April 14, 2019 - Things I didn’t Know until I was Diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer (BC)

Several people have asked me questions about my type cancer so I thought I would put a list of answers together. Any of my amazing oncology-knowledgeable friends are welcomed to add details. 🙂 I am thankful for you!!

1] Stage 4 BC and Metastastic BC are the same thing; it means that the cancer has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body.

2] Stage 4 BC is treated less aggressively than in stages 1-3. The goal in earlier stages is curative treatment. Stage 4 treatment is to reduce disease, alleviate pain and slow progression but there is no cure.

3] I will be on some kind of treatment for the rest of my life.

4] I am currently taking 2 pills daily and I get a monthly injection. This is my “first line” of treatment. The first line is usually the most effective, works the longest and has the least side effects.

5] At some point, this “first line” treatment will not work anymore and we will move to other treatments; that can include hormone therapy, infusion or oral chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or some combination of these. Local treatments such as surgery or radiation might also be used to help prevent or treat symptoms.

6] You can have neuropathy (nerve damage) anywhere you have nerves; it is not limited to hands and feet.

7] Life with Stage 4 BC isn’t nearly as scary or different as I would have expected. Many days, I feel pretty normal - more tired and achy than I used to, but I generally don’t feel sick.

8] I want to do all the “normal” things that I used to do, but sometimes fatigue or pain sneak up on me. So if I cancel plans at the last minute, it’s REALLY not you, it’s me. 🙂

9] I don’t want to waste a day. I want the people in my life to know that I love them and they are important to me.

10] Life is too short to spend it being mad.

11] I have no idea how this story will end or how long I will be here. But no one knows that so really, we are pretty much the same! Only God knows. And I trust Him and know that I’m in good hands.

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:26-31‬ ‭NLT‬‬