My annual update

I'm sorry I don't visit often, but I have been working very hard on trying to live a life as if I don't have cancer. A brief update on who I am for those who do not know me. I found these boards in July 2006 when I was dx with stage IV, triple positive breast cancer to the bone. My initial dx was stage II in 1998 so cancer has been part of my life for a very long time.

I started out on arimidex and worked my way thru all the AI's. I didn't initially start out using herceptin until about a year after being in tx. I'm pretty sure it was around my first progression when they did that. Eventually I had a progression into my lungs and they put me on navelbine. That was a rough tx for me but was a good thing in the long run. It pushed the cancer backwards so I then was put but back on an AI with Afinitor of course along with my herceptin. It was about a year after that when I've had a scan showing no evidence of any metastatic disease in my body. I just had scans on Friday and thanks to mychart the results are already posted. I am still showing no signs of disease!

I have now been NED for 4 years now and am actually starting to believe I can live life like a somewhat normal person. The only problem with that is when I have to take all these pills and go to tx every 3 weeks.

If you would have asked me in 2006 if I thought I would be alive 11 years with Stage IV I would have said no, so never give up hope because we never know what tx may work or what new tx will come along that will be the one to get you to NED. I have 4 children that were 19, 18, 15 and 13 in 2006. I was striving to see my youngest graduate high school and now my kids are 30, 29, 25 and 23. I also have 4 grandchildren that are 20, 9, 4 and 3. All but my youngest is in a committed relationship and they all are quite successful. I am proud of this because my husband died in 1999 and I raised these children on my own and dealt with this disease.

I try to stop in and update my status every year. The best advice I can give anyone is to educate yourself about your disease, there are conferences you can attend and speak to researchers as well as highly respected doctors. Some of the conference sponsors offer travel grants to help you afford to go. Be sure your doctor answers all the questions you have thoroughly and allow you to participate in your tx. Most importantly, find support, online or a personal group. It's important to talk to others going through your experience and truly understands what you are going thru. I was amazed at all the tips and tricks people will give you to help manage side effects.

Life after stage IV is never easy, dealing with side effects of all the toxins we put in our bodies.i am dealing with osteoarthritis which is causing bone spurs all over my body as well as accelerated aging of my bodydue to lack of estrogen. Last summer I had surgery on my right foot twice to remove a bunion on my right foot. In January I had my right knee replaced and the left knee in May. My knees were both bone on bone so that relieved alot of that pain. Right now I am working with my pain management center to help with degenerative issues with my back. So I know it is just as hard managing side effects as it is the disease.

I have rambled enough, I just want everyone to know it is possible to live with this disease. It may not be easy but it is possible. I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season and know I keep everyone in my prayers!