Mets in liver and arm - anyone had biopsy on shoulder?

I’m so sorry to hear this.  I’ve got one large tumour in my liver but they were able to get a biopsy. Hopefully, they can get one from your shoulder (I’ve never heard of Mets there ). Is all I can say is that the first few weeks of tests and just after diagnosis are the worst in my opinion . I was in shock , scared and struggled to come to terms with it for about 3 months. But there are lots of treatments and support. I’ve been in the same targeted drug tablet form for 2 years and I’m still stable. Don’t get me wrong , there’s been tough times with side effects and feeling down some days but I’ve had lots of holidays and good days too. Scan time is scary , I’ve just had mine and results next week. Fingers crossed but I know there will be more drugs available if it has progressed. You will cone to terms with it but honestly it’s not an automatic death sentence as I thought, you can live years with it and new drugs are coming out all the time . Good luck xx️

Thank you so much for the reply. They said they wasn’t 100% sure it is on the shoulder so want to biopsy that first to see. All feels surreal but you are right, got to keep fighting.

thanks hope your next scan is as well as can be, please let us know xx

Hopefully not but it would be good to get a biopsy so they can confirm it’s  BC and which type of. They all have different meds. I’m sure you will make the wedding next year.  That’s your first goal! Thank you, I’ll let you know xx

Hi, im sorry to read your post and hope your getting your head around things. I have secondary metastatic breast cancer, it spread to bones initially and then in June I was told it had spread to my liver. There was so much to take in at the time, different treatments that depended on my blood but no mention of a biopsy. Im awaiting genetic testing as from some bloods they think it could be braxa gene which has never been mentioned before but may give more treatment options. 

I have just started on capecitabine which is harsh but manageable.

I would saydo what you feel comfortable with regards your family. I was due to go on holiday when I found out so didn't say anything I didn't want it to be ending over us. But do try to find some support, even i it's just talking to the dog or taking time out for yourself. We carry so much at times it's very hard. All the best xx

Thank you so much for the reply. They are starting me on that drug also after my holiday. Hopefully it does its job. I was scared of waiting til after the holiday to start but seems they said it’ll be fine to wait a week. Hope you are doing well xx

I also waited around 4 weeks. I was told to stop the palbociclib that I had been on then had to go into clinic for bloods which were sent off to America and Liverpool!These helped determine best treatment plan, i was then away for two weeks and I was panicking that being off treatment would make it spread but I think that's just my mind working overtime. 

Just started second cycle, i feel quite sick each morning but this improves as day goes on and I have taken the antisickness tablets xx

Ah that’s good to know thank you. They said I’d need bloods each cycle. And three monthly scan. Hoping to still work xx

Hi, I keep asking Christies about second line treatment ( hoping won’t need it yet but I can’t help thinking what’s next) but they keep basically saying it will all depend on bloods etc but an option could be Alpelisib ( targeted drug but tough side effects) as my original biopsy showed the PIK3CA gene. Do you not have this one? I take it yours is hormone driven BC? Mine is with low HER2 I think. My friend has had bloods sent to Germany to check for the braxa gene for a trial. She’s found out she had private medical insurance now though so is on Enhertu (Not available on NHS England just Scotland annoyingly). Just interesting to see what second line treatments people are on, fingers crossed my scan results are stable tomorrow. I’m scared! Hope your side effects get better and it keeps you stable. How long were you on first line treatment? Sorry for all the questions! Take care xx

You were very brave going on holiday and not telling your family so it didn’t affect the holiday. How thoughtful of you ️I don’t think I could have kept it in! Xx

Hope you’re holding up. I know the waiting is awful. Mine was 5 weeks but they get you started straight away once they know which treatment you need. I felt better that I was starting treatment tbh . Take care xx