Personal Successes after BC

DCMom · February 2011

I've noticed some newbies coming onboard and then everyminute posted about finishing a half-marathon in record time so I thought we should spend a bit of time posting what we have achieved in our normal lives since getting over this "hurdle" in the road. After all it does get better...

I finished my Master's in Elementary Education, started running up to 4 miles regularly, saw my son graduate highschool and start at the Air Force Academy, saw my littles grow from 5 and 7 years to 8 and 10 years.

It's a new normal, but that doesn't have to be a bad normal.

NattyOnFrostyLake · February 2011

That is very inspiring, DCMom.

I like the new normal.

JacquelineG · February 2011

Good idea!

I'm not a marathon runner but I did become a runner during chemo and I am now officially addicted! Hope to run my first half marathon in November.

I too have watched my 2, 6 and 7 year old kids grow to 5, 9 and 10, and expect many more years to come

:-)

Jackie

caaclark · February 2011

I have been on several cool vacations, watched my children go from 4, 6 and 8 to 9, 11 and 13, gone back into teaching (was off before cancer) part time AND published a children's book (see signature line).

karen1956 · February 2011

These are not necessarily my personal accomplishments, but rather those of my wonderful children......

1. oldest DD graduate college and get married

2. son go to Israel 2 times and now in Hawaii for college

3. younger DD start middle school

4. trip to Israel with DH and younger DD and trip to Israel with older DD to participate in the first Israel RFTC

5. force early retirement but now working part-time for a different school district and getting positive feedback

6. celebrated 33 years of marriage

Thursday 2/3 is 5 years from hearing the dreaded news "its breast cancer"....my children are 5 years older...now 12, 21 and 24 and of course I am 5 years older as well....54

Its a long hard journey, but doable....hoping to grow to be a cranky old lady, instead of a middle aged cranky lady!!!

KerryMac · February 2011

This is a great idea!

I too took up running last year, am totally hooked and ran my first half marathon last October, two years after my Diagnosis.

I've seen my kids through three more birthdays each and three Christmases.

I got a dog, which I had always wanted, but I never thought it was the right time.

I spent last summer building raised gardens and paths in my back yard, full of Perennials, so I can watch them bloom for years and years.

AND we just got back from an amazing cruise, which we never would have justified spending the money on before!

barbe1958 · February 2011

I saw my two kids get married (not to each other!) and then my daughter and step-daughter both had babies last September. A third grandson is due with my son's wife in March. I have been blessed.

Lovegolf · February 2011

I had taken a Buddist class in meditation 3 weeks before I fought out about the cancer...I now have an active practice and have also begun yoga....funny things if acted about successes before the C I would list professional one; now I list personal ones. This changes success, but I like it.

cathmg · February 2011

Inspiring stories-life is indeed good.

Some highlights of the past 2 1/2 years since diagnosis:

Seeing my daughter graduate from HS and get accepted into the college of her choice.

Seeing my son start high school and get his driver's license ( I even taught him to parallel park)

Taking a trip to Ireland to visit family.

Visiting the Met in NYC

Starting a new job just months post-chemo. They thought my short spiky do was my choice!

I started running and am working out-I just got another position in my same company doing member services at our gym!

I have a sparkly "past/present/future" diamond ring-never could justify the cost before.

I've started studying tarot cards.

I'm getting a tattoo for my birthday this month!

I feel so grateful for all these experiences-especially being here for my kids' milestones.

Celtic_Spirit · February 2011

It's been almost three years since I was diagnosed, and for a time, it felt like I would have no future. For once, I'm glad I was wrong! Here's a few things I've done since I ended treatment in Nov. 2008:

1. Received my certificate in digital media

2. Learned how to shoot and edit video

3. Am currently working on my certificate in grant writing

4. Began playing racquetball and working out at the gym after a hiatus of several years

5. Starting a hiking blog and finished (well, almost!) my cat care Website

6. Won several first, second, and third place ribbons at the county fair for my needlework

7. Had photographs accepted into several juried photography shows, winning an Honorable Mention on one

8. Adopted two 7-month old kitties that I adore!

9. Took up zumba

10. Started working in stained glass again.

11. Took some awesome vacations!

Not bad for someone who thought she had no future only three years ago! Honestly, I feel better than ever and attack every day with gusto!

Nancy10102006 · February 2011

I have kept up with reading but haven't often posted - but this is a great topic - thanks!

I have seen my daughter get married (a year and a half ago).

I will be a grandmother in September!

My son is graduating from law school this May and I will be there!

My husband graduated from law school and is now a practicing attorney. He was in law school when I was diagnosed and we decided together that he should continue.

I have the best job that I've ever as a registrar at a four year college and loving it.

I thought life was over four years ago - and still worry every day - but there is life after Stage III breast cancer.....just hope we all keep on experiencing more and more :-)

Life is good!

jenn3 · February 2011

It's been a 1 1/2 years since diagnosis for me............

Enjoyed my youngest daughter's wonderful senior year of high school and enjoyed helping her off for her first year of college...........

After being gone from work for 6 months I received the best review I've ever gotten at work - They told me the realized how much I do and how well I make "them" look...........also got a great raise!!!

I realized that I don't always have to be the strong one, it's okay to let someone else take care of me and learned to accept help.

Currently I am on a misson to clean out everything I've saved for another time that I will never use, reorganizing everything and planning my Spring garden.

Have realized that although life is not perfect and there will be rough times, I LOVE MY LIFE, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS AND BCO SISTA'S.........

everyminute · February 2011

Life is good!

When I was going through chemo I was determined to do "something" on my good weekends so during chemo I spent a weekend in Saratoga with my hubby, went to NYC, got a pug puppy, and started running again.

Ran my first post chemo 5k a week after finishing chemo (slow and ugly)

Since treatment ended I have been to Ireland, on a cruise, done one and a half triathalons (dont ask!!!), three half marathons (two in the past month), and run a full marathon.

Got my personal training certification, started 3 exercise programs for cancer survivors locally, became well known in the community as a mentor for cancer survivors (get refferals from ACS, my oncologist, my rad oncologist, the onco nurses and several other local not for profits and doctors), won the Komen Make a Difference award, interviewd on tv as a "todays woman" and still managed to hold down a job ( and do quite well - opened two more offices), raise my kids (including getting one kid to collge) and adore my husband.

I have gotten 6 tattoos and love each one.

I cared for my father and then buried him.

I have gone to 5 funerals aside from my dads - 3 for people younger than me who were not sick when i was diagnosed.

I have a group of friends I adore, my husband is my best friend, my daughters are wonderful people who I like to be around. I have met quite a few of my bc sistahs and have a special bond with them that is beyond words.

I have more energy than most people - go from 530am til after 8pm most days and love everyminute of it (hence the name).

Great idea, DC - cant wait to run with you soon (and you too Kerry)

Mamita49 · February 2011

Let me ad:

1. my oldest (23 years) getting her Master in Biology in Europe ( what a special lovely girl)

2. My youngest going in 3 weeks to Senegal on a trip to teach French ( wonderful lovely girl)

3. Opened-up my own School, and getting known rapitly for special Pre-K programs

4. Went on several trips across Canada

5. Going this spring to Holland and Turkey ALONE with my oldest daughter

6. Loving my husband more and more

7. Seing my youngest daughter getting known as a competition horseback rider

8. Meeting this special friend who had BC too, and giving nutritional cooking classes to me, coaching me with ALL the good food advices you can get. ( Very healthy eating.)

9. Loosing 5 pounds and having my best weight ever

10. Doing exercise in gym at least 3 times a week

The list can go on and on, but for me the best thing is seeing my girls doing well, being with them,

and most of all

Love, Love, Love that I can give and receive so much.......

Best to all of you

Carol

kim40 · February 2011

Great thread! Thanks for starting this! Here are some of my personal accomplishments

1. I appreciate my family more and more each day

2. I know longer take things for granted anymore.

3. I started to exercise and looking after myself more.

4. I lost 40 pounds.

5. I went zip lining and I am afraid of heights

6. I went to my very first outdoor concert.

7. I got my motorcycle license.

8. I volunteer

9. I started our first local breast cancer support group.

10. My husband, son and I are going to Disney in 12 days and I can't wait.

11. I have learned to have more patience.

The list could go on and on.....

I LOVE my life!

Claire_in_Seattle · February 2011

Wonderful topic! Congrats to everyone posting here.

I have branched out on my consulting work. Of course, I am trying to juggle both gigs now.

I was already working out so nothing new there. However, I reset some paradigms here in Seattle as did that throughout chemo and radiation.

I have kept off the 20 pounds I lost during active treatment.

I realized that having my life a bit different than I had imagined is a lot better than not being here, so less stressed about the future.

I have deepened a number of friendships especially my relationship with Main Squeeze.

I think I am ending up with a smashing new look. Still to early to know what the results will look like, but I imagine amazing.

Life is just wonderful. - Claire

Mom3 · February 2011

Great post!

Seems like running is pretty big! I also became a runner. I started running after chemotherapy. I started by running a minute, then two, then three, fast forward 2 years later and I am now running about 25 miles a week!! I completed my first half marathon and I'm scheduled to run my second half marathon in May. In fact, just this morning before the sun came up I had run 5 miles!

I also saw my daughter start kindergarten and my son begin preschool.

My high school sweetheart and I celebrated our 19 year wedding anniversary!!

I also learned to swim last summer. Major for me! I can still see myself jumping off the high dive!

I started cooking with LOTS and LOTS more veggies. I wasn't very big on them before but now you look on my fridge and see a variety of fresh veggies. Everything from kale to spinach. I challenge myself every month and try to eat something new and healthy. This month it's sweet potatoes and bulgur!

These are just a few things..

DCMom · February 2011

OK I am feeling like signing up for a marathon, starting my own company, writing a book, and taking on the world. You women are amazing! I knew this was an incredible group, but OH MY GOSH! I am so impressed and feeling like taking on a new challenge.

Barbe I cracked up about your kids getting married and congratulations it wasn't to each other LOL.

Mom3 I'm taking on the challenge of something new and healthy each month. I already love sweet potatoes, but I'm going to have to google Bulgur (sounds like the German guy from Santa Claus is coming to town :}

I've loved hearing about your travels, children and activities. You are an incredible group. When something big happens come back and let me know. I'm tearing up with joy to hear how well we are doing.

OK reality check. I probably won't start a company or write a book or even open up any MORE offices (wow wow wow), but I am going to schedule a half-marathon, try some new foods and travel to Italy in May. Look out world I'll take you on next.

Thanks for posting. Let the good times roll on and on and on.....

weesa · February 2011

This is truly an inspired idea, DCMom! It is going to be so nice for newbies to see that we not only survived, but are thriving.

I have continued to work full time and have become active in the breast cancer community here, as a volunteer and fund raiser, including Reach for Recovery. Since 2002 I have had 17 surgeries, many having to do with side effects from the AI's, so I can usually relate to what my patients are going thru.

I have travelled a whole bunch, including a glorious river cruise thru Portugal and Spain, and another unforgettable river cruise from Paris to Prague.

In 2004, having just recovered from treatment, my house was severely damaged from Hurricane Ivan when an unusually intense tornado imbedded in the hurricane made a beeline for me. We lived there while it was rebuilt. It took more or less a year and I learned that when builders give you an estimate for time and money, you should double it.

Got a Kindle and have read 400 books.

Gave up my cleaning lady and have cleaned my house myself for the first time ever.(Long story, she was afraid of my nighttable. See my post in "You Know You are a Breast Cancer Survivor when..".) Do a large amount of gardening and walking. Have taken up golf.

Helped both kids move, one to Flat Rock and one to Las Vegas. Moved my mother in NH into a nursing home. Watched our little pub become a great big welcoming place. Have sat there and had a beer with Celtic_Spirit and Every Minute.

Have created a place for myself in this incredible group of women! It's truly humbling to read what you all have been up to.I've enjoyed my reputation here for being funny, and love cracking you guys up from time to time.

Most valued of all the stuff I have done, has been getting rid of some old neurotic habits from pre breast cancer days and seeing things more clearly now.

weesa · February 2011

This is truly an inspired idea, DCMom! It is going to be so nice for newbies to see that we not only survived, but are thriving.

I have continued to work full time and have become active in the breast cancer community here, as a volunteer and fund raiser, including Reach for Recovery. Since 2002 I have had 17 surgeries, many having to do with side effects from the AI's, so I can usually relate to what my patients are going thru.

I have travelled a whole bunch, including a glorious river cruise thru Portugal and Spain, and another unforgettable river cruise from Paris to Prague.

In 2004, having just recovered from treatment, my house was severely damaged from Hurricane Ivan when an unusually intense tornado imbedded in the hurricane made a beeline for me.(Tornadoes are almost unheaard of in the Western Carolina mountains.) We lived there while it was rebuilt. It took more or less a year and I learned that when builders give you an estimate for time and money, you should double it.

Got a Kindle and read 400 books.

Gave up my cleaning lady and have cleaned my house myself for the first time ever.(Long story, she was afraid of my nighttable. See my post in "You Know You are a Breast Cancer Survivor when..".) Do a large amount of gardening and walking. Have taken up golf.

Helped both kids move, one to Flat Rock and one to Las Vegas. Moved my mother in NH into a nursing home. Watched our little pub become a great big welcoming place. Have sat there and had a beer with Celtic_Spirit and Every Minute.

Have created a place for myself in this incredible group of women! It's truly humbling to read what you all have been up to.

marejo · February 2011

Diagnosed in June 2005...I've went on to see 2 new grandchildren be born. I've become a more confident woman and have a much closer walk with my Lord. He's taught me the truly important things in life and I am happier than ever before.

jenn3 · February 2011

One thing I've noticed among all of us, it that we are doing things that we could never justify spending money or time for in the past and have learned that we really do love our lives, friends and are HAPPY!!!!!

everyminute · February 2011

I think I.m going to get another tattoo....

NancyD · February 2011

I did a half-marathon less than year before I was diagnosed...I guess that doesn't count, lol. Since then, I have taken up walking as much as I can...park further away from the stores, walk to my bus in nice weather, take the stairs rather than the elevator, walk UP the escalator rather just ride it.

Saw my daughter graduate from high school.

Helped my son move to his first apartment alone (had been sharing with a friend), and saw him get a job that will allow him to be self-supporting, rather than need support from me.

And the biggest thing is that I am buying a townhouse. Closing should be within two weeks. This is my first home purchase, and it scares me like crazy that I am taking on a 30 year mortgage for the first time at my age (almost 60). But it's something I've always wanted...my own home.

nikola · February 2011

I always wanted breast reduction, tummy tuck and curly hair. Then, last March I was diagnosed with BC. Since then I had breast reduction - went with DIEP from DD to small B. I got tummy tuck to make my new breast. I lost my straight hair due to chemo and still waiting for curly hair (4 months out it is coming out straight). Be carefull what You wish for.

Never really liked exercising, I would rather go on diet. Now I am in gym every day, running.

Liked sweets all my life, not anymore.

Annie62 · February 2011

Well, In the past 6 years, I did my first race ever - a 5k and followed up with more. I did 2 sprint distance triathalons, visited Rome with DH for our 10th anniversary, had several great family vacations including skiing, Disney, beach. Attended a wonderful family wedding (my niece), saw my DD grow from 20 months to 8 years old and be a flower girl in said wedding, saw Dstep-D graduate HS and get into a top notch full scholarship school.

I'm back in active treatment so the fun stuff is on hold a bit, but we are planning a trip for the summer. Will probably try to get away for a weekend without DD sometime in March too. DH and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary. Need to make a plan to get away for a weekend to celebrate!

Annie

Jayne_in_UK · February 2011

Great thread, DCMom! How inspiring to read about what everyone has been achieving. I'll add my own. Since my diagnosis in April 2009 I have:

1.Been given a promotion at work while I was going through treatment

2.Been on several great holidays, including returning to Lesvos, where we were booked to return to in 2009 but had to cancel after my diagnosis

3.Grown some delicious, pesticide free fruit and vegetables in our garden and enjoyed cooking and eating them

4.Taken up Zumba. This is partly down to faithandfifty from these boards, thanks Faith, I love it!

5.Got into the habit of exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, largely thanks to everyminute (thank you Mary!). On days when I am working I have to be a bit creative to get my 30 minutes in, so I park further away from college, count the time spent walking along corridors, up and down stairs etc. But days I don't work I do more than 30 minutes anyway and I feel great.

6.Been thrilled to hear that my sister-in-law and her husband in America are expecting a baby in June and I'm looking forward to meeting the new arrival at some point.

7.'Met' a great group of bc sistahs here, I really don't know how I would have coped without you.

8.Have also made a couple of female friends at work who have had bc and they totally get it. My other colleagues have been fantastic but some things they just don't get and I hope they never do.

9.Celebrated 2 more Christmases, 2 more birthdays and 2 more years with my partner, Nick

10.When new qualifications were introduced for our students, my colleagues and I sat the Maths and English exams ourselves in order to become more familiar with them. They should have been well within my capability, but after all those chemo drugs I wasn't very confident. The results came back and ......... I passed! Take that, chemo brain!

Beverly11 · February 2011

Awesome idea. Haven't had a chance to ready everyone's as I am back to work and just snuck in a few minutes to go to bc.org. So, going back to work was a huge challenge for me and I have done it. Still adjusting to all of the changes but I did it!

Ran a 1/2 marathon in Sept/10. Climbed Cocoa Head in Hawaii in Jan/11 which was a vacation that we had booked but had to cancel due to my dx. So, doing what I had planned prior to cancer. Thinking of the future and planning for the future is still a work in progress. During our 2 weeks in Hawaii I actually had a thought cross my mind. I was kind of wondering if I would be a Grandma in 5 or 10 years. My daughters are 19 and 22. I am only 47. It brought tears to my eyes as I hadn't thought of anything in that time span since dx.

Congrats to all. (Welcome back Kerry!)

barbe1958 · February 2011

Wow, marathons and climbing mountains are all things that YOU ladies did. I let my daughters have the babies! What have I done? Um.......status quo! That's pretty good....isn't it? Undecided

dreaming · February 2011

I became an activist and advocate working with NBCC, was involved from its beginning lobbing that tecks that do mammograms are certified, that reconstruction is paid by insurance, we worked very hard in changing attitudes towards breast cancer in education, work.

Personally, I went to volunteer in a cancer center where I was offered training and education in a medical field that did not have anything to do with my degree and master, I finished my third degree.

Started a new career that I love.

I went to the White House with other activists when President Clinton received us and told us about the results on favor of breast cancer due to our work. I have many awards given to me in the USA and abroad for my work, also I presented a paper in ASCO of a study that was made with medical doctors,and others on quality of life after treatment.

But my best change is that I think about me first, have learned to pamper myself.

gillyone · February 2011

Since finishing tx, together with an acquaintance who I met up with in the chemo room, I have started a breast cancer support group in our community. We meet monthly and have a speaker (open to anyone) followed by a closed session for those who have breast cancer.

Personal Successes after BC

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