Five years!!!

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Karina121293
Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
edited November 2015 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Dear sisters, even though I don't post much these days, I thought to share that it has been five years for me since the dreadful diagnosis.Life is beautiful and I don't give cancer a chance to define my life. The past five years were full of events, accomplishments and achievements! I remarried the love of my life (long story) and moved to the UK. I saw my daughter graduating from two Universities since and my son will graduate this year. I started a new career in the UK and bought our dream house! There is life after cancer, I am sure of that now.

I take Tamoxifen every night faithfully and so grateful to the small pill. I am trying to eat as healthy as possible, but don't restrict myself in small pleasures of few glasses of wine on weekends.My hair has since grown and I am again having bad hair days like every other woman. Of course I have put on some weight and my body is not the same as before cancer, and I am having odd aches and pain here and there, but nothing serious and are quite manageable, as long as cancers keeps its ugly hands away from me!

To all the long timers- I am so happy for you all and wish you to keep healthy forever and inspire us behind you. To the newly diagnosed- please dont despair! Look after yourself, focus on the treatment, take it step by step and hang in there. You will overcome the dark days and you will get there.. Remember you are precious to your loved once! So fight with all your strength and stay positive. Dream big, make short and LONG term plans, things that will keep you motivated and positive!

With all my love,

Karina


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Comments

  • JenPam
    JenPam Member Posts: 176
    edited August 2015

    Thank you for the amazing update! I'm encouraged by your post.

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  • Mab60
    Mab60 Member Posts: 487
    edited August 2015



    You are an inspiration and I needed someone like you to inspire me at this point! Thank you

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  • lauren32
    lauren32 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2015
    Congratulations karina!! Thank you for sharing your story and for that good advice I'm hoping I'm here in five years to do the same! Lauren
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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited August 2015

    Such a lovely post Karina. We've been through a lot over the past 5 years that's for sure! So happy your days are now filled with such happiness!

    Love,

    Sharo

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2015

    Congratultions! and me too!

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2015

    Congratulations! It is so reassuring to hear from women who are five years out! I am nearing my 4 year cancerversary. Hopefully, I'll be posting this time next year.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited August 2015
    Congrats on your mega milestone. Enjoy!
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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited August 2015

    Congratulations Karina!! Thank you for also stopping by and catching us up on your life..sounds like you've been blessed! Also Congratulations to Kathleen1966 on your five years!! It truly is always so encouraging to hear of our sisters staying NED!

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  • Grandi
    Grandi Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2015

    What a beautiful post. Congratulations!

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited August 2015

    congrats to all. Thanks so much for sharing and encouraging

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited August 2015

    Thank you Karina. Six years post diagnosis, my life is better than ever, so I echo your "dream big". The bad hair description reminds me that a shot of color is overdue, but off for a cycle first.

    I am at the point where living the life I lead in my mid 60s is far more surprising to me than the fact I had a trip through breast cancer. I am fit and healthy and doing the best work of my life with no intention of stopping my career. I am grateful for every single day.

    My life is different because of my trip through breast cancer, but in no way diminished.

    Except for the scars on my left breast, I wouldn't say that my body is very different than prior to breast cancer other than I did lose some weight, and it has not come back. And of course, I am six years older so more wrinkles. I look just fine in spandex (which you need if you cycle any distance at all).

    Looking back, I will say that I think it was most helpful to take the position I was "cured until proven otherwise" and plan my life that way. I am cognizant that my days of doing X are finite, but I think that comes with being in my 60s as much as anything else. I make sure I do things such as the 70 mile bicycle tour of lavender fields I did last Saturday. I didn't pass up the great champagne on special offer 2 days ago either.

    Cheers to all of us, and to the wonderful life we have been granted! - Claire

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited August 2015
    Congratulations!!!!

    Jacqueline
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  • Momof2inME
    Momof2inME Member Posts: 683
    edited August 2015

    So wonderful!

    Thank you for posting and excouraging the rest of us!

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  • Jill900
    Jill900 Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2015

    Yay, You! I have just had my round of doctor appointments, physical check up, mammogram and breast cancer check up, and check up with my medical oncologist and not one of them can find anything wrong with any area of my health.

    I'm 4 years plus out - and feeling great because all I wanted at first was to make my 5 years. Which is getting ever closer...

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  • Annette_U
    Annette_U Member Posts: 111
    edited September 2015

    Congratulations!

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  • cordelia
    cordelia Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2015

    Thanks so much for posting this, Karina. It means a great deal to those of us looking forward to that 5 year mark...and 10....and 15...and to one day losing count.

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited September 2015

    Congratulations Karina - what a beautiful life you have! Thank you for sharing with us.

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  • oconnor2450
    oconnor2450 Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2015

    Karina, congratulations on all that life bounty!! Thank you for posting good news! It's so important to read of an experience that has been filled with challenges and joys!! You never know who will read it and find it's exactly the medicine they needed for that day.


    Thank you from Bridget in Maine:)

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2015

    YAY! Karina, congrats on moving on, so happy for you.


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