Were your mets found through scans/bloodwork?

I love your family pic. with your 2 cute little rosebuds.
I did self breast exams every month at age 37 and found my primary BC at age 391/2. I had a lumpectomy and had the biopsy of 10 nodes indicating no + nodes. My tests were always normal. After radiation and healing, I Icontinued to check my breast and armpit and also under the collarbone where alot of womwn have found their relapse. It took 9 years to show up by self exam alone. I knew the lums I was feeling were Cancer mets. So before biopsy, the surgeon tested my blood. All seemed normal, the CER was indicating a slight increase over the normal range. She wanted to biopsy these nodes and agreed that it was a relapse after 9 yeasrs free. The other tumor markers were all normal , and never indicated metastases. Tumor markers are not enough to go on, but in conjunction with other screening methods it can be helpful.
Blood testing chemistries can help to follow your general health, liver, kidneys, red and white cells indicators the Onc uses to maintain and check on side effects of chemo.
Hope I helped your poll. I'm not sure , but good information can be better than a poll. Keep asking questions.
Well wishes , hugs Christine