Is stage 4 considered really bad?

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anonymous

Learning About Breast Cancer over 7 years

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Stages Prognosis Stage 4

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anonymous

Survivor since 2012

Hi Cindy, All cancers are staged. The Stages are 1 through 4, with 4 being the most involved. The treatment for Stage 4 is complex and can last a lot longer than treatment for Stages 1 through 3. You don't indicate whether you are the patient. It doesn't matter. The first thing I tell anyone who is diagnosed with cancer is, don't go to the internet. There is a lot of misinformation out there and you want to get a true, accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, and if you want, a prognosis. The best person to do that is your doctor. With Stage 4 cancer, you might want to seriously consider getting additional opinion(s). There are a number of hospitals in the U.S. that are considered "the best" for cancer treatment. Two of them are M.D. Anderson in Houston, and Sloan Kettering in New York. Your doctor should be able to recommend physicians at those hospitals if you want a second opinion. Yes, Stage 4 is very serious. I hope that others who are or have been Stage 4 patients will chime in here and tell you their experience(s). If you are the patient, best of luck to you.

over 7 years • Comment • Flag

4
anonymous

Stage 2A Patient

I have a friend who was stage 4 ( mets in her lung) and she is 7 years cancer free!

over 7 years • Comment • Flag

1
anonymous

Survivor since 2007

Cindy, Like Jo and Evelyn said stage 4 can be a challenge. I also like what Evelyn said do not go on the internet and start reading. Everyone who has breast cancer is a very unique individual. No two women are the same and neither is their breast cancer. There are so many ways to deal with breast cancer, to arrest it like a chronic condition. You are young and it sounds as if your scan it looked good. We are all in the same leaky boat together. I know Evelyn had a reoccurance, and we are all faced with the possibility of that happening. We take a day at a time and prop each other up here on this board. We are glad you chose to contact us and will sure share as much as we can with you. We are a bit like sisters but we really wish our numbers would quit growing. There are so many, women who have breast cancer, and surprising to me, many young women who have breast cancer. I am a fossil here but it seems the majority on this board are like you, the under 40 group. I am very sorry you have to join this club but we are all a bunch of girl-warriors. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your team or of us, and be your own best advocate. Hang in there, Cindy, you fight like a girl! Big healing hugs, take care, Sharon

over 7 years • Comment • Flag

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anonymous

Stage 2B Patient

I do pray that this is not your staging. But if it is, know that so many women are able to survive this now. There are so many variables that go into staging cancer. 4 usually means that the cancer has spread from its original location. It is hard to even know what questions to ask when you are hit with a cancer diagnosis. I have found some great friends that started a facebook page (secure and private) called We Are Sisters that is for patients and survivors only. It has been a great support to me. Come join it if you like. God bless you.

over 7 years • Flag

0
- anonymous
  
  Stage 2B Patient
  
  Elaine I looked for the Facebook page you mentioned nd there is more than one with that name. Can I get a friends request from the right one? My name is vicki everhart and I am the one from Columbia sc with the palm tree as my picture. Can you...
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  Elaine I looked for the Facebook page you mentioned nd there is more than one with that name. Can I get a friends request from the right one? My name is vicki everhart and I am the one from Columbia sc with the palm tree as my picture. Can you send me a friends request?
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Learning About Breast Cancer
  
  Thank you so much for your time to explain:)
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Stage 2B Patient
  
  VIcki, I tried to message you on face book but couldn't where to do that! It should be the first "We are sisters" listed. 17 members. Click on it, and you will see automatically that it is a breast cancer page. You could also look for the...
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  VIcki, I tried to message you on face book but couldn't where to do that! It should be the first "We are sisters" listed. 17 members. Click on it, and you will see automatically that it is a breast cancer page. You could also look for the administrator, Joane Pearsall from Canada. I'm under Elaine Terry Mills. Blonde hair, leopard print shirt with a microphone.
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Learning About Breast Cancer
  
  I am also a stage 4 , I've had a lumpectomy and am starting radiation on the 13th. I also take arimidex.
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Learning About Breast Cancer
  
  My name is Kimberly shaw and I've been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 47 years of age. I'm devastated. I need support and someone to talk to. If anyone would reach out and invite me to the Facebook page it would be wonderful. I cannot find it....
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  My name is Kimberly shaw and I've been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 47 years of age. I'm devastated. I need support and someone to talk to. If anyone would reach out and invite me to the Facebook page it would be wonderful. I cannot find it. My Facebook name is Kimberly Weatherford shaw. I need to bond with you all so badly. My heart is broken and I need encouragement fr stage 4 survivors. Please give me blogs, Facebook groups, etc... Where I can visit with you. Thank you so much! Kimberly w. shaw
  
  almost 7 years • Flag
anonymous

Survivor since 2012

Hi Cindy. It can be bad, but not hopeless. Did your doctor say the cancer had spread to your lymph nodes and other organs? Have you gotten all of your pathology reports back? Staging isn"t complete until all the info is in. Please post where you are in this journey. There are women who have been where you are tonight and are eager to support you and share their strength of knowledge with you. Hang on. We're with you. Hugs and peace your way. :-D Jo

over 7 years • Flag

0
- anonymous
  
  Learning About Breast Cancer
  
  Thank you 2010 had breast cancer and 10 lymphnodes were cancer. Had dbl mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation. Was doing great!!!! Then found out I have breast cancer now in my upper chest and pelvic area and some on my bonenear my...
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  Thank you 2010 had breast cancer and 10 lymphnodes were cancer. Had dbl mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation. Was doing great!!!! Then found out I have breast cancer now in my upper chest and pelvic area and some on my bonenear my spine. Chemo 3 times a week for 6 months. uhgh so tired but not sick. Had a cat scan that came back great. But worried for how long??!!
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Survivor since 2012
  
  Wow! Your little wagon is loaded. You sure look young compared to this old lady. I've read that chemo can really put the skids on the big C if they give you a hard punch of it. Great you haven't been sick. Hope that holds. Great news on that scan...
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  Wow! Your little wagon is loaded. You sure look young compared to this old lady. I've read that chemo can really put the skids on the big C if they give you a hard punch of it. Great you haven't been sick. Hope that holds. Great news on that scan too. The girls are always talking about doing this one day at a time. I'm new to this and still can't put my fighting panties on straight. :-( I know you can't help but worry about how long good news will hang on or how soon the bad will pay you a visit, but I'm 2A IDC and all good factors to boot, but with cancer, it can all come unraveled for me just as easily, so I listen to girls like you and tell myself to take heart from the women who really know how to fight and have already overcome huge odds to show me how it's done. Luv and healing hugs. Keep us posted. :-D Jo
  
  over 7 years • Flag
- anonymous
  
  Survivor since 2012
  
  I agree 100% with Jo. Good news about the CAT scan! Do you know if you are a carrier of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene? That could explain your recurrence and stages of your cancers.
  
  Regardless, I'm sure this is very frightening for you. It sounds...
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  I agree 100% with Jo. Good news about the CAT scan! Do you know if you are a carrier of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene? That could explain your recurrence and stages of your cancers.
  
  Regardless, I'm sure this is very frightening for you. It sounds like your doctors have a treatment plan in place. I know that when I was in chemo there were several women with later stages of breast cancer (I was a Stage 2A) who were surviving with regular doses of chemo.
  
  Best of luck to you, and hang in there!
  
  over 7 years • Flag
anonymous

Patient

I am 31 years old and was diagnosed stage 4 in October. After 8 rounds of chemo I am now moving on to surgery and radiation. My recent pets cans were amazing as after 6 cycles the cancer was gone from lungs, liver, and bones. The doctors are very optimistic that I will be in complete remission after the surgery

over 6 years • Comment • Flag

0