10 years ago at Christmas....

Gabrielle
Gabrielle Member Posts: 73
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

...I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.  My kids were 12 and 9.  Two years later my beloved father died and one year later, my husband had heart failure (huband currently doing fine).  Today I'm 4 courses away from completing my doctorate which I began 2 years ago. 

The decade started out horribly and is ending wonderfully.  I feel dazed, drained, grateful, and humbled.  Most of all, grateful.  I don't know why I survived while wonderful bc women I met, died. 

I wish all of of you a blessed peaceful holiday season and much strength as you endure this journey we're on.

Gabrielle

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Comments

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2009

    Gabrielle,  We all wonder, but will never know why.  Thank you for sharing your 10 years of health and the journey you've had. Strength to you, too.  G.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited December 2009

    Fabulous!!!

    Gabrielle, I see that you had Herceptin. it would be great if you posted your story on the Her2 forum as well.

    I love story's like this!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited December 2009

    Thank you for posting! How wonderful that you've moved beyond in such a great way! 

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

    Love your story too!  I wish you another 10 years of much happiness and then another 10 years, and then another!!  Thanks so much for sharing!

    Happy Holidays!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited December 2009

    thanks indeed

    many more to you!

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  • Ihopeg
    Ihopeg Member Posts: 399
    edited December 2009

    Danielle,

     Your story made me cry!! You are truly a warrior!!! Happy 10 year anniversary and many more!

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited December 2009

    Congratulations!!!!!

    You have been truly blessed.

    Jacqueline

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  • Moissy
    Moissy Member Posts: 550
    edited December 2009

    Congratulations, Gabrielle, ...er, soon to be Dr. Gabrielle. Congratulations on all that you have done. Merry Christmas!

    Moissy

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2009

    Great news....10 years....awesome....what a milestone.....

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited December 2009

    Great story...very encouraging.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited December 2009

    Congrats....Thank you for taking the time to post your story. Really inspiring....

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited December 2009

    Beautiful story..  Thank you!!  My sincere wishes that your good news continues..

    And my sincere wishes for us all to have stories similar to yours in the years to come.

    Beth

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited December 2009

    Thank you for your inspiration.  I hope all continues to be well in the coming year.

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited December 2009

    Thanks for coming on and posting this. Those of us who are newly diagnosed find great comfort and courage from stories like yours.

    Merry Christmas

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited December 2009

    Thank you for sharing your story - I hope to be back here in ten years sharing a wonderful storry like yours.......

    Merry Christmas.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2009

    Thank you, thank you. You are such an inspiration.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited December 2009

    Wishing you a very joyful Christmas!  It would be a just and appropriate ending to the decade for you. 

    Thank you so much for taking the time to come back to these boards.  Women like you are an inspiration. 

    Getting a doctorate!  I'm 51 and my field of work has been computers which meant continual learning.  Here I am thinking it's time to slow down and you are doing the opposite.  Thank you for reminding me that after tx is done there is no reason for me not to go back and re-energize the passion.

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  • DCMom
    DCMom Member Posts: 624
    edited December 2009

    Woo Hoo- you are a Christmas Present to us all.  Stay strong

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited December 2009

    Ten years is a wonderful gift...good for you

    Congrats on almost getting your doctorate..

    that surely takes alot of work...what are you 

    getting it in???

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited December 2009

    Ditto!

    What a wonderful Christmas gift for all of us!!!

    Thank you so much.

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited December 2009

    Oh, I forget to ask, what was your diet, exercise and lifestyle for past 10 years?  Please tell us in detail, it maybe be insignificant to you but it will be a great reference if you would share with us.  Please, please, I will put sugar on top !.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited December 2009

    Beautiful story, Gabrielle!  Thank you for taking the time to post it.  We get a lot of bad news here on the forums, but many of us suspect that there are a lot of great stories out there that we aren't hearing.  You are an inspiration!

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  • Gabrielle
    Gabrielle Member Posts: 73
    edited December 2009

    Thank you all for the good wishes.  I remember how much survival stories meant to me when I was first dx.  What a great feeling it is to now provide that hope to others.

    My doctorate will be in Business Adminstration (DBA).  I'm a CPA, work full time for the Federal government, teach college accounting part-time, and then also go to school myself.  I find keeping busy keeps me plugged in and reduces cancer to the tiny little box in which it belongs. I'm 54 now and there is a 72-year old woman in my doctoral cohort -- now, *she's* an inspiration! 

    I eat lots of fruits, veggies and meat -- kind of a modified Atkins in that I eat a lot of fruit.  But, I drink coffee, indulge in chocolate, and have the occasional drink   -- so, nothing too extreme.

    Feeling wistful for the real warriors I got to know over the past 10 years who, certainly through no fault of their own, weren't as fortunate as me.  I feel like they are my guardian angels as I continue to slug it out here on earth.  :) 

    Again, much strength and peace to all of you.  I used to pray to God that if it weren't his plan to make me well, at least give me peace of mind.  I swear He came through for me when I prayed that prayer to him.  Hope it all works for you too.

    -Gabrielle

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited December 2009

    Congratulations & Merry Christmas :)

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited December 2009

    10 years and going on*** what can be better then that. thanks for sharing your story.  it comes at a good time for all of us.  i am looking forward to 8 years in feb.  life continues.  life is strong.  life is stronger then cancer.

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  • fortunate1
    fortunate1 Member Posts: 644
    edited December 2009

    Thank you for sharing hope with us. I am at one year since my Christmas chaos. I am aiming for your 10 years and beyond, and holding strong that I will continue to be a fortunate1.

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited December 2009

    Thank you so much for sharing this...as I am at my first Christmas with a very node positive cancer. Congratulations and here's to another 10 for us all!!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited December 2009

    Gabrielle:

    God drops angels such as yourself into our lives to keep us inspired.  Bless you always.

    Linda 

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  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited December 2009

    Oh, Gabrielle, thanks so much for posting this.  Today is the 1-year anniversary of my double-mastectomy.  I'm doing extremely well after all of my treatments but every once in a while I get afraid that my upbeat outlook will come back to bite me in the butt.  Seeing posts like yours gives me the strength to continue on this path.

    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Diane 

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  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited December 2009

    Congrat Gabrielle on 10 years.

    My story also started at Christmas and I have just got to 13 years. 

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