Secondary breast cancee

Hi Coggo

Big hug to you, it’s a scary place to be at first. Try not to worry though,  I was in your position a few months ago. I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer with mets in lungs and bones. I’ve been on treatments for 2 months and feel well generally. There are lots of hospital appointments and blood tests. I am on Palbociclib and Anastrozole. Palbociclib is targeted therapy, an alternative to chemo and not as gruelling . Just makes me tired towards end of cycle. Anastrozole is a hormone therapy, there are a few types of those. It’s good news that it’s not in your breast, that’s positive but if it’s elsewhere there really is a lot of hope. We can live for years with it and most people think of themselves as living with cancer not dying from it. Good luck with your future diagnosis and treatment if you need it. Let us know how you get on.

Jac x

Hi  Coggo just read your post.  I am in year 2 of treatment which complies  of letrozol and imbrance along with a monthly  ibone strengthening  injections.   I feel really  well, a little tired sometimes  but the odd nap sorts it.  So I hope your  treatment  is tolerable  and that it controls tour cancer. Goodwick x

I am on the same treatment I was diagnosed in August 2022 mets to my lungs, stomach, liver and bones.  My primary breast cancer was 8 years ago. I had a scan one month ago and everything was stable.  However I get very very tired and have lost my appetite.. I am 74. Does anyone else suffering from fatigue. Thank you x

Hi Katrina 

I get fatigue too, it seems to come and go but is worse towards the end of the cycle. I find a walk helps and pushing myself to walk as fast as I can. I haven’t found that my appetite has changed though. Has it changed for all food? Is there anything you really fancy? 
Jac x

Hi I was diagnosed 2012. After lots of surgery had double bubble in 2016.  Was clear until Oct 2019 mass on ovary was BC stage 4.   I remember every appointment waiting on scans etc so scared then realised I already knew the worse an had dreamed every scenario so literally stopped thinking what if!  I've been on palbo since Dec 2019 an I live normal life EXCEPT tired an week 3 suffer all med related issues,  mouth ulscers, headache, nosebleeds everything tastes of blood or iron.  I eat well but think of it as fuel not food.  I don't find oncology or palative nurses helpful as I have no mets it's more like we'll we will be there when you need us. So I just live routine helps an plan as if you are cancer free

Four years on Palbociclib is fantastic and gives us all hope for a similar outcome, thanks TFT. 
Jac x

Your side affects are a bit rubbish though!

Side effects are rubbish. But I lost close friends to BC few months before Palbo was available so I count myself as incredibly lucky. I take the side effects over the alternative lol

i take the side effects as well. Count myself as lucky. On the 7th cycle and feel tired but just pace myself. I do lead as normal  a life as my energy permits. I also do not like the alternative.

I’m on my 4th cycle. I agree that we’re so lucky that Palbociclib is available, it wasn’t years ago when I was diagnosed with primary. I seem to have hit a bit of a mental wall with it and the side effects. I can rationalise it, I know it’s helping and my side effects aren’t nearly as bad as yours but I think it’s that ‘this is it.’ It’s not going to get better. I’ll never be the old me again and it’s hit me hard. I try to keep positive and I am a positive person. I hope it’s just a little blip. I think it’s partly because I used to run and that run in the morning really helped my mental health. I walk now but it’s not the same. I also worked full time as a teacher and that’s never going to happen again. I’ve just got to change my mindset and get back to appreciating what I have got! It feels good writing it down and chatting about it here. 
Thanks for listening ladies

Jac x