Breast Cancer Secondaries

Hi, for those who know me from the chatroom this is my first blog. I first had breast cancer with 24 lymph nodes involved in July 2002 and after breast removal and 8 cycles of FEC l was clear until last August when l had a bone scan which showed widespread breast cancer secondaries in the bones. I was then put on an infusion drug every 4 weeks of Zometa to contain the disease in the bones which l am still on. A little while after writing my profile l had a cat scan which then detected l had several nodelues in the lungs and also enlarged arota lymph nodes in the chest. My lovely oncologist decided to refer me to the Royal Marsden in London whereby they took over my care although l am still in touch with my orginal oncologist. I was put on a course of Docitaxel chemotherapy which began in February this year, l knew it could not be cured as it was secondaries but the best l could hope for was remission. I found the first 3 treatments ok but l started to go downhill after the 4th and landed up in hospital for almost 2 weeks on the 5th and just had my 6th on the 22nd June. I was kept on maxium doseage throughout and l have to be honest and say it has been very very hard much more so than the FEC l was on in 2002 and at times l just felt so ill even now its finished l have been told it will take some weeks before l feel any improvement. However, l have to say it has all been worth it l had a cat scan last week and yesterday got the results, my lungs and organs are all clear the nodules have gone in the lungs and the arota lymph nodes also responded well and they say l am now in remission and although l do feel absoutely crap in body at the moment l am really thankful that the treatment has worked which makes it all worthwhile. The bones also have responded well and l will carry on with the Zometa indefintely and have been put on tamoxifen as l was on Arimidex after the first bout of cancer. I wanted to share my news as even after having such a high lymph node involement l am still here 7 years later and feel very thankful and have never given up hope. I will always fight life is a gift and is for living. God bless everyone fighting this disease whatever form. xx