Stage III 15+ Years?

I have a facebook friend who is 11 years out at stage 3 ( 2 tumours one was bleeding cancer)..

I also have a family friend who had a grapefruit tumour and 11 plus nodes who was 12 years out and she had a local reoccurence then went another 10 years-so 22 years total. SHE decided to NOT take hormonals and feels strongly that is why it came back.

I will just second what Jen said - anyone dx 15 years ago had a very very different treatment than you did.

That being said, there are of course thousands and thousands of women dx Stage 3, 15, 20, 30 years ago who are still going strong. Thousands. I would also bet that not many of them are still frequenting BC message boards.....

You know, you have done your best. You have thrown everything you can at it. You fought for your life, now go live it.

I love these stories.  It really do give me a lot of hope.  Thanks for sharing!

I have a friend who is over 10 years - she will be 11 in November - stage 3, huge tumor and 5 nodes.  And my friends mom - 4 nodes is 8 or 9 years out.

Back then they didn't classify her stage III, but she would be today.

Great point. Since the classification system has changed, it is another reason we can't rely on old statistics.  We are the new generation of Stage III and we can beat it.

Be sure and check out the new posts to the Stage III 5 years+ check in thread.  Very encouraging!

I think the most important point is that survival statistics measure the effectiveness of treatment 10-15 years ago, not what is available today.

I also believe that we will have very different treatments available in only a few years time.  The only thing I can compare this to is infectious diseases before and after antibiotics.  Based on what is going on here in Seattle with brain cancer, I believe that the treatments will be customized and based on genetic research.  Right now, we need to poison any growing cells, and the rest of the body in the process.  Or perhaps a vaccine such as what is becoming available for prostate cancer (also being developed in Seattle).

I have given this a lot of thought bacause, although not Stage 3, I am considered "high risk".  Also odd that I don't think they will ever use that much of the information from the treatment protocol study I am participating in. 

Because, by the time we will be using 10 year survival statistics, we will be well down the path of much more effective and less debilitating treatments.

Wow ladies,

I needed to read this today!  I've been stressing lately and these posts REALLY helped.

Love you all!
Sharon

my mom is a 20 year survivor with stage III. she didn't have a stage back then. she didn't even have chemo (i am checking into that now). she had a mast, radiation and was on tamox for 10 yrs. she did have a recurrance 10 yrs later and went on xeloda then went back into remission had another recurrance 7 years after that and is currently on xeloda. her cancer is stable and she is doing fine. she is 79 and has other health problems (heart, etc) and the cancer is the least of her worries.

hugs,

diane

What a great thread! I have to agree with clariceak~ we have to live and make plans! My mom was diagnosed in 1997 with stage IV lymphoma. It was in her bone marrow and several other places. She had to go through chemo (and losing her hair) twice. By the 2nd time a new drug was out that took care of everything and she is 75 and cancer free for over 10 years. they had been in the process of buying a vacation home in FL and she wondered if they should cancel.Good thing she didn't~ we've had years of good memories there. We often talk about what if she had just given up at her diagnosis? My husband and I just made plans to go with friends to Italy in Sept. I have had aches and pains lately due to gardening and of course the Arimidex. I had a moment of hesitation when I booked without travel insurance but no matter what I am going!At the onc office they always talk about looking ahead and making plans....that's my plan! Kathy

My stepmom is now 15 years out last month, she had chemo, lumpectomoy, rads, tamox, then Femara. My Stepaunt is 25 years out, stage 3 6-8 nodes and all she had was 6 months of chemo and mast. No hormone treatment back then.

My aunt had breast cancer in the mid 1960s - by my math that is almost 50 years ago. There was no talk of stages or chemo then, just radical mastectomy.  She is the only one of 6 siblings still on the planet.