Friendships that have formed on these boards

Thanks to this wonderful forum, I met a group of 30 women who were diagnosed in autumn 2014 and started chemo in November 2014. We supported and encouraged each other, compared notes, answered each other's questions, and dusted each other off after it was all over. I feel I know these women even though we are from all over the world. Two of us have stage four cancer. One, the woman who brought us closer via a private Facebook group, died.

A few of us meet every few months. It's so thrilling to meet in person. We are real people! And we are still there for each other

Hi.

I found this site while researching more on breast cancer and other cancers I have increased risk for. I was diagnosed as BRCA2 expressive this year. Genetic testing was recommended after the death of my oldest sister (one week after I retired from the Army after 31 years of service). She had ovarian cancer and was BRCA2. My mother died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer. They had both been through uterine cancer, but survived. My father had prostate cancer, though he died from a heart attack. My second surviving sister has colon cancer and is Tay-Sachs gene expressive, and my older surviving brother has leukemia. Genetic testing was recommended due to the family medical history.

I am having surgery on 3 March this year for a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. This was decided after a lump was found in my breast last year. An aspirate and, later, lumpectomy, showed it was benign. But due to the BRCA2 mutation expressed in my genes, total hysterectomy and bilateral mastectomy were recommended. I agreed. A salpingo-oophorectomy, and removal with my cervix and uterus was done in October, 2016. 

I found this site and became a member last week. I have read testimonies here and feel I have finally found a resource with others who not only will listen to my struggles but can definitely relate to them. This was not my idea of retiring from the Army. It is amazing how so many things has changed in my life after learning of my Ashkenazim Jewish descent (my other surviving sister was found to express the Tay-Sachs gene--I am negative for this...she is negative for the BRCA2). It's been a year of revelation, truthfully.

I am glad I found this site. I find it supportive and encouraging, though I have made no direct relations with anyone as of yet. I am looking forward to my relationship online with you all!

Regards,

ArmyChick31

The March and April 2015 Chemo groups have some overlapping members and interact a lot on Facebook. Some of us have met for different activities, including a camping trip in Glacier National Park. I love those women!

I will have to go back through my photos, but I have enjoyed meeting in person quite a few women from BCO, some of whom I had already formed very special bonds with on these pages. Here's one of the more recent ones. I also have BCO friends I frequently text and/or message that I haven't yet met, but who are very special to me.

Late last year the bc.org "Claires" met each other. Claire in Seattle happened to be traveling through my city, and we had breakfast together one morening at the local B&B where she stayed.

Claire was particularly inspirational to me because she exercised (rigorous) throughout all her treatment. My worst fear pre-treatment was that I would NOT be able to keep up with my exercise and yoga schedule, which keeps me sane and fit, and after reading and talking with her a lot on this site before I started chemo, I realized I indeed could keep doing what I was doing, although I may be more tired before and perhaps after. I so needed to keep up something normal in my life to make me feel like I was still alive, still going to be okay. I modeled my behavior after Claire, and it worked.

I only modified my yoga schedule--did not go to bikram yoga 3-5 times a week. I scaled it back to 2, and hiked after chemo tx whenever possible and when weather permitted. Still kept up with weightlifting and walking the dog, etc.

She and I had a nice breakfast together and it was wonderful to spend some time with someone who helped me through those dark days.

I'm friends with several BC.org women on my Facebook page, too.

All ya'll are invaluable to me, still! Hugs/love

Claire in AZ

I too have formed strong bonds with BC Warrior women through this forum. One in particular is like a true sister to me even though we've never met. Before posting more, I want to be sure she agrees to share our story of the growth of our friendship. So stay tuned! I truly have come to love this courageous woman and her remarkable family. Though we've not yet been able to physically meet, I count her among my dearest friends.

She is a rare and remarkable person!

I did just now Kathie! Thanks!! Amazing what we've gone through, and will continue to support each other through and then finally celebrate together one day!!!!

I was invited 4 + years ago to a lunch that was several people from bco in tampa. I joined the thread before the actual lunch and felt immediately welcomed. That lunch was the 2nd or 3rd for the group, I think, and we have continued to meet every few months. The people in this group have become true friends being there for each other through surgeries, changes in treatments, and helping each other with finding/getting jobs, etc. I count them all as a blessing to me as they have gotten me through many things. Some people have come and gone from the group due to moving to Alaska or other things, but it is one of the most welcoming group of people I've ever met. Anyone in the area is welcome when we get together! So so thankful for the friendships made through the tampa bco group!

10 years ago I had DCIS stage 0 , lumpectomy and radiation, tamoxifen for 5 years, 10 years later same breast I have cancer again. before my double mastectomy and reconstruction the surgical pathology

report said invasive ductal carcinoma 4.5mm nuclear grade 2 no angiol ymphatic invasion detected,

pathologiac tumor stage pT1a, pNX

the anterior margin just about the previous biopsy cavity is markedly disrpted partially precluding the

definitive assessment of that margin.

This is before mastectomy. my estrogen receptor Clone SP1 NEGATIVE, Progesterone receptor CLone IE2 NEGATIVE, HER2 (cLONE 4B5 POSITIVE (+3)

After surgery, my dr said she sent to pathology , not once but twice results of tumor , CLEAN

I DID NOT need CHEMOTHERPY,

i WENT to oncologist , he feels without twisting my arm , he said , i should have chemo and receptive

for 1 year, 12 weeks chemo 12 weeks receptor then the remaining chemo. 1% chance that because

my HER2 was positive , microscopic cell COULD HAVE traveled , which means there is no test to see

and 5 years or more I could possibly get cancer somewhere else. I am in a delemia, I really dont want

to go through the HELL of chemo when I was so excitied, i cryed because my breast surgeon told me

i did not need treatment, Now WHAT DO I DO??????? I AM SCARED!!!!

Hi Rexy, you might want to re-post your response on the "Just diagnosed" thread....this one is created just for stories about how we've formed friendships through this website. I'm mentioning it because I think you'll get a lot more activity and replies if you post it in a place where more people who might be able to help or are interested to help will be able to do so..I'm so sorry you're experiencing all of what you described and I hope by re-posting in the "just diagnosed" topic you'll get a lot of advice.

Claire

'm new and don't have any friends yet. I've been in this all alone the whole past 5 years. It seems impossible to ever stop worrying about recurrence.

OMG I didn't know about this topic.

I joined this community right after my dx so it's been 13 years now. I've made friends with quite a few lovely ladies over the years and Donna aka djd has become a special friend to me. Even though we literally live thousands miles away from each other - she in Dallas and me in Japan -, we've met in person 3 times (twice here and once in TX). We are looking forward to the 4th reunion.

I am so thrilled I found this site! I work with the Anne Stirba Cancer Foundation in Utah.. and for the past 7 years we have held a party called "Nite off from Cancer". It is a celebration of hope, stories, memories, love, caring and kindness! Anne Stirba was a wonderful, intelligent, beautiful woman who was also a Judge in the State of Utah. She left behind two girls and her husband when she passed away almost 15 years ago. Since we are blessed to be near the Huntsman Cancer Treatment Center here in Utah ..we have formed a good partnership with them.. We are a small Foundation, but we have still been able to help with things some patients have needed for care etc.

I am just looking to say Hi and let people know our little Foundation is here. We want to make friends and connect to be a part of this amazing community of people!

My best to all!

K.