9 Year Anniversary

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DebbieB
DebbieB Member Posts: 161
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

9 years ago on Halloween (trick or treat!) I was dx'd with bc at age 45.  I was Grade 3, Stage 2, ER-/PR-/highly HER+++.  In 2001, there was nothing good about being HER+.  What little info you could find was not very positive.  At that time, I think there were only about 4 or 5 of us on the board that were HER+ because only about 25% of us fall in the HER+ category.  I did 4 rounds of AC chemo and 35 rads.  Herceptin was in the infant stages at that time and only given to Stage 4 so I never got Herceptin.  So here I am 9 years later still kicking!   3 Years ago I did find out I had heart damage from the Adriamycin.  My EF got down to 18% but with heart meds it is back up to 60%.   I'll be on heart meds the rest of my life but that's OK. 

This web site has gone bejerk in the years since I first joined in early 2002.  There were only about 4 topics and probably 100 regulars with Sunshine pretty much the leader.  Marci Beth was a producer on the CBS morning show and when she got BC did a story which blew Breastcancer.org out of the water.  She brought together Sunshine and 3 other ladies from Breastcancer.org together on TV.  It was amazing and this site is amazing.  It can help get you thru a difficult time.

I remember as a "newbie" wanting to find long term survivors who were HER+.  Not sure if 9 years is long term yet but I'm thrilled to be here!

 Debbie

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Comments

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited November 2010

    Debbie...Thank You for sharing your news. Many many more to come...........

    Hugs

    Sheila

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2010

    Thank you Sheila!  I love that.

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited November 2010

    Congrats and thanks for sharing!  Love reading these type of posts!!!  :)

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited November 2010

    WHOOP WHOOP!!! i'd say 9 years is a long term survival story! Especially you coming from an era that didnt see much hope for the her2+ ladies

    Doesnt it feel awesome to look back over the last 9 years and see how your words and so many others have changed us newbie's lives?!!!!!

    You're awesome!

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  • redsoxfan
    redsoxfan Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2010

    Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And many more--for you and all of us.

    WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Phenomenal news at the end of the "pink month."

    God bless us all.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited November 2010

    Debbie.. thank you for coming back to share this! CONGRATS!

    I would give ANYTHING to know the original history of BCO and the Forums here. How could one... go back in the archives and read? That would be SO AMAZING!

    ((hug))

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited November 2010

    WOW!!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  Hers+ and nine years withs no Herceptin....absolutely amazing! Hope you have many, many more years!  You are inspirational.

    Love n hugs.  chrissyb

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2010

    Estepp, I believe that Breastcancer.org discussion boards started in either 2000 or 2001.  I didn't find the site until early 2002 when I was finishing chemo and starting rads. At that time there were around 100 regulars (Sunshine, Anne, Pepper, Sprite, Ginger, Marci Beth to name a few).  I wished I had found it before starting chemo because that was the absolutely scariest thing I had ever gone thru at that point in my life and I had NEVER known anyone personally who had cancer or had done chemo.  I can still remember that fear going for that first infusion.  I was so sure I would be able to feel it burning thru my veins.  And I was absolutely AMAZED that I could walk out when I was thru.

    It is such a wonderful place for women to get support from others who know and understanding what it is like to be dx'd with the big C to help get us thru those fears, anxiety and doubts.

    It is also hard to believe that you will ever get past that phase when cancer seems to consume your life.... but it does come. 

    Thanks for the warm wishes!

    Debbie

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  • LJ13-2
    LJ13-2 Member Posts: 235
    edited November 2010

    You're an inspiration Debbie. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2010

    That is awesome Debbie! We all need to hear from you! I was so scared being diagnosed with HER 2 and as well being ER-, Pr- just like you! Thanks for the story. It makes me feel soooooo much better! Big hugs to you!

    Cathy xo

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Debbie, thanks so much.  It's encouraging to know that BC does not necessarily mean it's all over!  We need many more like you to post sor the newbies who come and are so afraid. 

    Again, thanks.

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

    Yay Debbie!! Nine years is so terrific!! Wow, what an inspiration you are!

    I wish you many more happy years ahead!!

    Hugs,

    Lexi

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  • Kellke
    Kellke Member Posts: 424
    edited November 2010

    Nine years is cause for a party!  Thanks for sharing your news with us.  Kelly

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  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited November 2010

    celebrate

    Debbie I just want to say wow that is such an amazing accomplishment. I am Her2 - so that is not even an option for me. I think is is wonderful that you shared part of your story here with us. Thank you

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  • kirismum
    kirismum Member Posts: 86
    edited November 2010
    Boy, am I glad to hear from you!!  LaughingLaughingLaughing
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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited November 2010

    Debbie, thanks for sharing your story, both about the origins of BC.org and of how you are doing now. That is so encouraging to hear. 9 years out!!! WOO HOO!!

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited November 2010

    Congrats Debbie on being 9 years out!!  Really an inspitation to all of us Her2ers!!

    I'm 4 years out - triple + - I had chemo, Herceptin, Tamoxifen and am currently on Femara.
    Diagnosis: 10/16/2006, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2010

    Sheila congratulations! Thanks so much for sharing your story.

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  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited November 2010

    Congrats!!! I'm close to 6 yrs out... thanks for sharing your story and that of this website.  I didn't know those things. 

    I was one of the first gals to get Herceptin when went off trial in may of '05 for stage 3A. 

    This website and all the wonderful gals here helped me so much!!!

    Again, congrats!

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited November 2010

    I finish herceptin December 1, 2010.  December 1, 2020 I will be here to post my success.  :) 

    Thank you for sharing your story.

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2010

    Ann, congrats on almost finishing herceptin!  I look forward to seeing your post in 10 years and all the congratulations you will get on being 10 years out!

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  • good
    good Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2010
    LaughingLook out, I 6 years from dx and catching up to you! 
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  • blondie45
    blondie45 Member Posts: 580
    edited November 2010

    Congrats, that is fantastic, hope you have many more!  Thanks for giving those of us that are only 1 year out hope.

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  • shadow2356
    shadow2356 Member Posts: 393
    edited November 2010

    It is great to hear these stories. Thanks! I am also ER/PR- and Her2+. When I was first diagnosed I had a doctor tell me it was the worst case scenario. I think that has changed with herceptin now. I am almost finished with that :). I LOVE these survivor stories. They keep me going when I am getting down.

    I wish you all the best in the future!!!!!!!!

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  • heathermcd
    heathermcd Member Posts: 142
    edited November 2010

    Thank you SO much for sharing! Congratulations on 9 years!!

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2010

    MaryEllen, I can imagine the anxiety you experienced when your doctor told you that!  My own surgeon told my husband I'd be lucky to be alive in 2 years!  Thank goodness they have come a long way with HER+ bc!!!!

    Thanks everyone for the Congrats!  It's good to be here and I look forward to posting congrats on your posts when you have 5 and 10 and 20 year anniversaries!

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