Maureen's Journey with Cancer Treatment and Side Effects

Hi welcome, I am pretty new too I was first diagnosed 2018 stage 1 at age 55. Cancer returned MBC only in two spots mammary glands in Feb 2024.Oligometastatic I Started Kisqali and Fulvestrant April 2024. No scans yet I am due in July August. So glad you are responding to treatment! I take one day at a time, one scan at a time. And I try to stay positive even though some days it’s very hard.

2016 diagnosed with stage lll c metastatic breast cancer ER+. 5 months chemo, mastectomy,radiation and placed on Zometa every 3 months. 2021 tumor in my sacrum. Radiation placed on Letrozole and ibrance with PET scans every 3 months 2023 no detection of tumor. I was taken off ibrance. Then in a scan 2024 March a radiologist saw a small spot on L-4 lower back. High depth bone scan determined it was a small metastatic tumor. Radiation the kinda good news is the spot has been there since 2021 so the Letrozole has been working. I have learned the past 8 years to be compliant eat a good diet, exercise, sleep and a great faith. Meditation helps with fatigue. To make sure you ask a question when you want to and have a really good medical team on your side. A couple of great books are Moving through Cancer and How to Starve Cancer. Very updated on managing your journey. Out comes for me is awesome because it places you with women and men that are willing to help you navigate through all the info and information.

Same diagnosis, same meds w/exception of Zometa. The side effects of Zometa showed its ugly head when I had a tooth removed. Up until that time it was working well. I just approached year 5 and continue to be well per scans and my faith in God. I also have a wonderful doc. I wish you much joy/happiness in your life and especially in your journey. Always look to be a positive role model. I really enjoyed reading of your experiences.

Hello Maureen, I was diagnosed on October 20, 2023-MBC with 1 spot in my lung. It’s my third diagnosis in 20 years. I’m on Kisqali and Letrozel. I’m doing well on the medication. I’ve had weight gain that is very hard to manage. I’m very frustrated with not being able to lose it.

Hi Maureen, I have MBC in my bones, 'they' say extensive. I say it's not below my elbows and not below my knees. Occasionally I have bone pain of level 3. I've been on hormone therapy since 2016 and still thriving. 3 different regimens. I'm currently on Kisqali and emestane, I just got biopsy results and if I read it correctly I have ILD. So I'll get off Kisqali -just guessing. Positivity is powerful. I love my life, I love my family, I love you, too.

Welcome to the community! It sounds like you're navigating a complex treatment journey with some challenging side effects, and it's encouraging to hear that your scans are showing stability. Many people in this community understand the ups and downs of managing multiple medications and dealing with side effects like nerve issues, so you're definitely not alone in this experience.