Breast Cancer that speads

inspire · Regular Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 13

I too was touched by the inspiring story of mymaria

My goodness! What a grand story of inspiration and a grateful wondering of what happened?!
What therapies did you do in those months?? I am happy for your whole family that you have been blessed 10,000 times over!

mymaria · Experienced user Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 57

inspire,

It is very important to note that the type of cancer cells dictate the course of action. Although my wife was in Stage IV, the cancer cells retained most of its normal cell characteristics (breast cells) and hormone receptors. You can imagine how her pregnancy accelerated the growth and spread of the disease. But the key here is that the cells were hormone receptor + and Her2 -. Please go to this site for information about diagnosis, etc. It does a nice job explaining cell type, etc. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/getting_facts.jsp

After knowing this (which was thoroughly explained by the oncologist), the course of action was the traditional FAC (cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan); doxorubicin (Adriamycin); and fluorouracil (5FU)) regimen. The Adriamycin was not included until after the 12-weeks of full-brain radiation. It has some side-effects that could be very unpleasant when in use during radiation.

8-rounds of chemo has been scheduled. My wife has gone through 4 and will resume in a few weeks. Signs of cancer regression were seen even before the 4th round of chemo. Lump in breast, pain in ribs (cracked due to cancer), headaches, return of normal function to vocal chords, crossing of the eyes, all of these symptoms subsided/disappeared.

Wife had a c-section and our baby was delivered at 32-weeks. Drs. wanted to start other treatments that demanded that baby be delivered. 32-weeks was decided to be an optimal time for both treatment and baby. Her ovaries were removed, thus removing predominant source of hormones and she has started with Arimidex to stave of any other naturally produced hormones from the body and prevent the cancer cells from activating via hormone receptors. She will also be infused with Aredia for bone lesions. Once she has regained her strength, she will resume chemo.

She has come a very long way! From swelling of the brain, paralyzed vocal chords, near fatal seizure, severe lethargy...I watched daily as she either regressed or improved. Every day was something. It came to the point where even no change was good news.

In a span of about 4 days, my wife went from needing assistance for nausea/vomiting to unconsciousness and intibated. From being able to have a normal conversation to...

Anyway, it should be noted that the oncologists that we have never mentioned the words TERMINAL or END-STAGE or PALLIATIVE. It was always about trying to beat this thing. Of course, they never used the word CURE, but I understood why. Once you get to Stage IV, the word CURE is relative. One may be free of cancer for many years, but there's always that possibility that it may return in some form. CURE as in it will never return, is an impossible prediction at this point. We understand that. But that won't stop my wife (us) from planning to live a ripe old age watching our kids graduate, get married, have kids of their own, TOGETHER.

Our primary oncologist also made it clear that there were other options. He never let on that if this didn't work that this was it. He always gave me the sense that this was only the beginning of what could be done to help.

I hope this information helps. The scientific and medical world have come a long way! And continues to make advancements, literally daily. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO BE AN EFFECTIVE, PERSISTENT, EDUCATED advocate for yourself or your loved one. Ask doctors about the research that you have done, other treatments, etc. It is also VERY IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH POSITIVE relationships! I managed to create and maintain relationships with the doctors and nurses, et. al who have and continue to tend to my wife that shows respect and unabashed appreciation for what they do. Dear God, if it weren't for the compassion of the nurses and doctors, I do not believe this would have resulted as it has. You need to get everyone on board on the recovery/treatment of yourself or your loved one!

Richard
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Dallas, TX

Regi · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: Scary bone cancer

What scares me is the INCURABLE word I havent read one story about someone surviving bone cancer so Im depressed ... I cried with my husband last night holding me and we are scared he cried right along with me I have bone cancer that spread from the breast cancer. Im very upset as to why this has to happen to people who just want to be happy. I love my family and this is never going to go away its so unfair. I have no second chances. Im on 6 months of chemo I went through radiation I have a rod in my left femur due to the cancer causing a fracture and now the cancer is still going strong in my left hip, my lower back, my left knee and now my new spot my pelvis. It keeps going and going. Im only 40 I have 3 kids and 2 dogs and a beautiful husband Im finally in love forever and now this its not fair. I just started living and now Im dying. Slowly

mymaria · Experienced user Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 57

Regi,

My wife also has cancer in the bones. Lesions in skull and throughout her spine. Stay as strong as you can and until that time comes, if it does, you keep fighting with your family beside you. CRY and then cry some more, then it's back to business to continue fighting. I know that this is hard, but I am so very convinced that there other treatments/option yet.

My wife is being given a drug called AREDIA. If you are not, ask the doctor why not? I'm no expert, but it could be helpful to ask anyway. This drug given once per month via IV was designed to bone cancer/repair. There are some side-effects, what doesn't, right? What exactly is the precise treatment being done for the cancer in the bone?

What was the histological profile of your cancer cells? Were they hormone positive, Her2 +/-?

As one doctor once said to me when all of this started, "doctors are notoriously inaccurate about prognosticating these things." My understanding has always been that INCURABLE means that you may have to spend the rest of your life fighting this! Not that you WILL die as a result of it or that you will not live a ripe old age of a 100! You have to believe that.

My heart will always be with you and thinking about you...

Richard
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Dallas, TX

Regi · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: Bone cancer

I am on armidex and hormone positive. I dont know about the HER + thing because Im afraid to ask about anything ..to be honest. I am so scared. Right now I had 8 rounds of chemo for the breast cancer and radiation. Then for the bone cancer i had tons of radiation to the point that they were afraid to affect my bowel.. or as they said PUNCTURE it I said lets not do that. SO Im on another 6 months of chemo right now Im fighting but have alot of pain I cant take it sometimes I cry. I take Norco It helps but its so hard to get from the pharmacy because of their rules. I have a rod in my left femur due to a fracture .. and like I said its in my hip and knee and pelvis and lower back. Ive had radiation and now a different chemo. Its taxotere and zomita and something else. So no hair loss yet ,,it may just thin out, Im fighting but its painful I need nuepogen shots next week and Im afraid of the joint pain that comes with that. I cant take anymore pain and I weigh so little right now from all the drugs I cant eat and cant take the smell of food. Its hard ,,,I wish you all the luck too and I hope your wife gets the cure

mymaria · Experienced user Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 57

Regi,

You need as much strength as possible to go on. If you are not eating then you need to find another way to get nutrients into you. My wife has a feeding tube in place and has had that for 3-months. She is still getting a high protein liquid diet with it. She too continues to have problems with nausea and vomiting, mostly due to the wreck her digestive system is right now and the many drugs that she is still being given.

I know that you are doing what you can for the pain. Continue to find relief, but if you are at high risk of deteriorating because you are not eating, ask about other options to help in that. If you have a tube, no need to taste, nor smell, right? Regardless of what your body is being pumped up with, you need to try to help your body maintain enough energy to do its part. The feeding aparatus is not too technical and you and your husband can be trained to learn how to use/clean/replace if needed. Or have a nurse come in to do that for you provided that insurance will be amenable to all of this. Even not, it's an option you should talk about.

Richard
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Dallas, TX

Regi · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: Bone cancer.

Thanks so much Like now I forced myself to eat pancakes but after that I have to sit right away or it wont digest and I will be in the bathroom so I eat then I sleep to make it settle. The pain killers concern me because its hard to get refills and they always seem to run out alot its very hard I cant go through withdrawel on top of the pain I will surely feel like dying

SO I will sleep for now and see if that helps a bit.It usually does I just feel sorry for my husband who has to take care of our 4 year old son all day not an easy job. But hes such a great husband he knows what to do..

I want to try to go out to eat with him later. Thats hard too because I dont eat much and I dont want to waste his money, but I could use a nice marguerita ha the pain makes better sense when you have a drink or two. I cant help it I am going through hell and I really want to feel happy for even one minute.

SO I will sleep now Thanks for the pep talk..

mymaria · Experienced user Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 57

That's it! Don't give the cancer any additional reasons to continue! Keep up your strength, go out to eat, rest....

Richard
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Dallas, TX

Regi · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Resting

So much for going out I didnt feel much like it so I will just eat something here and then thats it... Im too tired all the time

mymaria · Experienced user Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 57

Regi,

You're eating, right? That's the most important part.

Next time.

Richard
_________________
Dallas, TX

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