Need to know

needtoknow · New User Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 0

My wife was diagnosed two months ago. After her lumpectomy, they found cancer in the liver and lungs. They speak in hopeful terms, but is the truth that I am seeing the beginning of the end? Thank you.

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:34 am Post subject: Re: Need to know

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your wife's dx of Stage IV breast cancer. It's not good to have the cancer spread to vital organs, but many many women live years with mets to organs. I've seen some ladies that chemo stablizies the tumor so they don't grow and others actually show NED (No Evidence of Disease) after they go through chemo and radiation. Remember too that there are always new drugs coming out. I was dx 3 years ago and in just those 3 years, there have been 3 new drugs to help stop the growth and/or prevent reoccurences. They have gone from every 3 weeks to every 2 weeks with some kinds of chemo because they have found out BC responds better to that way of treatment.

Was this her original dx or did hers come back? Is she estrogen and/or progesterine positive? Depending on her age and if she's post menopausal there are several drugs they can give that kill hormones like Arimidex, which is what I take to hopefully prevent a reoccurence and there is also Femara and one more that I can't think of it's name.

Where there is life there is hope and this disease is so unpredictable. There are stats out there, but we're not numbers, we're individuals. Your wife is in for a hard fight, so tell her to put her battle gear on and kick some cancer butt Smile

Prayers to you and your wife and feel free to write anytime. Keep us posted
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Need to know

I meant to ask, was her dx Invasive Ductal or Invasive Lobular? She might want to talk to her onco about having a mastectomy instead of just the lumpectomy. If it's Lobular, like mine was, it's prone to mirror itself in the other breast, that's why at 43 I opted to have both breast removed.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 167

I, too, am so sorry to hear of your wife's stage IV diagnosis. I am a member in a lot of forums and many, many times I have read where women live for many years with this diagnosis. Some of them have tumors in lungs and liver and they are brought to remission (NED). Some have the tumors dissappear in the liver and have a couple left in the lungs or vice versa. Don't give up hope. With treatment, your wife has the potential to go into remission. One thing to remember...cancer does not kill as long as it is under control. Meaning, it has to keep growing and destroying tissue to be fatal. Cancer can remain in the body, under control...forever, as long as it does not start growing and destroying. So, even if the docs can stop the growth and control it, she will be around for a while. Best to you and your wife.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.bcsisters.org/forum
www.mybreastcancerstore.com

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject: need to know....

so very sorry to hear of your wife's mets....but hang in there as I have a tale to tell! I live in England, met some US friends in Spain when we all retired there some 20 years ago. Our friend Allan was diagnosed with stage IV non small cell cancer in his right lung some 4 years ago. They were told it was terminal and to make appropriate arrangements (sic).
He had his right lung resected and was very ill for a year afterwards - his wife even got a hospital bed delivered to the house. Trish finally got Allan referred to the Moffitt Cancer Hospital in Tampa, near to them in Florida and Allan saw 45 different doctors, cost over $1m for his treatment, which was all covered by insurance. He then had to have his left kidney removed and that is when I flew over to help out. He looked like 90 yrs old - no hair, couldn't walk,eat or even brush his teeth. We got him into a rehab unit for a month and he slowly started to pick up - but when we took him in there the administrator's first question was: "Which funeral director have you made arrangements with?" I was astounded by the lack of tact, but I guess down in Florida they deal with this all the time.
Fast forward to last year - he made the long airline flight to England and stayed here a month, with us and various other friends and looks like 60 yrs old - he is 76 yrs old. He has a little problem with walking uphill due to decreased lung function, but is so enjoying his life and is participating in such. So, please, never give up hope - get whatever second or third, opinions as you can and go to the very best hospital you can find. Allan is now giving supportive talks to stage IV cancer patients at Moffitt - so there is always hope. If he can cut it, most of us can.

I got breast cancer 2 years ago which had spread by the time it was discovered, but Allan has been my absolute inspiration. My motto is, every day is a bonus, and I will do whatever it takes to give me more wonderful days.

Truly hope for the best for you and your wife.
Liz.

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

I am so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. I know it is a difficult time for you both.

While each patient is different, I can share with you that one woman I know who has been an inspiration to me, was diagnosed Stage IV and she is still alive and kicking 12 years later. There's always hope where there is life. I know there are many many more women out there who can tell you similar stories about survival.

My prayers go out to both of you.
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

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