New to this group

Hi Kelly,

as so many say here, incurable does not mean untreatable and many are still around years later. Immunotherapy, which I started last Friday after chemo and radiotherapy, has already revolutionised the treatment options. So stay upbeat and, if you do feel down, get on here and have a good moan. Better than bottling it all up and you're bound to get a hug or two!

Hi glad you found the group.

You will get a lot of support here, always some one, to listen and help if they can.

I was diagnosed stage 4 from  day one, that was March 2016 and i am still standing as   one would say

I had chemo, immunotherapy., radiotherapy, Have a few problems coming to light, and they are being dealt with. 

Its a hard road we are all on at times, though we keep going to the best of our ability.

There are so many treatments out there and new ones always coming along.

HOPE is a powerful word and we have to stay with it.

Onwards ad Upwards

Hi Patrick, thank you for your message. 
I like that saying “ incurable does not mean untreatable”  That’s a brilliant way of looking at this,  I hadn’t thought about it that way.
When I first got my diagnosis there were talks of me having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, then the treatment plan changed to immunotherapy and some targeted radiotherapy as they thought I only had 9 brain spread, but after more test I was told targeted radiotherapy was not possible due to 30 plus spreads to my brain. So my hopes are with the immunotherapy, but I have heard of some great results, so I do live in hope.  

I will definitely turn to this group for support and motivation, and I’m a firm believer in looking for something good everyday. I am 65 years old and not ready to give in yet

Thank Ellie for those words of encouragement. 
That must have been awful being told you had stage 4 on day one, and it is amazing that was in 2016, it’s definitely giving me hope. Stay well. 

Hi Kelly, and a warm welcome to the forum, though I'm so sorry you find yourself here, it's so tough finding out you have our prognosis, I went from being reasonably fit and healthy, then getting up once or twice a night to go to the loo, and a month later I have terminal cancer, or treatable as we like to say, and treatable for many years for many of the amazing people on the forum, and like you many have few if any symptoms and lead normal lives, and many can empathise with your poor sleep and the accompanying unwanted thoughts, though I'm glad to hear your sleeping better.

It's so good to hear you have an amazing family there for you, and I understand your dilemma regarding being open to them, I know tell my partners and kids everything, maybe not warts and all, but the important things. 

I have to say, I know you will disagree, you've shown amazing strength and character in such a short time, I'm happy to hear your medical team are so supportive and your treatment started quickly, and wish you every success on it, and with your scans, always a nervous time, and best wishes for your oncologist appointment.

Eddie xx 

• Hi Eddie, thank you for your lovely message and good wishes.  
  I do feel that I will get the right kind of support, encouragement and understanding from this forum. 
  How long ago did you get your diagnosis? You sound like a very strong minded person. 
  I struggle sometimes to believe I have this as I look well and I’m still reasonably fit, although in saying this I have been more tired over the past week, I guess that could be due to the immunotherapy or maybe everything just catching up with me. 

Strange how the text came out in my previous message. 

Hi Kelly B25 ,

Welcome, I hope you find this place as supportive as I have. I was also diagnosed in autumn 2024, and I went from early stage breast cancer to incurable within weeks. It's a lot to process. You sound like you're thinking positively, which is great. Survival stats always have to be at least a few years out of date (can't predict how long someone diagnosed this year will live), and treatment is improving all the time. 

I also feel healthy and able. I don't look like I'm sick at all. Mild pain in my hips and pelvis is the only clue (though I am on pretty strong pain relief which reduces it to this manageable level). Oh, and my lousy energy levels! But I feel a fraud having disability benefits, a blue badge, not working... 

Do you have a Maggies centre, or other cancer support place where you are? I've found them to be so supportive.

Take care

Lex - xx

• Hi Lex,  
  nice to hear from you, we sound similar, I too feel like a fraud getting an attendance allowance and having a blue badge, although handy when parking at the hospital. 
  yes we have a Maggie’s, it’s a lovely relaxing space. 
  I have recently accessed my local cancer support group and arranged a counselling session through them. stay strong 

Hi Kelly, you are welcome,  this forum has been a blessing to me, and many others on here, I am almost 3 years on from diagnosis and being on hormone therapy and a month on radiotherapy from the start has slowed me down a bit, but generally I feel ok, I'm always tired due to my meds, but their keeping me going so can't complain, I'm still able to do most things as well. I think I'm strong minded when it's about me, not so much when it's about family, and I do have counselling at my hospice, PS the reason for the strange text layout is you accidentally touched the wrong layout symbol below the typing box, I'll send a picture.

Eddie xx