Made it 5 years with this Stage IV diagnosis!!!
Friends,
5 years ago, July 7, 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage IV BC. It was 9 years after my initial bout with Stage II BC.
I am celebrating because, as you Stage IV friends know, 5 years is past what the statistics told me! I thought I only had 2-3 years. I have been able to experience so many wonderful things, have had more time with loved ones, and I've been able to watch my two boys grow into amazing young men-both in high school this year! There was a time I didn't think I'd see them at this age. Heck, there was a time I feared I would pass before they were old enough to really have memories of me.
I do have mixed feelings at this anniversary....
There is a bit of weird-survivor-guilt, as I have survived much longer than some dear friends of mine (Barb Espy, Apryl Moring, and Christy Craver) with this awful Stage IV diagnosis. Their battles were so unfair. Treatments that didn't work, complications, not enough time with their families!
I am also fearful as I know there is no cure yet. Statistically speaking, my days are probably fewer in number now, especially since it has been 5 years. How many more treatments are available? They are finite in number and I've burned through several already...
Mostly, I feel overwhelmingly THANKFUL and BLESSED just to be here! It is truly a blessing to wake every day and experience this life God has given me…even with the side effects! I am thankful for those, in a way, because the medicine has worked on my cancer quite well. I am grateful for the gift of time to spend with those I love and doing things I love!
I just wanted to tell all of you out there facing this horrible diagnosis that it is still possible to have more time, more experiences. And, I want to thank all of you on this board for being there so many times when I was at a crossroad with treatments and needed advice. It is so helpful to "talk" with others who truly "get it".
So, here's to 5 years…and hoping for more!
Best wishes to all of you, fellow "forever fighters"!!
Love,
Julie
Comments
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Julie,
I flat out love your post, and I can relate. I wish you many more years ahead!
With love,
Rose.,
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wow this is very inspiring!! From your strapline you had mets to bone, liver and lungs. That gives a lot of hope to many of us here. I so pleased your treatments have worked well to get you to this milestone. Wishing you many more years ahead! Xx
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Yes, very inspiring! Wishing you many more!
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Congratulations! Wishing you many more years. . .
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Congratulations on 5 years, and here's wishing you decades more!
Survivor's guilt is understandable but a true waste of energy. Instead, you may want to re-channel it into thinking of your friends each time you do something kind for someone. That would be a more apt tribute to those you love!
With celebratory hugs!
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Such a lovely post. Thank you for sharing. But most of all, Congratulations!!! I do hope you have many many more years. Enjoy every moment. Wishing you nothing but the best.
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Celebrating with you!!!
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So happy for you! It gives us hope:). Wishing you many more anniversaries
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congrats!!! That makes me feel good
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Yesssss!!! Thanks for sharing! Wishing you many many more years!
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Julie - Thank you for sharing!! Congratulations, and best wishes for many, many more years of NED.
The Mods
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Julie, congratulations on living with this disease five years and still going. And living fully.
Thank you for your thoughtful post on the subject. Yes, mixed feelings are understandable, tho I agree with Bestbird: try to dissolve survivors guilt. I, too, have been dealing with mbc for 5+ years and tho it is difficult to know some do not get that kind of time, it is not in my control and I do not have guilt.. The way I see it, (and I've shared this before) it's not like God or the universe is "choosing" to take someone else instead of me. I'm not alive because someone else took my place. It is just the insidiousness of the disease that there is no rhyme or reason for the differing life spans.
There seem to be a number of us who have reached a five year mark this year and it makes me feel very inspired, that we are beating the odds. I am also encouraged by others who have been around for longer than 5 years. I agree with you when you say that there are wonderful, memorable experiences, both big and small, still to be had even after the diagnosis of mbc. I am happy for you. Best wishes.
-Camille
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High five, Julie! You and me both!
Celebrating along with you,
Tina
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Congrats on 5 years Julie! I just love these type of posts.
May you have many many more.
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Thanks for sharing your 5-year milestone, Julie! Here's to many more years of living well, celebrating milestones, and making those 5 year stats distant history!
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Wonderful news indeed!
*susan*
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Julie
How wonderful. Your words are very inspiring especially when I noticed that you too are triple negative. As my MO told me triple negative is the bad one with not as many choices of meds. So thanks for helping me to know that 5 years is possible.
Rosieo
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That is so great Julie! Your post is especially inspiring because of your gratitude and realization of what a wonderful life you have had so far. I keep praying, hoping and dreaming that I will get enough time to feel like I have done all the major important things I need to do. Kids weddings, giving away treasures, writing letters ect ect ect. Then I hope at least I will feel less fear and grief.....
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wow! Congrats! Thank you for sharing and articulating what I feel/have felt. Keep on keepin on!!
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Your grit and gratitude shine brightly! What atestament to your five year milestone. Thanks for sharing.
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Julie,
Wishing you many more good years ahead.
Terri
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Thank you for celebrating with me, friends!
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Delightful post. thanks for the views...No need for remorse that you have survived. We all hope the longest life for all of us afflicted with this unfair diagnosis. Carolyn from Music City
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congrats! And here's to many 5-years more! Why not? Keep askin'
)Hugs
Ebru
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Congrats. Survivor guilt is real. I hate it, I wish many of us responded as well.
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Fantastic! May you have many, many more years
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Congrats, Julie! Wonderful milestone. I hope to be there one day.
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