Upadate on status - 14 years and counting

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LuAnnH
LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
edited December 2020 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

It’s so sad that I don’t recognize many names or new treatments. I started using this board around 2007 and it was my lifeline. I have had ups and downs but wanted to share my status so others have hope when facing this terrible dx. I was initially dx December 23, 1998 with Stage II tripe pos breast cancer. I did 4 rounds each of A/C and Taxotere followed by six weeks of radiation. It took awhile but I managed to get my life back on track and sometimes forgot I ever had a cancer dx.

On July 2, 2006 my world fell apart when I was told I had Stage IV breast cancer with mets to the bones. I searched for help and soon found this community which is wonderful and so supportive. I learned everything I could about breast cancer. I met people and went to conventions that are for people in our situation and it always gave me hope when I would meet people that were surviving many many years.

My story in a nutshell is that I had tumors on my sternum and ribs and eventually worked my way through all of the AI;s available. the AI’s have side effects and I started having doctors for so many health reasons I had lost count. Eventually around 2013 the cancer moved to my lungs and I started IV chemo. I was on Navelbine for 6 months and ended up in the hospital every time I had it because my white counts were wiped out. I really thought it was the beginning of the end for me.

When I was on my last hospital stay form Navelbine I got amazing news, it was December 20, 2014 my onc came to visit me and shared with me that my most recent scans were NED. I was thrilled and wasn’t sure what would come next.

I have been on Aromasin and herceptin since that point and I am still NED. My mot recent scans were about a month ago. I had been so long and this news helped me learn I could live with this disease. I still have plenty of health issues but I actually started living like I didn’t have cancer.

The port and numerous doctors always remind me that I do have cancer. I try to post about once a year so people can see there is a possible to live with this more like a chronic illness. A lot of people that survive long periods of time tend to disappear and get busy trying to have a life. So I make an effort to make a post and let everyone know that I pray for anyone that gets a cancer dx because stories like mine always gave me a reason to fight on!

I wish everyone could have a story like mine but I know that isn’t always true but holding onto hope was the best medicine in the world for me. I hope everyone can enjoy heir holidays despite COVID making it hard to be with family

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  • Meja
    Meja Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2020

    Dear LuAnn,

    Amazing, - thank you for sharing your story.
    I agree, through all the adversities we encounter, hope is a great medicine.
    I have been on Faslodex and Herceptin since May 2020; I hope I will have the same success with this combination as you have experienced with Aromasin and Herceptin.
    Looking forward to reading many more of your annual updates 😊.

    Take care and stay safe,
    Meja

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn, what wonderful news to know you are 14 years and counting! Thank you for describing some of the details of what you've experienced. Your story is wonderful and inspiring to hear! I wish you many, many more years of NED. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2021!


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  • emac877
    emac877 Member Posts: 371
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn I needed to read this today! Thank you. I am just finishing my first year with Stage IV and have really struggled with the changes to my body and my life. I have been scouring for stories like this from people who have lived with this for years and continue to do well. I wish you many more years of NED. Merry Christmas to you!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2020

    Thank you for coming back and sharing some hope! Congratulations on this milestone and may you have many more!

    I have those days when I forget I have cancer too and those are the BEST days! All I want for Christmas is for some company to develop Herceptin in a pill so I can become a nomad in retirement

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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn, Wow for 14 years! Thank you so much for checking in. As you know, we all cherish hearing news like yours. We gain hope from “long-termers” like you. I understand how easy it is to just disappear from these boards when your life is going along so well. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to give us an update. I hope you continue to have many more years of NED.

    Hugs and prayers from, Lynne


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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2020

    Luann,

    So very good to hear from you and know you are still doing well! Congratulations and may you have many more wonderful years ahead of you.

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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn,

    Thanks for popping in! Your story is a joy to read.
    I've had a few hiccups in the past year, but I'm still here!

    Hoping your holidays are merry and bright,

    Tina

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited December 2020

    I’m honored to share my story and I know how much it meant to me when long term survivors would post. I used to be on here 24/7 searching for positive news which was hard to find when I first started. Since my dx I have had 4 beautiful grandchildren born and they have been the light in my life that helped me persevere in this nightmare. Just from browsing the topics it seems there area lot of new meds approved which hopefully will make my story the norm. Happy Holidays to all of you! Let’s hope 2021 will be full of new stories of survival

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  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn: your post filled me with joy for you and hope for the rest of us.

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  • amontro
    amontro Member Posts: 504
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn

    Its great that you have this thread so others can see that nothing is set in stone.

    I was diagnosed in 2008 from the start with Stage 4. I'm going into my 13th year. I'm still getting herceptin and taking Arimidex. I still have the same mets that I've had since day one, in my lungs and my spine. I've had my port all this time and it has held up all these years.

    My calendar is full of doctor's appointments and tests, but it's gratifying when I leave doctor offices and hospital with no changes.

    Have a happy end healthy new year everyone.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2020

    amontro,

    I remember your name and hearty congratulations on living with mbc for so many years!

    Luann,

    I congratulated you when you posted on the other thread but it bears repeating, so congrats!

    I’m at about 9 1/2 progression free years and hope to be joining you both in double digit survival

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  • Strong65
    Strong65 Member Posts: 78
    edited December 2020

    I am 6 years in - Stage IV from the start with bone mets.

    It has changed my life but, I'm here to live it and am so happy to have been able to see my son's grow up!


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  • AmyJM
    AmyJM Member Posts: 665
    edited December 2020

    Hi LuAnn! I joined this group back in 2013, when I was diagnosed stage 4 (original early stage diagnosis in 2003), but haven't been around a lot lately. After 3 years on Arimidex and 4 years on Ibrance/Faslodex, I'm switching to Piqray/Faslodex, so I came back,, initially to check out the Piqray thread. I agree that there aren't a lot of familiar names, so it's nice when I see someone that I remember from before! Having said that, I actually see a lot of familiar names on this thread! It's also so encouraging to hear your situation - it gives us all hope! I have to admit that I feel pretty lucky for the 7+ years Stage 4 so far though. Congrats on 14 years! May there be many more for all of us!

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited December 2020

    Hey, LuAnn! Great to see you posting and congrats on 14. I am between you and amontro, who I also recognize from way back. I am so glad you are still enjoying your grandkids. No doubt they contributed to your longevity. I think my daughter at 7 years old certainly gave me a reason to live at the time. Keep on keeping on!

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  • Sunshine99
    Sunshine99 Member Posts: 1,680
    edited December 2020

    LuAnn, thank you for starting this thread. I'm only 9 months into my Stage IV diagnosis and it's so comforting to read the stories of those who are still here. I remember when I was first diagnosed with Stage II, and I was so frightened. Gradually, the fear went away.

    Now, with Stage IV, the fear has returned. Curiously, not of dying, but of leaving my husband behind or worrying about what my death would do to my father. This diagnosis has been so hard on him. So, one day at a time, with gratitude and hope. My scans yesterday showed that I'm stable, so I'm thankful for that.

    Wishing you all a peaceful day,

    Carol

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  • cedric_86
    cedric_86 Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2020

    Thanks so much for taking time out of living your life and sharing hope with others. :)

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