#metastatic breast cancer

[jenthebug]

Oncology appointment today. Guess I’m going back on blockers.

Not unexpected, just slightly obnoxious. But the blockers have been doing a kick ass job of suppressing the cancer, so there’s that.

#metastatic breast cancer

[thecorvidforest]

Urgent aid request from someone I know. This request is time-sensitive; if you can’t help out, reblogs/sharing the graphic elsewhere would be greatly appreciated.

#mutual aid #mutual aid request #cancer #metastatic breast cancer #brain tumor

[bpod-bpod]

Fat Checking

Protein called IGFBP2 secreted by healthy fat cells of the breast limit the progression of a non-invasive type of breast cancer to invasive

Read the published research paper here

Image from work by James R. W. Conway and colleagues

Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Science Advances, July 2023

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

#science #biomedicine #histopathology #breast cancer #dcis #adipocytes #fat #cells #cancer #metastatic breast cancer

[fatedwithmbc]

I never wear heels. Ok, I ALMOST never wear heels, but I did when I went to church on Christmas Eve. The next day my heel felt bruised. I chalked it up to a poor shoe decision and figured it would heal itself as time went on. Here we are a month later and I have finally gone to the Podiatrist. It’s not a bruise: I have Insertional Achilles Tendonitis and a Sural Nerve Impingement. Best case scenario steroids and injections will resolve my issues. Physical Therapy may be an option. Worst case scenario could require surgery. I was informed it’s a major surgery as I have would have to have the piece of bone removed from my heel that is aggravating the Achilles. For the next week I’m on steroids, have stretching to do and had to buy a more flexible sneaker. If there is no improvement, it’s injection time at my next appointment.

Despite this being all foot related, my MBC became forefront of the appointment. As I was having my foot x-rayed, the technician asked if I was pregnant or trying and I said matter of factly I could not conceive. She asked why and we began a discussion about my diagnosis and she couldn’t fathom it because of how young I looked. She seemed genuinely concerned and shocked. She asked about my metastasis and how my treatment was coming along. I felt heard by a stranger. And it felt genuine.

My doctor also asked about my MBC as the steroids will reduce the effectiveness of my aromatase inhibitor, but it’s the most conservative treatment for my foot.

I never thought my foot appointment would have so much to do with my cancer diagnosis and yet nothing to do with it at all. It was an interesting appointment.

I know I haven’t had an entry in quite sometime but the interactions today stuck with me and I felt like I needed to get the out of my head. I’m glad to have this space for these type of scenarios.

#fated with mbc #confessions of a cancer patient #stage iv deserves more #metastatic breast cancer #stage iv metastatic breast cancer #breast cancer

[feelslikevenus]

can't help but think about how in 2022 all i wanted to do was die and now in 2024 all i want to do is live for as long as i can.

depression will do that to you; make you think you want to die when you just want to not be in pain.

now im facing a terminal illness at 26 and want nothing more than to live.

i want to see 27, 28,29, 30, etc.

i want to grow old

i want to stay here, be here.

please pray for me

#thoughts #metastatic breast cancer

[livingwithmbc]

Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

The past few years have been rocky to put it mildly, not just as a nation or planet, but also personally.

I'm creating this space to share periodic updates and glimpses into what it's like living with metastatic breast cancer (referred to as MBC going forward because I'm lazy and don't like typing it every time) and whatever else I feel like. I don't promise to post consistently, only as I find it helpful and have the time and energy. I do, however, promise to be real, honest, crass, and vulnerable about my experiences. I curse like a sailor and if that isn't for you, no hard feelings, but this may not be the space for you, and that's perfectly okay. I don't particularly enjoy writing, nor am I great at it, but I recognize its value and how cathartic it can be. I've always been a naturally private person as I enjoy my quiet life, but there's nothing private about having BC. Appointment after I'm appointment I remove my shirt and bra as it seems like just about every medical professional needs to feel my breast lump. Just as cancer has invaded my breast, medical traumas began invading my life. Privacy seems almost comical these days, and I was living in denial while thinking I could do this all on my own without needing the support of my friends and family. I was very wrong. I didn't (and still don't) want pity from others. Life never promised to be fair. We don't choose the cards life deals us, but it's up to us to play the hell out of those cards, and I've got a killer poker face. So ask me the questions and I'll respond when I can. This is not a journey in which it's helpful to go it alone and if anything, it's detrimental to try. Something else noteworthy is that I have ADHD (thanks, dad!). As someone with ADHD, my brain jumps around. A lot. This is evident when talking with me but also in my writing as well. Bear with me and welcome to the shitshow.

For those of you that don't know me well (or perhaps at all), I turned 33 last month and work as a mental health counselor in Indiana. I've been married to my saint of a spouse for just shy of a decade and he's been my rock. In 2020, I was gearing up to graduate with my master's in clinical mental health counseling with plans to begin our family shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

During the summer of 2020, my spouse was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 30, after being short of breath for no clear reason, and being gaslit by medical professionals for several months about not feeling well. To say this was a shock was an understatement. Only old people get cancer, I thought, not seemingly healthy and active 30-year-olds. Our plans to begin trying to conceive were temporarily tabled as the focus shifted to my husband's health. I was devastated but chanted the mantra, "this too shall pass". We were told we had to wait at least 2 years to try to have kids due to the intense medications and treatments he was on. He spent months doing aggressive rounds of chemo, all while working almost full time. To say he's my hero would be putting it mildly. It's been about 2 years since his diagnosis and I'm thrilled to report he's still in remission!

Fast forward to early 2022. I noticed some dimpling under one of my breasts, but genuinely didn't think too much of it. Historically speaking, I've never been an overly anxious person, and typically don't worry much until there's truly something to worry about. My spouse encouraged me to schedule an appointment ASAP (he's the worrier). I already had an OB appointment upcoming so I planned to discuss the dimpling then as my neurodivergent brain couldn't handle making more phone calls for appointments and things. Unfortunately, the doctor felt a lump (I couldn't) and the ensuing weeks and months would prove to be an overwhelming whirlwind of fears, appointments, and uncertainties.

I like to think I have a good sense of humor, even if it's dark (I'd argue you have to have dark humor to survive in the mental health field). On Friday the 13th of May I was told my breast biopsy confirmed the worst: I have invasive ductile carcinoma. Jason was nowhere in sight but I would have been more accepting of his existence than me having cancer. I'll never forget the look of pity on the nurse's face delivering that news. I could tell she was going out of her way to try and make me feel better about the diagnosis, saying things along the lines of, "it was caught early, you won't die. You'll be fine." I remember taking the news surprisingly well and not being too phased by it. "I'm going to kick cancer's ass," I thought. I'm stubbornly determined when I set my mind to a task and cancer was no different in my mind. Mind over matter, as they say. Hell, I was even given a BC swag bag on my way out the door. I quickly got scheduled with an oncologist who set up scans, blood draws, the whole gambit. Getting breast cancer at 32 was jarring for the medical providers around me given that I have no family history of breast cancer. Genetic testing was order and I learned that I have an ATM genetic mutation, pre-disposing me to breast cancer and a handful of other cancers. The results were bittersweet as it provided answers to the "why" of cancer early in life, but shifted the initial surgery treatment plan to opting for a double mastectomy. I was generally still in high spirits, and made light of it all, joking about getting a shiny new rack as a silver lining of a shitty situation. When life gives you lemons, make tittyaide, I said. As scan results began to roll in, the plan abruptly shifted. A suspicious spot was found on my sternum and a biopsy confirmed the worst: the cancer had already spread to my sternum, meaning I was now dealing with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, a completely different beast than when BC is caught early. Surgery got cancelled and starting endocrine therapy ASAP was the new plan to try and shrink the tumors. I had no idea that multiple types of BC exist, all with different treatment implications. My specific type is ER/PR+, HER2-, meaning, my cancer feeds off my hormones. The treatment? Reduce the estrogen in my body as quickly as possible and transition me into menopause, thus stifling the cancer's fuel source. In all this scary news, the thing I mourned the deepest (and still do) is the uphill journey I will face to becoming a mom. Chemo made my spouse sterile and I am unable to carry a pregnancy as I cannot stop treatment long enough to sustain a pregnancy. People mean well when they offer comments like, "you can adopt!" but I'm here to tell you how painful and invalidating that response is. There is lifelong grief associated with infertility for those that want biological children. Even if we are able to pursue foster to adoption (the only "affordable" option to becoming a parent), I will always grieve not getting the experience of being pregnant and having biological kids. As cliché as it is, it's true that you don't always realize how badly you want something until it's no longer an option.

MBC, unlike early onset BC, is considered incurable. It's not an instant death sentence, but any doctor will let you know that it's essentially terminal, meaning it's a slow death. Living with MBC is a very, very different experience as there is no end in sight unlike many other cancer experiences. I will be in treatment for the rest of my life. The statistics for long-term survival aren't great, but I know I'm much more than a statistic. My goal is to live the most fulfilling life I can for as long as I can, and I hope that means I'll be around for a very long time. There's nothing like the threat of dying to make you appreciate each and every day, including the people in your life, the jobs, the pets, nature, etc. I believe maintaining a positive mindset while looking for learning opportunities is so important in overcoming any obstacles in life and I am so incredibly thankful for all those that have shown their love and support. If you read all of my ramblings, thank you for your patience. Take time to appreciate and express gratitude for the good things in your life. No matter how bad the circumstances may be, there is always something to be grateful for. <3

#breast cancer #metastatic breast cancer #nonhodgkins #lymphoma #atm #genetic mutation #hereditary cancer #infertility #compassion #medical trauma #mysogyny #adult adhd #gratitude #mental health #griefjourney #cancer #hereditary

[maldreathezora]

tumor markers are down 😀 chemo (enhertu) infusion 55.

nov 7 2023. age 32.

#inflammatory breasr cancer #metastatic breast cancer #breast to bone to brain #faith april #chemotherapy

[breastcancerbitch]

I turned 43 on Friday. I can't help but wonder if it was my last birthday. Regardless, it was a good one; a rare day where I felt good enough to get out and about.

#metastatic breast cancer #breast cancer #mbc #cancer #breast cancer awareness #don't ignore stage iv #7.24.22

[snail-cryptid]

Hello there! As a new user to Tumblr, I am still learning the ropes. I am currently battling Metastatic Breast Cancer and a brain tumor, and your support would mean the world to me. I would greatly appreciate it. And if you are able and willing, please consider making a donation to help with my medical expenses and support my health journey. Thank you so much!

boost ^

#sunny yelling at u #ask tag #mutual aid #donations #metastatic breast cancer #brain tumor

[anzu2snow]

Finally had a phone appointment with my oncologist. It kept getting postponed. They said I had to have it as a follow-up. They had it scheduled for 5pm. (I don’t why it was so late in the day. They were the ones that scheduled it.) She called me this morning when I wasn’t around my phone. She said she was sick again and couldn’t do the 5pm one, and said she’d call at 12pm. I waited for a while, but she didn’t call back. So, I called the oncology department about it, and they were confused about it. She called me after that. So weird.

I brought up my bone pain. It’s still pretty bad. She asked if it was in one area. It’s not. It’s all over. She said I should try taking 1mg of dexamethasone daily, instead of the 0.5mg. She wants me to switch from anastrozole to letrozole. Apparently, letrozole is similar. According to Google, letrozole is a hormone based chemotherapy. Anastrozole could be causing some of the bone pain as well. So she’ll prescribe it, and I’ll get it through the mail. She said it’s very important that I stop anastrozole, then wait a day, and then I can start letrozole. I can’t have them at the same time. Hopefully this will help.

I also talked about a ‘mass’ or tumor I started noticing a few days ago. It’s big. It’s on the left side of my chest, and starts with a weird looking dimple. It goes from close to my neck near my left shoulder until my heart area. She said she has to look at it in person. She wrote down what I told her anyways. She said I should probably have an in-person appointment after the bone scan at the end of the month. She said the problem is she’ll be in Tacoma during that time until the end of July. She said I most likely will see a colleague of hers instead. I hope I’m just imagining this ‘mass’. Don’t know what they’ll do about it. Especially with someone new to my ‘case’. I feel like I need a new oncologist. She did tell me to keep her up to date. She doesn’t seem to like email, which makes it harder. Hopefully my bone pain will get better soon, and the mass I see is really nothing.

#health #breast cancer #metastatic breast cancer #metastatic cancer #cancer #stage 4 cancer #stage 4 breast cancer #bone pain #pain #side effects #meds #tumor

[jenthebug]

Update: I’ll be having two surgeries, a double mastectomy and tissue expanders, then a bilateral DIEP flap (reconstruction using fat from my belly) a couple months later when my tissue has sufficiently expanded. It’s gonna expand a lot. I’m going big.

I’m about to be sober af this summer…no weed 6 weeks before or after each surgery. So I’m getting absolutely snoop dogged tonight. 200mg. Because my surgery could be as soon as 6 weeks from now (come on let’s get this over with!). I’ll get an exact date when the surgery scheduler calls.

Dr. Plastics wants me to start losing weight in a healthy way, too; cut out sweets, fast foods, and alcohol, and cut back on simple carbs. So that’ll be something to work on this spring.

This. Is. Gonna. Suck.

These are huge surgeries.

And two of my favorite coping mechanisms are now off limits. Three, counting sweets.

#insertcaffeine breast surgery #insertcaffeine vs weed #insertcaffeine vs alcohol #cancer fitblr #tw weight loss #metastatic breast cancer

[florida-breeze]

https://www.zazzle.com/z/drzpr9w4?rf=238911361554516080

#metastatic breast cancer tshirts #metastatic breast cancer awareness #metastatic breast cancer #Metastatic #metastatic breast cancer tshirt #breast cancer #cancer #tshirt #tshirt designs #graphic design #clothes #custom designs

[nevertellmetheodds2017]

July 25, 2022 update

What is really happening & we'll be finding out in the time soon

- are metastatic tumors stable or growing?  I had growths show in May with mets in liver,  lung, kidney , lymph nodes. I should have CT in August

- outside of that the liver is doing its own failure; it's caused physical & mental illness & can just turn off altogether anytime

- might have other prime organs just choosing to fail & there's little to do

- I'm very jaundiced

- I have to take a medicine to try to keep my brain functioning

- I'm essentially bedbound,  very weak,  have intermittent pain & meds

-is there any different treatment or chemo usable or is this all impossible by now?

Do not pretend end stage triple negative metastatic breast cancer patients thrive. That's why I've started to hate the word thrive. TNBC has highest rate of metastatic return and it has the shortest metastasis survival time.  That's where all the emphasis and fund-raiser needs to be : reducing stage 4 recurrence & raising its survival chances.

#metastatic breast cancer #triple negative breast cancer #chemotherapy #breast cancer #thisismbc #stageIVbreastcancer #bcsm

[fatedwithmbc]

Also, apparently 6/4 is Cancer Survivors Day-

And in the community survivor means whatever phase of the journey you are in.

Technically, I would have never considered being in active treatment as “surviving”; but many in the cancer community do.

Happy Belated Cancer Survivors Day to me, Brittany and the community! 💗

#fated with mbc #confessions of a cancer patient #stage iv deserves more #metastatic breast cancer #stage iv metastatic breast cancer #breast cancer #national cancer survivors day

[31-with-mbc]

First day of chemo.

6:00 am woke up, light headache, morning pray, read bible.

8:45 am all packed up and ready to party with my mother in law! Yes. She was ready as well!

9:30 am met with the best nurse B to go over paperwork

10:00 am PARTY time! 🎉

I am on THP treatment regiments right now. TH went well. P gave me a bit trouble with short breath tight chest and flash on the face. After 8 nurses came to rescue me, i passed the “test!” We were able to take a break and do it again. This time. It worked! Hooray! Lord is good 🙏 it feels great to be alive!

3:30 pm Home sweet home! I love myself, I love my family, I love this world. And thanks to the medi port. It went well. I was able to pick up my 15 lbs baby up in no time ♥️♥️♥️

Oh did i mention that my sweet sweet hubby got my beautiful roses to celebrate first treatment?! 🥰 aren’t I the luckiest gal in the world? Love you my panda!

Let’s keep fighting. Stay positive. Keep hope. Keep going. In order to see the rainbow, we shall enjoy the rain first.

#stage iv cancer #first chemo #metastatic breast cancer #stay positive #my story

[livingwithmbc]

Happy New Year!

If your holiday season was anything like mine, it was a little different but low-key this year.

Thankfully, I've got some positive updates to share, mainly about my mom. She finished up radiation to the tumor in her brain like a champ and as of now, scans are showing she's clear! Her original lung cancer is still showing on scans, but it's smaller so it's been responding well to chemo. My mom only has one more chemo left then she's done!

My oophorectomy was smooth sailing. I was in some moderate pain for 3 days afterwards then I was able to manage with only Tylenol after that. All I have to show for it are a couple small incisions which have healed up nicely.

In December I started an oral chemo medication called Kisqali. It's allegedly a "smart chemo" so I have to take pills rather than go the traditional chemo route and for that I'm grateful since the side effects are less than that of traditional chemo. The most annoying side effect so far is extreme fatigue and my own frustrations from feeling so tired. I've noticed it makes it challenging for me to make plans too far in advance since I don't know if I'll have the energy for X. A positive of this entire shitshow is that I'm taking care of my body better than I have in nearly a decade. I'm doing yoga daily and making sure to use the treadmill a few days a week. I'm not thrilled that I'll be on these meds for 2-5 years, but I've accepted that this is my new normal so I'm determined to make the best of it.

In other news, we are getting ready to fly down to Disney in a little over a week to celebrate our dear friends' 10th anniversary vow renewal in Epcot. We desperately need a vacation and so we made one out of the special occasion. I spoke with my oncologist and she gave me the okay to take a week off my chemo meds while I'm on vacation so I can fully enjoy myself and have some energy to do so.

Lots of love,

L

#cancer #metastatic breast cancer #breast cancer #lung cancer #disney #epcot