10 Years! The Encouragement.

Anonymous

Over 10 years of BC survivor, over 10 years of worried and fight.  It is the time for me to share my story, to encourage the sisters who are fighting BC. 

In April 1998, I felt a small lump in my breast, and the muscle there twitched once a while, strange.  My family doc told me not to worry -- lots women had such cysts. I had very little chance to have breast cancer because I was young, Asian, no family history, looked healthy, married and have a child.  It should come and go along the menstruation...  

2 months after, the lump was still there but the twitching was more often.  I required an additional exam.  The mammogram result came out "Normal".  However, the twitching kept bothering me.  "Can you help me stop the twitching?"  Another doctor explained almost the same, but added -- the mammogram was not 100% accurate, if it was really brothering, "I can remove the lump for you, and you will not see the scar."  It sounds like a cosmetic surgery. The lump was removed in August, 4 months after I first notice it.  I didn't even know it was a biopsy.  I thought it was over. 

3 days after the surgery, the surgeon called me.  According to all I had been told, I couldn't believe the biopsy report -- IDC.   It took me long to accept the fact.  I had mastectomy, chemo and radiation treatments.  I felt tired, weak, nauseated, lost appetite, hair fell, purple nails and menstruation stopped. The radiation treatments left me "BBQ" skin.  6 months after completed all treatments, I saw a gynecologist and showed her my pathology report.  She said I should have my period back.  After the 4th. tablet of Medroxyprogesterone, my menstruation came back nornal. 

How did I manage for the pass 10 years?  I am a dandelion seed, looking for hope while floating in the wind.  Try to appreciate what I have.  Let go of the things that beyond my control. Along the BC, I lost a lot -- my plans for school, job, life style and my philosophy of life, need to be adjusted.  I also earned a lot -- the support, the friendship and the love. 

In the first 5 years, focused on survive. To fight cancer and the side effects from treatments, I changed my diet, ate healthier foods.  In order to keep myself busy but not stress, I quitted the school and worked part-time.  I lost the chances of getting higher education, job promotion and better job offer, but I had more time with my family and join other activities.  My husband became a "Chef" and "House Husband" for me;  A kiss from my little sweetheart could melt my sadness; The care show in my Mom's eyes would calm me down; A greeting call from friend could release my tension...  all the support and encourage help me overcame this difficult period. 

The second 5 years, tried to back to "Normal".  Beside the side effects of BC treatments, I had to deal with some other issues.  I had reconstructions, but twice leaking.  I wanted to have another baby but miscarriages.  My hair couldn't grow back normally, I have to have wig.  The surgeries and treatments left my arm lymphedema.  To protect my "big" arm, I don't wear sleeveless cloth.  I have to cope with all of these for the rest of my life.  I feel anxiety and depress once a while.  So what, no one is perfect.  I survive -- this is the goal I fight for.      

BC changed me.  I learned to be brave and optimistic.  I treasure and appreciate what I have. Sisters, thanks for wishing me have many more 10 year milestones, and you can do it too.  Have faith in God. 

 Dx  8/1998, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 4/16 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-

sftfemme65

Hi there!  Wow congrats on 10 great years.  I also had no family history but here I am too.  Knowing your stats and mine are so close, it gives me great hope for my future.

May you have many more 10 year milestones

teresa

pinoideae

Yay dandelion 10 year survivor!   An awesome success story! 

Daffodil

You bear witness to being persistent when you feel something is wrong, despite what you may have been told.

Best wishes for a continued happy ending!

pinoideae

Wishing you many more 10 year milestones too dandelion.

ebann

Dandelion, Wow that is so amazing to making it to 10 years. I cannot imagine what it was like then to have to go through this. I am sure the side effects were more intense, unless the medication was advanced as it is now. I look forward to the day I make it to 1 year. How do you do when you go got one of those test to see if you are still cancer free? I am suppose to be finished with this round of chemo and radiation in January. That is the goal. I was suppose to have just radiation after surgery and be done the end of this year. Instead I have 3 positive lymph nodes and cancer in the chest wall. So we are working on killing it. I am praying that this is exactly what is needed to move on to the next phase in my life.  Thank you so much for being an inspiration to us all and sharing your story.

Blessings; Elizabeth

tibet

Dandelion

I just sent you a private message. I am also asian and 38, no family history and have always been healthy, and everyone in my family from both mom and dad's sides are all long live. Grandma is 88 still healthy....I don't know why I got this problem where my little girl is so small that still needs me. I want to live, want to be there for her!

How did you deal with the uncertainties in these 10 yrs?

Anonymous

Newalex:

I have sent you a private message.

Anonymous

ebann:

I have never missed any follow up appointment and annual checkup for the pass ten years.  I also change my health diet.  Along with these diet, I loss weight, and my previous exist fatty liver and gallstone were disappeared.  We are in the same path.  You could fight. 

tibet

dandelion

i sent you a private message and tried to reach you. How did you manage the fear of the 10 yrs? Did you think about it during the 10 yrs? I start chemo this week and I feel losing appetite. The only thing I can eat is rice with lots of water...what did you eat during chemo?

sftfemme65

Oh thank you for posting!  I try not to worry but it just seems to be there.  Reading your story gives me so much hope for my future and that it will be a long one.

Thanks again,

Teresa

Anonymous

Newlax:

I can image the worry and sickness you have.  You have to have a stronger constitution and iron will to fight the cancer.  Only rice and water?  It is sure not enough. 

I drank little whole grain soup or brown rice soup.  I also ate lots of different kind of fresh vegetable, as my main meal.  Sweet and sour fruit made me stomachache.   I ate banana, soybean or carrot.  I didn't drink much water, instead, drank lots of fruit juice and Chinese herbal tea. 

Anonymous

Teresa:

It is our health, our life. It's impossible not to worry about it.   Every little relative stuff could connect us to the worse imagination.  That gives us an alert, to notice our health condition.  However, if worry too much, we will crash down ourselves.  

Switch your attention, try to join different interesting activities, exercise, dance, painting, or your little kids' school event.  Chat with the people who are optimistic and encourage you.  Avoid those people who pity you, complain more than your worry, or telling you someone is worse.  Try to look at the bright side more than the dark side. 

Anonymous

Be Optimistic! 

When I was diagnosed with BC, I was stocked, sad, worries and fear. The sisters here might have the same experience.  What is the next?  We need to find out the basic infor, choose the right doctors and better treatments. That is what we are capable to do and we will try our best.  The prognosis, the recurrent chance or the survive rate, those are beyond our control. It takes times. Each person is an individual case. If we are worried too much about those beyond our control, it will overwhelm us before the cancer can do.  We fight cancer not only with our physical body and treatments, but also  with our spiritual.  Sisters, be optimistic! Look at the bright side, give ourselves more hope.

maxgirl

Dandelion -- Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary, and thank you so much for letting us know your story.  We need all the hope we can get, and you certainly have a good attitude.

 Newalex -- I gave up on a balanced diet during chemo -- there were just too many things I didn't like.  Now I'm eating the healthiest diet I can.