6 years Stage IIIC....who knew?

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YATCOMW
YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Now 6 years at Stage IIIc

I was diagnosed 6 years today-----May of 2004 with one of the worst pathology imaginable.

8cm tumor X 6cm tumor

no clean margins

skin involvement

chest wall involvement

at least 17 nodes positive

cox 3++++

vascular invasion

extracapsular invasion in two nodes

blah, blah, blah

 

At the time of diagnosis it seemed just impossible to make it this far.

 

I learned that you had to take it slowly…..find small victories…

…each month that I was able to put up a new calendar of events for my children on the frig was a huge win……each month I went to refill my Femara was another victory………each month adding to the next ……..such that today …..I mark six years with a stage IIIC diagnosis.

 

In the beginning I sought hope…..I needed hope….because with HOPE all things are possible. “Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream.  If you have hope, you have everything.”

 

I aspire to provide it….but be sure that I am thrilled when I receive it ---through those ahead of me.

 

May we all be successful in our journey through small victories that become big triumphs. 

 

Jacqueline

 

 

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Comments

  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited May 2010

    How amazing! You had a truly frightening diagnosis. I too remember those days of living day to day, month to month...then the years start to add up and you start to savor victory.I am going to toast you with a big slurpy Marguerita I juiced myself.

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited May 2010

    god that sounds good weesa!!!!

    Jacqueline 

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  • krcll
    krcll Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2010

    I was having one of those fragile days that I seem to get since diagnosis and when I read your story I just burst into tears. Thank you for posting. It means so much to those of us that are coming after you.

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited May 2010

    Just what we need to hear!

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  • reen
    reen Member Posts: 164
    edited May 2010

    You give so many hope.  Thanks!

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  • Flamin_nora
    Flamin_nora Member Posts: 52
    edited May 2010

    Oh my gosh, you made me cry----but they are "good" tears!  congrats on your anniversary (and thanks for thinking of the rest of us who are following your lead)

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited May 2010

    Thanks, jacqueline, for the inspiration you provide to me and to others.  "Take it slow." is great advice.  It's the way I have lived, too, when I was afraid to hope. May you continue to have many of those precious "small victories"!

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited May 2010

    Six years! Fantastic!

    Leah

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  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited May 2010

    I am just thrilled for you ! I,too, am IIIC  22/22+nodes with similar pathology as yours....I am amazed that I am 5 yrs out ! Did we ever in our wildest dreams expect to get so far ??? 

    Goes to show what good docs,excellent treatment , and a lot of prayer will do !Cool

    Congratulations !!!  

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited May 2010

    So great to hear - thanks for sharing!  I love the quote on "hope".

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

    So happy for you!!! Here's 30 more....I couldn't have made it through some days without your emails and support.

    Thank you so so much!

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

    Jacqueline, your emails always make me want to stand up and cheer!  I hope to be following you and making many such posts myself in years to come.  You go, girl! 

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  • Let-It-Be
    Let-It-Be Member Posts: 325
    edited May 2010

    Congrats!! and thank you for sharing!

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited May 2010

    Thanks for posting!  We all love hearing this!!!!!  I do the same thing when I refill my script.  Also when I renewed my driver's license. 

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2010

    This is the best news i have heard for a LONG time; it is worth so much to hear this wonderful and heartwarming news.  congrats from the bottom of my heart*** 

    """""doing the Happy Dance for you"""""""Cool

    Cheers**

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited May 2010

    Diana

    As I said before Diana....you are the one that gives me hope!!!!  

    Keep doing well!!!!!  it lets me know I can too!!

    Jacqueline 

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

    Jacqueline - my goodness, you have just made my day. I read your post with shivers running down my spine. Congratulations to you!!! Just fantastic.

    You have no idea how many times I think of you (and the other "old timers") when I get the crazies, and I think well, if they can do it, there is hope for me too. You have given me so much, thank you.

    Heres to another 60! 

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2010

    Thank you so much for posting!  I have a similar path report - vascular invasion and a bunch of other bad stuff I've managed to push out of my mind.

    Would you mind posting this on the Five Years Out Thread on the top.  That's the one I go to if I start to feel freaked out or low.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited May 2010

    warmest congratulations Jackie.. may it last forever

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  • DCMom
    DCMom Member Posts: 624
    edited May 2010

    6 years and counting.  Here's to big numbers and lots of joy in the process!  Congratulations.

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited May 2010

    Such great news!! Thanks for sharing with us. I wish you many more happy and healthy years ahead.

    Hugs,

    Lexi

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  • sue_blue
    sue_blue Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2010

    Thanks so much for sharing; it is very encouraging and poignant. I am so happy that you can continue to put up those calendars of events. I, too, love the hope quote. Congratulations and may you make many, many more mileage markers.  (((hugs)))

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited May 2010

    congratulations Jacqueline! Your story is a testimony to hope for all!

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  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited May 2010

    thank you, jaquiline for posting. some of us "girls" were just talking about our anxiety..and ther u r! six years, and counting. my path was light weight, but i get so anxious some days. i love all those little reminders, refill meds. etc. will be following your lead.  thanks for not forgetting those of us folloeing in your footsteps. with much admiration and well wishes, 3jaysmom

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  • kylesmom
    kylesmom Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2010

    that is great news keep doing what your doing thanks for the hope!

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

    Fantastic news!!

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  • Sunflower64
    Sunflower64 Member Posts: 166
    edited May 2010

    Jacqueline,

    Congrats!! and thanks for posting! you have made us all feel so good about HOPE.

    My cousin is 10 yrs out with stage III. In return, I hope this gives you more HOPE!!!

    Diane

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  • JacquelineG
    JacquelineG Member Posts: 282
    edited May 2010

    You have given me hope from the time I was diagnosed - almost 2 years ago! Thank you so much for your uplifting posts and CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!!!!!  Yahoo!!

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited May 2010

    Jacqueline, you & Diana are leading me onward as I pass my 4-year mark - I too had skin involvement, 10 positive nodes w/extranodal extension, multifocal cancer cells throughout my entire right breast.... I thought I was a goner for sure!  I may still be, but I've managed to squeeze an extra 4 years of quality out of my life so far!

    Thanks for carrying the torch for us...

    Julie 

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited May 2010

    Jaqueline, you rock!  Congratulations.....and can't wait to see you come back and announce the 36th. :)

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