Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
Comments
-
Stefajoy, yes, the Loggerhead survived. It took 3 of us to carry him to a vehicle..about 90 pounds. He was eventually transferred to an aquarium where a vet will oversee his care. Probably released back to ocean in the Spring. We all deserve another chance..
-
SandiBeach, very cool! Yay for saving turtles, and yay for Kauai, Stefajoy! Thanks for sharing, ladies.
-
Yay Sandibeach. Now that’s my idea of making each moment count! Wish I could have been there along side you.
-
sandi, for some reason that Is so meaningful to me. That’s a mitzvah if I ever saw one. Reminds me of an old story. There is a father and son walking on the beach. There are hundreds of beached starfish. The boy picks one up and throws it back into the ocean. Then he pick up another and does the same. When he picks up a third one his dad says, “son..you can’t save them all.” To which the son replies, as he tosses the starfish into the sea “I know. But I can save this one.”
Can’t help but thinking we are the starfish.
-
Stefajoy - That is a wonderful story! So very true!
Sandibeach - You are my new hero! That is a big turtle! We get a lot of turtles crossing the roads here and I always stop and move them to the other side. I have seen so many run over. We have had a couple of gopher turtles nest in our yard. They are protected here.
Claudia
-
BH&Stef - love the image of the child and starfish ... I think I'll happy take on the starfish role ... makes my day. Thanks!
-
Thank you all for the wonderful pics! So beautiful 😊
-
Thank you SO MUCH for this post (well, original post and subsequent comments). I've only read the first page and last 2 pages, but it's helped a lot. I received my Stage IV confirmation last night. I have no spread to bones or organs but to 4 lymph nodes, and because of 2 of their distance to the lump in my breast, that makes me IV instead of III. It's hard coping with this, but reading your post helped me know it's not a death sentence. Thank you again.
-
lkellyr - it's always such scary news to get but this is a great group with all kinds of support and good information. Stage 3 would be better than Stage 4. But you'll have been through this before and know that nothing ever happens quickly. They'll have to set up your basic health standards and then put a plan together. There are side effects but personally they aren't nearly as bad as my first go around with surgery/chemo/radiation. And there is lots of good news about trials and a couple of new drugs. Sigh! Welcome to the club, there's lots of good news to be had.
-
My younger DD had her baby shower brunch today. It was a lovely day . Here is a pic of DD. Six weeks to go!
-
Exbrnxgrl. Your dd looks amazing !!! Wishing her an easy delivery!!! Babies are the best!!!!
Bab
-
Caryn, I agree with Babs. Your dd looks great. How is she feeling? I am sure those 6 weeks will fly by for you. I look forward to pictures of the newborn.
Lynne
-
Thanks Lynne and Babs. She is off all restrictions now and feeling mostly well. I am still a bit surprised (but pleasantly so) that maternity clothing is so fitted these days (yes, that's a maternity dress). I noticed this trend several years ago , when my older DD was pregnant. What a change from the loose, smock like maternity clothes of the past!
-
Caryn, I know what you mean about maternity clothes. Styles sure have changed. Back when I was pregnant, I sometimes referred to my maternity wardrobe as my tent collection. I must admit that the clotheswere comfortable.
-
exbrnxgrl, Thanks so much for your encouraging and uplifting response. I presently wonder how to overcome this 5th week of flu/cold in 3 months...
Yes, pictures about what we are doing! #1 "Life Is Good" Shirts for Christmas! ("Life is not easy. Life is not perfect. Life is Good".) #2 Juicing (June'17; I don't have that much energy anymore, and buy them daily in town):
l
-
bjsmiller, Kyoto, Japan should be gorgeous in April, with the Sakura (cherry blossoms) starting to bloom. Ages ago, I took a little train to Yoshino, where all of the rolling hills and dales were covered in pink cherry blossoms, in every direction.
-
GraceDD, thank you for sharing your pictures and experiences with us! You look wonderful and happy! I now have a beautiful image in my mind of cherry blossoms!
-
I've been on afinitor and Faslodex for about a month now, and physically and mentally I feel better than I have felt in the 3 previous years on other treatments.
I’ve had such a gloriously busy (in a good way) December and January. Spent a few days up in the mountains, came home and three days later left for Hawaii, came home and the following weekend went to Vegas with my sister to visit my Dad who is turning 83 this week, and my step mom. Now I’m home, tired...but pumped from enjoying beautiful moments and having beautiful life experiences.
-
Love all of the pics! We need to keep enjoying life for as long as we can
-
Stefajoy - Thank you for sharing your story and pictures! You look radiant!
Claudia
-
aw thank you, Claudia. It was a happy weekend.
-
Stefajoy There’s nothing like quality time with our family to refresh us and to make us happy. Thank you fir sharing the pictures!
Bab
-
GraceDD, alas I think we'll be in Kyoto just after the cherry blossoms; darn. I'm still hopeful though! Thanks everyone for sharing photos. You all look great enjoying life.
-
just diagnosed in oct. ca2729>9000. Thank you for this post. Mother of 3, initially diagnosed in 2011 at 36, having hard time with recurrence but this post helped me get up and out today. Thank you so muc
-
Dear ca2729,
I'm so sorry to hear of your recurrence but please change your user name, don't identify yourself with a test, you are much more than a number. I am going on 25 years with BC, several times with local recurrances and now starting my fourth year with mets.
There are many treatments available to you, take care.
I just looked at the latest posts, enjoyed the pics. I've been very fortunate with a great medical team, supportive family and friends, many don't know my health issue, so far I live life as usual and essentially I'm happy. My DH and I will also celebrate our 25th anniversary this spring. We are in the planning stages of ideas.
Kathy
-
Max_otto, your story is very encouraging to us all! Keep us posted on what you and DH decide to do for your 25th, and Congratulations! We'll look forward to more pictures.
-
My beautiful new granddaughter, Ellie. She was born on March 1 and weighed 7 lbs.,10 oz. It was an easy birth (one push, amazing!) and everyone is doing well. We are all overjoyed
-
Oh, what wonderful news, a new granddaughter! Glad to hear it was an easy birth, she's healthy and all are doing well. Congratulations!
-
Thank you!
-
She’s amazingly perfect! I am thrilled for you and your family. May life be good to her, and give her all the happiness she desires. Congrats to you grandmother!! ~M~
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team