My expected life in years?

Your expected life in years?  What would you like it to be? 20 years?  30 years?

I have somewhat similiar stats... and I'm still alive 3 years later.  Unfortunately, no one can guarantee us anything.  Try to do the best with what you can control (treatment, taking care of yourself) and you are just going to have to let the chips fall where they may and let the rest go.  Try not to drive yourself crazy with the regrets and "what ifs".

If you are the type of personality that tends to be overly anxious and dwell on the negative, talk to your doc about anxiety meds and work on some natural methods too..like journaling, exercising (mood boosting endorphins), seeing a counselor, meditation... whatever works for your personality.  

The Big C can be a hard pill to swallow, but please don't let it stop you from living your life.  Hugs to you!

Hi Lizrose - I think I may have an idea of where you're coming from. For months post diag I thought about BC all the time. I ran the stats over and over in my head. Someone on one thread said it is like BC radio and the dial is tuned to it 24/7 and that is all you can hear. Over time the volume goes down gradually and eventually it mixes in with all the other stuff going on in your life. Noone knows what is ahead for them, but if I were a betting person I would wager that you will have a good long life.



I had a complete breakdown post dx. My PCP physician recognized the signs of anxiety and depression and put me on meds. I also met with a counselor for several months to help me work through things.



It is going to take some time for you to start feeling better. I wise dr told me it might take a year or two for me to accept the diagnosis. He was so right.



If I can be of any help to you just let me know.

I think you have a very, very, very good chance, no excellent chance of living a long and happy life!!! I know it is hard, the worry but keep trying to push it out of your head.

Hi Liz,

Yes, this can be a derailing experience.  I didn't do the math for you, but I had a worse diagnosis, and once I got that sorted out, I realized I would most likely be here for the long haul.  My nightmares were about finances, not about cancer.  I have my own business, so guess where my worries are?

Anyway, your focus should be to maximize your odds of survival by doing the recommended treatment, and then a reasonably healthy lifestyle.  I use the word "reasonably" because there are things such as "slouchfests", girls nite out, and pastry shops.  Exercise is very important, but we should all be doing that anyway.

Four years later, I am happy and healthy despite being a "high risk patient".  I have taken my career to new places.  I just did a personal best Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic.  I am more discliplined about exercise than I was previously, and I see the end of five years of anastrazole.  I still worry about finances.  I do a lot of work with a brain tumor patient organization as a way of giving back.

I found it helpful when diagnosed to imagine myself a year later, fit and healthy, being no worse off than having very short hair and being missing a couple of chunks of flesh.  I got there just fine.  Good luck! - Claire

@ Lizrosa:



My wife knows what her trusted doctors told her. She knows what the survival calculators (PREDICT, Cancer Math) say...



It makes NO sense not to bet on her.



I am betting on my wife. Are we supposed to 'pack it in'? Her odds are too good.



We were never given a guarantee in this life-----but we've always harbored HOPE. We have tons of reason to hope.



I am betting on my wife.



And I am betting on YOU.

Hi, Liz!! I had bi-lateral IDC! Stage 2 b in my left breast and Stage 1 in my right with one positive node! I am almost 9'years out and doing great!! I am taking aromasin and will take it for another 3 years!!! My treatment was very aggressive!! Just remember, hon!, you are a survivor on the day of diagnosis! I have a very strong faith, but I do whatever it takes to make me feel better, through nutrition and exercise!! You can beat this, and you will!! The odds are in your favor!! Take each day, and do something kind for yourself and for others!!! I am lifting you up in prayer right now!!! Kathy

Great story, Denise-G.



I love hearing stories like that.

As others have said, there's really no way of knowing but the worst thing to do is worry about it 24/7 because if you live one year, you tormented yourself that entire time and if you live 30 years worrying about it, you tormented yourself that entire time. I think everyone deals with it in their own way. My mother never worried about dying after her BC dx in 2001, just went on to enjoy her life like normal, even planning her retirement years. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it,) she survived for 12 years after her Stage IIIa dx. She died a few months ago on May 2nd but fully enjoyed every day she was alive until the last couple months when she got really sick.

Hello, excellent community of wonderful people.

I am going to come at this from a slightly different angle, accepting everything here so far as great, sage advice! 

That said, we've entered an interesting new territory with stats and figures.  Since I got this sucker 3 years ago (by the way, my stats are very similar to yours, Liz Rosa), things have changed about how the medical community talks stats.  First, most of the aggregates are from studies over the last 20 years, of course, because we can't see into the future.  Treatments have changed, for better, and worse.  They believe more people are surviving than before, yet the DCIS and overdiagnosis trend tends to make those numbers a bit changeable.

There is now a more activist stance in the field.  Breast Cancer Action is demanding answers.  Why do 25 - 30% of women continue to succomb to the disease, for instance?  Clearly, so much more is needed.

That brings me to the Oncotype.  Weren't you eligible?  For me, that test gave me my life, and I say that without any exaggeration.  My doctor told me to expect a high number based on my age and grade.  It came back low/intermediate risk of return.  Imagine.  10 years ago, I would have assumed I wasn't long for the world.

Does that mean I am?  Well, this is where we all need to get out there and write letters (I've been participating in petitions), and send our money to the good organizations.  I just can't explain why my Stage II friend who is the healthiest person I can think of recurred.  Or why my friend's DCIS, which frankly I rolled my eyes at a bit when she got it 5 years ago, came back triple neg.

I'd be lying if I said every day isn't defined a bit by my fear of recurrence.  Oddly, that fear is shaped more today than three years ago, as like Claire, my life has skyrocketed.  The truth is, we live in a different universe caught in a web of incomplete information.  She says as she gears up for mammography and MRI this summer.  It has controlled my headspace for weeks.  Just the sheer fact of having to go is a real control issue for me.

I think you know from trolling around a bit, and if your doctor is any good, from her/him--your stats are excellent, but pending Oncotype, perhaps a little less clear.  On the one hand, however, I think dwelling there misses the point of accepting our lives as they are, no matter if we have this disease or not: precious, and fragile.

Dear Lizrosa!! I too had side effects from taxotere!! My onc told me to hang in there, that it would kick cancer to the curb!! It did!!! You have every right to complain!! But please hang in there!!! Taxotere really does its job if killing those nasty cancer cells!!! Blessings to you!

Welcome dollcrafter,

This disease is fraught with lots of "fear" potential. The antidote to fear? Learning, learning, learning! Find credible, science based sources and learn as much as you can about the particulars of your type of bc. As for diet, healthy, balanced and with "treats" in moderation is doable for almost all. Does your breast cancer facility have a dietician or nutritionist available? They can be very helpful. If there are foods that you're not comfortable with, don't eat them. Many women who are ER+ stay away from processed soy but eat tofu or miso in moderation. Many also choose to buy organic when possible. But please, don't be afraid of eating. It is an enjoyable and often social part of life. Take care.