Success Stories!

happygran

Sorry Carla.......I can't answer your question...........

I just have to tell you that I forgot my 6 year cancerversary!!! Isn't that terrible (or is it great)?.

It's an awful time when you're first dx..........my BIG recommendation is

...........don't google too much

I was dx grade 3 with 3 lymph nodes involved...........vascular invasion & lymphatic invasion (obviously)......(they worried me sick).........had surgery, chemo & rads. and I scared myself silly looking at statistics, prognosis etc............ but you are what you are............

The treatment wasn't the kindest but was worth it........

Now? I'm here over 6 years on.........have travelled extensively.........had so many grandkids that I've lost count (only joking).........feel great...........got a dog and walk miles every day...............

Am I still worried?.........of course, that never goes completely.......although I go for weeks without thinking about it now. After-all a single cancer cell could have hibernated and started to grow......but what good will worrying do? 

My hospital bag + wig are still in a box on top of the wardrobe and they'll stay there (hopefully).

Where will you find me? Maybe cruising the Med..........or on a road trip across the USA.........

Make the most of it...........

AndreaJ50

Happygran, what a great attitude! Thank you for sharing. You are so right. It is frightening to face your own mortality, but if you live each day in fear are you really even living?

I am one year this month from my DX. But you know I remember thinking every waking minute about it back then. I couldn't even fathom a time that it wouldn't consume me. Now my mind is filled with wonderful, mundane thoughts, like what to get all my grand kids for Christmas.

 I won't give cancer one more second of my life than I need to beat it!!

Bless you!

Andrea

Nico1012

Bumping for Sharon . . .

Deblc

Freebird I believe there is a bone mets thread on the stage IV forum where you might find an answer to your question. Just want to share that my MO has a patient who has lived with bone mets for 10 years..and still going strong

Srh242

bump

freebird53

What does "bump" mean ladies...

ruthbru

If nobody has responded for awhile & you want to keep the subject going, you can type 'bump', which will bring the topic back to the top of the Active Topics list.

Nico1012

Bumping for Diana ~

Nico1012

bump!

Nico1012

Bumping for Anna ~

Nico1012

Bumping for Hope ~

fd1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-marie-wilson/10...

Words of hope from a 26-year breast cancer survivor

AndreaJ50

That was a good article. Thanks for sharing fd1.

Stenokim

Thanks for sharing! Kim.

shelleym1

This thread has been my lifeline since I was diagnosed this month. I read the stories over and over again every day.

I want to add that one of the women helping me get through this was diagnosed 16 years ago (in her late 30s) and has not had any recurrences. I do not know what stage or any details, but she did lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. I have another friend that was triple negative 8 years ago and is doing fine. Another friend that had bc at 37 10 years ago - no recurrences.

funthing42

Hi

I need hope.

I have had breast Ca 3 x. Stage 1 less than 1 cm both times. Estrogen+ progesterone- her 2-.

I was told her2 + Estrogen+ but Im currently on herceptin

Chemotherapy also completed July this year.

Now Estrogen+

Only 2 mos after its back, Now in the skin where breast once was.

Is this a sure death sentence?

I was told it's 1 yr 5 yr 10 yr maybe before it reoccurs in other organs.

They suggest more radiation now.

I just visited a Doc who stole my hope and courage.

I wanted to thank you posting encouraging stories and experiences.

It helps a great deal.

Nico1012

funthing42 ~ bumping this to the top to better the chance of responses for you from those with a  similar dx ~

Never Give Up. Never Surrender.

TaniaE

Absolutely love this page. It has been my saviour.

shelleym1

a friend of mine stopped by today to tell me his mother had breast cancer at 20. She is now 70 and hasn't had any recurrences

Lucy55

WooHoo.. Stories like that bring joy to my heart :-)

bc101

AWESOME! Happy New Year Everyone!

 

shelleym1

my good friend who had multiple tumors in both breasts and was ER/PR+ and HER+ just celebrated her 4 year anniversary

jarris77

This may not seem like much to some of you "long timers" but I just had my (every 4 months) visit with my oncologist. He said everything looks good and after my April visit, I will be graduating to seeing him every 6 months! When I was diagnosed with triple negative in 2013, I wasn't sure I'd make it to this  point.

Also, my sister who was diagnosed with a large tumor in 2008, just celebrated her 6th year NED! My mother was dignosed in 1988 (1 lymph node) and is still going strong. Btw, when my mother had her first biopsy, they biopsied the wrong lump, 2 years prior to her actual diagnosis...and that was 26 years ago!

Lucy55

Jarris.. Congrats.. So happy for you.. Plus thanks for sharing your stories about your Mum and sister.. Gives me such hope.. You are definitely from a family of survivors.!!

Carmelle

Bump!

bc101

My husband's aunt had breast cancer and a radical mastectomy many years ago, which was the norm back in the day. I'm not sure when that was or how old she was then, but she is going to be 100 in March!! I think she should get the award for the longest ever bc survivor! That reminds me...I should give her a call and congratulate her!!

dunesleeper

I was shocked at how many people I know who had breast cancer. Obviously, they survived it. I agree that we can get a lop-sided idea of the future if we judge it based on what we read here. Lots of people don't need the support of this group or they need it only for a short time. I'm here because I am awfully focused on my mortality since becoming stage iv. I feel better here so I stay. When I get something better to do I won't be here. LOL I think I might have to keep in touch with some of the people though -- just because I like them.

Mommato3

the hygienist at my dentist office told me yesterday that her mom had breast cancer almost 30 years ago. She had a mastectomy and took Tamoxifen for 5 years.

AndreaJ50

Awesome to hear the good stories!! And great advice!!

sandie1973

Hi JO-5 and bc101

Thank you so much for your positive, encouraging stories its been 9 months 1 day since my diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer. It has rocked my whole world. I am now N.E.D. after 2 surgeries and 6 rounds of chemo. I still have radiotherapy to do which starts on Monday (19th) for four weeks. I also have to take tamoxifen for 10 years which i started in December and so far no side effects!

I have been absolutely terrified about dying from this disease and still am so these stories are so much needed. I have been guilty of googling too much and end up being scared out of my wits about what I read. Do need to step away from it and try to get on with my life. You are right JO-5 no statistics can tell you how long you are going to be on this earth. Yeah there will be more success stories than bad but the success stories are busy getting on with life to visit this board. Thanks again from a terrified but now more reassured newbie xx