ILC Long Term Survivors

Hi Nancy,  Great to hear from you again!  I'm fine, too (as far as I know....) .  Hugs,  G.

Hi there -

Whenever I see these posts, I always feel I need to respond , even if only to give someone hope or encouragement. Eight years ago I was dx with pleomorphic lobular, aggressive with positive lymph nodes. I was depressed and down and it was posts from others that gave hope. I sincerely hope I can do the same. love to all. MJ

September marked 8 years for me. As you can see in my signature, I was Stage III. So far, I'm doing great! I hope for many more healthy years for all of us.

 Hugs, Trish 

Hi Nancy,

 There's probably many more than we know!  Tomorrow I celebrate my SIX years since dx and I feel fantastic....I'm not naive enough to think it could never happen again but i'm not sared enough to think...'Hey, i'm going to go out and live my life!"  Do what you can and then enjoy what you have.  I'm healthy, make good choices,have a great family and I pray for the best...I think it's about all we can do.  Here is to you fantastic health and optimisism Nancy!!

I will celebrate (God willing and the creek don't rise) 6 years on Dec. 27th! Here's to many more anniversaries for all of us!!!

Did all of you have mx? Since I was stage 4 at get go, was discouraged from mx. This is my 2 yr anniversary and yesterday's pet shows three new cancers in breast and new activity in abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes.

Hi Frapp,  I had bilateral mastectomy.  I don't know how common that is.  My oncologist said I absolutely needed the mastectomy on the left, I chose the one on the right.  I read this article out of the SABCS, from Vanderbilt University, saying mastectomy at Stage IV might be a good idea.  

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/SABCS/30120

I am so sorry you are getting news about progression.  Sending all my hugs and support.  G. 

I like this thread, good job ladies!

I have a close friend who had MX and reconstruction for a large ILC (she doesn't remember the size but says it was in all 4 quadrants of her breast and she has big ones) and had 22/33 positive nodes. She refused chemo and radiation much against the advice of her doctors and remained disease free for 15 years. She then had a recurrance in the scar that they excised but couldn't get clean margins so they put her on Arimidex which she tolerates with no SE and she remains fine 3 years later. The Doctor just shakes his head and tells her that she should have been dead years ago but to keep doing whatever it is that she is doing becaause it certainly is working.

It will be 6 years for me in Feb!!!

Hi there!  Did your close friend take Tamoxifen?

It gives me hope too. I was Stage IIIC AFTER chemo. I was stunned and shocked to say the least. Onc said I would have had 25 nodes positive rather than 10 had I not had chemo. I do know that chemo did some good because I could feel the shrinking of the tumor itself and the largest lymph node, and it was confirmed by the doctors.



I'm almost one year out from final chemo and beginning of February I'll be one year out from surgery. All good!

I am now 7 years NED after a Stage IIIC ILC dx with 23/23 positive nodes. My doctors believe my ILC was likely already present when I had my first BC dx (IDC) in the other breast 12.5 years ago. Unfortunately, my ILC was never detected by any of the mammograms I had been getting every year from the age of 39. Only after the tumor was large enough to be felt, was it found on physical exam and that was only minutes after a mammogram which showed nothing. MRI was the only scan that finally showed my tumor and positive nodes. Fortunately, I am still doing well following treatments and am looking forward to every day I am given!

Joellelee, she didn't take any hormone therapy until after the recurrence when they put her on the arimidex.

Nancy thank you for starting this topic. I have been given some much needed hope after recently being DX. I do notice the majority got either a MX or BMX. Asked BS about that and he said not necessary. My tumor was 2 mm but Path reports shows LCIS and DCIS and now I am worried about the left which hasnt been looked at. I have a SNB on Thursday so will know more after that, he already said radiation. Concerned if this decides to return I will have done to much damage for reconstruction.

You are all an inspiration to me, seems most are DC. I am cheering each of you on, thanks for giving me hope. xo