Hello, new here

Hello,

Diagnosed De Novo Metastatic Breast cancer in Nov 2021.  Mestases in liver and skeleton.  Began my treatment at Cleveland Clinic in my city, but felt they were doing the bare minimum and switched hospitals and doctors in September 2022.

Have been doing 5 drugs since the beginning, and did 5 doses of Taxotere (discontinued use due to peripheral neuropathy).  Found that the original Breast lump I had disappeared under this regimen, and my nearest lymph node shrunk back to normal size.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago.  Breast lump has re-appeared, and got a bi-lateral ultrasound and Mammogram (something that Cleveland Clinic never did, perplexingly).  

Now it seems that the Breast Clinic I went to wants to ring the alarm bell, when it seems there is nothing new they can tell me.

I already know the variety of my breast cancer, and the gene mutation that brought it about.  I also know that it is metastatic to my liver and skeleton.  They are concerned that I have calcifications, hardened tissue, as well as an "abnormal" lymph node.  They wanted me to set me up with a secondary oncologist, a Breast Specialist, to confer with my regular oncologist if a biopsy of my breast tissue is necessary.

I personally feel it is not. I don't believe it is worth my time and dime to rehash what I already know.  I really think this is just Standard Operating Procedure for them, and will benefit me none.  So I declined the Breast specialist appointment and am just continuing my regular treatments.  

Although it does get tiring doing the treatments, and as I posted over in the Liver cancer forum, there are signs my liver is struggling some, and that is a concern.  I am 14 months into a 2-5 year, or 2-3 year median prognosis, depending breast or liver cancer focus.

I am tired of the whole system.  Tired of working. Tired of needing insurance to receive viable treatment.  The unknowns and variables can become quite scary, but at the same time can feel apathetic, too.  

Thanks for listening.