Stage 4 breast cancer

[Badnewsblues]

Hi all. Dsis had breast cancer 6 years ago, treated and in remission, but this week has been diagnosed with a single ovarian met which has been surgically removed. She is 48 with 3 young children. Due to see her oncologist shortly to see what plan is. Any success stories out there of people who have had some good years following a stage 4 diagnosis? Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Family member diagnosed at stage 4 (another cancer), after chemo and surgery they recovered to full health. A positive attitude really helps them through the ordeal.

Thank you. All a bit devastated right now. I know survival rates are improving but still look so dismal at first glance.

My mum is still going 7 years later. They’re making advances all the time and some of the lines of treatment now are amazing in terms of lack of side effects and ability to treat the cancer.

Really don't lose hope - let her see you are positive as she will need all the strength to fight it. Wishing you and she all the best.

I think the important thing will be to find out if the ovarian met is the met, or whether the situation is more complex.

If it's the former, I think the chances are very good.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer 8 years ago. About 6 months after I was, a neighbour was diagnosed with stage 4. She very sadly died in February but had very good quality of life until very near the end.
There's a fantastic charity called Make Seconds Count, supporting women with secondary/stage 4 cancer.

I wouldn't panic yet (I know that's easier for me to say as it's not my sister).

But, I'm a stage 4 cancer patient with 2 youngish kids. We're told now to consider this as a chronic, long term condition that will need managing and not an automatic death sentence.

Of course i know that one day it will (probably) kill me. But for now, I plan to have a good 30 ish years

Yep me. Was given 6-12 months 7 years ago. Still going strong. Advances in new trials and methods happening all the time, they have saved me. I’m having a few slight issues now but the past 5-6 years I’ve lived a normalish life and I’m confident that it won’t kill me. State of mind is so important to help you get through this, not saying it stops you getting ill but helps mentally. I say I live with Cancer now rather than dying of cancer!
I’m so sorry you are going through this, it’s all very devastating.

I’m 51, single parent to 4 children (2 primary school). I have had stage 4 breast cancer for nearly 9 years. In bones, liver and lungs. I mainly have a good quality of life and still work, although only 2 days a week. I have bad days when I’m in pain but that is managed by my palliative care team. Do not google statistics etc as most are out of date plus everyone is different.

Thanks everyone. Best of luck to everyone dealing with this. Being a single parent must add a whole extra layer of worry 💐

You are all so inspirational.

Whilst I'm not the OP your stories all really touched me and gave me inspiration as my sister has stage 4 breast cancer.

Xxx

First of all I’m so sorry your Dsis is going through this. I was bereft with my mums Stage 4 Ovarian diagnosis so I can imagine how you are feeling yourself. You want to be there to support them and make them feel better, but you also have to be pragmatic.

Don’t jump the gun thinking the worst yet without knowing the full picture, I know, it’s easier said than done but conjuring up every conceivable scenario will do you no good. Wait for her Oncology appointment and take it from there.

Just know that Stage 4 is no bed of roses, in fact any stage of cancer for that matter so be there for her and make sure you look after yourself too.

Thanks for all the comments x

Onmyown1 Sweetbabyrays crazycatladyx thank you all for sharing! My mum has been living with secondary BC for 3 years so it’s nice to hear some first hand accounts of it. I have to stay away from google as it’s so true the statistics aren’t reflective of the advances that have been made.

I have two friends living with stage 4 cancer - one was diagnosed 5 years ago and the other 6. It’s truly incredible how much the prognosis has improved in such a short space of time.

Best wishes .

Yes, me. Diagnosed with primary breast cancer 8 years ago and secondary breast cancer (one met only) 6 years ago.

Am still on my first line of treatment and I have maintenance chemo every few weeks, which is shit, and does affect my life and my ability to do things.

But I didn't think I would be able to be here six years down the line.

A friend I worked with had stage 4 BC, they persuaded her to not have reconstruction as they didn't think she would live a year, two years later she had her reconstruction & 14 years later she is still here, she had a secondary in her kidney, had it removed a month after a double mastectomy, I saw her last year & she looked brilliant, she was 51 when diagnosed.

These stories are so heartening. Feeling more optimistic now especially as she only has one met for now. I guess everyone is different and it seems they don’t fully know why some people seem to do so well. They’re looking at doing research specifically into survival outliers. 🤞that my Dsis will do as well as many of you and thanks for the positive stories!

Provided you aren’t shy of a bit of swearing
Storm in a tea cup is a mate of mine. She writes a blog and is on Instagram.
She is bloody brilliant

My auntie's friend's daughter was diagnosed at the age of around 35 with stage 4 breast cancer. I think she had 3 young children at the time. Twelve years (+) on, she's still going!
She ended up married to her oncologist.

@Badnewsblues

These stories are so heartening. Feeling more optimistic now especially as she only has one met for now. I guess everyone is different and it seems they don’t fully know why some people seem to do so well. They’re looking at doing research specifically into survival outliers. 🤞that my Dsis will do as well as many of you and thanks for the positive stories!

Are they sure it's a met and not another primary?

@LaCerbiatta
Yes histology confirms a solid breast met. Surgeon had been hopeful it was benign as solid and no sign of any other met but unfortunately this preliminary results has come back.

@TheVanguardSix

My auntie's friend's daughter was diagnosed at the age of around 35 with stage 4 breast cancer. I think she had 3 young children at the time. Twelve years (+) on, she's still going! She ended up married to her oncologist.

Ha well he must be fairly sure she’s a good long term bet then

My friend was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer nearly 10 years ago now, it was already in a few areas. It’s a chronic condition for her, far from fun, but she’s now seen her children to 18 and it’s not life-threatening at this stage

[quote Badnewsblues]@LaCerbiatta
Yes histology confirms a solid breast met. Surgeon had been hopeful it was benign as solid and no sign of any other met but unfortunately this preliminary results has come back.[/quote]
Fingers crossed it's just one single met and they've caught it early.
But nevertheless, as everyone says there are many new targeted therapies that are turning it into a manageable chronic disease, and many more coming into the market.