Women Stage IV past 5 years

Kristom, I was diagnosed with mets in January 1993. My cancer had spread so fast at that time and was so impossible to control, my doctor said she thought I had a year or two. It's now almost sixteen and half years later and I feel really good. With cancer, nobody can say for sure what's going to happen. Sometimes what happens is good. Don't give up hope, take it one day at a time, and may those those one-days add up to many, many years. xoxo Kathy 

Please please disregard my post---it was an error.  I wish I could delete my post.  I meant to send a message not post a reply. I realize this is an older thread after I made the mistake. I am truly sorry if this upset anyone.

Bump. (This very encouraging thread has been burried for years. New entries please! Make the list long! My self have only past 3 years. Being stable, l am looking forward to passing the 5 year threshold in 22 months. Meanwhile, please go slow, my precious time, my life.) 

Almost 7 years out from my bone mets dx. I have absolutely no idea why I’ve done so well. No special diets,life style changes etc. I have been on an AI, first Arimidex, now Femara. I also had rads to upper femur. Outliers like myself, exist, but it’s still a mystery as to why.

This summer will be 11 years since original dx. Took three years for mets to show up, so I’ve officially been Stage IV for 8 years— however, I suspect the horse was out of the barn from the get-go, and it just took three years to become visible. I have ups and downs like we all do, but I am determined to enjoy whatever life I am given and to dwell in gratitude and light. I have deep faith in God which I approach as a thread of spiritual practice that runs throughout the day, and that keeps me strong and serene. I pray for mercy, courage, and grace. When I neglect to pray and to give thanks and love and honor, my heart grows anxious and full of sorrows, and then I can feel my overall health start to slip. I don’t know why I have done as well as I have—I’ve had some crazy close calls where I could have died but then I rebounded. It’s a wild rollercoaster ride and I figure I can either shake and shriek from fright or try to relax and not hold on so tight and see if I can enjoy the ride.

I was originally diagnosed stage 1 IDC, ER and PR+, HER 2-, in 2005 (13 years ago, found on a routine mammogram) and seven years later Stage 4 in 2012 (after having back pain, found in my spine and lung, now also lots of other bones and liver). That makes 6 years Stage 4!

I've been on Faslodex 1 1/2 years, Femara 3 mos, Xeloda 2 1/2 years, Ibrance and Femara 6 mos, Doxil 3 mos, and have currently been on Taxotere, for nearly a year (first time I've lost my hair).

I still drink (not as much as I used to, which is maybe once a week instead of a few days a week) and I eat whatever I want to. I don't really exercise (does walking up the 13 steps to my 2nd floor count?) either. I have no idea why I'm still around, but am glad that I am. I think my husband of almost 35 years (we've been together since high school), our 4 children (2 in their early 30's, and 2 in their 20s), and our 3 grandchildren (8 1/2, 7, and 5) would all miss me, as well as my Mom and 3 sisters (and his family as well). I thought I would be gone in a year and a half (that's what my oncologist told me what the average lifespan was once diagnosed Stage 4, after I asked her), she did tell me she had a couple of patients that were 10 years out and one was still working (I stopped about 5 years ago). There are many of us on here, and there is always hope. We are living with cancer, not dying from.

Hugs to all!

Lynne

10.5 years

7 years x

I passed 5 years two months ago. Still don't have a port. Have gained 30 pounds but otherwise live much the same life as before. Wooo!

These days 5+ years is very common and I'm so happy for that, both for me and for all of you.

sandilee, I haven't seen you here in ages! You were one of my first friends here. You'll remember me as ...... I hadto change my name for privacy reasons. We were both dxd in 2011., although I didn't start on BCO until 2014. So I'm going on 7 years, as well. Nice to see you!

It's so good to see a lot of 10 + out there. Gives me more hope.

Sunset

YoungTurk, your mom is amazing!!

Hi! I know it's so difficult but take everything one day at a time. I've had Stage IV mets to the bone for over three years! I'm still on my first line treatment and now scanning over 6 months (soon to scan every 9 months). Those stats are a composite of a bell curve, but you really don't know you will individually fare. Keep staying present; it'll get easier.

I was diagnosed with HER2+ mets all over liver January 2012. I had symptoms since June 2011 (thought was gallbladder), so count mets since June 2011. So it's been almost 7 years. I've been very, very lucky in that the cancer has been responding to treatment. And I've fought hard to get good care. I collect pennies for good luck and knock on a lot of wood. Probably doesn't do anything but it makes me feel better. Good to others here.

Susan

Bunsuela, did you also have liver mets in 2011? Wow. I noticed you started with Gemzar..interesting. i also noticed you had Xeloda twice. Your zest for life just made my day.

How many of you drink alcohol ? Cause I need a night out bad !!!