I had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy back in 2010. Have been enjoying 5 mile plus hikes for several years after a hip replacement. In October 2024 I thought I strained my back, but after blood tests I have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer metastasis to the bones. My main symptoms have been increasing pain, for which increasing doses of opioids just caused constipation but didn’t really help. After being really ill in hospital, I finally saw the palliative care team who were brilliant. I have had a dose of radiotherapy on the worst vertebrae, am managing the pain much better, and have been able to start the targeted cancer and bone strengthening treatment as well as hormone therapy. I am just about independent dressing and getting around, and beginning to enjoy normal activities with lots of rest. The emotional roller coaster from the pain and immobility were the hardest to deal with. Feel lucky that I got a quick diagnosis though, and that things are looking brighter for now. Would recommend anyone struggling with pain to contact palliative care asap.
Hi Crafty Grandma and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
That's great to read that after being referred to palliative care you are beginning to enjoy normal activities again.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join the secondary breast cancer group and post this message there, as I'm sure they'll be people there who will benefit from your experiences.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
