Living with a Stage IIIC diagnosis

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Christy - you know, that is the right attitude. Sometimes still i second guess my treatment, then I remind myself - it is done with , I can't go back and change anything, I can only move forward. Do you have a surgery date??

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for reposting your story.....and congrats on coming up on 6 years....even at 4 years, I worry.....but each positive story of long term healthy survival is news to my ears!!!

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2010

    Hi ladies,

    Thanks Jaqueline and others for your hopeful posts, truly inspiring.  I debated whether I would bother reading the stage 3 boards but morbid curiosity drew me here I guess.  I was happily ensconced in my stage 2 world until after surgery and even after the pathology report I was still thinking 2 but really I had to admit I am a 3 (the whole sneaky ILC thing really is irritating!!!).  But nothing actually changed from knowing the pathyology to asking my onc and accepting the stage 3 diagnosis (10 cm tumour bed, 6/8 nodes).  Our brains are funny.

    I was hopeful and optimistic with my treatment and outcome (14xTaxol, Zoladex, FECx4, to come: 5.5 weeks rads, Tamoxifen, Zometa, exercise, what else.....) before I heard the 3, then I tanked and now I am back again.  I have great docs and I am very lucky that I have managed chemo fine and will do whatever else I have to.  That is all I know and I will just keep doing this.  But the mental battle really is the hardest. 

    Stay strong and keep up your chin!  That is our part, and some days it is pretty hard but the support here is amazing!

    Have a great weekend ladies!

    Yo

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited March 2010

    Kerry -

    Still waiting to hear back from scheduler.  Looking at sometime during the third full week of April.  I'll add it to my signature as soon as it's confirmed.  In the meantime I just have to forget that the zookeepers came through and rattled my cage....  What's done is done.

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2010

    Good luck AnacortesGirl!  You are holding up great and surgery will be great too.  Will it be lumpectomy or mast?  I haven't seen any of your posts for a while so have lost track.  For me it was a great relief to finally have the surgery over with, it was like a big build up.  I hope it is a good thing for you too.

    All the best and hugs!

    Yo

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited March 2010

    morbid curiosity? What? lol-stage 3 doesn't mean were dying-were thriving!

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited March 2010

    Hey Yo!

    It's a double mast.  Slam-dunk with the positive BRCA 2 results.

    I'm sorry you had to go through the mind warp of changing from stage 2 to 3.  But your tx has been on the stage 3 path from the beginning so hopefully you didn't have too many surprises.

    Join the group!  It's a great bunch of ladies.

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2010

    I was in my perverse, scared, denial stage.  Funny, I was pretty much OK until something ticked over in my brain.  Stupid mental game!!!!!!!

    But you are right, life is good!  We have a lot of great treatment and care options.

    Cheers!

    Yo

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  • ktn
    ktn Member Posts: 181
    edited March 2010

    When I first met my surgeon I already knew I had an ILC tumour in each breast and they were 4cm and 5cm. He examined me and felt lymph nodes felt fine. After I was told 5 lymph nodes on the right, none on left. Got called days later and though the sentinal node was initially negative on the left, something showed up. More surgery and 4 + nodes on the left. Sooo...stage IIIa on both sides! I really freaked out but the onc has told me because of the ILC it doesn't mean twice as bad. She has said the Arimidex is the best for me now. I agree with the gals that we need to enjoy today and try not to get overwhelmed. I like to think that if something does happen, we'll have even newer treatment options. Also there are alot of stage IV posters who are doing well~ they are an inspiration to me too!

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2010

    Hey AnacortesGirl,

    So BMX it is, yes you were on that path as well.  I hope it all goes well and smoothely.  As with everything along this path once you adjust it is not so bad.  Hugs and best wishes!!!

    Yes it is a great group of ladies and I am appreciative of all the great words of support and inspiration.  I have been very lucky to find this site, it has been reassuring and positive and most importantly, shows us all that this is doable and life is wonderful!

    Have a great day ladies!

    Yo

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2010

    Wow,

    You all inspire me so much!  Jacqueline, what an awesome post, I just printed it to read again when I get down.  And Yo, you are SOOO right about the mind games.  The whole reason I started this thread was because I had it all set in my mind that I was a IIIa, and then when I realized I was really a IIIc it just shocked the s&#t out of me!  Don't know why, but it did. Anacortes---best wishes on the surgery.  For me I found chemo MUCH harder than the surgery (BMX too---although of course it's not a walk in the park either, pain meds are a must ::)).  You'll do great---I feel it!

    And all you other wonderful ladies THANK YOU AGAIN!

    Love,

    Sharon Sealed

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  • JmMorgan
    JmMorgan Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2010

    I was diagnosed Stage IIIC in March 2005 (11/13 nodes), so I just hit the five year mark. I didn't celebrate (I'm a bit too superstitious to do that) and I still worry, but I am hopeful that the cancer won't return. Being diagnosed with a Stage III cancer is overwhelming, but it's not a death sentence. Hang in there all!

    By the way, my treatment consisted of: lumpectomy, dose dense chemo, radiation, oopherectomy, and I'm still on Femara and probably will be for another two years.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2010

    I like to go back and read Jacqueline's 5yr post from time to time-it's beautifully written, hopeful and encouraging-to us and to all the new women coming on these boards.  It brings tears to my eyes EVERY time I read it.  Hope is a beautiful thing!

    Love to All

    Bobbie

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