Would like to hear from node POSITIVE survivors out there!

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PaminFL
PaminFL Member Posts: 231
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I am just wondering how many node positive survivors there are out there.  I'd like to hear your stories of battling this beast and wheather you've had reoccurance or not.  If so, to where and how long after treatment did the reoccurance happen, and how did you know it had spread somewhere else?  Did you have any symptoms?  I'm almost at the end of my treatment and I'm getting really anxious and scared.  Once treatment ends, I think I'm always going to feel like the bomb is getting ready to drop.  How do you calm that fear?

Thanks!

Pam

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  • Towanda2
    Towanda2 Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2009

    Hi Pam,

    I was dx in 2/04 with stats very similar to yours: IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2/13 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+.  So I'll be celebrating 5 years NED next month.  I stopped reading these boards regularly about a year or so ago, when I felt truly ready to move on.  However I recently had a problem with my eye that threw me into full panic/battle mode until I had an MRI that ruled out brain mets. 

    It does take quite a while but eventually you'll feel less anxious, less often.  I still get anxious before every doctor's appt, and once in a while I'll have a "flashback" moment, but for the most part I don't think about it much any more.

    Helene

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    Pam, I'm a node positive survivor! I was diagnosed in 11/06. I do feel like the bomb is going to drop, but only when it's time for scans or blood draws. At first it was all the time, but life goes on and you start to become part of things again and you begin to feel like a normal person at least part of the time.

    My bomb may drop and it may not, but I have had many days to live since my dx and I'll probably have many more. I hope the same is true for you.

    Best wishes for lots of good news in the future.

    Miss S

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited January 2009

    I had one positive node and have been NED four and a half years.  Some scares, but nothing.

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  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2009

    Just had my 4 th anniversary...and still NED. I had 22/22+ nodes. and a 7.5 cm tumor. So u see there is no rhyme nor reason to B.C. Some of us are still growing strong with stats like mine and then there are others with less nodal involvement and smaller tumors that go on to mets.I have no idea why and it is a deep concern of mine . Although I am pleased and thankful I am also saddened that some of our sisters are not so fortunate.

    I suppose that it pays to follow the advise of others who have gone before us and suggest..not to waste a minute of any day worrying about the what -ifs..each minute is precious .

    Letha

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  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited February 2009

    Three nodes and still here 7 years later.  A friend of mine who does not frequent any message boards had 11 positive nodes and is doing fine 10+ years later.

    Jelly

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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited February 2009

    I am 3+ years out with + nodes, I also have 2 friends also with + nodes (lots) one is also over 3 years and the other is over 6 years out.  My oncologist was kind enough to warn me that near the end of active treatment it is normal to "fall apart a little" and he was so right.  I went into battle mode and was dealing with all the side effects, so the emotions didn't hit me until later.

    I am happy to say life is good for me.  I finally quit waiting for that other shoe to drop!

    Best to you and give yourself a hug, and a break!

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  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited February 2009

    Diagnosed in 2002.  two positive with a micromet to a 3rd.  HER2 positive.  Going on year 7 and still here no recurrences.  Knock on wood!

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  • harleyhoney
    harleyhoney Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2009

    Diagnosed in May of 03, 4 positive nodes...........almost 6 years, so far, so good :)

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited February 2009

    1 positive ugly node (the surgeon's face really scared my husband and sister when she came out to talk to them). Three years ago. No recurrence. A friend, no nodes, mets. Who knows what this is all about???

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited February 2009

    I had 18 out of 18 positive nodes... first time I ever scored 100% on a test. LOL

    I, however, am stage 4 almost from the beginning.... but that beginning was 3 yrs ago.

    Hope, courage, and love, I wish these things to be there for you.  I hope that there are people to reach out to and for you to touch.  As long as we surround ourselves with people who care, we have reason to smile.  So start your day with a smile.  Maybe it will still be there at bedtime.  Maybe not.  But if you start positive......

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  • berrybunch
    berrybunch Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2009

    Hi,

    I am a six-year survivor.  My daughter was 6 weeks old and I thought I wouldn't see her grow up, and she is now in the first grade!  I am very thankful that I am still here.

     I had a huge positve node and a grade III tumor and I have not had a recurrance.

     Take Care!

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  • LizM
    LizM Member Posts: 963
    edited February 2009

    Over 3 years with stage IIB, 2 cm tumor and one positive node.  So far so good.

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  • casseddy
    casseddy Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2009

    Every day, I feel that way.  every minute, every second.  It sucks.  One thing I didn't do is go on tamoxifen.  I don't know why, but I am afraid to, and I tried it once and had bad reactions.  Thanks for your post bcause the answers are supportive...

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited February 2009

    Just wanted to say thanks for the great info ladies!  I also have wondered about the node postive survivors!  You made me smile today.

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  • DATO
    DATO Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2009

    I am almost 3 years out from my diagnosis, stage 3A, grade 3, 6 of 9 positive nodes.  My way of dealing with it was to be as agressive as I could.  I had chemo (TAC), rads, Arimidex, contralateral prophylatic mastectomy and hysterectomy.  I read everything I could and started taking supplements I thought would help (D3, fish oil, green tea extract, etc).  I exercise 4 days a week at the gym, 2 of those days are with a personal trainer.  I have articles that show that exercise does a lot to lower the risk of recurrence.  I also joined the SWOG study on biphosphonates and I was randomized to the Zometa arm, so I feel very fortunate that way.  You should look into joining the SWOG study; I understand they are still enrolling people.  So basically I became very proactive about my health and instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, I've been working to get rid of the shoe.  Best of luck to you.

    Darlene

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited February 2009

    Hello:

    I am 9 yrs out

    and .. v. blessed

    had grade 3.. 3.5 lump

    ac, taxol, rads

    er-pr- neg.. believe me

    in all honesty, did not think it would happen

    take one day at a time

    also, after TX, I had to take anti deps

    for a spell and counselling

    I surely had my days

    and in fact, some times, still do

    would be lying if I said not

    sending out a special hug for you

    t'aint easy

    i go to a lot of spiritual type classes

    and walk, be in nature

    tks my HP for my small blessings

    Be easy on yourself and do lots of Treats!

    do take a fair amount of vitamins

    and steer clear of vampires

    (those who rob me of energy)

    :)) Sierra

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  • newter
    newter Member Posts: 4,330
    edited February 2009

    Hi,

    I just had my Onc appt this week and so far .....(I am afraid of jinxing myself).  I have had my share of mets and other scares but hopefully it will never be the real thing.

    I was dx'd in Jan 06, lumpectomy, re-excision, a/c, taxol, tamoxifen, ooph, femara. Still on femara and looking into Zometa possibly because of all the studies.  Also considering a prophy bi-lateral mastectomy because of BRCA 1 status.  I wish I had known that from the start.

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited February 2009

    newter  I wish I had know about some things from the start....I had a lumpectomy in April 08, TAC, 33 radiation treatments then started on tamoxifen...If I would have know I had 25 positive nodes I might had done things different.....but can't go back.....

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited March 2009

    Count me in.  4 year + survivor with 15 pos nodes, still ned and doing great!

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited March 2009

    kimf.... how long did it take before your hair relaxed....mine is soooooooooooooooo curly I have poodle hair

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited March 2009

    I had poodle hair for about a year after the crew cut look was gone. Then my bangs started straightening out and I had to blow it dry to make it look right. The curl was gone within a month or two once that happened. I miss it now! I loved the curls in the summer...wash and go! But I know what you mean about it being too curly, too.

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited March 2009

    kimf....Ok so I will just relax and enjoy the afro!  Really I'm just thrilled to have hair. You look great... I love your hair..will be something to look forward to.   Thanks!

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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited March 2009

    Sunshine you look awesome :)  I had poodle hair too, for at least a year, hope yours relaxes sooner than mine did.  I used to say mine was a cross between poodle hair and Kramer hair LOL!

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited March 2009

    Margerie .... Thanks...    LOL  Kramer hair  I like that one! LOL

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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited March 2009

    hi girls,

    23 of 23 pos. nodes, stage3, 3.5 cm tumour.  I am 2 yrs from dx and 1.5 yrs out of treatment.  So far so good.

    I so agree with the hair stuff.  Mine was way curly for a year.  I recently got it cut and now the curl is gone.  I'm missing the curl, but said that i wouldn't complain as long as it came back!!!!

    Cheers

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited March 2009

    sherry35  Yup my hair seems to get curlier as it grows...but hey it's hair and I'm soooo happy it's back.  I have been a little worried about having sooo many positive nodes so  your news is GREAT it makes me smile! 

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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited March 2009

    i log on to this website on an almost daily basis to help me laugh, smile,cry and be amongst like minded individuals.  it truely is a godsend.

    Cheers

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  • sunshine787990
    sunshine787990 Member Posts: 147
    edited March 2009

    sherry35  I agree with you 100%  this board really helps with the roller coaster ride we are on.  I didn't find it until I had finished chemo but it has been a godsent since then....just reading on this board really helped me thru some tought times!  Cheers also to You!!!

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