What a difference a year makes

jennyboog

I am not very proud of this pic and wouldn't show it to anyone else but you all.  It was taken 3 weeks after my last round of Taxotere and the day of my BMX & ALND so, as you can see I was looking a bit rough

I wanted to post and show the newbies that it does get better.  I am not the same person I was before BC and it sure wasn't easy.  I have aches, pains and fears, most of the time I take it day by day and sometimes hour by hour.  But I'm getting stronger and better everyday and have lots of hope for OUR future. I'm not a long term survivor yet, I'll only be 2 yrs out in July but I plan on being here for the long haul.  It does get better with each day that passes.

 

gillyone

You look fab!

orlandpark65

You look terrific.   Congrats to you.    I don't even know what I looked like.  I wouldn't let anyone take a picture of me.   Tomorrow is my 1 year anniversary.   

SharonMH

HI  Jennifer,   You look wonderful. Love your hair  Things really do get better.  SharonH

MaxineO

You're gorgeous! It's great to reflect on getting through such rough times...you are a fighter and you ARE here for the long-haul! Thank you for sharing.

ali68

Hey you look fab, can I ask why do you have pain now? As you can tell I'm very new to this I start chemo on Friday.



Alison

NeedtobeSTRONG

You look Fabo!!  Your smile on your face made me cry such happy tears!!!!  Thankyou Thankyou thankyou!  I can not wait to get my smile back! 

Ellie1959

You have come so far!!! You look amazing! Ali 68, I can't speak for anyone else but I too have chronic issues with pain now after chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries and AI's - but not everyone does I'm sure. And my theory is - at least I am here to bitch about it!!

Karina121293

Jenny, you look so lovely !!!!!! Keep smiling !!!!!!

AmyIsStrong

You look radiant and beautiful. What a gift to the newbies to share this encouragement.

lemondrop1967

You are beautiful - thank you for sharing these pictures!  I am only about 2 months out from diagnosis (had BMX on 12/15 and will be starting chemo in 1-2 weeks, followed by rads, then reconstruction) and it's so great to see and hear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

sweetbean

You and me both, Jenny!  A year ago, I was getting my third round of chemo.  Tonight, I'm one of the stars in a series of concerts in Florida.  (I'm an opera singer.)   It does get better!  (Although, Jenny, I am so impressed at how much hair you have - I don't think I will have that much at my BMX anniversary.  But I'm on Herceptin, so I think that is slowing things down.)

Anyway, yes, keep one foot in front of the other, folks.   

eulabt

You look amazing! A year ago I was 2 weeks away from having a BMX. Today I am training for a marathon...go figure. I have my days were I don't feel great, but I am winning this battle and will finish my race as well!

AJTAYLOR

This made my heart fill up with joy!!  You look wonderfu and thank you for sharingl!!  I just finished up my chemo last Wednesday and am looking forward to my excahnge surgery.  My goal for this year is to run the 5k BC Awarness in October.  Keep up the great spirits and good health. 

christina1961

Thank you, Jenny!  You look awesome!!!  I've had almost a year of treatment now - I will have had 12 cycles of chemo by Feb 17th - my original diagnosis was 2/8/2011.  I have a huge ugly herpes outbreak on the side of my nose next to my eye and have no eyebrows and my curly hair is about an inch long.  I look like a chia pet with measles.  This is so encouraging to me. Thank you for sharing and giving us hope.  You look so healthy; your color is great, and your smile is beautiful!

KSteve

Jenny - Just about same schedule as you, I had my BMX on 1/8/11 and finished my last chemo on 12/30/10.  And I'm with you, what a difference a year makes.  I'm planning to go to Vegas with my DH in a month, and going to see my DD in March.  She will be studying abroad in Italy for the semester.  Don't know how I'm going to be without her for 4 months, but a year ago she would have never left my side.  And my DS graduates from high school in May.  What a year it's going to be.  I'm so thankful for these opportunities.  Life is good!!

Thanks for sharing,

Kathy

KSteve

And you and your hair look awesome!

spendygirl

You are beautiful!!!

Cowgirl13

Darlin' you made my day!!

DiDel

You look great post op and just 3 weeks after chemo!! It is nice to share the pics. As we all know when you are in it you think you will never look or feel like your old self again...but you will.

You look beautiful and extremely thoughtful of you to share!!

Diane

linnyhopp

I think you should be proud of both pictutres as they prove how strong you were and are.  But I understand, because I am half-way through chemo and just told my husband last night how I am looking worse and worse...but you have given me hope that in a year I will be as beautiful as you.  By the way...your hair is so cute!  Linda

christine47

just priceless!  you look terrific.

Rachel1

You are glowing and beautiful.  This is great!!

Rachel 

lamuso

What great during and after photo's!  I agree it does get easier as time goes by.  This May I will be 4 years out from diagnosis.  I wish I had taken a picture of myself during chemo but I think I was still in shock.  Thanks for sharing Jennifer!

jennyboog

Thanks so much everyone....ya'll know how to make a girl feel good!  I'm glad I shared them.

@ali68....The pain I was talking about is just random pains, they come and go mostly.   I had some arthitis which chemo made worse.  I think it's just part of the chemo damage, lack of ER and AI's. 

karen1956

yes...what a difference a year makes!!!  You look gorgeous!!!!

Bugs

Beautiful!

Bev_22

Thank you for the pic's and the hope.  You look great.  I am new to this and this is my first post.

I'm lookong for hope first then i'm going to tackle the info on what to prepare for.  i am very confused at this point.

calilisa

Thank you for your post.  You look marvelous!!  

jennyboog

@Bev22...This site is full of hope and info, so you've come to the right place.  The beginning is the absolute worse, I was a basket-case and it took me a while to get over the shock.  We're here for you.

Kcrab

You look beautiful and happy. Thank you for the reminder this does get better. Hope is so very important. I do look forward to having enough hair to ditch the hats. It's been 4 months since last chemo and the regrowing is very slow. But it sure is a good reminder to hang in there!