Today is National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Im well aware of MBC, much more than I would like. You see, I was diagnosed with MBC in September 2012 after one long year of having been misdiagnosed. By the time it was diagnosed correctly, cancer had spread into and throughout the skeleton system. All the major bones in my body, with the exception of my arms, had tumors. That was my introduction to what its like to be a MBC patient. I have been in continuous treatment since that date with shots to help the bones and chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumors. It will continue to be a constant battle as there is no cure. Weekly trips to Tallahassee for infusions, blood work are part of my routine nowadays. Exhaustion is part of my everyday life. So is pain. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 2.5 to 3 years. Dont think for a minute that I dont think about that on a daily basis. I do now know several women who are surviving past that critical 3 year mark and hope to become one of the fortunate ones. One other thing I have learned is how many young women are being diagnosed with Stage 4 MBC. Theyre living and coping with this disease while trying to raise their children and they hope to make it through each milestone, kindergarten, high school graduation, college, all the while struggling, knowing they may not make it that long. When you see all the pink around this month, think of us, the MBC patients who really need more research done to make this disease become chronic rather than terminal. MBC receives only 2-5% of research funding currently and yet 30% of all breast cancer patients will end up with MBC. Lets push for 30% of funding to go along with that. If you are inclined to donate, please consider METAvivor Research and Support Inc..
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:42:29 +0000