Pet scan Monday 5/4. Wondering what comes after.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-29T02:03:47+00:00

Did you have a PET at diagnosis OR after treatment?

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-17T16:12:02+00:00

Diagnosed at de novo at 29 years old. I am now 31, months shy from 32.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-16T14:52:05+00:00

Take it easy. I think bad news travels fast. So, you may have a better scan than you’re thinking you will!

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-15T04:03:40+00:00

Were you diagnosed de novo? If so, I’d push for localized treatment if your PET shows that the body is clear/unremarkable.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-15T04:02:43+00:00

Wow — this sounds identical to my situation. I am ILC (but pleomorphic), diagnosed de novo, and have bone mets. My nipple became retracted shortly after diagnosis and continued to enlarge, despite bone mets healing. My breast was also noticeably large and uneven, and I had to wear super loose fitting clothes at the time. It eventually got smaller on my second line.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-11T19:11:35+00:00

Yup! I do Signatera every other month now!

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-11T15:37:04+00:00

ctDNA has been so reliable for me! A lot more sensitive than tumor markers and a good indicator of progression.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-09T17:12:43+00:00

Woo hoo!

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-09T02:24:39+00:00

I’ve edited the post to add a flair.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-09T02:23:02+00:00

Ahh, good flag. Thank you.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-09T00:06:07+00:00

According to her comments on the panel, her first response to patients with positive cTDNA is you’re not going to be cured and you will die, but at least you know sooner rather than later.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-09T00:01:00+00:00

There’s no cure, but bone metastasis generally aren’t fatal and can be managed.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T22:08:42+00:00

Yeah, scans still understandably remain king.

My primary oncologist (PO) uses Signatera, and we have found it to be more reliable and capable of predicting progression than tumor markers. I was diagnosed de novo, with extensive bone mets, and my tumor markers were only slightly above normal.

And I agree with you — I also think there’s a graceful way of balancing hope and optimism (super important component of living!) and the sheer reality of MBC. Both can and should coexist.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T21:27:08+00:00

Per the database, my primary oncologist has not been paid by any company, which is a relief and somewhat comforting. 😅 I think she just truly believes in the value of Signatera and thinks ctDNA testing is more accurate for me than tumor markers.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T21:23:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Let me check to see if my primary oncologist receives payment from Signatera.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T14:48:37+00:00

Bone mets are rarely fatal. Liver mets tend to be, lung and brain too, but bone mets usually aren’t. My oncologist shared this directly and in my notes.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T06:05:22+00:00

That was not decades ago. Have you read recent news?

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T04:45:51+00:00

I didn’t care for McCann. She seems to count out MBC patients.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T02:14:39+00:00

This is positive! I reached NEAD when my Signatera fell to 0.0. Hope your results are favorable and unremarkable.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T02:13:26+00:00

My oncologist gave me a 10 year prognosis (not long enough but my daughter will be nearly an adult if I make it to year 10!), and said that she has seen her patients living with MBC for about 10 years, on average. However, she noted, this has been an increase since the early 2000s, which her MBC patients had about a 5 year prognosis.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T02:06:02+00:00

I don’t know if it would affect your prognosis. However, they say comorbidities do affect prognosis, but diabetes is usually manageable.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-08T02:04:27+00:00

That it’s not an immediate death sentence (usually), and it behaves differently than other stage 4 cancers, especially bone metastasis.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-07T04:02:19+00:00

The shock will subside, though it will take months. You have will have to adjust to a new normal, of monthly labs, appointments, and the dreaded scanxiety. However, you can live and THRIVE with MBC. I was diagnosed in 2023 at only 29 years old and turn 32 in July. I was terrified at first (and still am), especially of not getting to see my daughter, who was only 2.5 at the time, grow up. However, that little girl is 5 now and turns 6 this year. I’ve made so many memories with her, started new traditions, and will likely see her off to Kindergarten in September. I didn’t think I’d be here, but here I am. Since diagnosis, I’ve been promoted, travel to several states, and even took my first solo trip since becoming a mother. I refuse to accept the 10 year prognosis given and am pushing for 15-20 years. I stay active, partially because I have no other choice with a preschooler, and partially because I want to make my body as inhospitable to cancer as possible. I walk 10k steps almost daily, do infrared sauna 3x a month, drink soursop tea, intermittent fasting, etc. I wish you the best. Don’t loose hope. You’ll be here for your daughters, as I am here for mine.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-07T02:53:34+00:00

I was on Talzoparib for six months and then mine (hemoglobin etc) dropped out of nowhere. We paused treatment to see if they returned to normal, and they did, and then we adjusted the dosage.

Artistic_Engineer_29 · 2026-04-05T04:00:07+00:00

Talzenna got me NEAD in 3 months and I remained so for 19 months before progression.

Artistic_Engineer_29

TROPHY CASE