Life after triple + Stage 2

dimidani

Dear all,

I remember how 8 years ago I found this wonderful website where I was constantly looking to find comfort and answers from you all diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

This time I decided to post my happy story and I hope it will help you all in the same way it helped me 8 years ago!

I was diagnosed in 2010 at the age of 34 with stage 2 BC. I had the usual chemo plus one year of Herceptin followed by tamoxifen.

In 2012 there was a small recurrence/persistence ( I believe a node that was not removed at the initial surgery started growing cancer cells) treated with chemo again - it was not HER 2 positive this time only ER+ PR+. After chemo I received Zoladex for 5 years every 3 months ( my last Zoladex was in October 2017) and Aromasin. ( I decided to stop Taking aromasin in April 2017). I was on menopause.

My experience on the hormonal treatment was very very rough from Insomnia to mood swings, depression,confusion, hot flushes, sexual dysfunction and anger. Many Many times I wanted to give up and stop taking the treatment but I was very scared.

I am 44 years old now and a few months ago I noticed how my body started returning to normal to who I was before :-) . I am sleeping better I am happier and not thinking about my diagnoses as much as in the past. At the end of July I started having menstrual like crams and started ovulating. On August 15th I started menstruating my first period in 8 years! Very heavy bleeding but very welcomed! I fell wonderful and thankful and I hope many of you who survived my similar diagnoses will post here so we can all help inspire and encourage many women who suffer from breast CA.

Hugs to you all! You can do it!

Daniela

Suburbs

Thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations on your eight anniversary. Here’s to many many more

margodae

Hello ladies!

Thanks for your post and words of encouragement. I was diagnosed with Stage 1, Grade 2, Triple +, in 2009, at age 29. I had a partial mastectomy, 6 weeks radiation, and will begin my 10th year on Tamoxifen on November 4! I have mixed emotions about being done with Tamoxifen and feel like I'm already starting to get anxiety about it...even though it is still a year away! I am glad to hear that you feel like you are starting to feel back to your old self, before BC.

I am wondering what type of follow up care you are now receiving? How often do you have imaging done? Do you still see your surgeon and oncologist? Just wondering what others are doing after completing treatment. I meet with my oncologist in November and will have this conversation, too.

Thanks for any insight and/or advice!

Margo

PhoenixCruiser

Thanks for sharing your story! You are giving people hope.

dimidani

Hi Margo,

Congratulations in approaching the finish line. I can see how you feel about loosing your security blanket. I felt the same when I finished my treatment but that feeling went away as soon as I started feeling different. I trusted my Oncologist advice and she did not have any future concerns. I was discharged from my Oncologist 3 months after finishing my last Zoladex and did blood work. I was advised to have follow ups with my GP ones a year. In terms of imaging I had bilateral mastectomy plus reconstruction so in this case I only see my Plastic Surgeon ones a year to check on my implants.

Hope this helps. Please email me if you have more questions.

Daniela