Karen’s Story

Hello, I am a new member of the group with my metastatic breast cancer diagnosed in February 2018.  Prior to this I had breast cancer in 2015. 

My original cancer was stage 3 and because my tumour was reasonably large (and also in the lymph nodes) my team at Epworth Richmond decided to treat the cancer with Chemo first (A/C then Taxol) followed by a mastectomy with all lymph nodes removed on my left side.  I then had 45 days of radio therapy and thought I was done!  The tumour had shrunk to nothing with the chemo (I had a triple negative tumour) and the surgery and radio amounted to a very thorough treatment, 8 months in total!  I spent the next 18 months getting my strength back and enjoying having the ‘cancer’ experience behind me.

Following a family holiday to Japan in Dec 2017, I noticed a cough that would not go away and some pain in my neck and shoulder.  My GP sent me for a chest X-ray, followed by a CT scan.  There were spots in two places on my ribs plus a mass in my lymph nodes behind my sternum.  Bloody hell!!!!  A PET scan and biopsy in 3 places confirmed the worst news: my triple negative breast cancer had spread to my chest area.

My wonderful oncologist carefully outlined my options: either standard chemo or a clinical trial.  I opted for the trial and was transferred to a new trial oncologist Dr Stephen Luen at Peter Mac.  The treatment started on 14 March and included weekly chemo, immunotherapy and a daily targeted therapy called Ipatasertib. 

I started with Thursdays Girls around the same time and found it such a relief to meet a group of wonderful women who are on a similar journey.  Sue and Marg were so supportive and welcoming.  Apart from panic and anxiety, my overwhelming feeling in that first month was being ‘completely alone’ with this awful diagnosis, even though I was surrounded by family and friends who were desperate to help.

I am due for my first scan on 4 May.  The clinical trial continues until I cannot tolerate the drugs. 

One other thing that helped enormously is a seeing a specialist oncology psychologist.  Jane Fletcher has helped both me and my daughter deal with my diagnosis.  Her main advice is not to look too far into the future, to live in the moment and deal with what we know.  Her mantra is ‘we have to wait and see…’.  I like being ‘in control’ and find metastatic cancer an experience where you can’t control everything.

I have a lovely husband (Paul) we have been together since 1985 and two children: Felix (18) and Rose (15).  I love travel, music (singing in choirs) and going to concerts.  I was doing a ceramics class every Wednesday but had to stop that due to treatment.

I am not currently working, but focused on the trial (quite demanding), staying healthy and looking after my family. 

Love, Karen

17/4/2018