3 years from last chemo

everyminute
everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Seems like it was just yesterday but actually it is 3 years from tomorrow. 

I have done a lot of living in these past 3 years (almost 3 and half from diagnosis now).  I don't ever forget but I do enjoy my life.  I honestly couldnt see myself living 6 months after I was diagnosed yet here I am 3 plus years later.

My hair is obnoxiously too long though my husband says it looks good.  I am healthy and strong - I strength train and run marathons - I ran a race last week (10k) and came in 5th in my age group - I was always a middle of the pack runner until this year.  I am going to push to come in top 3 of my age division before the year is over - that is bizarre to me!

My feet hurt when I wake up in the am but they dont hurt as bad as most of the rest of the muscles that ache from running and working out. My worst side effect is fear-  that is less like panic and more like just acceptance - I would imagine it is similar to how someone who loses a limb feels after a great while - I accept the fear and live with it, I dont let it color my decisions but I am always aware of it. 

My kids were 16 and 13 when I was diagnosed and I was scared I wouldnt see them graduate high school.  My older daughter is wrapping up her associates degree and out of the house and my younger daughter is graduating a year early and going to college in September.  Now I am hoping for college graduations, grandchildren and finding a way to move south and spend some quality time with my hubby of 20 years now that our children are "grown". 

I cant quite bring myself to think about retiring at 65 (since I was diagnosed at 39) so I am shooting for moving south in a few years - though we will see how that goes.

My family and I talk alot about me helping other survivors but rarely talk about when I was sick, going through treatment, etc - it happened and then it was over (for them).  Some days its hard to believe that was me.

So if your last treatment is coming up and you don't know what is going to happen next - here is a flash forward - life happens, enjoy it and try not to lake cancer take any more time than it already has!

edited to add pic from 3 years from last chemo!

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Comments

  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited November 2011

    Beautiful post! Congrats and many more. And, if you haven't moved south by 65, I hope you will get to do it then!

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  • misswim
    misswim Member Posts: 931
    edited November 2011

    That is wonderful! May you see all of those milestones and thank you for the inspiration!

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited November 2011

    So proud of you, my friend!

    You really are "Stronger than Cancer and Faster than fear" And you inspire me every day to push myself, to reach for more.

    Oh, and totally selfishly, I'm hoping the move south comes sooner, rather than later. Then I can come visit you at the beach!

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  • Mimidi
    Mimidi Member Posts: 231
    edited November 2011

    Love this post!!  So encouraging.

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  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited November 2011

    Rock on everyminute!!

    I am 2 years out and I love reading posts like yours...

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited November 2011

    Congrats on 3 years, it has been that long for me too!  You sound like you are doing great & so proud of you kids.  May you many more years together!!! NJ

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  • Mimidi
    Mimidi Member Posts: 231
    edited November 2011

    When do you start counting years?  I was diagnosised November 8, 2010.  Finished chemo and radiation and now on "the pill".  Stopped taking arimidex last week and will start femara Tuesday.

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited November 2011

    Hi,  Congrats on your 3 years. Thanks for posting. Happy to hear things are going well for you.  SharonH

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited November 2011

    you are doing great. congrats.  time moves on .  we get stronger. *

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

    We all enjoy hearing good news like this.  Keep planning that happy future.  "Life happens", as you said, and it sounds like you are making the most of "everyminute".  G.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2011
    Great post Mary....congrats, I'm so happy for you.  I recommend the moving south thing but then again I'm partial Smile 
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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2011

    I loved reading your post from a fellow IIIA.  I am origninally from California, but like living in the south.  Hears to another 30 years!

    Elizabeth

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

    Great inspiring words, Mary.  Keep strong and running fast girl!  I always loved the feeling I had when I ran.  I remember running and getting to the point where I felt, ugh, I can't go any further, then I would push thru that feeling, shake out my hands, keep running and then the endorphins would kick in, and I could keep going.  What a great feeling!Smile  Later on I became very involved with my horse in equestrian riding and jumping, was so involved with the physical acitivity of training for this, the running became less and less..Ive since tried to get  back to running just before BC diagnosis, and was starting to run again.  But not as easily because of knee issues.  Now, in physical therapy for a torn meniscus and baker cyst, it's been a challenge pushing thru the pain to walk.  I guess my body is telling me what my brain doesn't want to hear.

        image

    Barb

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited November 2011

    Been feeling really down, have 2 more txs to go. Your an inspiration, thanks for your story!! Love your last sentence.

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  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited November 2011

    Hi, Everyminute,  Love your picture. You look great. Congrats again on your three years. Taylor  777 so sorry you are feeling down. .I thought treatment would never end. But now I am two years out.and doing great. I wish you the best. SharonH

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  • myrtle1
    myrtle1 Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2011

    Congrats on your milestone!! I am 3 years out from diagnoses & 2 surgeries.  Your story sounds much like mine & I feel just like much of what your said!! Hard to believe it was me that went through all that aggressive chemo/rads.  My feet ache as well when I first get up in the morning & after sitting for a while.  I also run, broke my foot last Spring running with my beautiful golden retriever puppy so I've been easing my way back into it.  Your words are an inspiration and I want to tell all you strong ladies out there that there is life after BC!! It's hard to see that when you are smack in the middle of treatment, but you will get through it and get your life back!! Love & strength to you all!!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited November 2011

    Mary, I am so happy to read this. I have been reading your posts, and know that you have handled this BC experience with grace and a KickA** attitude. Life is so wonderful, and while tx is sucky, our time afterward is so full of gratitude and joy.  You exemplify that.

    Congratulations on your BIG milestone.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2011

    One of the bright things that has happened to me on this journey has been watching you emerge from your treatment strong and happy.  It can be done.  You really can be fitter than ever.

    I hear you on the sore feet/legs.  For a cyclist, it's the BUTT that feels it after a lot of cycling.  Plus the ankle injury I am still recovering from.  I take that as a sign that I am pushing the envelope re: fitness.

    I don't think we do enough positive imaging of the "flash forward" life ahead.  That was critical to me as I started down this path.  I saw myself as fit and happy, cycling down one of my favorite country roads.

    As for how to do this.....your example is as good as it gets.

    Congrats to you.  Major, major congrats, for both your recovery and for the wonderful life you have built. - Claire

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited November 2011

    Yeah!!!

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  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited November 2011

    you look great!  Congratulations on your 3.5 yr anniversary.  Really a nice post.  Thanks for checking in.

    LittleFlower

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  • determined3
    determined3 Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2011

    congrats and thanks for reaching back to share:)!

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited November 2011

    I'm a little late but congrats to you Mary!  You are inspiring <3

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2011

    Love the pic you added...you look amazing!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2011

    What an inspiration you are, Everyminute! Congrats on your 3 years and here's to many, many more!!!

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited November 2011

    I am late on this one though I talk to you all the time lol... Congrats girl!! Your doing awesome, looking awesome, feeling awesome and inspiring and showing others THERE  CAN BE A GOOD LIFE AFTER THIS DISEASE!

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited November 2011

    Beautiful insprirational post Mary.  Just another example of how you continue to make a difference.  You helped me when I 1st got dx & are constantly an inspiration to me. 

     I know I am late in posting but fortunately I too am just busy with life and not on these posts constantly like I was before.

    Keep running my friend.  Blessings.

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