30/01/2026
So what is it really like to live with metastatic breast cancer? Well, for the most part, I am your average 36 year old woman, wife + mother to two children. I still work full time, though now I am blessed to have a remote job which allows me the flexibility I need to rest and still provide for my family. I juggle housework, kids schedules and trying to find time for self care, just like most other women my age. Where it may differ, is that my “high maintenance” routine looks like routine blood work, body scans, medications, and doctor’s appointments instead of extra trips to the salons.
My current treatment regimen consists of a medication that I take by mouth 3 weeks out of the month (with one week off) called Kisqali + monthly injections at the chemo center. Kisqali works by telling my cancer cells to grow more slowly or stop multiplying. The type of cancer that I have uses estrogen as fuel to grow which is a complication for a woman of my age whose body still naturally produces estrogen. Because of this, I receive monthly injections of Zoladex & Fulvestrant which work by telling my body to stop producing estrogen or putting me at a “menopause” level. This essentially starves my cancer of the fuel it needs to grow. Additionally, because my cancer spread from my breasts to my bones, I receive an injection of Xgeva which helps make my bones stronger and protects them from further destruction, fractures and pain. None of these medications are meant to cure my disease, but rather slow/stop the progression. Without these medications, my cancer would continue to spread to other organs. The combination of these medications do cause side effects such as low energy, hot flashes, brain fog (sometimes it’s hard for me to find words or focus), mood changes (anxiety & depression), bone pain, nausea and hair thinning. Thankfully, most of these side effects are treatable with other medications! There are also other side effects that my doctors monitor for closely every month through blood work such as having low white blood cell counts which makes it harder for my body to fight off infections. Overall, my side effects are usually manageable and still allow me to have a good quality of life, and for that I am so grateful!!!
My hope is that one day there is a CURE and I will no longer have to endure these treatments and side effects; but for now, metastatic breast cancer is a very manageable chronic disease and a huge part of my life. If there’s one thing that cancer has done positively for me, it has given me perspective that life is a gift and it is so precious to me. I will continue to fight for as long as I physically can. I will not give up even on the hard days. I will remind myself that I am never alone and I can always find hope in something, no matter how small.
I pray for the strength to continue sharing my story and hope to be a resource for anyone going through a similar battle. If you enjoyed reading this or would like to hear more information about living with metastatic breast cancer, please leave me a comment ❤️ it’s been a while since I’ve posted on this page. Thank you for your time in reading this.
