Any long time survivors w lg bc, several nodes positive, 3a

macb04

started the awful merry go round July2012. 9 x 11cm, Left with 5 out of 19 positive, ILCIS. ER,PR +, Her2neg. Had "treatment ". Not doing that again. Had 10 reconstruction surgeries so far, infections a couple of times with fat grafting. Now have an over the pectoral Tissue Expander and then going to get an Implant and will next spring head to New Orleans to see Vinnie Myers for a 3D nipple tattoo.

Momine

Macb, welcome over here. Lots of people here have survived and continue to survive with DXs like yours (and worse). Your reconstruction odyssey sounds truly mind-boggling awful, I am so sorry.

kar123

Almost 5 years out from diagnosis. Large tumor and 2 positive nodes. Hope to be posting here many years to come. 2 years out was hard for me. I think everything had time to sink in and fester. You also have reconstruction difficulties to dump on top of everything else. The only advice I can give you is try, try, try to get out of the depths. Don't ignore them, but feel it and move on to something you enjoy whether it be a book, a comedy movie, work, anything you like no matter how big or small. Find that one thing and hold onto it. Life will get better.

macb04

Thanks Momine and Kar123. Got my first fill. Unaccountably sad tonight. Cried for a while tonight, not sure why.Other than the usual culprits. Feel like there is a big sad weight on my chest. Sigh..........

ktn

I don't get on here often enough but know how much I needed positive stories before. I had 2 large ILC tumors (one on each breast) and +

tumors on both sides also. I am an RN so started reading all medical info.... later changed to positive uplifting survivor chicken soup for the soul stories!!!

It is all so overwhelming at first but take things one step at a time... The reconstruction isn't easy but there is an end!  I try to keep thinking positive,

make plans and look forward. Had a BC survivor once years later tell me that if that is all she has to deal with she will be ok....she knows she can handle

things and move ahead. Sending positive thoughts & prayers to you! Kathy

jpsgirl96

I'm an ILC'er - was 9 years from dx in December. I got lucky and did not need mastectomy - surgeon was able to get clean margins despite the area being larger than planned. 6/16 nodes were found to have cancer cells. I'm doing well - first time in 2014 no MRI, thanks to the new 3D mammography. Sending all kinds of good thoughts to all who are progressing through treatment. It will seem like a distant memory someday.

JFV

5 years out for me ! Best wishes for a long healthy life.