Secondary breast cancer in spine

Forgot to mention when I was diagnosed I had lymph’s affected as well as two breast tumours and the bone stuff but my surgery was cancelled. I could feel the lymph nodules and other bumps but My macmillan nurse said that letrozole and ribociclib were really effective at ‘ melting away the tumours’ as she put it. She was correct as they have decided to go away, hopefully forever!

Thank you.  That is good to know.  I can feel my swollen lymph nodes now too.  Hopefully meds will work as well for me!

My Macmillan nurse is attached to the Consultant Surgeon.  Hopefully I will get allocated a new one on Tuesday now that I have been passed to Oncology.

How are you now?

K x

Hi, you should be allocated a macmillan nurse, I contact mine from time to time with questions or when I’m getting anxious and she and her colleague who job share are always quick to respond and reassuring. Psychologically I’m up and down in mood even as it’s been 8 months since my diagnosis. I think others have said it takes a year to get your head around it all. It’s hard!

but medically speaking, my cancer levels went from 180 to 60 after 6 months of letrozole and ribociclib so I’m eager to restart ribociclib to keep on bashing away at the lesions. I get gnawing back aches but can still walk and get around, but use pain killers at night but everything else is the same apart from tiredness which I think is from anxiety- the what ifs and side effects of medications. I still walk my dog daily and run my home.

 I’m still here, keep on keeping on Xx it’s early days for you and it can feel a bit calmer once the shock has abated and treatment plan gets going.

take good care

Thanks.  I appreciate everything.

It’s good that you are feeling fairly well.  The tiredness could be all the treatment and anxiety.  ‘Cancer fatigue’ is a thing!

My previous nurse was great.  I was attending the Breast Care Unit but now Oncology - separate areas of the hospital.

I walked most days until this last month but am too sore at the minute.  Hopefully I will get back to it soon.  I work full time and mainly from home.  My manager and team are brilliant and tell me off for working too much!  Lol. They are very protective. I need to keep occupied though.

Happy to chat anytime you need.

K x

Yes some days I just take it so easy I barely do anything then a day or so later feel better and get on with things. You take good care of yourself and I’m glad that your work is a good distraction and supportive colleagues are a blessing