7 years since diagnosis

StacieRae

Hi all,

I haven't been on the site in many years, but today is exactly 7 years since I was given a diagnosis of locally advanced breast cancer that presented with a 5cm tumour deep in my right armpit. Within weeks it had spread to the other side of my body and set up shop under my left armpit too. By the time I started 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy I had a 3rd tumour in my right breast that grew so fast it broke through the skin and my nipple. I knew I had IDC, hormone-negative and HER-2 positive, but it wasn't until much later in my treatment that I learned the differential diagnosis was inflammatory breast cancer. When I did, I broke down completely. I was certain it was a death sentence. I was 41 years old and my son was 9. He's 16 now and I couldn't be more grateful to be here to see him thrive and become a young man. They threw everything at me (AC chemo, Taxotere, Herceptin, double mastectomy and double axillary dissections, and 6 weeks of daily high-dose tomotherapy radiation.) It was a marathon, but I took it one step at a time and with lots of help from family and friends. On good days, I embraced small joys. When I grew stronger, I made plans and focussed on doing the best with each day. I have other chronic illnesses and had many setbacks, drug reactions and bad days. I have sought all kinds of support, including psychotherapy to process the changes to my body and to my life. Much of what happened was difficult and traumatic and I gave myself permission to feel sad and scared and sometimes angry about the path my life took. I came to this bulletin board for information and to see that other women had been through it and survived. And it helped.

If you're newly diagnosed, or struggling through or after treatment, know that you are not alone. No matter how hard it is, or how dire things seem, hope is always warranted. Be kind to yourself, and know that statistics apply to groups but not to individual cases. Also remember that there is progress made in treatments and therapies all of the time.

I celebrate today, with my family... but also for all of the brave women I am rooting for. My heart is with you.

Stacie (Ottawa)

ctmbsikia

Standing O Stacie!!!! Great news! Raises a glass! Wishing you many more years!!

AliceBastable

What a fabulous post! May you have many more multiple lucky sevens ahead of you!

MinusTwo

And I'm raising a toast in celeberation too. Great post.

Flo80

Fabulous post and giving us a lot of hope.

LeesaD

Thank You for sharing!! I wish you continued health for many many more years!!

2019whatayear

congrats!! thanks for sharing!!!

fifthyear

Stacie, your post brings hope to many young and old. Thank you for sharing.

blue22

Thank you for posting. Stories like yours give hope to those of us with IBC!

Yogatyme

Such a great post!! Congrats and thank you so much.

Bravenurse13

Just saw this post. SR you are an inspiration!!!

Missmom79

thank you for sharing that is awesome.

LW422

StacieRae--I see this post was a year ago, so I hope you will come back and celebrate 8 years! Thanks for the uplifting post; we all appreciate it and wish you continued good health.

Ilikedogs

You have no idea how much this one post helped me. Thank you so much! I am 42 just diagnosed with a 12 year old. Xoxo

BarbTheBCBarbie

you just made me cry. I’m the Dunkin’ Donuts line. ❤️ Did you have the IBC diagnosed as 3C or 4….I’m newly diagnosed but no further info.