Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
SBC & Me:
Date of Diagnosis
August 2021
Current Treatment Line
Docetaxel, Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab and Denosumab.
How does secondary breast cancer affect your life?
Aside from the chemo side effects, the hardest part is mindset and adapting your thinking from, crumbs its stage 4 to life long chronic condition.
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?
Do not google, take each day as it comes. You can be mad, be upset but also look to the groups for stories of how well people do. We are the statistics now. There's new treatments and trials all the time. Never give up hope ever.
SBC & My Treatment:
Has your treatment line changed since you completed SBC & Me last year?
Yes to a point, I'm now on Leteozole, Zoladex, Phesgo and Denoaumab.
How many changes to treatment have you had?
Just the tweak to endocrine since first line. I was put on tamoxifen but it didn't agree with me. My current combo is fab and still first line.
How are you coping?
I have hot flushes and some night sweats but nothing
I cant manage. If i over do it i know i need a chill day after but on the whole life is good.
Do the side effects affect your life daily? If yes, please explain
Not really no, an inconvenience and can make me look daft if I'm flapping to cool down when out!
Have you found a routine that works for your everyday life? If yes, please explain
Yes, in the morning I take what I'm meant to and at 9pm I take my Letrozole. As for the rest well I've decided I'm a pin cushion. I do school runs daily, do my house hold chores and then I have time for me or time with my fiance.
Do you feel anything is missed when it comes to living with secondary breast cancer? Medically or Socially
Medically my GP does not understand my condition at all. I've tried to explain but she doesn't truly get it. Socially, my friends see I'm stable have been for a while so assume I'm cured and I've beaten it. No amount of explaining helps at all. I just do not think people understand it, unless your in the same boat.
Have you treated yourself to anything since your diagnosis? If yes, please explain
Ohhh yes, a industrial sewing machine and a probably unhealthy vinyl addiction! I live to sew and it keeps me grounded and lets me be me. I wouldn't be me without making bags.
Has it changed your perspective on life? If yes, please explain
In a way yes but also no. Life is short and anything can happen at any time. I've always been one to say live life without regrets. If you want a treat and can afford it get it, if you want that holiday and within your means do it. Regardless of condition or illness life is for living. Dogs have short lives as they live their best life daily. Us humans could learn lots from them.
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