20 Year Survivor!

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smithlme
smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
20 Year Survivor!
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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2009

    I have to post for my amazingly, surviving and thriving sister, who will be a 20 YEAR BC survivor on September 13th! Way back then, Sue was 36, with three children, 17, 6 & 4. She had a mastectomy and 30, count them, 30 weeks of chemo. Some of the drugs she had aren't used today. She had double TRAM reconstruction with a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side. Last year, after I was diagnosed BRCA 2+, Sue found out she was, as well. She had a hysterectomy w/BSO last December.

    To celebrate, Sue has rented a house along the ocean and with our family and friends we will be celebrating her 20 year milestone. I am so excited and blessed to be alive to be there...

    Linda

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

    Linda---that's wonderful news!  I'm so glad to hear that you are both doing well.  Are you planning to have  the oopherectomy as well? My mom is a 22 year survivor of ILC ( lumpectomy, radiation and tamox) without a recurrence; I have LCIS (lumpectomy, tamox; now on Evista, and continuing high risk surveillance); but went thru a TAH/BSO 4 years ago for ruptured ovarian cysts. ( have not been BRCA tested yet, as insurance has said they won't pay)

    Anne

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2009

    Hi Anne,

    I had my hysterectomy w/BSO last June. I'm trying to stay ahead of this beast...

    Linda

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited September 2009

    Bless you and your sister!  What wonderful news!  I love to hear stories like this, thanks for giving us more hope.

    Luv Deb

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2009

    Linda - Your sister is remarkable!

    I admire her for facing the fact of your BRCA2+ diagnosis and acting quickly to continue to protect her life. Your family truly has something to celebrate in you two sisters - STRONG and brave women.

    Have a terrific time at the beach house!!

    Lisa  (BRCA1+)

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  • kle
    kle Member Posts: 317
    edited September 2009

    Linda, that is a wonderful milestone!  How far treatment has come in all that time, and continues to change now.  Have a wonderful time with your healthy sister and family!

    kle

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

    That's such good news!  Just what I needed to hear.  Thank you for posting.  May I ask what she attributes to being a 20 year survivor?  Did she change her diet, etc? 

    Bless you both,

    tuckertwo

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2009

    I just got back from our amazing weekend and it was fabulous. We had 5 survivors there, totaling 75+ years of survivorship! Woo Hoo! We painted prayer flags and we will surround our pup tents at the San Francisco Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day with them. These inspiring women, and our family and friends who were there, gave me the kick I needed to push ahead to keep fighting this beast with determination and courage.

    I am building a fire pit back in my forest this weekend and creating and hanging my own prayer flags in the trees. I need an outdoor spot to breathe, meditate and continue healing.

    Tuckertwo, My sister did turn vegetarian and cut out sugar from her diet. She will never claim that it is what's kept her alive, but who knows? We like to think our angels are watching out for us...who knows!

    Be well...

    Linda

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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited September 2009

    Congratulations and thank you so much for posting!  I am 37 yrs old and really need to remember that we CAN survive this "crapcer.!"

    ...but I'm still eating cake... Wink 

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  • tiff2008
    tiff2008 Member Posts: 278
    edited September 2009

    Awesome, Awesome!!!  Congrats to your sister!  I want to be there too!

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  • dragonfly10
    dragonfly10 Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2009

    that is one amazing wonderful story!  Word!

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited September 2009

    Linda...congrats to your sister, to you...and may she have another 20...and that you follow along in those wonderful cancer free years that she has had!! What a great story. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Lisa

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  • clowe
    clowe Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2009

    CONGRATS TO YOUR SISTER.  MY CO-WORKER IS ALSO A 20 YEARS PLUS SURVIVOR.  HER SON, ANDREW, WAS A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE HAD THIS AWFUL S---------. HE IS NOW A JR. AT COLLEGE.  SHE IS ONE TRUE FIGHTER, UPBEAT AND ENJOY LIFE EACH DAY.  YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW SHE EVER HAD BC. 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited September 2009

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.  I wish her 120 more years! 

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