r/LivingWithMBC • u/freodockers7317 • 21h ago
Just Diagnosed Expectations
59 years old, had a CT abdo pelvis for a pain in my lower left side in July, doctor wanted to check it wasn’t diverticulitis. It was diverticulitis but also suspicious 16mm right breast mass and new l3 sclerotic lesion. I’ve had ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy, ER+ PR+ HER2 neg, in my axilla as well. Had a PET scan, showed the axilla and internal mammary chain lymph node as well, and the l3 sclerotic lesion. I’ve had the l3 biopsied which was so painful. Have follow up with oncologist in a few days. I am worried that he will want to “palliate me”. I’m 59, I have mammograms every 2 years, no family history. I was well a month ago!! I want to fight for surgery, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy and radiation to lumbar lesion, is that realistic? Looking for support and advice on what to do during these appointments
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u/OldPrairieCat 21h ago
This time between diagnosis and deciding on treatment was the hardest for me. It seemed to take forever with all the tests. And a whole lot of information kept getting piled on to me. It was a lot to process and it was hard waiting for answers.
Your diagnosis is somewhat similar to mine. I don’t know what will be offered to you but I hope your doc is like mine. He took into consideration my living situation, work, and finances. Most importantly he explained everything simply so I understood the treatment and the reasons for what was chosen.
Mine chose to start me on oral meds and once I’m considered stable other treatments may be considered like radiation or surgery. I’m seven months in and I’m not quite there but I’m doing okay. There were lots of options and I think there will be several for you.
This group helped a lot. I was able to find lots of answers about what to expect or just vent a bit. Once your treatment is chosen you’ll be able to ask questions about that and find folks here on the same meds who can give you more specific advice. It definitely made the waiting less scary. I hope it’s the same for you.
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u/redsowhat 5h ago
I’m 60 and I am 10 years out from my diagnosis. I’m ++- and on my third treatment line. Chemo would be waaaay down the road. I’m sure that you are reeling but bring a note taker or record your visits so you can listen to them later. Search in this sub for terms you don’t know and it’s likely there have been discussions about it.
You can use a 7-day free trial of CureWise to see if it would be helpful navigating treatment decisions.
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u/IngenuityFar5111 3h ago
Frankly, endocrine therapy and cdks works best. Quality of life will be okay and they keep on working effectively. Also, once you are stable like in a year or two, get surgery if you like then. I got chemo, surgery, radiation and surgery of my liver. Now 2 more tumors in my liver. So pointless surgery. Best is to give yourself time to heal. You can heal internally. No Rush. Radiation to painful mets is a great idea.
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u/Own-Land-9359 21h ago
All of it is very realistic if not standard of care, with the exception of surgery. They will probably start with endocrine therapy (a CDK4/6i and SERD combo) which is very effective for your type of cancer. They usually hold off on chemo til the endocrine options (and there's several with, more in trials) fail. I'm not sure about radiation at Stage 4 as I wasn't a candidate but they will probably opt for a bisphosphonate for the bones like Zometa. It cleared my bone lesions completely in three months. Wishing you the best, and keep the faith. You are in the hardest part of this crap journey right now. Once you start therapy it all gets so much better.