#metsmonday

It’s #MetsMonday. Class is in session. 🔹 Metastasis is the medical term for cancer that spreads to a different part of the body from where it originally started. When this happens, it’s referred to as “metastasized.” Other names for metastasis are “metastatic cancer” and “stage 4 cancer.” 🔹 Breast cancer tends to spread to the bones, liver, lungs, chest wall, and brain. 🔹 Cancer cells can also metastasize to the pleural space (the lining around the lungs) such as in my case. This may cause excess fluid buildup in these areas (called malignant pleural effusions), like the over 2 liters of fluid I had drained off last week. 🔹Metastasis uses the same name as the original cancer. So a breast cancer that spreads to the liver, for example, is referred to as “metastatic breast cancer (MBC),” not liver cancer...again, same with me. 🔹So my plan, waiting for our game plan on Tuesday at 1:15 and FIGHT LIKE HELL. My MBC is in the pleural space of my lungs, liver, pelvis, thoracic spine and ribs. Waiting to hear results on my brain MRI (the PET scan was CLEAR in my head so being positive). I always knew there was a chance of MBC for me. It’s how we live once diagnosed with breast cancer. I figured after 7 years out, my chances would go down. But people, cancer is unrelenting. You can never rest. You MUST know your normal. I knew my “pneumonia” wasn’t adding up. I never felt sick other than my dry cough and shortness of breath. So please, listen to your body and get on it if something isn’t right. 🔹Our world has been ROCKED at our house. We truly feel the love and prayers coming our way. Please keep them coming for the PERFECT treatment plan. 🔹I am now part of the amazing metastatic community and want to share @metavivor with you. 100% of their funds goes directly to research. Check it out. I always said they could potentially help me one day. And TODAY is that day!! #holdontohope #HOPElives #AnotherDayAnotherGift #V4VICTORY #SURVIVEtogether #StageIVneedsmore #research #MBC #icangetinyoremission #iWILLgetintoremission #keeptheprayerscoming #gratitude #lovingyou #faith #trust 💚🙏🏼💗✌🏼💙 (at V For Victory Foundation, Inc)

I am living with #metastaticbreastcancer . At the age of 26, I was diagnosed with Stage III #invasiveductalcarcinoma. After being ignored and pushed aside by 8 doctors' offices, then having to wait over a month for an ultrasound, mammogram, and emergency biopsy, they realized that, despite my age, health, and lack of family history, the large mass that could be seen through my chest was more than a cyst. I had a 6cm tumor in my right breast that was so large, I was inoperable. My doctors would have to attempt to shrink it with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen (#Taxotere, #Adriamycin, #Cytoxan) prior to a #mastectomy, #radiation, and ten years of hormone therapy. 32 lymph nodes were positive at the time of my surgery, meaning that the cancer was spreading. I completed radiation and started hormone therapy (#Tamoxifen) to keep my cancer from recurring. I was in menopause and told I was infertile. But while on hormone therapy, I ended up pregnant, and was blessed with a miracle child. I had great hope and many plans for the future. In 2017, I realized something wasn't right. My hip hurt terribly and I could barely walk. Physical therapy did not help, so I decided to see an orthopedist. MRI revealed that my cancer had returned and spread to my bones. Further testing revealed it had spread to my liver and pleura. I was five years out from my initial diagnosis. I had a total hip replacement and pelvic reconstruction surgery, radiation, and months of physical therapy to regain my ability to walk. My first line of treatment (#ibrance and #letrozole) failed within weeks, and I had major progression (cancer was growing, rapidly), taking anti-hormonal treatment off the table for me. I am currently on an oral chemotherapy treatment (#Xeloda), still hoping that I will have more days with my daughter. ~ Lindsay :::::::::: #stageivneedsmore #dontignorestageiv #metsmonday #sspw #shaysharpespinkwishes #dyingforacure #teamsspw #BeyondTheBreast #youngwomencananddogetbreastcancer #TeamWGL #livingbeyondbreastcancer (at Maryland)

I do not want to believe this to be true. And quite simply I often don't. I use a patchwork of denial as one of my many coping tools. . I was diagnosed straight out of the gates with #metastaticbreastcancer four years ago this month. I have been in constant treatment since then, chasing hope around the continent like it's an addiction. #metsmonday #stage4needsmore #dontignorestageIV #scantreatrepeat #metathriver

Yesterday was my second infusion of #Taxol. I am trying to save my hair using a #chemocap. These do not make the weekly chemo infusion better in any kind of way. In fact, these caps make the infusion seem easy. I am questioning this decision, but know I would regret not trying. I already lost my hair in the early part of diagnosis, so I know what being bald brings for me. I am holding my arms open to what is arising in me through this as I find my new normal in #cancerland. #metastaticbreastcancer #metsmonday #stageivneedsmore #chemoandcannabis #cannabisoil #cannabisforcancer #breastcancer #medicalmaryjane #calicancermama #raisethevibe

#metsmonday

Upon review, I guess it was a pretty typical #metsmonday in #Cancerland after all.