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Pamelamary · 08-17-2013, 12:22 AM

Hi Debbie,
I myself am a peer support volunteer for this government funded organisation. All the volunteers have been diagnosed with breast cancer, most at an early stage. Over the years, others have been rediagnosed and continued to contribute. Of course, some of us have died. I believe one of this new intake is already stage IV.
We try to support women of all stages, also helping them access information.
The 2 points you raise I agree with completely, and want to emphasise. I also think people need to understand the fact that most stage IV women live with continual treatment, none of which is pleasant. (!) However for many of us, life is good.
There are also complex financial and emotional issues to be dealt with - probably far more that i would have time to cover.
Thanks for your contribution..... Pam

08-17-2013, 12:22 AM	#17
Pamelamary Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 494	Re: How many progress to Stage IV? Hi Debbie, I myself am a peer support volunteer for this government funded organisation. All the volunteers have been diagnosed with breast cancer, most at an early stage. Over the years, others have been rediagnosed and continued to contribute. Of course, some of us have died. I believe one of this new intake is already stage IV. We try to support women of all stages, also helping them access information. The 2 points you raise I agree with completely, and want to emphasise. I also think people need to understand the fact that most stage IV women live with continual treatment, none of which is pleasant. (!) However for many of us, life is good. There are also complex financial and emotional issues to be dealt with - probably far more that i would have time to cover. Thanks for your contribution..... Pam __________________ Diagnosed 2004: Lumpectomy - 2 tumours, both grade 1 infiltrating duct carcinoma, about 12mm. ER+, C-erbB-2 status 3+. Clear margins, no nodal involvement. Radiotherapy, i year Tamoxifen, 4 years Arimidex. Rediagnosed 2012: Multiple bone metastases. 3/12: began on Marianne trial - T-DM1 + Pertuzamab/Placebo. 5/12:Unexpected development of numerous bilateral liver mets. Came off trial. Started Docetaxol/ Herceptin + Zometa. 8/12:Bones stable +major regression in liver (!) 9/12:Can't take any more Docetaxol! Start on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. Cross fingers! Changed to Denosumab. 11/12: Scan shows stable - yay! 11/13: Still stable :-) !!! 1/16: All stable, but lowered calcium, so switched to Zometa 3 monthly. 2/19: Happily still stable on Herceptin, Letrozole and 3 monthly Zometa.