Please
sent your story; inspirational quotations, jokes and songs for others
to share.Where others can benefit from your journey.I would like to
compile stories from metastasis survivor's stories who are now positively
embracing and appreciating life. Please submit your stories and poems
to me via email.
sunflower_heng@hotmail.com
I never dreamed that I would have a web site to help others. I wish
you the best for optimal health.
The wisdom, courage, and experiences of these survivors are invaluable
for all of us, and we thank them for sharing and giving all of us hope
for the future.
I saw
your post on the Breast Cancer On-Line Support website concerning metastatic
cancer. I find it hard to deal with right now. I had breast cancer in
the left breast in '92. Mastectomy, AC, tamoxifen. Just as I was getting
off tamoxifen, I had mets to the spine in two places. Radiation and
femara. Was doing fine until I had a new primary in the right breast
last spring. Excisional biopsy, re-excision, mastectomy and sentinel
node biopsy. Only one node positive. Now it is in the lymph nodes under
the arm. Will this never stop. Had CT, PET, bone scan. No bone metastases,
but in two places in the lymph nodes. I will start taxol and carboplatin.
HER negative so no herceptin. Actually I feel fine. A lot of people
will not give me any sympathy because I look and feel so good. There
is a big tumor, though. This is a tough time. I am interested in hearing
about people wh
I am
becoming a big fan of vitamins and herbs. I put aloe straight from the
plant on the tumor. I hope it helps. Also bought some reishi mushrooms
and maitake or hen-of-the-woods mushroom.
I would
be interested in hearing from you. One of my problems now is not blaming
the doctor. It is so easy to blame the messenger. The medical oncologist
has been great. I spoke to a radiation oncologist about the possibility
of radiation. He was the one that did the spine radiation. He wanted
to do radiation with surgery first to remove most of the tumor. That
did not sound like a good option to me. My oncologist talked to him
and we decided to do chemo. Last night I was at a support group meeting
at the center where the radiation oncologist works. He gave me some
looks that I interpreted as dirty since I did not choose his therapy.
Also the social worker was less than sympathetic. I think they were
both pissed that I did not choose their therapy. What an attitude! I
guess we are all human.
I would
be interested in hearing from you. This is a work e-mail so I do not
reply on weekends. Also, we are moving and I will be offline until next
Tuesday.
Susan
Dillman
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002
E-mail: Dillman.Susan@epamail.epa.gov
Hello
my name is Kelly Lowther & I'm 28 years old
I
was 25 when first diagnosed with breast Cancer, I had to have a Mastectomy
of the left breast and chose to have a reconstruction at the same time
as surgery. Because I was very petite at the time I had to have an implant
that
was ' Pumped up ' to stretch my skin. I was very pleased with the result
and after 4 weeks of surgery showed the reconstruction to about 30 women
& their husbands in a talk with my surgeon. As the cancer had affected
3 of my lymph nodes I had 6 weeks of Radiotherapy followed by 6 months
of chemo, this was 2 and a half years ago. I went a year without any
reoccurrences.
Then
started to get back ache, the cancer had spread to 2 parts of my spine,
which was blitzed with a further course of Radiotherapy, then it spread
to both hips, also a cell had appeared in my left eye! all of which
was treated with further radiotherapy. I have just finished my second
course of chemo called Taxotare, apparently my cancer does responded
well to treatment which is good. As the chemo drug also attacks the
bone it weakened my left hip
which eventually snapped, 6 weeks ago I had a dynamic hip screw fitted,
I am now back at work in London, driving and doing everything im my
power normal.
I am now taking the chemo table 'Xeloda' as a few 'hot spots' have been
found in my liver. The hospital are very pleased with my progress as
am I.
I do have my off days, but more so I stay very very positive and am
determined to fight this thing all the way, it is now three years since
first being diagnosed.
I do wish the very best for all the brave ladies out there and do hope
that my story will be of some inspiration to you.
Lowther,
Kelly
Thu,
22 Aug 2002 13:12:02
k.lowther@WES.GDST.net
Barbara
Bradfield, a forty-eight-year-old with a recurrence of breast
cancer in her lungs.
Helen
Davidson
I
was diagnosed in June of 1996 with invasive ductal carcinoma. I had
3 mammograms before...they were always "negative" for tumors
(dense breasts) . It took 3 months before I finally got someone to tell
me to get an ultrasound, then needle biopsy was positive. I found my
breast tumors in the shower. Hence, I encourage my family and friends
to get their mammograms and do SELF- EXAMS.
In July my chemo of FAC was given 4 tx prior to surgery (tumors way
too large in my small breasts to do mastectomy first). I was extremely
sick from the chemo. I had to be hospitalized twice as my white counts
went down to 0.5 . I was finally able to have surgery ( modified radical
mastectomy) in Nov. 1996. My tumors were 6 cm and one was 7cm. I was
staged at 3b. They were very aggressive and fast-growing. I was Er/Pr-
. No tamoxifen. Her2/neu tests were not done then...herceptin not yet
in use.
I had a hysterectomy 2 years later (at least it wouldn't metastasize
to my ovaries.) However, in Dec. 1999 counts were rising each month
and I was having trouble breathing--had respiratory tests, lung CTs
-- Nothing. Finally in May I found a small lump in my neck (supraclavicular
recurrence as revealed by needle biopsy). Previous to my onc doing something
about the neck nodule, she put me in hospital for complete work-up.
Routine CT of brain revealed a massive tumor in my brain. I had absolutely
no symptoms except poor memory and I just attributed that to the stress
from ending of school year (I was a teacher). Had brain resected of
a 6cm tumor. Next was full brain radiation for 6 wks.
Three months later my surgical scar was still not healing and coming
together properly---had more surgery . A few weeks later diagnosed as
having a staff infection and had to be hooked up to vancomycin drip
twice a day for 2 hours.
Herceptin was now in full use, so onc obtained tissue from 1996 breast
surgery. I tested extremely positive for the Her2/neu protein. I was
put on herceptin and taxotere.
Nov. 2001 MRI revealed another tumor in brain (7mm). Had stereotactic
radiosurgery at MD Anderson. Next scans I had done revealed small lesions
in lung, kidney, and liver. I was placed on regimen of Herceptin and
doxil.
Fortunately, next scans showed NEGATIVE in those areas! Jan. 2002 reveals
5 very small (5-6mm) lesions in brain. Given the oral chemo called Temodar
for brain tumors. New scans revealed Temodar worked!!
I am married to my high school sweetheart---28 years.
I have one son, Ryan, who is 19. I am 48 and was a teacher for 24 years.
Unforunately I had to take a medical disability due to the loss of memory
/ loss of my equilibrium from all the chemo, brain surgery, and brain
rads. I feel cheered when I go back to school to volunteer. Except for
my permanent loss of hair and "nerve-ending" headaches I feel
"normal".
MOTTO - There is not a cure for metastatic breast cancer, however, I
must not lose faith, but keep fighting so that when a cure is found
(maybe tomorrow) I will be ready for it. I am determined to fight a
nd keep a positive attitude!
email:
helendav@msn.com
Updated 4/21/2002
Nickname Helen
Hobbies collecting recipes, enjoying nature, reading
Dawn
Brimm-Carmichael
Hello,
my name is Dawn Brimm-Carmichael and I'm a 40yr old young woman diagnosed
with Breast Cancer in Dec.98 and metastasized in Dec 01 to the Liver.
I have been doing treatment every Friday since and receive my scans
every 8 weeks, the latest report is theres no new growth. The Drs. call
that STABLE, I need more than that and were being as aggressive as we
can.
Enough on that, I wake up every morning and thank GOD I have another
day. I believe that once you face the fact you could die soon then you
can start Living, hearing the wind sing it's lovely song, hear the trees
talk there sweet language, the laughter of children can be so joyous
you weep at the sound.
I appreciate everything 10x more and thought I was Living prior to this
affliction on my body, little did I know I wasn't even experiencing
real Life until now. Laughter plays a major role in Life, and in my
life presently it's the grease that keeps the gears moving. Love is
another contributing factor to a well life not this artificial stuff
the real unconditional love that most of us are searching for our whole
lives. I have been very blessed with all those that I've mentioned in
the last 31/2 yrs and cherish it.
Always let those in your life know what they mean to you with lots of
love, Hugs, Kisses.
E-mail:
gypsiedawn@msn.com
Dawn
Rubyred-Susan
Hi!
My name is Susan, nickname, (Rubyred), I have been asked to tell my
story, now I might have done that already! so Ignore me if I have!
I was 41 years old when I first found a lump in my left breast, I can
remember thinking at the time, no, it couldn't be, I am too young! Well,
what a wake-up call that was! Cancer doesn't care about your age or
anything! I had a lumpectomy, followed by 6 months of chemo, then 7
weeks of radiotherapy. The surgeon who did the operation said I had
a 95% chance of it never coming back. I basically put it out of my mind,
although I had to have check-ups every three months.
Nearly three years ago I started to get these horrifc spasmns in the
lower part of my spine, like when I tried to get off the couch, the
pain only lasted a few seconds, but I would scream with the pain. At
first they thought it was a urine infection! but they happened again
and I was sent for a bone scan.
It came back with a mass of cancer at the base of my spine, and in the
right pelvic area, I went into deep shock! after all, I had been told
that I had a 95% chace of it never coming back! I was sent to the major
cancer hospital in Melbourne for radiotherapy on the right hip and my
lower back, and after that, they were trying towork out a pain relief
system, it took about 8 days for that to happen, and I felt alright.
I was put on the Disability Pension, and my world in a way came crashing
down, I had a job that I liked, I drove a car, and more important, I
had bought a house only about 5 months before hand, and it seemed in
a split second every independant thing that I had was taken away from
me. That is one area that I found the hardest, more so at the time than
the cancer.
Anyway to cut a long story short, I went on the best way I knew how,
mainly through positive thinking, meditation, and a good sense of humour!
But over the last nearly three years, I tried to act like it wasn't
there, I went on to paint my house! still did gardening, but gradually
I was getting more pain, so I was having a lot of bone scans till we
got to the point were we decided to stop them, as the cancer had spread
nearly everywhere. At the moment my left pelvis has two fractures in
it, and I am surposed to bring my bed down from upstairs, yes! I bought
a double-storey house! something that I had always dreamed of! But I
can't do it, and I am still going up and down the stairs!
There is nothing else that can be done now, I am on a lot of drugs to
kill the pain, I have an infusion of a drug called, "Aredia",
every three weeks, and they are trying me on a new chemo tablet called,
"Xeloda", I take it for two weeks, then have one week off,
the idea being, to try and kill some of the cancer cells in my bone
marrow, so my red and white count will come up. the first round, I got
to the tenth day and ended up in hospital with an infection, but I feel
pretty good at the moment, because in another four days I have actually
made it to the two weeks! I have been really calm for the past two and
a half years, but in the last month or so, I am finding that I am getting
grumpy and depressed, I surpose that is normal, I don't know. I have
told my story more in depth as Florence wanted to compile stories of
us survivors, we are not all the same, and we are going to have different
reactions to everything that is put in front of us, but I think if we
can care and share our stories, it just might make a difference for
other ladies that are going through this.
I do hope I haven't rattled on too much! but as usual, I have been awake
since 5a.m on Friday morning! I wish the best for all you ladies out
there, it is a hard road, but I think we are pretty darn special!
E-mail:bugsy345@hotmail.com
From the Little Aussie Battler,
Susan.
Suzie
passed away on Wednesday the 6th of November, 2002 at 5:15pm, peacefully,
in her home surrounded by myself, my two brothers and her dearest friends.
As you may well know my courageous mother faught an eight year battle
with cancer, but maintained her spirituality, love and dignity until
her last gentle breath.Suzie was a very special and inspirational person
to all those who knew her, she will be sadly missed but never, ever
forgotton.
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