Stage IIb and 5+ years out, anyone?

I know what you mean, Sundermom. I am also 2b and about a year and a half out. I don't even want to go out and see all of the pink, it is just the reminder I don't want right now as I am trying to move on and get focused on other things. I think those news stories are to bring attention to the fact that breast cancer is NOT always curable, as some people believe. I know there are lots of success stories though, and I intend to be one of them. Are you with me??

I was also stage 2b and am 3 and a half years out. I plan to throw a HUGE party when (not if) I get to 5 years.

Now back to enjoying life again and don't come on here too often.

Take care. 

OK....I was stage IIb and am almost 10 years out......so far, so good!

PS - 37 years old at diagnosis!

I'm choosing to believe that those who are 5+ years out are too busy living their lives to post.

But it would be nice if they would come out of hiding to post. 

It makes me nervous to say it:  "IIB and 10 years since diagnosis"  Diagnosed at age 48. 

I'm scared to post here since you'll all think the worst. But, MOST women survive five years and then some.   Most women don't hang around forums for years.  They come here to get information, support when they need it (usually during active treatment), and then when they don't need it anymore, than move on with their lives.  You'll find Stage IV people who will post about their five year mark but stage I, II - they are living life again.

I personally know 4 people who dx'd at Stage II who made it five years, and I know one who made it 25 and who is now 80.  Check out the statistics - you'll find a very very high percentage make it. They just aren't here.  The women who are still here five years out either have cancer still, or are hung up  with having had cancer and can't let go.  Most women do find that they move on and don't need online support groups anymore.  

Who is here?  People like me.   

I hope this helps somebody, even with my stats.  

Hello ladies,

 Just had to chime in, because my sister in law was dx DCIS in 88', mets to spine in 2000, mets to liver and other bones later on, and its 2011, and she's a fighter, she's here, she travels, she's doing well considering.. I also have two friends, one that is 19 yrs from her IDC (dont know stage) dx, and my other friend from work, 23 yrs out, and there is a lady here named Kathy (forgot her name here) that is stage IV and like 17 yrs out I think? Dont quote me on the time span..everyBODY is different and we have to have hope and never stop fighting..

Blessings.. Peachy

Hi Sushanna .....like you I was also nervous of posting; would you mind letting us know what your pathology was? (ie grade, ER status, nodes).Thanks.

I have read that if you were triple neg, and got past 8 years, you could consider yourself cured.

Coolbreeze......I like what you wrote for the most part, but I know that I am not the only one who still comes to these boards after more than 5 years, without being 'hung up' or 'not able to let go'. I found that a bit offensive, actually. What about coming here to give support to others?

Hi, just seen your post. I have not been on this site in quite a while. I am a 9 year survivor of stage 2, was 46 at diagnosis and are still "dancing with NED". I also have 4 friends who are all about 8 to 9 years out, no recurrences, all different types of bc. Hang in there!

Almost 7 years for me and going strong (I was 41)!!!!  The first few years were so so tough - but it does get so much easier and is rarely something I think about (now I have my reconstruction journey which keeps me glued to the discussion threads).  I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you did everything you could and were as aggressive as possible.  Best wishes! Liz

Thanks Sundermom for starting this thread and everyone posting!!

I was just dx in Jun. with IIb and I'm having a hard time with all this! I feel like my life is on hold and I'm never going to get my old life back . I have a 12yr old girl and 9 yr old son that I want to be around for.

I love reading success stories it gives me hope!!! I just met a girl who was dx at 41 with IIb and today she is 50 and doing great!! She doesnt even think of cancer anymore!! Were going to all get there one day we just have to stay positive!!!!

Hello Jellydonut and Sam52.  I think that we are the oldtimers! 

Sam52--I had what was described as a "multifocal" tumor.  My first surgeon was pretty confident that it was not breast cancer but did an excisional biopsy just to make sure.  The tumor was removed in pieces and the pathology department did not measure the extent of the cancer so I will never know the exact tumor size--best guess is IIB.  I went to a major teaching hospital after that and had a lumpectomy and reexcision.   The original pathology report was not good--IDC, ER PR negative, 7 out of 9 (cannot remember which scale).  To my surprise the second pathology report was ER PR postive (80 and 20) and 3 or 4 out of 9, IDC and DCIS.  Third pathology report was DCIS.  I had one positive lymph node.  I was in a clinical trial for chemo and had 4 AC, three weeks apart followed by 11 weeks of taxotere (that was clinical trial part).  I should have had 12, but was allowed to skip the last treatment.  Then I had 6 weeks (I think! My memory is finally fading) of radiation followed by 5 years of tamoxifen and will finish (I hope! ) 5 years of femara in February 2012.

Sue

cp41--Thanks for speaking up.  I continue to check in here to follow various people and make sure they are doing OK; keep up with treatment options should the cancer return or should I decide to have reconstruction and sometimes to lend support to those newly diagnosed.   In part, I never left the boards because I developed lymphedema and relied upon the wonder women on the lymphedema thread.

Yes, almost 7 years for me and I had a bi-lateral breast cancer, stage 2b, in left and stage 1 in right breast, with one positive node. I also had very aggressive treatment with a total hysterectomy as well. I am sure you will do great as well. Enjoy each day!!!!!! You are a survivor!!!!!!