, the further I go along with this, I feel I can relate to those sentiments at times. We battle the health insurances coverages and costs, government neglect and oversight, the lack of understanding from well-intended loved ones, the sometimes incompetence of the medical professionals, all while fighting to get the best medical care we can. We have to be our own advocate while our health is compromised. It is a struggle at times.

Very sorry to hear that you'll be going back on treatment. Perhaps you might consider trying Faslodex alone? It worked before, and it may work well again since you've been off treatment for quite a while. Unless the disease is aggressive or threateningly symptomatic, you might consider "less is more." You can always add Ibrance afterwards if need be.

One other thing: from the literature I've read, Ibrance appears to be particularly helpful against bone mets whereas Kisqali is reputed to be especially helpful with regard to visceral disease.

Again, I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this, and wish you a quick and excellent response to whatever you decide!

Ah crap Tina! I would love to use stronger language, but will hold myself back. I'm SO sorry to hear you have had progression after all this time. I'm sure you, I, and everyone else who is aware of your particulars was hoping you would be the weirdo (meant in the nicest way) who would beat this disease. I loved hearing you were off tx and still going strong. I hope you never second guess your decision. As the wise and Divine Mrs. M says, it is nice that you and your body got a break. I hope that break will help as you rejoin us oldsters in the fanny pack. (I'm on my 2nd time around, this time with Piqray.)

I was able to get all of my Ibrance paid for too, sometimes by Pfizer and sometimes by foundations. I'm sorry, I don't know what the income cutoff is for getting assistance, but from my own experience I'm guessing it is something over 50K per year. My specialty pharmacy was great in finding and applying for assistance for me, I did not have to do much other than sign some forms and send in my tax return from the previous year. Hope your spec pharm is equally accommodating.

Bestbird's advice is always worth listening to. Maybe Fas alone would be enough for starters. I heartily recommend at least trying the ventrogluteal injection site. I've found the shots to be less painful and have yet to experience any lumps or bruising after injection. (Knock wood.) I switched when my #1 nurse started finding it nearly impossible to push the shots into my ever increasing scar tissue at the dorsogluteal site. The caveat is that you must have a nurse who is familiar with injections at this location and who knows how to find "the spot".

Onward and forward dear Tina! This truly sucks, but you know you can do this. Sending a big hug.

Jo

Crap on a chapstick as my friend would say. Hope you’ve been nice to yourself. It takes a few days to wrap your head around it. Stinks!!

I had different foundations cover my co-pays and my hospital had some program where I paid $10. Trust your specialty pharmacy. They are awesome. Those o-pays from Medicare will make you run screaming in the night.

Good luck. We are all here for you.