Last week my friend was diagnosed with stage iv breast cancer that has spread to her bones (legs,hips,shoulder and backbone). The doctor plans on hormone therapy, chemo, and radiation. He said her hips can shatter with radiation since the lesions have taken so much of the calcium out of her bones. She had no idea about the cancer, but has had back pain for @8 months. After being brought to the hospital last week because she was throwing up so bad (her kidneys were shutting down from too much calcium) she received all this cancerous news. Can anybody share any info @ this particular situation?

My deepest sympathy for your friend's sudden terrible news. I have no experience to share that would be relevant, only my prayers, and my hopes for her recovery...I believe that miracles can be granted to anyone at any time...may your friend find hers.

Hi Karen,

I'm also stage IV, although i was first diagnosed 2.5 yrs ago at stage I (I was 25). My cancer recurred at stage IV last summer. Yes, she will have to be very careful about her activity -- I recently cracked a rib doing yoga b/c a lesion lessened my bone density so severely. Yep, a perfectly safe, no-impact stretch and then, "snap"! There are drugs they will give her to bring down her calcium level and they will probably give her Oxycontin for her back pain (that's what I take for mine). She'll start on an aggressive chemo regimen which may make her sick, I can't really say without knowing the drug. I'm guessing she'll start on A/C -- pretty much everyone with b/c starts out on that one.

As you go through this with her, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have that you don't feel like asking her. Or, if you just feel like venting, put a post up. She's really going to need you. This is probably the hardest thing she'll ever go through. Best wishes to both of you.

oh my gosh, your poor friend. you too karen. i do not know much about breast cancer and had not considered the effects that could come of it spreading. how scary to know that the slightest movement could cause such damage..almost like brittle bone disease. my prayers go out to you ladies.

My mother had stage IV breast cancer for many years. She truly suffered. Like your friend, she had extreme back pain when it metastasized (she first caught it as a small lump in the breast). It turned out she had compression fractures in her spine...she said she knew when it happened. She was in the driver seat of her car, reached over to unlock the passenger side and heard it crack.

The compression fractures continued in her spine and she ended up hunched over. Thankfully, and I can't believe I am saying this, she passed away in January of this year. Bless her...she is no longer suffering.

Best wishes to you and your friend... :angel: