any long term survivors with lymph node involvement out there?

Options
245

Comments

  • memory
    memory Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    I just met a woman who's a 20-year survivor, three positive nodes. And she was only forty at the time of diagnosis. I posted about her in the stage II forum but thought I'd post about her here. I also met a node positive survivor three years out. So they are out there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited November 2010

    Diane, just celebrated my 8th cancerversary yesterday. Had five positive nodes that were surrounded by tumors, clotted together, a real mess. Have been just fine since my initial treatment.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • caitedidruns
    caitedidruns Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2010

    This thread just gave me a sign of hope. 

    I met a woman, who is a 20 year breast cancer survivor. She owns this lovely shop in NYC - Underneath it All. I was pretty low yesterday finding out I had 3+ nodes, then I ran into this woman shopping for a wig. Sometimes God places people in your life to give you a sign of hope when you have only a thread to hang onto.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ProudMom_Wife
    ProudMom_Wife Member Posts: 634
    edited December 2010

    Thank you all for posting your wonderful stories of survival.  Although I am still scared, it truly gives me hope.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Member Posts: 846
    edited December 2010

    Just thought I'd let you know my mom had 19 of 20 lymph nodes involved, she is a 21 year cancer survivor and no recurrence!!!  Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sam52
    sam52 Member Posts: 950
    edited December 2010

    This is all such heartening reading........

    I wonder what grade tumor the long-term node-positive people have? I would be very interested to know if any of you can find out, as I am wondering whether this makes any difference to the survival.

    Keep the stories coming!

    Sam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2010

    There is thread pinned to the top of the Stage III boards for women who are 5 years out to check in.  You may find inspiration from women who had positive nodes and large tumors, but are thriving past the 5 year mark.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • friendhelper
    friendhelper Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2010

    This is inspiring. Where are you treated and how?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited August 2013

    I was diagnosed at age 41 with a grade III 4 cm tumour, with 3 positive lymph nodes.  I am 5 years+ survivor.

    There is tons of HOPE and dont forgot it!!!

     Love
    Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited December 2010

    This helps so much to hear good news about surviving.

    Would anyone care to share what chemo treatments they had after finding the positive nodes? I'm trying to make the best decision about what to do next after my surgery heals.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bambi380
    bambi380 Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2010

     Greetings:

     I am Stage IIB with 2 postive nodes containing "a little cancer" (Onc's words). In the last two weeks the 3.5cm tumor was removed and I recieved my port for Christmas. Smile  The doctor "highly recommended" I not return to my 26 year teaching career in the "hood" until after the chemo. Thus, I filed the retirement papers. My first TAC chemo is tomorrow (Dec. 20) and I must confess this has been one heck of a science lesson.

    I just keep thinking one thing.......

     "When will I get back on the golf course and play like ME?" It keeps me going.........

    bambi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited December 2010

    Hi Lee,

    I was er/pr+, 4 cm tumour, IDC and a grade III.  I had 3 positive lymph nodes.  

    I did 6 months of chemo, 8 treatments - 4 a/c and 4 taxol once every 3 weeks.  I am not only SURVIVING but thriving and you can too!!!

    Good Luck with your chemo treatments!

    Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluesky
    bluesky Member Posts: 389
    edited December 2010

    Curlylocks-Did you take Tamoxifen?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited December 2010

    I am so happy to see all these positive outcomes.  I really needed to see these as did I know some other people too. I find myself looking at everyone's info on what stage they are, ER, PR and HER2 status, lymph node involvement etc. Then when I see someone much better than me I say, "Dang why can't I have their diagnosis?" Then when I see someone with what I think looks worse off than me I say, "Oh that's too bad"  Am I the only insane one who does this?  It's like an obsession and I am wanting to constantly see good stories about people in my same position but in reality I know anyone's situation can improve and decline no matter what stage and grade they are.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited March 2013

    Curly locks,

    So glad to hear you are doing great. I think I will ask my onc again about what chemo he thinks is best for me now that I know I'm 2 nodes out of 25. How did you do with AC? That's the part I'm afraid of.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited December 2010

    Nora, That is so honest of you to say! Yes I do it too! I'm sure many do. Isin't it human nature? We all need to haer good outcomes and stories! It gives us the hope and inspiration that we to will be OK!  Have a great holiday seasona all! Lets' move on to a great, happy, very healthy New Year!  God Bless! xox

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited December 2010

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!  And everyone else as well!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited December 2010

    Bluesky - I am on Armidex...4 months to go until i am done my 5 years!   I did Zoladex injections for the first 1 1/2 years (diagnosed at age 41) to be able to go on it....had ovaries removed over 2 years ago.

    Lee - A/c was a difficult chemo for me...taxol was much easier -----not sorry that I did it.  I am happy, healthy and cancer free.... that is the prize at the end of all of this.  All the best with your chemo, it is doable but physically and emotionally exhausting -- biggest thing to remember is it is TEMPORARY to get back to good health!

     A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone and big hugs for those ladies just starting this journey...you can do this!!!!

    Michele

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited January 2011

    6 year survivor here Stage IIB !

    Hugs to all my warrior sisters!

    Marcia

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Barbarjud
    Barbarjud Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2011

    It is so wonderful to see all those hands raised for node positive cancer suvivors and thrivers.  Did any of you take tamoxifen? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sanbar8771
    sanbar8771 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2011

    Marsha, what did you do to keep the cancer from returning? I am 34 years old and just finished treatment. I had 2 node positive and I am very scared. I am so happy to hear your story. Thank you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sadiesmom
    Sadiesmom Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2011

    Wow! I just found this topic and all of you give me hope! My mom has been diagnosed with idc, triple hormone neg. She had her mastectomy this past Monday and the surgeon hinted to extensive lymph node involvement. She goes back Monday to get her drains out and get the path report back from the lymph nodes( i assume), and hopefully, soon after get to the onc. I started a thread under the just diagnosed column and have had alot of wonderful people help me through this. I'm an only child and my mom is my best friend. She's 52 and healthy(until now). And she's doing great! I'm just happy so many of you are willing to share your stories because there have been times when this website has kept me from going into panic mode!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited May 2011

    I know a 70 yr old woman in a support group who is 15+ yr survivor who had it in her lymph nodes. (I spoke to her before I had my lumpectomy and she said not to worry so much about the lymph nodes). She took tamoxifen. (Before the days of AI?). Unfortunately, I don't have more details, but it's inspiring.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited November 2011

    Sanbar, Just noticed that your diagnosis was really close to mine. I've had surgery but haven't heard yet whether the docs will recommend chemo and/or radiation. What treatments did you have, and how did you do?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited November 2011

    Hello sweetie, I HOPE this really encourages you, I am a 17 yr(stage 2 with 3 nodes involved) Praise God and I believe with all my heart as I have said on this site since 2007 HOPE and POSITIVE thinking and of course my Faith has kept me here this long, I was told several times here that most long term survivors don,t come back to the site when they are cancer free BUT God has made me all my life the kind of person who loves to help others even as a child, so this is my purpose for being on this Earth and I really really take loving others to heart, especailly those going through, I now know that God never meant me to die but use my Gift of Loving to help others, So sweetie, you are my sister and hold on and know I,m here for you and for ALL.  msphil

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 527
    edited May 2013

    Hi I had a similar diagnosis to you 8/9/2008 so coming up to 5 years 2 tumours 10mm each hormone pos grade 3 1 lymph involved

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 527
    edited May 2013

    Hi I am coming up to 5 years makes you feel nervous feel so much better after reading your stories. In Australia where I live I don't know many long term survivors I sure they are out there just don't talk about it dx 8/9.08 grade 3 two tumours 1/2 cm each 1 node involved

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 527
    edited May 2013

    Hi msphil I was in Philly travelling from aust last may so great to hear your story encourages me as I feel a but down lately . I have so many friends who abuse their bodies never get anything wrong I was a non drinker non smoker runner who ate well I get mad sometimes at the unfairnes oif cancer I guess it doesn't discriminate delvzy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2013

    Welcome Delvzy! We are happy that you find this a helpful and supportive community.

    You say that you don´t know many long term survivors where you live. As a suggestion you may want to check out the Australian and New Zealand Breast Cancer Survivors forum. This may help you find other members in your area to talk about your concernes. 

    ---Your Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • new_direction
    new_direction Member Posts: 449
    edited May 2013

    thank you all for posting here and giving hope to others. I try to do my best to stay on >50% positive but some days it's difficult. This was great reading. Congratulations to you all. I hope I can write here as well in 5, 10 years out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories