Kate's Story: How I Lean Into Every Day With MBC
Kate Seawell is a Breastcancer.org community member in Perdido Beach, Alabama, USA.
I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, ER-positive, HER2-negative, de novo with mets to the liver. The largest met was 11.5 cm.
The best advice I can give to someone beginning the metastatic journey is to try and relax. You do have time to get a good, thorough diagnosis, maybe even a second opinion before you begin treatment. I was so fortunate to have a young earnest oncologist who was happy to listen to me and happy to be cutting edge. He started me on Ibrance and letrozole 7 years ago and I am still on my first line of treatment. And this is in rural Alabama!
Times have changed, treatments have changed. And we are benefiting from it, it just takes a lot of courage to be a Guinea pig. Just lean into the illness. It’s a grim diagnosis. I try not to think of myself as a warrior as much as I am an accommodator. It’s kind of like living with a pesky resident that is as annoying as all get out, but you have no choice and this pest isn’t paying any rent. It stinks.
I would also say don’t forget that we are spiritual creatures. I believe in God and better, yet, He believes in me. I will never have better support than from my God, my dear husband, and my dear friends. Of course, children, grandchildren and pets are comforts, too. I also am a working artist. I don’t have any idea what’s ahead. However, I have confidence that there are those in the world who will help me and join me on this difficult journey.
