Shout out to stage III peeps; update

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diana50
diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

hi everyone*

hope you are all doing well; hanging in there and enjoying every day and your peeps...and animals...kids....cycling...running..cooking...photography....etc..  also Happy Thanksgiving; it is just around the corner.  i also hope those of you out east are doing ok....

well, today was my last radiation to my spine.  cancer was in T4 and rad onc radiated T3 and T5 and of course T4. the T3 and T5 was to create margins (like they do in surgery) around the cancer.  the tumor in T4 was very large.  i saw it; i was shocked.  still no pain at all in the vertebra with the cancer.  oh wait; the cancer is NOW gone.  25 rads kicked it to the curb.

so now, i take femara daily and zometa monthly for 2 years.  so far so good.  i will have a PET scan end of dec or early jan.  apparently, you want to wait 6 weeks after last rads before PET scan.  that is what i doc said anyway. 

my oncologist is optimistic and so am i.  she said she has many patients with stage iv disease doing well 10 YEARS or more out.  my progression was exactly like my cancer in 2002; it hadn't changed at all which means i wasn't cured....but had great response to treatment.  maybe i should have stayed on AI.  i don't know. at the time i was done.  you do what you do....and deal with what comes down the pike. 

at any rate; hang in there. i found my journal from a few years out from diagnosis...2003 2004..and i was really struggling with fears...etc.  it was good to read my fears from the past...and see how things changed in almost 11 years later.  my biggest fear was relapse to stage iv and now here it is...and i really just see this as more stuff to do to fight cancer.  just living my life pretty much like i was before the spine met showed up. 

you all take good care. keep on...keeping on*Cool

diana

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  • MaxineO
    MaxineO Member Posts: 555
    edited November 2012

    diana- So glad to hear the rads have done their job and that you are feeling good!  I think there is that niggling "if only..." in every one of our brains, but who knows if the AI would have kept that spine met away. We all wish we had a crystal ball, but you're right, just keep on keeping on! Your ongoing treatment sounds pretty minimal, which is great.

    Thanks for keeping us updated. I know you are thought of often here. Keep up your positivity, and keep on bicycling! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Hi.....I just got my post mx path report a week ago. Stage III, but I won't know final dx until I have ct scans & bone scan nov. 21.



    I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous about it.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited November 2012

    Paula, I was nervous about my scans too.  I asked the onc "what if it's spread?" Her response was "we will treat it the same".  Being stage 3 we get the big guns thrown at us. So the day of scans, take a xanax and enjoy the peace & quiet :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Joann thanks for that. I see the BS again tomorrow and get another drain pulled. I'll be so glad when they're all out. He's pretty adamant that he only pulls one per week. So, I guess I'll get #3 pulled on my birthday next Tuesday.



    I'll be busy tomorrow with voting and BS appt. but if you're not busy, I'll call you on Wednsday.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited November 2012

    Paula, sounds good. We are driving back to Ytown this eve so we can vote tomorrow. Be back late tomorrow night. Good luck with dedraining!

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2020

    .

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited November 2012

    Hey, milady....always love hearing you shout!

    Thinking of you every day...

    Julie 

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited November 2012

    Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big High Five!! Now gone! love it

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited November 2012

    so, what you are saying is that you are NED!  That's what I hear when I see "the cancer is gone"!!  Love you bunches, woman.  So glad rads is done for you, I know it was hard for you.  I am happy to have stopped in today...you just made my day. :D

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2012

    Congratulations Diane on rads working and thanks for the update and the inspiration.  That was interesting what you said about "not being cured," I never thought of it that way.  You have put a great big smile on my face!

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited November 2012

    I'm so happy the rads worked for you. We always love to hear from you, and I'm so excited that you can be NED with femera and zometa. 

    How was your first Zometa infusion?

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited November 2012

    Zometa kicked my butt. Lol. My doc is adding a steroid for next infusion. Lol. I will be fine.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited November 2012

    Hi Diana, so glad to hear your news! From what I garner, isolated Bone mets ( like yours) is extremely treatable. I am happy for you. All looks good.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2012

    Diana:  So glad it appears you've kicked butt again !  I know you'll be fine and will keep on inspiring us all..... 

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  • cmdczc
    cmdczc Member Posts: 75
    edited November 2012

    Diana,

    Thanks for posting.  Glad to hear things are going well for you.  Take care, keep pedaling!!

    Cindy

    stage iiia

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited November 2012

    Diana, you are one tough, classy woman!

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited November 2012

    I was glad to read your update, Diane.  It's good to hear your voice around here.  Hugs,  G.

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited November 2012

    whoot whoot!!! Thank you God!!! way to kick it to the curb!!!

    Love you girl.....Keeping on..........Gods blessings xo

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2012

    Diane, you prove once more that you are stronger than cancer!!! I am overwhelmed by the good results and pray you will never ever have to deal with any '' bad'' news.. 

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2012

    Glad to hear that the rads did their job and that you are feeling well. Thanks for posting, I have been thinking of you.

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited November 2012

    Diane, thanks for lifting my spirits. I really needed to hear your good news. You are an inspiration.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited November 2012

    Thanks for stopping in - I think of you all the time, Diana!  Sounds like you handled treatment well and now can move on.  Good stuff.

    NOTE - Zometa often times only makes you feel poorly (to very ill) one time - I had a horrible reaction to it the first time but never again (and I had it 8 times).  Hope that is the case!

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2012

    Diane

    Thanks-you for letting letting your stage 3 peeps know how you are doing. I am so glad that you are able to do the things you love. Your insights are definitely inspirational Here is to another 10 years of NED.

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  • CherylinOhio
    CherylinOhio Member Posts: 623
    edited November 2012

    Glad to hear your good news Diane!!! Thanks for keeping us posted and keeping our spirits up!!! ((HUGS))

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited November 2012

    I am so glad you are keeping us all posted......think about you all the time and hoping that this will be the last of this...

    Sounds like you have a great team on your side which is so important.

    Jacqueline

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited November 2012

    Hi Diana,

    I'm so glad to hear things are going well and the rads are working!  YEAH!!!  Thanks for keeping us up to date on how you are doing.

    Love,

    Sharon

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited November 2012

    Hi Diana! Thanks for checking in. I am so thankful that the stupid cancer is gone! Obliterated! You are so on top of things and I know that you will continue to be well!!

    Big Hugs,

    Lexi

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2012

    Hi Diana,

    I was watching throughout, and never doubted that you would be just fine.  Anyway, thanks so much for this update.  Many, many more miles of cycling ahead.  Just get some fleece tights as is wintertime.  (That tingling in my fingertips isn't neuropathy....it's FROSTBITE!)

    Enjoy the holidays, and good luck with your next oncology visit.  Rooting for you in Seattle. - Claire

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited November 2012

    Claire got myself some winter ware cycling gloves lol

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2012

    Now, I just need to get AAA batteries for my front and aft lights.  Important to be seen in the Seattle winter semi-twilight.

    Gloves are important.  I got mine during Taxol as was wearing sores in my hands due to much more sensitive skin.  I need to find my x-country ski ones as even warmer. - Claire

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