8 years

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everyminute
everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
edited June 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

years ago (yesterday) everything changed.

Life is good, really good. I work at it - I appreciate it - I live it.

I can't lie and say I don't think about cancer, I do - but it lives in a corner of my mind like an ugly chair that I have designed the rest of the room around so it blends in.

I was 39 when I was diagnosed with a 13 and 16 year old. I now have a 24 and 21 year old and a grandson! I have seen my kids through some rough years - teen years, college, sorority hazing, suicide attempts and depression. I am grateful to have been here for it all. I have seen my kids through some great years - wedding, college graduations, new apartment, new home, birth of grandchild. I am grateful to have been here for it all. I made it to the point in raising daughters where they are my very best friends and I am theirs. My husband and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, bought an RV and kayaks and are empty-

nesters. We work hard, we play hard, we travel, we chill.

My oncologist moved on and I have a new one who promises to never take me off arimidex - I am trying to hold up my end of the deal by not drinking too much (he says 4 drinks a week, I say 6-7) and adding heavier weight strength training to my running to help keep my bones strong.

The friends I lost, especially this year, stings. My smile sometimes takes a little longer to get to my eyes - but I think of what they should have had and I smile brighter. No wasted time here.

Its a good life, a really good life.


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  • MeToo14
    MeToo14 Member Posts: 493
    edited June 2016

    you are awesome everyminute! Congratulations and thank you for sharing and giving us all hope. It's good to see you are enjoying life. I try to live the same way.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2016

    everyminute -- thank you so much for sharing your inspiring message! Congrats on your 8 years!

    Would you be willing to allow us to share your story and a photo in our upcoming Member Stories feature on Survivorship? It'd mean a lot! Please let us know!

    --The Mods

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited June 2016

    Sure. Would be glad to !


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2016

    Very exciting! Thank you! We'll let you know when it's been published :)

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited June 2016

    Glad to know you, my friend. You and Sam hop in that camper and head over here. We'll raise a glass or two (sorry onc, life's got to be lived).

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited June 2016

    MARY!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't have written a better observation than you just did about what it means to live. What I will add to it is that you have been one of those people who are able to not only thrive through a lot of tragedy, but really reach out to, help and inspire so many people along the way. I'm still working on my main job of getting my boys off to a good start in life, but you've inspired me so much to do more😀. Long may she run

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  • wam
    wam Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2016

    Everyminute, thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us. The pictures are so cute. Eight years of being there! That's what I want. It is so important that you show us the way. You have inspired me to take a walk. There is a 5K in my future.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited June 2016

    Awesome tribute to life after stage 3!! Thank you for sharing and the inspiration.

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited June 2016

    incredible you are.! It means so much to hear your story and hope for more of us to obtain the same opportunity to live. You just keep coming back here and tell us every year please? So inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Cheers to you.

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited June 2016

    Mary,Congratulations !!! you are the epitome of a person Thriving after stage III !!! I think there is so much pure joy to life after our BC experiences.

    You did good!!! Be happy and well.

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  • DancingElizabeth
    DancingElizabeth Member Posts: 415
    edited June 2016

    Everyminute - I am a fairly new dx Stage 3 and trying desperately to have hope and not feel so scared!

    Your inspirational post and very beautiful pics give everybody more hope!!!

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  • BRACA1
    BRACA1 Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2016

    Mary,

    CONGRATS to you!! You look wonderful!

    I was wondering how long you are taking Arimidex? I'm ten yrs now and taking Femara. Your Dr. said it was ok to take for over 10 yrs??

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2016

    Everyminute - thanks for the inspiration!! Much appreciated by me and so many!

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations...... I still remember when you joined here.....so happy that life is good!

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  • lauren32
    lauren32 Member Posts: 46
    edited June 2016

    thank you, I found your post so beautiful and inspiring! You look incredible! I am a young mom and an eighteen month survivor currently in hospital recovering from a hysterectomy and your post was just what I needed to read!

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited June 2016

    Thanks you for coming back and sharing!

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited June 2016

    You look and soundgreat. This post means so much to me! Congratulations.

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  • JenPam
    JenPam Member Posts: 176
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for your encouragement! You look amazing!

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited June 2016

    Dear Everyminute,

    I also celebrate all your successes!! What I see is a vital woman who has created a terrific life for herself and is absolutely thriving post breast cancer. Thank you for "paying it forward" and inspiring the rest of us. Your oncologist should be envious of that body!!!

    I also treasure every single moment I get to spend on this earth, and mourn several close friends I have recently lost to cancer.

    Congrats on all that you do, and so thrilled that you and your husband are truly having the time of your life. Raising my glass in celebration. - Claire

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  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited June 2016

    another from my support of 09...THANK YOU!

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  • ash123
    ash123 Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2016

    A beautiful post and message for hope that we need and admire. Thank you, thank you.

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