Metastatic Cancer...What Does That Mean?

First, I have to say again, it has been absolutely amazing and inspiring to know that I have so much support and and so many prayers from so many people.  Please know how much my family and I appreciate your support!  

I know everyone has a lot of questions.  I had, and still have, a lot of questions. Some of the questions have solid answers, and unfortunately, some of the questions have to remain unanswered because there is no cure, and no one knows for sure.
So today, let's go with some of the information that we do know.    
               

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Metastatic Breast Cancer is also known as Stage IV or Advanced Breast Cancer. Metastases occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other areas.. most commonly the bones, lungs, liver or brain.  Mine decided to spread to my upper sternum.

What is HER2+ breast cancer?
HER2+ is a protein...aka human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.  A healthy cell has a normal quantity of HER2 proteins. However, a cancer cell grows when the cells' surface has an overabundance  (100x more) of the HER2 proteins, making it one of the most aggressive breast cancers. The cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. The good thing is that this particular gene mutation is not something you can inherit from a parent.  

Did the doctors not get all of the cancer the first time?
I am going to use this quote from www.mbcn.org because their answer pretty much covers it. 
 "You did nothing wrong. Our medical team did nothing wrong. Metastatic breast cancer happens... at any time... regardless of your age, whether you did chemo, radiation, had a mastectomy, had a bilateral mastectomy, ate well, took vitamins, exercised regularly, prayed, had positive thoughts, had negative thoughts, got regular mammograms, did self exams religiously, had a tiny stage 1 primary tumor, or a stage 0 primary tumor, or a stage 3 primary tumor, or never even had primary breast cancer. It doesn't matter."

What is my treatment plan?

A diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Cancer pretty much means you are on a treatment plan forever. A treatment is used for as long as it works. A treatment may start failing when the cancer cells learn to outsmart the drug.  Then we just move to a new treatment plan. 
Currently I recieve three infusions every three weeks. Infusion therapy is intravenous (IV) administration.
Taxotere or Docetaxol is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer.  
Herceptin or Trastuzumab attaches itself to the HER2 receptors and blocks them from receiving growth signals, and flags them for destruction from the immune system.  
Perjeta or Pertuzumab is a relatively new drug, just getting approved by the FDA in 2013.  It also works by attaching to the HER2 receptors to block them from receiving growth signals.  It works well with Herceptin because it targets a different area on the HER2 receptor than the Herceptin does.
Xgeva or Denosumab is an injection I receive every six weeks to help strengthen the bone and reduce bone pain caused by the Metastatic cancer that has moved to the bone.

Hope this helps answer some questions!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!  God Bless!

1. No one dies from breast cancer that remains in the breast. Metastasis occurs when cancerous cells travel to a vital organ and that is what threatens life.

2. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body, typically the bones, liver, lungs and brain.

3. An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

4. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and focuses on control of the disease and quality of life.

5. About 6% to 10% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.

6. Early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person's original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms.

7. 20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with early stage disease will develop metastatic breast cancer.

8. Young people, as well as men, can be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

9. Like early stage breast cancer, there are different types of metastatic breast cancer.

10. Treatment choices are guided by breast cancer type, location and extent of metastasis in the body, previous treatments and other factors.

11. Metastatic breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of their disease, some will live long and productive lives.

12. There are no definitive prognostic statistics for metastatic breast cancer. Every patient and their disease is unique.

13. To learn more about National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13 and to access resources specifically for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, visit www.mbcn.org.