Any long term her2 - survivors can you share your story?

Maydin

I was recently diagnosed with stage IV bc. I have mets to my right ovary, pelvic nodes and axillary nodes. I am told this is rather unusual. Had a complete hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. I will be starting Femara very soon and am hoping to be accepted into a clinical trial. I am so happy to see so many women living long with stage IV but most stories I read about involve HER2 + woman. Anyone been treated for a while with HER2 - ?

DivineMrsM

May, in December of 2010, I discovered a lump in my breast which was diagnosed as stage iv bc. So I am heading into my fifth year of dealing with the disease. I had the big treatments, chemo, rads, lumpectomy then started on the anti-estrogen medicine arimidex. I just had a scan last week and I am still "stable" and have been since 2010. I thank the good Lord for that. My mets are to the bone, rib, hip, scapula.

I recently read an article, I forget exactly where, maybe the mbc website, and one woman's experience is that she remained progression-free for Eleven years on arimidex. Yes, that was a record, but I hold out hope that it could happen to me as well. Because there are other things I can take when the time comes that that drug fails.

I am sorry for your recent diagnosis and hope you find hope and help on this website; it is a lifeline of support to me.

Tina72

my neighbors mother has been stage 4 for 13 years. She is pretty private but she still watches her grand kids and seems to live a pretty full life. I do know her mets are to her bones

CAROL1MAINE

may 2010 stage 4 from the getgo. her- faslodex 18 months then femera . then xeloda and femera. Was doing fine stable but now on the spinal cord on to temodar and femera. am real lucky been feeling allmost normal this 4 1\2 years. One day at a time you"all great.

Carol

Maydin

Thanks for sharing everyone. you are all in my prayers.

33skidoo

Hi Maydin. Another long term survivor here. 7+ years since stage IV diagnosis. And most of that with pretty good quality of life.

Hindsfeet

How many of you have her2+ with the cancer in your breast, lungs, liver, spine, hip and brain? How many lived past 5 years?

Jill49

My stage IV journey started with mets to bone and lung and after 5 years of more or less stability, a spot appeared in my brain or brain lining and then my liver. I am now 6.5 years living with this disease and still working part time. Apart from some drug side effects, I am still able to carry on and enjoy life. I've seen one of my sons marry and have two daughters–something I didn't think wold be possible when all this began. I've done some traveling and hope to do more. It's not always been easy and I expect that it will get harder, but I'm not throwing in the towel yet.

As much as I would like to, I can't make this go away, but I am learning to appreciate that my life is more than having cancer. There is a Zen story that reminds me that in any moment, if I can be fully present, there is something to bring a smile.

A man walking across a field encounters a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing after him. Coming to a cliff, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above.Terrified, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger had come, waiting to eat him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little began to gnaw away at the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine in one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

I wish you many more good years.

starbrightlyshines

bump for some more good stories to brighten up this dreary January weather!

 

grios

How are you doing? Well I hope. xo