My Journey with Metastatic Breast Cancer

My story started years ago when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. Within 5 years, she had developed metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to bone. She passed away within 6 months at the age of 61. My older sister of 6 years was diagnosed with breast cancer also in 1992. She was 39 at the time. She has had 8 reassurances over the past 30 yrs.

My diagnosis changed everything

I was diagnosed with breast cancer July 17th, 2010. I had a bilateral mastectomy. Life moved on. In 2017, I was struggling with my right shoulder and it hurt real bad. I decided to go to the doctor to have it checked out. They sent me for an X-ray on my right shoulder. At the end of the next work day, I got my phone out to look at my messages. There were 8 messages from the doctor's office. They told me to please give the office a call. Well, I knew it was bad news from 8 messages asking me to call the doctor. From that time on, my life had changed.

Chemo became part of my routine

I was diagnosed with Metastatic breast to bone cancer on August 16th, 2017. Just like my mother. I was 48 years old. So here I am, 7 years later and l'm still here. Medicine has come a long way since my mother was sick. She only lived 6 months with MBCB. This isn't easy. I've been on 5 different chemo in 7 years. I get chemo every 3 weeks and Xgeva and Faslodex every 4 weeks. When I get chemo, I also take a steroid and an anti nausea med.

First 2 days I have lots of energy from the Steroid. Then for 5 days I'm down and out. I'm exhausted. It's beyond being tired. I can barely get from point A to point B without having to sit. Thank God I have a husband that can help me during that week. The 2nd week, I'm nauseated and dry heaving. Then, about day 10 after chemo, I somewhat back to my new normal.

Leaving the door open for joy

This is my life. I don't feel horrible all the time. I do hurt all the time. My pain is under control. I'm living my life the best I can. I keep positive, find something to laugh at every day, and smile. Live your life to it's fullest. Thank you for reading my story.