If you are not Stage IV but have questions, you may post here

Miles - I am sorry you are going through this and not getting diagnosis that fits. Cancer comes with a lot of stress, and stress does strange things and is a health problem all by itself. I did think about throwing in the towel when the 3rd BC was diagnosed in 2019, and at times have thought that the treatment/drugs is worse. I feel their effects, but the cancer is silent except for the imagery, lumps, and biopsy. Until Covid hit i was going to a support group which had just started. I found it helpful, and hope that it resumes. I find this site helpful as well. If what you are feeling is from stress, yoga, meditation might help. I find continuing to do what I like doing, hiking, walking my dog, exercising, helps a lot.

Thank you all for taking the time to write. I really appreciate all of your words and wisdom.

This is no easy path. I have always loved the poem. For those of you who do not know it:

Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening; Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

I've thought a lot about changing my tag line because through this journey I have learned that there are promises I can't keep and I may "sleep" before I can go miles...

If no one has told you: You are important. You have made a positive contribution to life and to the Earth. You matter.

I can read that poem as my plea to go many more miles and fulfill more promises. My appeal and affirmation of life. But I suppose most people leave things unfinished, whenever they leave... There is a children’s book with that poem and lovely drawings by Susan Jeffers that show none other than Santa Claus in that snowy wood. He has promises to keep.

Yes, Sara, the liver biopsy is the right step to determine the best treatment. ER, PR and/or Her 2 could have changed. If they can get enough tissue, they could also get genomic testing of the tumor (Foundation One, Caris, etc.); something to ask about. I have had two liver biopsies, and though it was a strange experience, I did not suffer pain or fear during the biopsy. They have good drugs to help you through it.

what a lovely post!

Astrid, I think anyone with upper abdominal and/or right flank pain, and a history of breast cancer, should get an ultrasound of the area, possibly followed by an MRI, PET or CT scan. There are other possible causes besides bc mets. Whatever the cause, you need to know so you can find out how to stop having pain there. Your oncologist needs to order some imaging for you.

I'm sorry, maybe someone else will be able to answer your bone questions.

I know its anxiety producing, but I would push for the MRI. I thought my back pain was osteoarthritis due to history, but it wasn't. An MRI would be more specific, and especially if you are having liver -area pain as well. If its mets you want to get that under control as soon as possible.

After eight years of disease and carboplatine as the last treatment, do you think there's other chance treatments? Urgent. Please.

I have a question regarding liver mets. What are the first symptoms that cancer has gone to the liver and surrounding area and if blood tests will show any abnormalities.

Thank you so much!

Lilly,

I just looked at that link. I don't think it's the clearest. I will tell you that I had NO symptoms of any issues with my liver at all -- all of my liver function tests were absolutely normal. My tumor markers had started going up, and my MO had me do an abdominal CT. There was a little bit of a shadow in the back part of my liver (no definitive metastasis). As a followup, we did an MRI with contrast, and that's when they showed up.

If you peruse the liver mets thread, I don't know if anyone who posts on there said that they had prior symptoms, other than a few people whose liver function tests started going a bit wonky.

Of course, this is anecdotal, but it's important that you understand that liver mets not show up except on certain imaging.

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this was as good a place as any. On my left side flank, right under my ribcage, I have about a baseball-size area of skin that keeps turning pink. It doesn't hurt or itch, no welts or sores, it's just pink. It seems to be most pronounced when I wake up or after a shower. Sometimes it fades and comes back again. I've noticed it for at least a few months now, and I have no idea what it could be. If I press on that area, my rib is a bit tender, but then again it's tender if I press on the opposite side too so I don't know if that's got anything to do with it. I don't want to be paranoid every time something new pops up, and I've already had a lot of imaging investigating various things (which has led to even more tests). I know if I mention it to my MO it will probably result in more imaging, so I don't really want to do that.

My thinking is that it will either get better or it will get worse, and if it gets worse then I can mention it. Is that a safe assumption on my part, or do we always have to be hyper-vigilant? I don't want to be the one who cries wolf too often.

Lilly,

If your skin and eyes are looking yellowish, I would at least call your MO about it now rather than waiting for your annual physical in January. It's worth the call even if it means that you have to go in for another appointment (I know, it's a pain). If you are not comfortable with calling your MO, I'd try and move up your appointment with your PCP so you can have someone look at you and also re-do your blood tests.

Thank you, Bev and Moth. I had my liver and kidney tests done in May and November because of my yellowish skin and eyes. Tests came back normal. Sometimes I feel these large cancer centers are like factories and I feel I want priority to go to cancer patients who are in more critical need than me. MO also said that even if I wait for 6 months, the treatment will be the same. I read it as don't bother us between 6 months scheduled appointments.

A question, if you press where the liver is and it hurts, should it go away when you stop pressing?

Hugs

Thank you so much Bev. Honestly, I feel more comfortable with PS who is young and I was his first patient than my MO who is well known and I feel like I'm one of his zillion patients. He doesn't even check, I can grow a third breast and he won't know

hi all, just updating

I got a referral from my GP for a ct scan whuch I had (don't remember them being so quick, but my last was years ago). Jad contrast dye and chest/abdo so I feel confident that if there is anything besides osteo arthritis, it is going to show.

Hoping to save myself unecessary anxiety over christmas period.

Astrid.🎄