Survivors----please post how you are doing!

Carlymel

Just completed chemotherapy! Feeling great and ready to resume my life!

jojo68

Hi Srh.....Yes! I am still taking his herbs and credit him completely for keeping my lymphedema under control. If I miss one day of his herbs my wrist begins to swell. I don't need any arm/wrist compression wraps at all. I also feel his herbs, along with my protocol, have kept me alive.

I hate having marrow mets, though, as it's more rare and not much as far as treatment options.

IllinoisNancy

Hi Friends,

I just want to check in and say I'm feeling great and just had my first grandchild on St. Patrick's day, March 17th. Little Maggie Marie came into the world and I'm so thrilled and thankful for this blessing. I also have more good news that my daughter is expecting her first child on August 5th. I will be blessed with another little granddaughter:) Life is so good....

Take care,

Nancy

Bodil

I just posted that I am now a 10-year survivor. Except for menopause issues coming my way sooner than they would have, I feel fine.

I do still have lingering pain sometimes near one of my surgery areas, but I have been assured that this is normal. The pain is not bad enough to bother me - but it has worried me occasionally.

bc101

Hi Bodil! Congratulations!!!!!! It's so awesome to hear from a 10 yr survivor! I also have lingering pain at my left breast. It's odd because I had a BMX, but on the left side I had 2 lumpectomies. I just think that after all that, my mind / body just can't ever completely forget. BUT it's good to hear that life goes on. I"m still working on that....

Lucca06

Posted in the stage 3 section last week as I hit my 5 years from diagnosis! I had a 12+ cm tumour and 9/18 nodes positive after neoadjuvant chemo so didn't think things were really stacked in my favour but I'm happy, healthy and feeling very blessed.

614

I was dx in June 2014 with Pleomorphic ILC, bifocal Pleomorphic LCIS, and Invasive Tubular Carcinoma. I had a double lx and rads. I am taking Arimidex/Anastrazole. I had an oophorectomy to medically induce me into menopause. I am fine. Good luck to everyone here.

KathyNSW

I am 8 years this year.

I still have cramps where my surgery was but that is managable.

Besides the usual menapausel issues all is okay.

I have 2 beautiful daughters and 3 wonderful grandchildren and a very supportive

husband and am very grateful .

Good health to everyone here :-)

readytorock

Today is the one year anniversary of being finished with all active cancer treatment!!! I've had my ovaries out since then not enjoying hot flashes too much, but otherwise, physically fine. Mentally - still have a way to go on that.

HensonChi16

I am back in for a visit tonight. I am over 8 years out and feeling strong and healthy. I was triple positive and did a year of herceptin, and for chemo did taxotere and carboplatin.

Moderators

Welcome HensonChi16, and thank you for posting. We are delighted to read lots of great and encouraging stories here!

Best,

The Mods

Gitane

Hi Nancy, So good to read your post. I'm glad to hear you are fine and expecting another grandchild. All the very best, G.

hope49

I was diagnosed in Aug 2012 and am doing great! I'm so happy to see this thread and all the happy stories. I keep very active and feel grateful for every day. Life is good - my best to all of you for continued good health.

JellyK

Coming up on the 3rd anniversary of my dx, and I'm doing great.There are still tough moments here and there emotionally, but for the most part BC doesn't define me anymore. It's a part of my history, a connection that I have with other survivors, but that's it. Dating is weird (exactly when is the right time to tell a guy I have no nipples?), and the foobs are always cold, but I'm in better shape now than before my dx.

Hugs to all!

Peegee

Just had 6 month follow-up Mammo. All is well. :

Moderators

Welcome Peegee! Thanks for posting. We look forward to seeing you on the boards. The Mods

Mm68

just had 1 year mammo after radiation and all good. Four more years of tamoxifen

ragman

wife diagnosed in 1987, lumpectomy and rad, then new cancer same side, in 1990, mastectomy. No further treatment. Back in those days they didn't do tamoxifen as preventive treatment in node negative women. No physical signs of recurrence. One marker (ca15-3) has been rising for 8 years, slowly, mostly bouncing between 32-40, but last week, reading went from 40 to 49. But still, no symptoms. So Dr feels no need for scans.

So bottom line, as of today, no recurrence after 26 years. Sharing in hopes it helps others.

I'm hoping our run of luck continues, although I have to admit the 49 reading makes me a bit nervous about the next test in 6 months. Other markers remain Normal (CEA and CA 125

I don't know if hers was ILC I don't know what that is, things were so different back then.

bc101

Wow, 26 years!!! That's awesome!!!!! Congrats to you and your wife. It's so encouraging for the rest of us to hear stories like that. Was she early stage?

It's interesting that your wife's doc does blood tests, especially if they do no scans. My docs have never recommended blood tests or markers. I'm told they are not a reliable indicator. They do no scans either - unless I have symptoms of course - then they will. But it's scary - sometimes you feel like a sitting duck. It's something we all have to grapple with as survivors. So....does it get easier? Does your wife no longer think of breast cancer or worry about it?

Wishing you both many happy anniversaries to come! Thanks for sharing and please check in again to encourage others who come to this thread!!

candi07

hello, Just celebrated my 3 yr anniversary. In June had an ultrasound and mammogram all was well. Then in August saw my MO and she asked if I ever had a Breast MRI which I hadn't so she ordered one. At first it was denied by my insurance company but my MO fought and won. Had the MRI last week and got a call there were 2 enhancements in the right breast one is 6mm and the other is 7mm. First occurrence was on the left. Wondering why it didn't get picked up on the mammo or ultrasound. Now I have to have a MRI guided biopsy

hlya

I made 2 BC friends 8 years ago at clinic, they both got IDC, one of them was HER2 positive, 2 nodes involved.

Few days ago we met and had dinner together, She's been doing well.

I think lots of women don't come to this board because they are getting busier with their life

rivercaralee

Hi!

I've made my 3 year anniversary since surgery (both sides mastectomies). I am doing fine, and my primary care doctor calls it "a cure". I declined chemo, and failed immediately with all anti-estrogen pills. All my doctors (with the exception of my first oncologist) has been very supportive of my treatment choices. I feel healthy and I love the way I look with my prostheses. I exercise at least 120 minutes a week, which was not new for me as I always loved to exercise. I drink hardly any alchohol now (10 drinks a year or so). That was a big change for me, as before diagnosis I had a glass of wine or two with dinner most nights. I eat most everything, but have made special friends with cabbage, walnuts, brocolli, oregano, thyme, rosemary, berries, and kefir. Organic. The only supplements/medications I take are calcium and vitamin D. Oh, and black tea and espresso, every day.

Numbers and statistics are important to look at, but I hope everyone who is newly diagnosed finds support in consulting their inner guidance and following their own path through treatment!

jojo68

Yep! Just busy with life & living well.....xxoo

hlya

Hi, Jojo68, So happy for you.

Btw, are you 68yo?

dtad

Hi everyone...21/2 years for me and counting!

jojo68

No, Im not 68...LOL...Im 49!

ck55

Closing in on 11 years on Nov 9th. Doing well and very grateful!

Life is good.

Cynd

Momine

6 years out and so far, so good. Nasty DX, nasty treatment, but it has certainly bought me some time already. I stay thin and exercise. Do my best to enjoy life.

Icietla

20-1/2 months. Happy.

hannahstripe

Just past the 5 year mark. Very recently stopped tamoxifen, only been a few weeks. That is a little scary but overall doing and feeling GREAT!! 2 teenage daughters who keep me very busy but so happy and grateful to be here to experience all that comes with having 2 teenage daughters! I agree with others - don't waste my time on people that are not positive and uplifting anymore!! You never know what life will bring - enjoy everyday and tell people how much they matter to you!!

Started a new position in my job this year because I decided I was ready for a change and I am so happy with the change!! It has taken all 5 years but I am finally able to look forward to things and not be afraid that cancer is coming back. I still have fears and have some worried days but overall I feel stronger, happier and more mindful of every single day! One thing that cancer does for you (did for me!!) is show you how strong you really are!!!!

I have stayed on here because I like to check in - although I was often a reader and not a poster - this site carried me through so much of my treatment!!! So grateful to all of you!! Wouldn't be in the place I am today without all of you!!!

One day at a time! You got this!!