Help, cancer has spread from bones to my lungs

[mamacze]

Hi Kristen - I love the strength in your panic - you are a women of action - you are strong, and you are going to mother and love that beautiful boy of yours for as long as you possibly can.
I would like to chime in support for a second opinion. Doctors are used to it and when your life is at stake then you go and get one. I don’t like the way your doc anticipates decline instead of giving you hope. Hope is not outside your realm of possibilities!
To answer your question:
"How quickly do lung mets kill you. From shortness of breath to death. Do you have any examples of women/men that ticked along for years?”
When I was diagnosed with stage 4, I was very short of breath. I was a fairly young and energetic 48 year old with 4 kids at home and struggled to go up the stairs. Navelbine and Herceptin worked for me.
I am sure there are others - and I am sure they will chime in.
The other thing that worked for me was entering a clinical trial with the tumor vaccine group in Seattle. You may want to consider a clinical trial.
My second opinion oncologist at Sloan Kettering is excited about the results she is seeing with Perjeta and Herceptin. Maybe that will be your magic bullet.
Finally, you may want to consider getting a genetic profile done of your tumor. Becky posted a sticky about this - if you want more info after reading that, I am happy to share via PM. I had a profile done and it was useful.
Stay clear headed and focused. You can do this. Your mom, I am sure, is with you right now giving you strength.
Love and Hugs times 10,
Kim (from CT)

[DianaMK]

As others have said, I would get a second opinion. I have lung mets and was able to get a wedge resection done. That was 4 years ago and they still continue to watch the one on the other side which has remained stable. I have never been short of breath. I pray they will find the right combination for you.

[Vicky]

Hi Kristin,

I had 9 months of TDM1 after diagnosis just over 3 years ago, and then progressed with lung mets. I have never gotten rid of them, but managed to either shrink them or they have remained stable. I have not had any shortness of breath and feel well. I am on Arimidex currently and Herceptin, and after two months on that treatment my tumor markers just dropped. My doctor remains positive and hasn't made me feel any different about those mets.

Hang in there friend!