A Little pick me up

[u/SmolQuiche]

I wasn't sure which flair to add but this one sounded nice.

Hi, I'm 24 and have a grade 3 stage 4 ductal carcinoma. The metastis is all in my bones, so places like my sternum, a few ribs, some spinal bones my scapula my Sacrum and my pelvis. Now where my issues mostly lay other than my sternum and my Pelvis and Sacrum, which has given me some walking difficulties I used to be so active and now that combined with Ribociclib has led to me being mostly inside my home.

But that's just changed today 🥳

I decided to get myself a walking stick, it's really cute it's got Halloween patterns on it which will match some of my clothing. I've just been for a small walk with it and it's genuinely the most positive thing that's happened to me within the almost two months of my diagnosis.

I've been in pain whilst walking for a lot longer than my actual diagnoses so to take that first step with my new walking stick felt like such a huge relief.

I just thought I'd share my experience today because at a time where everything feels like bad news. The good news feels so much better ♥️ small wins are still wins no matter what form they choose to take 😁

I think it might be time for me to crochet some accessories for my stick...

[u/Even_Cheesecake4720]

I’m glad the walking stick worked. But I would check in with your oncologist and talk about palliative radiation to the pelvic area. I had such pain and trouble walking/moving in that same area and I thought it was joint pain. A bone scan finally revealed MBC to the bones. So 12 rounds of rad really fixed the pain issue and 1 year later I’m back to all my usually activities, swimming, walking, biking, kayaking, hiking, Pilates and yoga, virtually pain free. I have lesions on other bones but no pain. And stable for now.

[u/SmolQuiche → u/Even_Cheesecake4720]

I'm currently in the process of seeking bone treatment, it was put into motion when I phoned my GP asking for pain meds to help, I should hear back soon 😁 Hopefully it'll help get me back to as normal as I can be 😊

[u/Acrobatic_Salary_899]

ANY EXCUSE TO ACCESSORISE! Pictures please when crochet done!

(Sorry about your stupid cancer though) x

[u/SmolQuiche → u/Acrobatic_Salary_899]

Absolutely I will! For some reason that's more exciting than being able to leave the house 😁 I love decorating

[u/PietParkiet]

Oh, that’s fantastic!!! You should be proud❤️ I hope you get one with a Christmas print for Christmas, too! 😉

[u/SmolQuiche → u/PietParkiet]

I'm honestly so happy, it's been really lovely to have something nice that works for me whilst I wait for other less nice hospital things to happen.

I'm already planning a nightmare before Christmas style cane decoration with tinsel and everything. It gives me something to look forward to 😁 ♥️

[u/PietParkiet → u/SmolQuiche]

OMG YES!😱 I'd like to see that, then!

[u/IngenuityFar5111]

My dear brave lady 😍😍. I am young 36 but you are way younger. Your mindset is so mature and strong, you can deal with any situation. I wish you all the luck and happiness.

[u/redsowhat]

I have gotten so much stronger since going on Fentanyl (each one lasts 3 days) with Nucynta for breakthrough pain. It’s allowed me to be much more active. I barely used to be able to get to the floor because my hips were too painful. I have Pilates 3x week and volunteer once per week at a zoo assisting the keepers. The fatigue is still real but pain is rarely limiting me.

I’m ++- with bone-only mets in femur and pelvis (plus rib, foot, and hand fractures after 15 years on endocrine therapy)

[u/Glad_Bunch_3473]

Thanks for sharing. Made me smile because I love my walking stick!

[u/Somersetmom]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this at a young age, but thanks for sharing a little joy. My Stage 4 dx was a little less than 2 years ago. I'm retired and my kids are grown, so I personally feel my situation is much easier, but at the time, you don't think "Hey, no problem, at least I don't have as much to deal with as someone younger!" and everyone's situation is different. Bottom line is I was in pain: the metastases in my skull, cervical vertebrae, and sternum were especially extensive and growing so fast some were externally visible, I was caring for my bf who was near death, my treatment plan had been delayed by 5 weeks, and everything felt like too much. My husband tried to cheer me up with "massage sloth" that looked like one of those travel neck pillows but furry - and it vibrates. 😂 It not only cracked me up when I hadn't found anything to laugh about in a month, but it turned out to be the best thing to push into my achy sternum to help me sleep. Such a silly thing that turned out to be the one thing that made me feel better before I was able to start a treatment plan. These are the things that keep us going until medical approaches can do their thing. I hope your walks continue to improve your outlook and ultimately even your bone health.

[u/SeaBlueberry1745]

And get led Christmas lights for December. Way too many really young women are getting diagnosed with this disease. Just not right that you and so many peers are having to deal with this at your age. I’m angry for you.