Stage III Cancer Survivors ...Five + Years and Out.

I can't believe I spaced posting here. I hit 5 years from diagnosis last June 18th, and 5 years from finishing treatment December 30th. I honestly did not think I'd be here. I am so thankful.

Hi to all my stage three friends. It has been almost a year since my last post . Just wanted to say next month will be six years since my DX . Stage three /grade three breast cancer. Because of DX, I have met so many wonderful people I never would have met . Many of them right here on BCO. Six years later still chatting with them . Have met some in person and still working on others !! After DX , somehow or other , my brain decided it could draw and paint and create. It is so crazy ....never thought I could do that!! So I just wanted to say, to all those just starting down the road , maybe reading old stuff on the internet about your prognosis ( I did that) , many many many of us are still here , doing well and living happy lives. Onward we go!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Kmur I love seeing these stories!

Kim...congrats on 6 years. Like you, I've met some life long friends here on bco. Here's to growing old together!! Karen

Hi everyone,

I received disturbing news today.

I'll make it short . Hx is below but not updated yet.

2009-2013-2014-2015-2016.

Stage one each time no nodes . First dx Lumpectomy and rads. 1 month after chemo and a b/l mastectomy it came back in my skin locally. So Rads for me again. I just finished Rads in April if last year just finished healing 4 months ago skin broke down some what. So anyway when the for a f/u. Onc said markers are up and I needed a pet scan . Received results today it showed a lymph node in the axilla region.

So now I'm having surgery to remove ithe as recommended by my Onc.

I'm not sure what stage I am. Feels like stage sh to me.

What options do I have does anyone know. I'm not sure if I want them to take it out without some kind of treatment.

It sucks right . I was born in Cleveland many moons ago.

Moved around alot.

I will most likely have the same. I'm not sure onc calling my breast Surgeon. I'm getting MRI's this week. I'm so freaking out. Slept all day.

Im just so confused as to how. I have no breast where it's hiding is a mystery. Chemo Rads with and without breast. I can't take Tamoxifen some kind of metabolism issue , body will not absorb it. Hence the Lupron Aromasin. I'm thinking of asking for a hysterectomy. Not sure it will help.

Thank you for sharing I definitely needed this.

We will get thru it I'm just not sure I'm ready to loose my hair again it is only back to shoulder length. Seems vain but good grief a stage one. I can't get it out of my head.

Hang tough!

Dear all

Thanks so much for the hope your stories give, I have turned to them on many a dark night over the last 16 months. funthing42 and 7of9 I'm so sorry for your ongoing battles but hang in there, you have everything to play for and I hope this thread encourages you as it does me.

I am 9 months from MX and scheduled for Diep on Friday but am increasingly anxious about the risks of the surgery in terms of promoting recurrence for us vulnerable stage 3-ers. I have been talking to my excellent Onc, surgeon and anaesthetist but all of them are a little guarded - the message I get is there are questions and the jury is out. I don't want to hijack this thread of hope so have started another, and would very much welcome any encouragement there from those of you here doing well years after delayed flap reconstruction.

Thanks so much for your kindness x

SSinUK.... I had the same ominous feelings about getting fat grafting or even nipple surgery. I have told myself if I live til 50 that I would 'treat' myself to a face-lift as somehow over the last four years and two go arounds I think it really shows on my lower face, neck a little. Lol. All my doctors have reassured me that reconstruction does not impact recurrence though I hated to do a cosmetic procedure and get rediagnosed. Though I may wish I had done both as now after being radiated I hear that makes future surgeries more difficult.

Fun thing.. I never understood people fretting about loosing their hair. Now I get it.

5 years for me!! I should have posted yesterday but just enjoyed the day, a glass of champagne and some cake! The moment they said is etched in my brain and as each day passed the news just kept getting worse stage 3, huge tumour, 12cm+, 9/18 nodes. The thought of actually getting to this point just seemed virtually impossible.

Now I'm aiming for the 10 year thread.

Glad to hear it Lucca06! Thanks for posting...always looking for that glimmer of hope! xo Sarah

Thank you and congratulations, Lucca06!

Congrats Lucca, you give us all hope.

Congrats Lucca!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

I don't think that I signed in on my anniversary this year - 6 years post diagnosis, Stage 3A, triple positive, NED!!!!!

Crazywabbit I had a mastectomy, the tumor was too large and in a bad place, so not a candidate for lumpectomy.