5 year checkup today!!

PeggyDixon
PeggyDixon Member Posts: 125
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Hi everyone....just wanted to tell you that I had my 5 year checkup today after a diagnosis of ILC back in January 2006. At that time I had been misdiagnosed for almost a year so in a way it's been 6 years at least. I am fine - no evidence of cancer and I only have to see my oncologist every year from now on. I know this is not a guarantee but it is a milestone and I wanted to share with you. I am so happy tonight!!! Cool

When I was diagnosed I had a large tumor (11cm!) with lymph node involvement and I thought it was a death sentence. I didn't know anyone with ILC - and then I found this board. People who had been through this and survived were so inspiring and helpful - people like SherriG who I see is still on here helping and encouraging people. After a couple of years, I felt the need to not check in here too much - wanted to try not to think about cancer all the time. But right now I want to share my story especially with those of you who are new to this game! It is possible to get through it and survive! I had a double mastectomy, chemo, rads and hormonals and I am kicking ass right now. I joined a dragonboat team, I am strong, I am fearless, I don't put things off - I flew by myself to see a concert in another country, had a bright fuschia streak put in my hair, love and cherish my kids and family and try not to sweat the small stuff.

So good luck to all of you. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to this board and people like SherriG. Love you all. Sending strength and hugs from Newfoundland, Canada. xoxoxo

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Comments

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

    I may not be a "newbee" but I am oh so inspired by your post, Peggy.  I keep a list of memorable things I have read on this board, things that give me hope, make me happy, and inspire me.  I have copied part of your post into my list.  You have sent me strength, what better gift is there? Giant, warm, hopeful hugs going out to you tonight. G.  

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  • PeggyDixon
    PeggyDixon Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2010

    Hey Sherri and Gitane! So fabulous to hear from you and so happy you both got something from my post. I wish we could meet up for a coffee..or a Pinot Grigio (I had 2 tonight - glasses not bottles of course lol). Anyway, I've changed my avatar but not sure that the pic is large enough to see that streak. That was taken in September at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL - I sang and danced all night, had glammed up hair and makeup and black nail polish. I've since had the streak redone, even brighter this time! lol  None of us can predict the future but we can make sure we have a good time in the present - and to me a good time is having fun but also being compassionate and caring and in touch with the earth and the environment and being there for friends and family and for those who can't help themselves or need a hand. Love you ladies. xoxo

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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited December 2010

    Congratsssssssssss

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited December 2010

    I am still a newbie, finished chemotherapy and about to start radiation, and I have come full circle from being terrified, to feeling in control, to feeling nervous again now. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me hope. I am trying to control the fear and try to remember to be thankful and enjoy every day. I'm definitely not sweating the small stuff anymore. I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. Come back and post again next year, continue to inspire us!

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

    Peggy....congrats on 5 years!!!!  And to moving on to annual visits with your onc!!  I am just behind you in Dx and still see my onc every 3 months....wonder if he'll ever cut the apron string!!!!  I see him again in Feb and that will 5 years almost to the day since our 1st appt.....

    You can "hear" the happiness and how full of life you are in your posts....I'l toast you with a glass (or 2) of wine tonight...my choice is dry red....cabernet, shiraz, merlot.....

    Have a wonderful holiday and 2011 :)

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited December 2010

    WOO HOO PEGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited December 2010

    Congratulations!!!

    How very kind of you to come and share this great news with us.

    Many more!!

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited December 2010

    Peggy, thanks so much for sharing your story.  I was diagnosed on September 15 with pleomorphic ILC and was convinced I only had hours to live.  I am so happy to know that you are alive, well and having a wonderful life five years later.  I too hope to feel alive and vibrant again soon!!  I keep telling everyone that I won't complain about my hair if it will just come back.  Who knows, maybe I will put a bright pink stripe in mine as well!

    Susan

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited December 2010

    Peggy

    Congratulations! I'm pretty new (dx 8/6/10) and am taking Tamoxifen (no chemo/no rads)

    I plan on making it 5-6 years too...I can't wait to post that!

    Thank you for your inspiration

    Jan

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  • Dabulls23
    Dabulls23 Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2010

    Peggy Congratulations and warm hugz...I am so happy and inspired to read your post...I was put on Arimidex for 5 wks and just had to get off yesterday due to major SE...Normally I am extremely positive go getter type person but this meds had made me totally different person post my radiation being on meds...I am also hoping to go back to myself someday may be in near future or 5 yrs from now...Genuinely I am extremely happy for you..Thanks for sharing your story..GOd bless..

    DB 

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited December 2010

    Congrats Peggy!Your story is an inspiration to us !

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  • debi2009
    debi2009 Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2011

    Peggy, thank god you made it gal,  my diag was put off for 3 yrs.  i had every test except mri, nothing showed  it was ILC stage2b  grade1, i am very new here, for the past year i didnt even want to talk about this i was so mad.  now i'm beginning to think i will make it   thx again for the hope you give/debi

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  • sgreenarch
    sgreenarch Member Posts: 528
    edited February 2011

    Peggy, you can't imagine (or maybe you can and that's why you did it) how important it is for those of us who are newly diagnosed, to read posts like yours. Positive stories do happen and it's good to hear those, too. Good luck and thanks.

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited February 2011

    Congrats!  What an amazing story!

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  • kim2005
    kim2005 Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2011

    Congratulations Peggy!

    I just celebrated my 5 years too (Jan 30th) and want to encourage all of you, especially if you've been newly diagnosed.  I took tamoxifen and did have a hysterectomy though I still have my ovaries and am not completely menopausal yet (age 48).  My oncologist says that I'm done and only need to come in yearly now.  I feel really great but I have to admit that sometimes the fears come up, especially with annual MRI's.  At my MRI in December I was called back several times and then the biopsy said that I have PASH.  It wasn't cancer so I was thrilled!  

    I take my supplements, drink lots of green tea, I teach yoga and I adore my 8 year old daughter.  Life is good!  Wishing you all terrific health and peace of mind!

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited February 2011

    WOW, just wow!  I also had an 11 cm mass, so this really hit home. Thanks for posting, your post so very inspiring!  Wishing you many more milestones. 

    Susie

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited February 2011

    This is so good to hear kim2005.  I'm learning a bit of yoga and love it.  I know I'll keep with it.  The MRIs and biopsy had to be an ordeal for you, but it ended well.  Thank you for sharing your good news with us. 

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  • kim2005
    kim2005 Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Gitane!  I really need to get on this board more often bc you women are all such a terrific wealth of information AND inspiration!   I do believe yoga is SO great for our bodies and our souls and let's us find our calm. Wishing you all the best and let me know if you need any yoga tips :) 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2011

    PeggyDixon - YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Congrats and LOVE your outlook, much like MINE....hair and all, I'm always doing something different....and have kicked major booty too, approaching my 5 year this Mother's Day!!!! HUGS!

    StephanieWink

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  • Jalsmama55
    Jalsmama55 Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2011

    YAY PeggyDixon!! Love reading these stories, gives me so much hope! I just finished rads yesterday 4/6/11.. Have been through surgery, chemo and rads since 8/2010. Time to begin healing so I can come back here and report my 5 year all clean report card.. Much love to everyone~Xoxoxo~

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