A decade today at Stage IV

lulubee

October 1, 2010. I was awakened by an early morning call from my oncologist. Stage IV. On the first day of Pinktober, no less.

Since then, I've been to hell and back more than a few times and twice I've come within a couple hours of dying, but for some reason I am still here. I am grateful for every year I've been given.

I remember all that first year my waking thought every morning was, "Oh God, I still have cancer." As I found my strength, I was able to talk back to that dreadful thought with: "...BUT I'm still alive!" Nowadays I wake up and say, "Looks like I'm not dying today. Better live!"

I sure wish I had known ten years ago that I would not only see my youngest child reach adulthood but would also get to love three gorgeous, amazing grandchildren. I would have worried less and laughed more. I wish I could know now that I will live another decade. You better believe I am trying. I've been on several lines of treatment that didn't even exist when I was first diagnosed in 2007, so I keep MBC researchers high on my prayer list. Who knows what might happen?

Meanwhile, I figure the best we can do is play the hand we're dealt and play to win.

ShetlandPony

Lulubee, my friend! Congratulations. What a wonderful post. People toss around the word “inspiring” but you truly are. Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement. Keep on playing.

NorCalS

Lulubee,

You’re a great inspiration. Thanks for posting

50sgirl

Lulubee, WOOHOO! What great news. I know you have had your share of challenges, and it is good to hear from you. I hope you are celebrating this wonderful milestone. It is obvious that you are enjoying the great moments of your life. As others have said, your words are inspiring and give others hope.
I hope you are still posting in another 10years. I am doing the happy dance for you.
hugs and prayers from, Lynne

Anonymous

thank you for sharing and congratulations on your survival and indomitable spirit

hjernt

CONGRATS!!

THANK YOU so much for posting. I love your mantra. This is wonderful to see!

DivineMrsM

CONGRATULATIONS, lulubee!!! What a wonderful anniversary to be celebrating, and I will raise a toast to the next 10 years and beyond for you! I am right on your heals as I'm 9+ years, tho diagnosed de novo, so you have been dealing with bc several years longer than I. No, we didn't have a crystal ball to see how far we'd come, but I have learned and grown and experienced over these years, and that's something to be grateful for. Some of the lessons I've learned since diagnosis are ones I wished I'd picked up while in high school or in my 20s! I guess we all have some regrets, but that is a component of life. And we are here! So that is to be celebrated! Thanks for sharing your good news!!!!!!!

illimae

Congrats 🎉

Moderators

You're such an inspiration, Lulubee! Thank you so much for sharing this milestone with us all -- you're sure to bring light and hope to so many here and those to come.

Congrats, and here's to many, many more years!

--The Mods

BevJen

Lulubee,

Thanks so much for posting. And congrats on the big 10!

Tinkerbell107

Congratulations. Here’s to another decade...

cyathea

Thanks for posting on your happy milestone lulubee! I’m only 1 year plus since diagnosis and I try to remind myself of people like you every day. Here’s to 10 more and beyond

Chicagoan

Congratulations Lulubee! Here's to another 10 years and beyond. Enjoy your grandchildren!

JFL

Lulubee, congratulations! You deserve an extra special something to celebrate this anniversary. Thanks for continuing to share your story. You experiences have always given me hope. I remember reading your posts 5+ years ago and feeling hopeful hearing your about all you had been through and continue to go through, yet you are still here and doing well. I love what you say to yourself about living when you wake up!

Simone80

Lulubee, Congratulations on 10 years! Here's to another 10 years and beyond!

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KBL

Lulubell, this is so wonderful. Congratulations. I am so happy you’ve had the opportunity to see your grandchildren. They are a gift. I hope for many more for you.

GoldensRBest

Congrats and thank you for sharing! You give us much hope

Cure-ious

LuluBee,

Congratulations!! Winning the race, a day at a time...

Iwrite

Congratulations Lulubee! Wishing you many more years of enjoying life! Thank you for encouraging us with the great news. I’m approaching the five year mark and so thankful.

Sadiesservant

Yes, congratulations Lulubee. I am thrilled for you and so happy you have kept going through all those amazing milestones. I’m closing in on four years and am amazed how quickly time has passed. Ten years is my goal now!

Meja

Fantastic and inspiring - here's to many more joyful years 🥂
Thank you for posting.

lulubee

Thank you all for the well-wishes and good cheer! I hope and pray the best for all of you. You're a mighty band of cheerleaders and you encourage me greatly.

Anonymous

Lulubee - reading posts such as yours gives me so much hope. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary of Stage 4. I don't know what I would have done without these message boards to "meet" other women like you who are doing well along with those of us who are newly dx and gaining our balance in this. Sending you (and all of us!) good wishes and healing energy for more stable or NED decades to come!

Pamela23

What an uplifting and hopeful story Lulubee!! Thank you for giving us "newbies" some hope!!

Bestbird

Absolutely delighted for you, and wishing you decades more of the same!

lulubee

Thank you, Bestbird, for your book! It has been helpful to me, especially in the confusing early years.

Arc66

Huge congratulations lulubee. Just seeing this post now! Here’s to the next decade.