Stage IV breast cancer survivors

But for the grace of god or the fates, i'm not one of them, but there are several ladies here who are...and we plan on hearing from them from time to time for a long time! Feel free to share your story with us.

Hugs,
BEV

Hi! I am not Stage IV either, but my sister is with similar mets to the lung and pleural lining. She had been on the same drugs you have been on without much success. Her newest regimen is xeloda and ixempra which has brought her tumor markers from 1500 down to 280 in about 4 months! Her onc keeps saying there are still plenty of options if this combo stops working, Good luck FK

I was diagnosed with Breast cancer stage IV in Oct 2007. I had malignant pleural effusion (fluid around my right lung) and spots on my rib bones. Previously in 2000, I had been diagnosed stage 2 breast cancer; had a radical mastecomy of my left breast; chemo & radiation. This time the doc had me on Abraxane and Zometa as well as AVASTIN that was approved by the FDA on Feb 28, 2008. He put me on it 2 days later. I am also receiving monthly hormone shots. I am responding to the treatments, which is all that they can do. No surgery can be done. Never referred to it as my cancer ... instead called it The cancer. I didn't want to claim ownership of it.

Latest PET scan (1-21-09) show NO evidence of the nodule (growth) in my right lung that was noted in previous PET scans. The malignat pleral effusion is gone although I do have scar tissue on my lung from the experience. My doc is delighted & says I'm responding far better than he had ever hoped. I will continue to have monthly Avastin, Zometa & hormone shots "indefinitely" as a preventive measure in hopes that the cancer cells do not grow back. My doc says that's what they are doing now. I contribute my progress to great medical care, a great support system of friends & family and most of all my faith in God.

I do suffer from side affects from the treatments. Lost of appetite; feeling weak, exhausted, absolutely no strength. And, joint pain from the hormone shots. I'm dealing with it. It helps when you get positive results. Do you have any other questions? What can I do to help? I'd love to know other Stage 4 Cancer survivors. Be Well!!!

I have overcome stage IV breast cancer with bone mets. I will share what I know if anyone wants the info.

Hi All!

I have stage 1V breast cancer. They removed the tumor and 19 lymph nodes. I had chemo and radiation. I take herceptin every three weeks until my year is up. The doctor is counting from the fist day I started the chemo. It will be up on the 15th of Sept. The doctor says they'll keep a close watch on me when the treatment is over. I worry about it returning since it's stage 1v. I feel pretty good and the doctors say I'm doing great since I'll be 80 in Oct. Best to all.          

my wife was diagnosed with stage iv back in Dec. 07 (age 39). she was 20-weeks pregnant with our (now healthy) daughter at the time and doctors initially planned only to keep her alive until she reached 32-weeks, if possible.

she had mets in spine, liver, ribs, brain... she has been getting regular PET, CT, MRIs (every couple of months) since. All have been negative since spring of 08. She also gets regular blood tests of CA 27.29, Arimidex daily (Ovaries were removed during c-section), aredia monthly to repair bone (also has anti-cancer activity), and she has been doing very well until recently. minor set back, discovered carcinoma in situ in left breast (origin of cancer) and cells in a couple of her lymph nodes. mastectomy of left and under-going recon.

in addition, my wife's vision was also affected and she has double-vision due to nerve damage, but corrected with prism glasses. she also had a collapse vertebra and though reinforced with kyphoplasty, she still suffers from uncomfortable and chronic back pain, so she is also on painkillers.

anyway, she has been doing well and the medical community has been very impressed and amazed at her recovery and current status. her oncologist has decided not to resume chemo and feels that current course will be fine for now. don't want complications of chemo to affect other concerns such as optical nerves, etc. if needed, can always go to chemo... i was concerned about this change from chemo to no chemo, but as often and as well as she is being monitored, i feel a little at ease with the decision. she would have been given Taxotere, which is known to cause nerve damage.

it helps that her oncologist is one of the most celebrated and known in the region :) know that there are other options, so coordinate and be informed with your onc. don't be passive about what you are going through and what is happening in terms of new discoveries, treatments, etc.

in short, my wife is doing well.

Post Edited (myMaria) : 7/10/2009 5:13:43 AM (GMT-6)

Wow that is quite a story! I love to hear of miracles. Most women I have known aboout who were pregnant at the time of diagnosis did not live long. I would love to hear in a couple of years she is still doing well. My daughter has also done amazingly well with her Stage IV. She still does weekly chemo just to keep it that way, hopefully and today is her 50th birthday. She was diagnosed at 39 also, but was not Stage IV at that diagnosis. That came eight years later. Hug your wife for us and tell her we pray she will continue to improve. Mary K

I have stage IV breast cancer with mets to my sacrum bone. So far....no where else, though it's been a while since any PET scan or bone scan. My MRI's show the same. I get monthly Faslodex shots and monthly Aredia thru medpot. I'm still walking, talking and living! I have Faith in God that He will take me when He wants to and I will gladly go. My son is 18 and has gotten into drugs thru the last 4 or 5 yrs of me dealing with this diseae. He has no one else to love him, but me and his girlfriend. i hope he is grwoing up now. He attends N/A twice a week. He stays with her most of the time. I have lost my home and am giong to an apt. The thing I crave most is family support. I have none. Daughter is bitter about somethin g with me and holding a grudge. Thinks it's all my fault my son was the way he was. My 44 yr old brother is taking advantage of my 84 yr old father. So....I have detached myself from those 3 and I'm there for my son only. I can't take the stress anymore. God willing.... will be moving out of state to a pleasant warmer climate as I cannot stand winter in Michigan anymore. Things happen for a reason and God will let me live as long as I'm still needed here. I have no man in my life. I try to eat healthier than I used to, as I cared for my mom with Alzheimers until she passed, then I became ill.

Wonderful stories on this website.

Hi, Suzieq...
Your story is a great reminder that, while we are the ones with "the cancer," it reaches out and snakes its fingers around the hearts and minds of all of our friends and family. Some of them rally to our sides and are there to support and nurture us, some of them retreat in fear and a feeling of helplessness, and some of them become angry and resentful and somehow blame us for our disease, because our cancer is a part of their lives as well. Cancer doesn't just happen to us in isolation. I'm happy to hear that your son has sought the help of NA. It sounds like you have plans for life, and that is great! Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!

BEV