Allison Echols
Whether it was a noticeable change in appearance, sensation, or any other symptom, what clued you in that something wasn't quite right?
JGarber Member
Breast dimpling and I could feel one of the two breast tumors.
Jessica.H Community Admin
Hi
JGarber Member
Thanks Jessica. I have been up and down since diagnosis quite honestly. I went to working part time so that I could accommodate all my doctors. Life was not medically simple even before cancer. I haven't had the best of cancer care this last year. Fortunately my PCP is outstanding.
I just got a second opinion and things are improving. She immediately put me on a Verzenio vacation which has almost cleared up all my GI distress. She plans to lower my dosage when I start back so that is a huge relief. She knows a lot about breast cancer, metastasis, and the meds. She can't fix everything but being heard and hopefully having fewer side effects will certainly fix a lot. In my experience the treatment is far worse than the disease. I have several other chronic conditions that I have lived with for many years plus I am a nurse. It isn't easy but it helps knowing how to manage cancer too. Sorry for the long winded reply.
Jessica.H Community Admin
JGarber Member
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for getting back to me. My week started rough. I had a stomach bug Sunday and Monday but got myself to urgent care and got all squared away. Good thing as I work the rest of the week. I missed one day but it could have been much worse.
I saw a new NP this week that was fabulous. Really knowledgeable. She noticed elevated liver values and ordered appropriate MRI. I will be eternally grateful that she was the one in the office yesterday.
Jessica.H Community Admin
CommunityMember1af3a1 Member
At initial cancer diagnosis(stage 3) in 2010 I felt a lump in my left breast. Went to my PCP and she said to go to Breast clinic for mammogram and echo. They didn’t see anything even if I felt the lump 🤷♀️ I told the technician and she sent me in for a guided biopsy…resulting in Stage 3. Since then every year had a breast MRI and in 2018 they detected Mets in my sternum. Sent in for a PET scan and discovered Mets in my iliac crest, sacrum and pelvis. Been living stage IV since 2018.