Yeah for me

[Joanne S]

I completed my one year of Herceptin the last week of November, 2007. I recently had a brain MRI and CT Scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis. Although I had some new non-cancer findings, I am currently considered NED ! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_13.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS)

I was happy to say the least, but my family didn't show me any reaction. I was hoping my husband would want to celebrate by cheering, taking me out to dinner, or something, but http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_13_7.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS) I really didn't get any reaction.

It has been a long and difficult 1 1/2 year since my original dx. I know some others on this site have experienced the lack of enthusiasm or reaction of excitment from their family, but I know all of you know what an accomplishment this is and what this news really means.

[Linda]

Congratulations on your clean scans. I know what that means. WE know what that means.
Those near and dear to us can't possibly understand what this is like (just like we don't always understand what they're going through...)
You must be so relieved. Onward... You're back in the thick of life...
Linda

[Chelee]

Joanne, First of all I am SO SORRY no one acknowledged the importance of your scan results. NED is BIG NEWS...I'm not sure what planet "our" families are from at times? lol I experienced that when I completed herceptin, and then again recently when it was my two yr canceversary. Not one peep out of anyone...just no big deal. It was JUST another day. I have a really good idea how you are feeling. They just don't get *it*! :( They seem to think its all over now so you just need to forget about it and move on. (Don't we wish.)

That being said...I get *it* and this entire board gets *it*. Let me say BIG CONGRATULATION'S to you on completing your herceptin and your NED status! :) You have been through SO MUCH and its time you do something really special for yourself. Even if you family doesn't understand...make sure you celebrate and go buy yourself something you've been wanting. You deserve it. :) Its been no picnic to get where your at, and I say "WAY TO GO GIRL"! Here's to another 40 plus years with NED by your side. Again...congratulations. Whooo Hoooo!

Chelee

[PinkGirl]

Hi Joanne

Yeah for you!!! Congrats on finishing treatments
and the clear scans. As Chelee said, we all "get it"
here. Way to go........

285

[Mary Anne in TX]

I'm here leaping for joy and celebrating with you! I'm picturing tons of balloons and confetti and some fun food to munch on! We're all so excited for you and send you hugs and laughter and "way to go, girl"s!!!!

[caya]

Yes Joanne WE certainly "get it" here - Thanks for sharing, good for you.

all the best
caya

[RhondaH]

I'm sorry for the "non reaction", but always remember...WE LOVE YOU!!!! Congratulations, now go TREAT YOURSELF (I got a day package at the day spa-ah-ah-ah-ah). Take care and God bless...how's the weather where YOU are? We got LOTS of snow over here by Lake Michigan.

Rhonda

[Mary Jo]

You bet we do "get it" Joanne. Only someone who has walked in our shoes could truly "get it!" I'm sure your family is very happy for you BUT they've probably let it go a long time ago. I mean, geez, you've "done the work" so it's over now, right????? Haha! Ya, right!!!! It's NOT that easy!!! Although it gets easier with time, the "letting it go" completely isn't possible.

Sending you HUGE CONGRATULATIONS HUGS and to say I KNOW how happy you are. It's an awesome feeling to know we are NED!!!

Love and Peace to you Joanne,

Mary Jo

[Patb]

Same way here. You are back doing everything so its over. They don't
get it like we do. Celebrate we get it. One year,Two years, forever we
get it.
patb

[lilyecuadorian]

I sure they are happy but maybe they thinking that was a normal good news only we know is no a normal good news is a great news so just celebrate with your sister in this site then ...I' happy for you ..I know what means this ...so thanks for help my day to be nice ...cer

[Faith in Him]

Good for you. It is wonderful news.

[Believe51]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_22_31.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm603YYUS) Here is to dancing with NED, Congratulations!! This is great news and I am so sorry you did not get the reactions you expected from home. Please remember this is your second home and WE get it, Sweetie. And make sure you do something special for yourself because you deserve it. Thanks for keeping us posted with you, I have missed you so much>>Believe51

PS: If this was Mighty Oak I promise I would be 'yelling it out on a cliff to the entire state', only this time I know I would not feel like jumping!! LOL!!





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb113&pp=ZRxdm603YYUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb113_ZRxdm603YYUS&utm_id=7921)

[Sherryg683]

Well, I will certainly give you a reaction WAY TO GO!! It is such a relief to get those clear scans. I remember my husband giving the same reaction when I was told I was NED, he was in the room with me when the Oncologist told us. I actually though I saw him frown. Maybe it was just my imagination but I had it in my head that he didn't care if I died, which of course isn't true. Husband can be just plain weird at times. sherryg

[BethC]

Joanne,

You're right - people don't get it! We do!!! But congratulations and yeah for you!!!!!!!!!

Beth

[Hazel Joyce]

Congratulations! Wishing you many more years of NED! (I am a few months behind you. I guess I'll start planning my own celebration.)

[Lolly]

Joanne,

CONGRATULATIONS! It's a huge milestone, and you can't help but feel hurt that those who love you didn't make a big deal about it. But it is true that sometimes our families just expect that all is going to turn out fine, and don't realize the anxiety we go through. It's not too late for you to take you and your husband out for a special celebration, let him know that it IS a big deal to you, and CELEBRATE!!! I recommend you take the bull by the horns here so you don't harbor resentment towards you husband, he just doesn't realize you need to do this for yourself.

<Lolly

[chrisy]

I agree with Lolly. Our family and friends want everything to be ok, and after treatment is done, they sometimes express that as whew, that's over. They don't understand the anxiety because they believe it to be "taken care of" and are not thinking in terms of might it recur.

But that doesn't mean you can't celebrate!

[Vanessa]

So excited to hear that you are NED. I am sorry that your family is not very responsive. Grab a friend and go celebrate and/or take the time to tell your family how you feel. Maybe they just need time to absorb the good news.

[Carol Carlson]

Joanne,
Where do I begin...????
Sometimes husbands and families and friends just DO NOT GET IT.....
I had a mammo yesterday and all is well... I'm a 4 year survivor... so I sent out an email to friends and siblings and had a wonderful response. They are truly celebrating with me. My sister-in-law called me today she was so pleased to hear the news. One of my sisters emailed me and said " great" and then went on this diatribe about the problems she's been having with " heartburn" lately.. oh, my gosh....
2 of my 3 children were happy to hear the results as the 3rd is in his own world ....Celebrate? Are you kidding ? they are soooooo busy with their own lives And lastly, but by no means leastly, my husband's reaction was ..... " How did it go ??" Answer... "it was fine .. no change from the last one in June"...... his answer'" Oh, good" followed by , " did you get the mail on the way in ?" How do respond to that ??? Who gives a ^$#)(*&^#$ about the mail ?? I'm OK ... get it.

SO, I had a few glasses of wine -- he joined me with one.... though I'm reading lately that alcohol will increase your risk of reoccurance but I said to h--- with it... I'm celebrating.
So my friend , Joanne S... do I get it ??yes, I do and CONGRATULATIONS to many more good reports. Take care and I DO care. I'm sure your family does too, but sometimes they have a real weird way of showing it...
Carol

p.s.. My daughter, who is a nurse, has often said," I can't believe how you breezed through the surgeries, and chemo and radiation.... you're so tough and strong" and perhaps that's my fault for the persona that I present... oh well, I am who I am and that's my story
Important note... KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR
per example.... picture this... you and I are out on my street tonight doing some cool boogie dancing and everyone is honking their horns....celebrating with us...

[Joanne S]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I have uncontrollable tears of joy right now.

Virtual http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_80.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS)and http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_4_15.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS) to all my HER2 Sisters ! Joanne



Rhonda,

We're pretty lucky on the east side of Michigan --- only 3-4 inches last night and a dusting today ! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_3_100.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_4_47.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS) Jo