Brest and bones cancer

My wife had operation of breast cancer 20 days ago. Six days after that she went to emergency because she had high fiwer and she trowed up for 5-6 days. Doctors sent her for X- ray and blood and discovered that kidnes work just 20% because of dehidration. They sent her for same more tests and bonescan. 01.May her doctor who made surgery visit her and said that she has result from oncologist.Doctor told her "Your result is not so bad , it didn,t go so far, this one is grade 1 or class 1. (Sorry about my English). Day after that she went to cancer institute to make appoitment for chemotherapy and met one Doctor Ontologist who told her that she has bone cancer which is spred with breast cancer and if she is lucky she could live up to two years.When my wife asked how came now after many test which were clear they discovered that bad result doctor said that can happened sometimes. I have to tell You some history about her illness. She has some problems with backache and hips pain for more than year and she had bones X-ray in last October. In November She broke her left arm and Had one more X-ray. In March she had some pain in stomach and doctor send her for Ultra-
sound. Each of these exams was clear.From February  she has so bad pain in back and hips and she was on one bonescan on 15. March which was also clear. They saw just one disc which went out probably when she fall down and broke her arm.Week after that she went for mammogram and found cancer on left breast.
Now she is in the cancer institute and she is being started on palliative chemotherapy.She has been diagnosted with "metastatic breast cancer". Please help us and tell us how come they didn't see anything for long time with many exams and now too bad diagnose. She is only 34 year old. What is Your advice and what we should do and how much chance she has to recover.

                            Sincerly,     Rene    

                                     Thank You

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Rene:  Without the ability to review all the scans and pathology slides, it is difficult to know why the bone scan was negative in March and positive in May, although it is technically possible.  If, in fact, your wife does have breast cancer that has spread to her bones, then chemotherapy is the correct treatment.  If she is having pain, the doctors may also want to radiate the damaged bones.  Chemotherapy can be very effective in breast cancer, even when it has spread.  Of course, no one knows how long a person will live.  Depending upon her response to the therapy, the natural progression of the cancer and your wife

[Maman]

Hello Rene,

I am sorry about your wife's difficulties but there is always hope. Some people have lived for several (even many) years despite bone disease. I do not mean to contradict your doctors but feel that it is unwise to 'predict' a two year limit.

I would suggest you get a second opinion -- hopefully at a major cancer center (I think there is a list of these in Susan Love's Breast book). This second opinion can be obtained even if your wife has already begun treatment(s). I would also suggest a support group. There are many women -- and men -- out there who can help you and your wife.

It is very difficult when tests fail to discover the disease. But,  I think the doctor who answered you on this forum is right: no one 'knows' how long a patient may or may not live.  So find a treatment plan you believe in and keep hoping. New drugs are being tested all the time.

Take care.