Survivors- would love to hear from you!

Hi Mama - yuk - the post-surgery blues. I remember that feeling - like I'd never ever feel good again. But you can and will feel good again - just give it some time. For me, as of New Year's Eve, I'll be a 7 year survivor, so I hope that helps you hearing from someone like me! I feel great and life is good. As you know already after surgery, treatment is no walk in the park, but it's doable. Keeping my fingers crossed that you come back with a nice low onco score! I wasn't lucky enough to avoid chemo, and even that was doable. Not fun, but doable.

I was never a runner before cancer, but a few years ago I started running a bit, just for exercise. I found I loved it. Now I run 5K and 10K races regularly - that's how good I feel, and to celebrate hitting the 5 year mark, I even ran a half marathon 2 years ago! Believe me, in those days of active treatment, I never could have imagined feeling that good - there were a lot of days during that time when a walk to the corner and back was a major victory! Hang in there - you're going through the worst part of it now, but it will get better. Be good to yourself, and let others help you and pamper you right now - you deserve it! And of course chocolate makes everything better!

I will be a 10 year survivor in May. It was very hard in the beginning. I had two young kids ages 9 and 10 when I was diagnosed. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The most important thing I could recommend is change your diet to a whole foods plant based diet. Phytotherapy is a very strong tool in this battle.

I am 2.5 yrs out and doing good.  I was fortunate that I didn't have to have chemo or radiation.  I had a BMX  with delayed reconstruction and finished up this past may with nip tattoos. I can honestly say that I am happy this happened to me rather than my mom or sisters.  I had 1 lymphnode removed but did not test positive. I do have Lymphedema which I try to keep managed through manual lymph drainage.  I agree with CMT this journey does give you a new perspective on life.  The hardest part of my journey was telling my kids that I had breast cancer and them seeing me after first surgery. Keep your head up and stay positive.  Have faith in your surgeons and your decisions.  God bless

christy

As of 12/27 I will be a 2 year survivor. It's not quite far enough out yet and I still get anxious thinking about that day of the diagnosis and what it entailed. Two years ago, I spent most of Christmas Day hiding out in my Inlaws restroom to get away from everyone while I was waiting on the pending diagnosis. The mammograms are still nerve wracking. However, looking back on it all it seems like it almost never happened and Christmas is more enjoyable than ever now! Before you know it, you too will look back and it will all be a blur!

hi MamaDarrling, my dx was five years ago, right before Christmas 2009.  It was a shock and things moved kind of fast for a while but it got better once tx plan was in place.  I had BMX & chemo, tamox almost 5 years, and will probably start an AI in July.  I have a job I like and a husband I love.  Life is sweet and as normal as it can be for a middle-aged woman with chemo brain.  I wish you all the best!  ♥

I was diagnosed in May 2004. I remember the anxious feelings while waiting for test results. I had chemo, radiation and arimidex. As everyone has said, it's no walk in the park, but it does get better. Now, I feel as if I live a new normal. I don't think about the cancer except when I have my annual Mammo or MRI. I see my oncologist once a year, but, feel like it's a formality now. I think waiting in the beginning is the toughest part. Once you have a plan and begin treatment, you'll feel better. At least I did. And hopefully, years from now, you'll be replying to a post to help some newbie.

Hi Mama,

I am writing from China. I was diagonoised in March 2010,  phase IIa, with 2 positive lymph nodes, almost 5 years out.

I very much understand your feeling at the moment, but believe me, you will go through all treatments and end up find yourself a happier  person.

To me, life is much more beautiful than before bc. 

Walk out slowly (Chinese pepole call it "san bu") in park or where air quality is good when the wearther is good, you will feel good.

All the best wishes

Hello all,

Stage II BC -lumpectomy - chemo, rad, hercepton no nodes involved (had four removed). Tried Femara, then Arimidex. Both are horrors. Back to Femara. I can put up with the pains involved, not sleeping but the worst for me - after chemo my hair grew back thick and curley. Now on Femara for 5 months and my hair is falling out. Bald spots here and there, I haven't heard anyone complaining about their hair. This to me is a big issue. Onc now wants me to try Aromisin but the SEs are all the same. Hair loss.

Does this bother anyone else. Please let me know.

Glowcat

I will be 4 years in May Stage 2a (1 of 23). Still nervous and my chest muscles feel like they are really tight (or something like that). I have been on PT since my last surgery and taken gabapentin for one year. They still don't know why (nerves, muscles, post-surgical trauma, etc). Good luck with you treatment!

Diagnosed mid-summer 2008, MX, chemo, rads, 5 years arimidex which ended a year ago and am outta here!! or, out of the cancer centre, actually.

Msphil.. It is great that you stay on this board to give the rest of us hope. God Bless You xx

Hello!  As of July, I will be five years out.  I remember well the horror and uncertainty of the first year.  It gets much better, and while I am living more "in the moment" and try to focus on what really matters, overall, I have faith in the future and am living a pretty normal life.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, and you will get thru it.

Congratulations Lissee. Thanks alot for posting. I wish you long healthy life.

It has been 10 years since I was diagnosed and had surgery. Stage II with 4 positive nodes but had a double mastectomy with chemo and radiation. Also was on exetemesitine (sp) for five years in a trial.
My question is what now? I don't feel like anything is happening but it seems there must be a way to check before it goes too wrong.

My sister passed away two years ago, having a recurrence of breast cancer from 1990 found again in 2005. She went in for cracked ribs, which of course had to do with bone loss. Do we just wait for something to happen? Are there tests?