I was diagnosed on National Breast Cancer Day in 2005 with Oestrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Stage 4, I also had a nasty little surprise in my sacrum. They gave me the option of chemo or tamoxifen. I chose Tamoxifen as I was scared that the chemo would get me so far down that I would never get up. No-one gave me a time limit but the looks on their faces said it all. So I had radiation on my sacrum and started the Tamoxifen.
In 2007 I had a mastectomy and they found out that I had two types of breast cancer. The plastic surgeon I had been too, refused to do a reconstruction at that time. I felt like he only saw a dying woman and didn't want to bother.
In January 2009 I was changed to Femara to see if it would work better for me
In 2009 I discussed things with my breast surgeon and even though my tumour marker was still going up (only by about 2 - 3 points every three months). He thought I was still well enough to go through a reconstruction. He talked to another plastic surgeon, who agreed to operate. I had a tissue expander and a reduction on the right in March 2010. I am pleased that my breast surgeon listened to me. I got sick of having people write me off. I am 4 1/2 years down the track. I will always live with cancer as it won't go away, but I still work, do martial arts and do everyday stuff. Just because you are diagnosed with advanced cancer, it doesn't necessarily mean that your life is over. You would be surprised just how much fight you have in yourself. Stay Strong and keep Fighting.
Melbourne, Australia