Happy Birthday to Me

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susan_02143
susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
edited October 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I made it!

Today, at 4am, I turned 60 years old. I didn't expect to become this age, ever. After all, I have had some cancer-fighting drug coursing through my system, every single day, since 2005. Thirteen years of doctors probing my breasts, though they like the "affected" one the best, sticking their fingers into lymph nodes under my arm, listening to my lungs, and watching for a sign.

I am certainly grateful and happy to have made it to my 60th year, but this isn't really what I had planned.

Cancer has taken both of my careers away. I receive a disability check monthly [so glad I didn't fudge my self-employment Schedule C and paid those huge sums for the Social Security tax.] I am now the proud owner of a handicap permit, which I haven't actually used yet.

But I am here! I have seen my daughter start college and then graduate with honors. I watched her receive her masters. And just last month, she was awarded her doctorate. She and the boy were married in our living room; an event that I "catered." She had a baby who I love to spend two days a week watching. I managed to work for 11 1/2 years, building a financial reserve that allows me to continue to pay for health insurance while I wait for Medicare to kick in. I have been able to take a number of big trips to Europe to visit family, women from this board, and simply enjoy time away.

Today, we will celebrate with a gathering of family and then another one of friends. There are so many women who have helped me along the way who are no longer able to celebrate with me. They will all be in my heart as I enjoy some spanakopita.

I made it!

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited October 2018

    image

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  • Kanga_Roo
    Kanga_Roo Member Posts: 333
    edited October 2018

    Susan, what a wonderful story to share with us. It is so good to hear from women who are living their lives and marking off some beautiful achievements along the way.

    Jackie

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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2018

    Susan- Congratulations!!!

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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited October 2018

    Susan,

    So glad for you. Enjoy!

    Piling on the good wishes with another Muppet sketch:

    Always,

    Tina

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  • MJHJAN1014
    MJHJAN1014 Member Posts: 708
    edited October 2018

    You go girl!

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  • jamiemarie
    jamiemarie Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2018

    Happy birthday!!! Congratulations!!! :)

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  • skyfly
    skyfly Member Posts: 85
    edited October 2018

    Happy Birthday, Susan! You’re an inspiration to my family :)
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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2018

    Wonderfully inspiring, Susan! Happy, happy birthday to you! And cheers to many, many more happy and healthy years to come.

    Big hugs,

    --The Mods

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  • AnimalCrackers
    AnimalCrackers Member Posts: 701
    edited October 2018

    Happy Birthday!  Thanks for sharing your good news!  We all look forward to hearing about the QOL stories.  Especially over 10 years out from diagnosis.  I was diagnosed stage iv in June of 2014 and have had a very good QOL so far while on targeted and hormonal therapy.  So 4.5 years later I am feeling blessed.  However, things have recently changed and I've had to switch over to IV chemo to knock down some pretty painful bone mets.  The pain has now been managed and I am feeling better but the idea of IV chemo definitely has an impact on one's outlook.  My hair is almost completely gone.  I think I may have one more sinkful of hair left to shed.  I may take care of that tomorrow...  Fortunately I have come to terms with losing my hair.  I hope the IV Treatment (Taxol/Paclitaxel) continues to be tolerable.   I have very few side effects.  I am extremely tired but I can deal with that.  I wish you the best and hope you continue on this path.  It is comforting to know that there are sisters/brothers out there who are living well with mbc.  Much love.

    Cathy

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited October 2018

    image

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2018

    Susan, happy, happy, happy birthday! Thanks for your inspirational post! I absolutely love how you detailed many milestones along the way that you’ve experienced since being dx with bc/mbc. You truly see this as living with mbc, not dying from it. May you have many, many more good years living the fullness and goodness of life!


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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited October 2018

    Susan, congrats!

    I was coming on here to post my birthday. Today (Oct 17) I am 54 years old. I was diagnosed at 47 with HER2+ mets covering the liver and am alive 7 years later. That is a miracle. I am very, very grateful to all the researchers and patient advocates who have worked hard to get funds for and do medical research that keeps us all alive. Hallelujah.


    Susan, DC

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited October 2018

    Happy Birthday GoneGirl!!!

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited October 2018

    gonegirl, you is here-girl! CONGRATULATIONS to you, too!!!


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  • screech
    screech Member Posts: 212
    edited October 2018

    Happy Birthday Susan and GoneGirl!

    Love, love love DivineMrsM's "you is here-girl" comment!

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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2018

    Gone-girl!! Well I am a day late and a dollar short, as usual, but hope you have a lovely birthday and great year ahead:



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  • Moissy
    Moissy Member Posts: 550
    edited October 2018

    Happy birthday and bravo!!!

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  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 1,493
    edited October 2018

    Aww, I'm a few days late to the party, but Happy Birthday, Susan! I am glad to have known you back when you were 50! And to still be here to help you see 60 come and go. I will stand with you and remember all our old friends who are gone. You know they would all be happy for us that we are still here.

    And Happy Birthday to you, too gonegirl! Not gone yet!! If you stick around as long as Susan and I have, you won't be calling yourself a girl anymore, either! Maybe someday you can change your BCO name to StillHereWoman. LOL

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  • Utopria
    Utopria Member Posts: 204
    edited October 2018

    Happy Birthday Susan!! I'm a newbie to stage 4 and your post gives me so much inspiration! Thankyou!! Many hugs to you and having many more memories on this beautiful thing we call life!!

    Happy Birthday gonegirl I am also 47, diagnosed with mets, and hope to live many more good years like you with good qol. Here's wishing you many many more birthdays!! Hugs!

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