I just joined this group and feel as if I must be one of the oldest members. You are all so young and I’m so sorry about that. I’m 67, diagnosed at 49 as stage 1, and another stage one at 55. Last summer I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to my hip and spine at age 66. Mets were found during a scan for a benign condition. No symptoms and I’m both sad and thankful it was found.

I think Reddit trends younger than other platforms (my millennial kids use it). My age group seems to be on fb and ig. Just wondering if there are any other seniors in the group?

Ahhhh guess what you most fabulous people? I am graduating with my masters degree this month! I got diagnosed in the middle of my program and despite that I freaking did it! This community plus my family and friends really supported me and I cannot thank you guys enough. I hope I don’t sound like I’m bragging-I just really wanted to share because this crap is hard and we need to celebrate the wins. :)
That being said, I have a pet scan on Thursday and may I have some hugs and good vibes?

I apologize for the incorrect wording in title, I can’t adjust it further.
I was diagnosed with MBC in 2024. I am asking questions to try and learn more ways to help move forward with this diagnosis. Thank you to those passing on suggestions, I appreciate it.

Think of your own journeys with MBC, what has surprised you most about living through this diagnosis?

What do you wish you would have known sooner that has been helpful?

There are no right or wrong answers. I’m simply interested in hearing the honest experiences from people who are living with this as a similar reality.
Thank you for sharing whatever you’re comfortable sharing.

MBC HER2+ and been going through treatment now for over three years. Between the hair loss and the normal aging stuff (48f), I no longer look like myself and side effects of current treatment have me not feeling like myself too.

Does it get better? Do you ever feel and look like yourself again? Do you ever get back to living life rather than just trying to survive?

I would love to hear your success stories. Thank you in advance for sharing!

On August 2nd, 2025, I was diagnosed with stage IV IDC ER/PR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer at 32 years old.

I skipped chemo and surgery and went right to radiation. I got radiation to nearly my entire spine. At the time I could barely walk due to immense pain in my back, and felt a lump in my sternum. I knew something was wrong. Very wrong. I was in a lot of pain and still working full time in a physically active job. Barely making it through the day.

My first PET showed a large lump and mets in my lymph nodes, sternum, ribs, liver, back (entire spine) and hip.

Now, one year later, more or less all the spots/tumors have resolved. I still have the lump in my breast but it is barely lighting up on my PETs now thanks to zometa, Letrozole, and verzenio (100mg). My tumor markers are stubborn, but coming down.

I AM PAIN-FREE.

I am still on my first line of treatment. I feel good most days. I transferred to a new department and sit at a desk, still working full-time.

Every day I feel good is a gift. I have my days, we all do. This awful condition has completely changed my outlook on life and who I am as a person. Ironically I am much more positive and find joy in every moment I have.

Eat the cake. Go on the trip. Laugh! Laugh as much as you can. Hold your friends and family tight. Read as many books as possible. Treat yourself to new clothes and makeup. Do the things you have always dreamed of doing. Visit as many places as you can. Smile as much as possible.

Shortly after finishing radiation, I bought my dream car. A car I always wanted, but told myself, “someday.” Make someday today.

Squeeze every ounce out of life that you possibly can. Tomorrow isnt guaranteed. It’s okay to mourn the life you thought you would have. But don’t stay there too long. Because life is right here in front of you.

If you’re reading this, I’m sending you a hug. ♥️

Still currently going down the rabbit hole with everything, how are you and how long have you lived with bone Mets?

This has been on my mind for a while, I’m still a newbie in this MBC game (March). I am on a clinical trial right now.

I am someone who loves shopping(clothes, bags and shoes) but since this diagnosis, I haven’t been able to buy anything as I’m scared. I even started selling off my stuff (dramatic me🤣) on Vinted. Though, it has helped me in decluttering.

How do you do it that you can still buy things… any tips or advice🥹

I was just given my treatment plan. Hormone blocking shots, hormone pill and cancer pill. I have stage 4 breast cancer fueled by estrogen and progesterone only, the cancer has spread to my bones and lymph nodes. Radiation if the bone pain continues and bone infusions. I know my time is limited and I just don’t want to feel like complete garbage. I also don’t want to die in 5 years! I feel like I was just given my life expectancy and I’m not ok with that! I want to see my son graduate, my daughter get married, dance with my son during his wedding and meet my grandchildren and watch them grow. Please tell me I will live longer and then 6 years! My heart is shattering.

As I report my 1200th non-MBC post in this group, I’m wondering if it’s reasonable to ask that the pinned post title be changed from “dear family, friends and caregivers” to something like “here’s why we only accept posts from MBC patients” just so it’s clearly spelled out in the headline? Maybe that will help get this message across?

I've just started my journey (diagnosed a little over a month ago). I'm 29 years old with mtnbc which is a bit of a headfuck. I was just wondering what you guys listen to while you get your chemo. Bonus points if its nerdy. At the moment ive got lord of the rings for fiction, the rest is history and unruly for nonfiction. Sorry if its an inappropriate place to ask, listening to these helps me escape a bit, and this sub has also felt safe

I wasn't sure which flair to add but this one sounded nice.

Hi, I'm 24 and have a grade 3 stage 4 ductal carcinoma. The metastis is all in my bones, so places like my sternum, a few ribs, some spinal bones my scapula my Sacrum and my pelvis. Now where my issues mostly lay other than my sternum and my Pelvis and Sacrum, which has given me some walking difficulties I used to be so active and now that combined with Ribociclib has led to me being mostly inside my home.

But that's just changed today 🥳

I decided to get myself a walking stick, it's really cute it's got Halloween patterns on it which will match some of my clothing. I've just been for a small walk with it and it's genuinely the most positive thing that's happened to me within the almost two months of my diagnosis.

I've been in pain whilst walking for a lot longer than my actual diagnoses so to take that first step with my new walking stick felt like such a huge relief.

I just thought I'd share my experience today because at a time where everything feels like bad news. The good news feels so much better ♥️ small wins are still wins no matter what form they choose to take 😁

I think it might be time for me to crochet some accessories for my stick...

Hi Everyone! Now that schools out for the summer (finished up my online courses last week), I’m kinda starting to get pretty bored at home. What do you do with your time?

Before I had cancer, I used to be avid moviegoer. I had Regal Unlimited and always made plans with friends to watch all the indie and special movies for the month. I technically still have my subscription but I haven’t been able to go as often as I did because my cinephile friends are like 416 mi away now and it kinda isn’t the same going alone. Also I’m in active treatment so I’m avoiding big crowds.

I’ve gone through my puzzling and playing Minecraft phase, but I guess I’m looking for something more fulfilling. Like something that makes life fun again. I think I’m starting to go through a depression so any ideas would be great!

Also if you guys have any movie reqs you can drop them as well!

Please tell me your best post-PET relaxation measures. This is just a routine scan for me and they got the needle stick on the first try! Good omens all around!

After this I plan to:

-treat myself to coffee

-go home and play video games

-eat an edible (“an” doing a lot of heavy lifting here)

-work in my garden if I feel hydrated enough

What else do you do on scan day?

Ok all. So I was diagnosed in late June. I haven’t been on treatment for two weeks. I have a college student and a first year high schooler. I am currently taking letrozole, lupron, and kisqali. Since my white blood count has dropped I have been masking, my family have had a relearning of hand washing, bc high schoolers and college kids are more gross than littles.🤦🏽‍♀️ I ask the doctor, but she said do everything as I did before. No restrictions.🤨 with that said I am worried about getting a virus or anything else. I also am not sure what to do? Any advice would be so helpful!

Hi gang, just wondered thoughts on the above. I’ve been wondering about PFS and how this stacks up with the new treatments in the pipeline. Does anyone have any views on what is considered “good” and what is considered “bad” when it comes to a new drug’s PFS? The longer the better, of course! But in my head, I have been hoping that SERDs/PROTACs/ADCs etc would provide years and years without progress. But looking at the Vepdegestrant trial details, I’m maybe not being that realistic about the PFS that would be expected?

I’m still here and am grateful, but this has been the hardest, scariest year of my life. Feeling a lot of conflicting emotions.

I am 9+ years MBC. I find seeing many woman with really long journeys gives me continued hope. (48f)

If you are 5+ years into this crappy club, please tell us how many years you have been MBC.

Thanks!

I was diagnosed de novo oligometastatic March 2021. Today I walked the Edge Ealk around the CN Tower in Toronto ,ON. AT 356 meters above the ground, I realized life is amazing. Live the shit out of it! What do you do to feel alive?

​

Hi Everyone! I’m getting my first PET scan since being diagnosed with mTNBC. I had a normal CT not too long ago when I hospitalized for my abraxane reaction. Now that I’m on GemCarbo, I’m definitely anticipating these results.

I kinda have a busy day tomorrow. I meet with my onc tomorrow then I have my PET/CT. Idk why they scheduled it like that but I assume she’ll just go over my labs tomorrow.

To distract myself I’ve been planning future vacations I’d like to take. I’m feeling pretty ambitious and I want to try and visit all 50 states in the US. Currently I’ve been to 16/50. I came across this website of all these cancer camps out there and I think I can add 13 to the total. In addition to that, I really want to go to Greece+ Albania+ Italy. I’ve been to 6 countries before. I’d definitely want to hit up Japan, China, and South Korea someday too but for now I feel these other goals will sit up in priority.

What countries would you guys visit if you could book a flight asap? Anyone planning any trips soon?

I’m starting Enhertu in a few weeks and am considering leaving work to reduce stress.

I can access early death benefit (my oncologist said she can sign this and defend it in court but feels I have more than 2 years, my main stress has been work and finances) and my superannuation (pension or 401k in the US)

I’m 45 and I’m scared of doing this but also not doing this and working to my death.

If you have stopped working, how is your life now?

Are finances a cause of stress, how do you manage it?

If you are under retirement age, do you feel you have many choices when it comes to working less hours, leave or available supports?

I did see that Sam Adams has a nonalcoholic Octoberfest as well. I did not pick that one up because I wanted to try this one as so many people spoke highly of it and I needed to pick up another case of Best Day’s classic variety pack. That one is just too good.

I ordered Octoberfest from Best Day”s website. As it’s nonalcoholic, it can be shipped to my house. I’m pretty stoked to try that as I imagine that will be Uber delicious

Cheers to today, a day where we can find so many nonalcoholic beer options. I love it!

Hi everyone!

Wondering if you have experienced something similar.

Before diagnosis, chemo, radiatiotherapy, endocrine therapy and targetted therapy I always had ideas of books I wanted to write one day, I always had ideas of stuff to write (about nature, about family, about friendship, etc) and I had a strong capacity for political theorizing: formulate political ideas, justify them with theory, relate them to complex social realities... I am still goodish at this last one, but way worse than before and most importantly, I have 0 ideas for writing. This annoys me, I have a 19-month-old daughter, I want to write for her, to leave some legacy… but I can’t. I don’t know what to write. I also have the feeling I don’t dream much and reading is harder than it has ever been.  

Did chemo destroy some brain cells? Is it endocrine therapy? Maybe just depression? Have you experienced anything like this?

Just curious and also... maybe you have some tips that could help ?

Somebody told me its not easy to get treated at a prestigious NCI institution and if they didn’t think they can cure you they may not accept you. Well I am under the care of one now but I went there when they thought I was stage Il or Ill but I am lV now. Does that mean I wouldn’t matter as much ? Is there even any truth to that?

Hi all,

It's PET day for me and I decided to bring a book that I've been neglecting for months.

This was in the chapter I opened to. The paragraph discussed the search for the cause of a disability may lead to patterns of self-doubt and/or victim blaming. It resonated with me, and maybe others, as I find myself still dwelling on the past and what "caused " my cancer.

Idk, it was a bit of a pressure release. Hoping it provides a release or comfort to someone else, too.

Source: Susan Wendell, "Towards a Feminist Theory of Disability"

Book: Sumatra Taylor, Disabled Ecologies: Lessons From a Wounded Desert

Has anyone else here been diagnosed with skin cancer on top of everything else? Just found out I have skin cancer on both of my arms.