stage 1 2005 stage 4 2008 - Cancer: Breast Message Board

soberjan · 02-20-2009, 08:21 PM

Is anyone here who has been diagnosed as stage 4? I have to take it seriously this time, I am 49 and want to beat the odds. I didnt take it seriously in 2005 when I trusted a surgeon who said "lumpectomy and a little radiation is ALL yoy need. Of course came in handy.
I need advise, sites, trials to get me more than 1 year!!

leea1206 · 02-23-2009, 10:09 PM

So sorry to hear.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a good place to start. They may be able to direct you to a larger teaching hospital that would more likely have cutting edge treatments and clinical trails you might want to participate in.

Leea

Graywren · 02-24-2009, 12:21 PM

I don't have any advice but in 2007 when I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer my surgeion and radioligist thought I just needed radiation. However, my supervising oncologist suddenly insisted I needed 4 rounds of chemo. I was so disappointed that I cried, something I hadn't done when I got the diagnosis. Now I'm glad I went through the chemo. It remains to be seen if I will stay cancer free.

rmckee65 · 02-24-2009, 11:28 PM

Hi, sorry to here about your recent stage 4. I had stage 2 in 2004, did double mastectomy with reconstruction followed by chemo. Now in Oct 2009 was diagnosed with breast cancer metastasis to my bone. I have it in my breast, sternum, scapula ribs down my spine and in my hips. I have started on Tamoxifen and Zometa monthly. Can someone enlighten me on what's in store for me?

beige138 · 02-25-2009, 12:12 AM

I'm sorry to hear about everyone's diagnoses. I haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer, but my Aunt Dorothy has. I don't know if this helps anyone, but I'm hoping that it will give everyone hope. My Aunt was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer when she was 32. After having a mastectomy, radiation and chemo, she went into remission. A few years later she was diagnosed again with breast cancer in her other breast, this time it was a different type of cancer. She had another mastectomy (she never had reconstructive surgery), more chemo, more radiation. She went into remission and was offically cancer free. Last year, they discovered spots on her spine in an MRI in the lumbar region. It turns out to be stage 4 breast cancer metastasized to her bones. Its currently in several spots along her spine and her ribs. She did chemo for a 3rd time but refused more radiation. She's had some form of cancer for about 15 years. She's in some pain but generally happy and helping me plan my wedding (which is in 2011). I don't know if she was given a time frame, I suspect she was and isn't telling anyone. Anyway, it was nearly 8 years between the time she completed treatment for her 2nd treatment for cancer and the time she learned about. I wish everyone the best! I'm 23 and have started screening for breast cancer. I'm being tested for the genes and I'm starting mamograms next year.