Seventeen years with stage 4 today

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  • Kathy36
    Kathy36 Posts: 85
    edited January 2010

    Think_Pink88 and the other posters I haven't thanked yet: I so appreciate your good wishes. On another post today, a lot of people are pointing out that no doctor can predict our expiration date and I just want to second that over here. It's so true. They can't know. Carol--2004: After having rising tumor markers drive me nuts for years, I finally asked my doctor to report the results to me only if I really needed to know them--for instance, if we had to changing the treatment. I try and take the approach: "I pay him enough--let him have the cancer! I'll go about my life best I can." It sometimes even works. Good luck. 

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Kathy, you gave me my "good cry" for the day. Bless you, you truly are an inspiration. I applaud you for your courage and attitude. You're living life to the fullest and I'm taking notes!

    Here's to many, many more years of posts from you - YOU GO GIRL !!!

    Terri

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010
    Kathy36, what an absolutely beautiful post.   Extremely touching - thanks.
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  • AliceJean
    AliceJean Posts: 625
    edited January 2010

    Thank you, thank you so much.You have no idea how your post has made me feel.

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  • Springtime
    Springtime Posts: 5,355
    edited January 2010

    YAY KATHY!!!!! WE ARE ALIVE!!!! Congratulations! 

    Here's to you!  

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  • RivkA_with_a_Capital_A
    RivkA_with_a_Capital_A Posts: 2
    edited January 2010

    Wow, I would love to email you privately.

    I am living with stage IV for almost three years, with the emphasis on LIVING!

    I blog about being a young mom living with cancer at:

    http://coffeeandchemo.com

    Do you blog?

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  • pitanga
    pitanga Posts: 596
    edited January 2010

    bump

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  • loveofdogs2
    loveofdogs2 Posts: 1
    edited January 2010

    Kathy, What a wonderful post! God Bless you for being such and inspiration.  May everyone going through this know that statistics are just that.  Fear can be abolished by your story of survival and TRUE REAL HOPE!

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Posts: 2,721
    edited February 2010

    Bump - Let your story be hope for the new stage IV folks...Kathy, it is just plain wonderful!

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  • jmp61506
    jmp61506 Posts: 3
    edited February 2010

    Thank you so much for your post.  Its been almost 3 yrs since my recurrance.  The first bc was 20 yrs ago.  When the doctor said stage 4 to me I thought, as I imagine, most people do, that the jig was up. 

    Well, just went to the doc this a.m.  blood work looks great, next appt. in 3 mos.  Whew!  Every visit it a relief, usually and hearing your 17 yrs is the first time I have seen this.  You are definitely an inspiration. Laughing

    This must be my lucky day! Thanks again

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  • sbraatz
    sbraatz Posts: 11
    edited February 2010

    Hi! I just got diagnosed with stage IV and I am scared out of my mind. I have had all sorts of testing and I find out tomorrow how bad it is and what course of treatment there is for me.  I was a three year survivor feeling well when my abdomen blew up. It has been a hell of a two weeks.  Hearing your story gives me some hope.  Sandy

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Posts: 4,286
    edited February 2010

    Kathy,

    Thank you for such inspiration.  It is so important to share this with women who have been told from the medical community that we only have a year or 2 to live.  You give us hope. Wishing you many more years of health and Life.

    Terri

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  • Kathy36
    Kathy36 Posts: 85
    edited February 2010

    Just wanted to say:

    Rivka, No, I don't blog, but yours looks great!

     JMP: that blood work is such good news! Here's wishing you many more of those test results.

    Sbraatz: Jeez, I'm so sorry you're going through that time. I can imagine you must be scared out of your mind--everyone on here has been there and knows what you're feeling like. But if you can, remind yourself that a lot of women do live for years with Stage 4. Why couldn't you be one of them?

     Much love to everyone, Kathy 

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  • Shaysmom
    Shaysmom Posts: 25
    edited February 2010

    Thanks so much. I needed to see this. After being stable for years. Cancer is back and I am in the black place right now up all night worrying about wills and my 9 yo son and worried this is the downward spiral of cancer that it won't get better. 

    So thanks for sharing the HOPE and great story. Wishing you 67 more years. : )  

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  • cp418
    cp418 Posts: 7,079
    edited February 2010

    Dear Kathy - I am SO thrilled to see you posted here recently!!!  HUGE fan when I found your book while I went through chemo.  It gave me so much hope and inspiration to be a fighter.  Wishing you many more years of joy and survival.  Enjoy life!!!  Love and hugs, Joann

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  • undecided8
    undecided8 Posts: 194
    edited February 2010

    THANK YOU! Thank you for posting this! I was just pre-diagnosed with bone mets to the hip for sure. You give me HOPE that miracles really do happen. I really needed to read something like this today because I felt SO hopeless. Thank you and God bless you! I wish you the BEST!

    God Bless!

    Sue

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  • Kellke
    Kellke Posts: 424
    edited February 2010
    I read this when you posted, and have reread it every few days and have hugged it to myself as a little reminder every day that this is possible...  Thank you so much.  Kelly
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  • Wonderland
    Wonderland Posts: 3,288
    edited February 2010

    Kathy,

    I haven't read your post until today. AWESOME!!! You have made my day, no wait, you have made my week, no wait again, you have made my month!!!

    Wonderland

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  • juleisyd
    juleisyd Posts: 15
    edited February 2010

    woooo hooooo, that's all I have to say!!!

    God Bless u and may u have 100 more years!!

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  • bethr
    bethr Posts: 259
    edited February 2010

    What a beautiful and inspirational read for me!  Thank You!

     I'm a one year survivor and also met a 3 year stage 4 survivor at a party a couple of weeks ago and I can honestly say she shares your attitude and I was blessed to have met her and her husband.

     Thank you again!!!  I hope you have many years to come!!!

    Beth

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  • 4everhopeful
    4everhopeful Posts: 71
    edited February 2010

    You are a true inspiration to me.  Congrats!  You had the will to live!  I am the same way.  Whatever it takes to survive, I'm ready!  Will take alot to knock me down.  I'm hitting my 5 Year soon, and planning on many many more years.  Stage4, bone mets.  My existance is my hope!  Keep strong, and congrats again!

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  • LiniWD
    LiniWD Posts: 209
    edited February 2010

    Kathy-

    I was telling about you in my Thursday chemo group yesterday (yes, we all schedule our chemo on Thursdays and then make sure we are sitting together - we bring food in for each other and annoy other patients with our conversation and joking - although we also bring some non breast cancer others into our group that way) - I am 5 years with Stage IV and  the other ladies are 5, 6, 9, and 13 years with  Stage IV.  We all loved your 17 years!

    Lynn from Tampa 

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  • Kathy36
    Kathy36 Posts: 85
    edited February 2010

    Kkimball, cp418, undecided 8, Kellke, Wonderland, Juliesyd, behr, 4everhopeful, Thanks so much. Your posts meant a lot.

    LiniWD: Thanks so much, too, and regards to the rocking chemo group. They sound great!

    Wishing you all many good years. Kathy 

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Posts: 2,721
    edited February 2010

    Kathy...you rock!  I hope you don't mind if this thread gets bumped up - I am only 5 months into the mets journey - seeing your post changed my doom and gloom to hope and optimism - every new bc mets gal should see this post first...just to know that not everyone is equal to the statistics.  I have thanked you before and I will do it again...wish you continued wellness!

    Hugs

    Sharon

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  • Kathy36
    Kathy36 Posts: 85
    edited February 2010

    Sharon,

     What was it Mark Twain said? "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics." 

     People aren't statistics, you're so right. And I'm hardly the only stage 4 old-timer around. Women do live with this stuff, and well. Thanks for writing, and good luck.  

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  • Heba
    Heba Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Congratulations to all of youuuu strong lovely ladies - really made me feel relieved. Cancer recently progressed to Stage IV with bone mets in hip and spine - docs will start me on Xeloda and Herceptin OR Xeloda and Avastin - depending on HER2 results. Had radiation months ago on hip but progress to back spine - still not sure if I should go ahead with radiation there or not??? Pleaaasssseee give me feedback on best method that worked for you all... Thank you ladies - enjoy every minute as it comes and let's all hope for the best.

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  • Anne45
    Anne45 Posts: 1,037
    edited February 2010

    Thank you KathySmile for sharing your story with all of us.  I hope and pray everyday that we may all post the same <3

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  • Hattie
    Hattie Posts: 414
    edited February 2010

    hi Kathy!  I have to say, I read your book and thought at the end oh no!  but thanks for letting us know that life goes on, and on, in spite of what others may say.  keep on keeping on!  I really admire you for all that you have done in your kife, and are continuing to do1

    Take care,

    --Hattie 

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  • roberta37
    roberta37 Posts: 371
    edited February 2010

    Thank you for sharing that.  Just learned of someone who was diagnosed stage IV and I so needed to hear what I have been reading.  I tried to tell the family that the doctor's can give you the statistics but have no way of knowing how one person over another will respond.  Thank you for reminding me to never give up hope!!!  

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  • Kathy36
    Kathy36 Posts: 85
    edited February 2010

    Heba, That's such a good question--what worked for people--who don't you start a new thread devoted to just that? 

    Anna: Hope and pray that exact thing for you.

    Hattie: Thank you so much. Keep on keeping on, too!!!

    Roberta37: I don't think I mentioned in my post that when my cancer came back, it had spread so fast, the doctor said I had a year or two to live. She's no longer a doctor (left the business) and I'm still alive and kicking, so there you go: we/they just don't know.... 

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