What is it like to live with metastatic breast cancer? Once one learns about the treatments and types of metastatic breast cancer, the emotional reality sets in. People with cancer diagnosed at Stages I, II, or even III hope to hear words like "cure," "remission," or "No Evidence of Disease (NED)" at the end of their treatment.
Although some Stage IV patients go into remission, more frequently they are hoping to hear words like "stable" or "no progression." In Part 4 of this series on metastatic breast cancer, four members of my on-line inflammatory breast cancer community have agreed to share their stories of what it is like to live with metastatic disease.
Jen was only 33 in 2009 when she was diagnosed with Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Her first oncologist did not offer her any encouragement. With the memory of her own mother's death at age 36 from IBC, Jen was shattered. Her determination to see her two young sons grow up led her to find a new oncologist who is willing to treat her disease aggressively.
Jen says, "What brought me strength were my friends, family, and co-workers. Three weeks after I was diagnosed, I got a letter in the mail telling me I was accepted into the nursing program! I had worked for 2.5 years to get into nursing to fulfill my dream to help others. With my new oncologist's support, I started nursing school in the spring and made a 3.5GPA. I am currently in my 2nd semester and doing well. (so far) I have a wonderful support group that keeps me strong. I truly believe you are only as strong as your support system because I honestly don't think I would be doing so well emotionally if I hadn't had the support that I have been blessed to have. "
Jen's coworkers rallied around her, and her treatments worked well on the cancer in her spine, and the area of skin mets shrank. But Stage IV disease is tricky and persistent. While some areas of cancer were shrinking, new lumps were showing up. "It was a punch to the stomach when I found the new lumps," she says, "but I know God has a plan for me and I just stay positive. When I feel down, I go to my husband for comfort, but I look at my children and tell myself that if tomorrow doesn't come, will they know I loved them? I try to make each day count, like hug my family and tell them I love you, help others, and try to be inspirational to others while educating them about signs and symptoms about IBC."
Mary, diagnosed with IBC at Stage IV with mets to her spine and liver, has also been able to maintain her work and family commitments while in treatment. Her treatments destroyed the cancer, and she is doing well. Mary says, "Mentally, it's overwhelming. My life is consumed by bills, internet research, medical appointments and treatments. This is on top of trying to keep some level of ‘normalcy' by maintaining a full-time job, taking care of my husband and daughter, spending time on my hobby (needlepoint) and spending some quality time with friends.
