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StephN · 07-02-2009, 06:51 PM

...that my suggestion to close (as opposed to REMOVING) the thread "From Cautious Remission to Freedom" was, I felt, in the best interest of the members here. Andi's subject is a VERY important one for ALL of us, no matter what our stage, as we grow away from the cancer having a grip on us to "getting a grip" on the cancer and changing the way we deal with our disease.

To me this was the crux of the thread and the topic had run way off the rails. Various thoughts and opinions had been expressed and acknowledged, but the thread was not getting back on the main message and discussion.

It takes guts to back track over years of fear of the unknown and feeling fatigued with barely the strength to carry on. To follow those years through to the point where life took on a different color, if you will. It needs a person who can understand herself to dig down and come up with the mental and physical ability to make a major move and take hold of the cancer and try to break its grip. Maybe less so if a person is early stage, but that is an individual matter.

So, I hope no one misunderstood me in that effort to keep the normal tone of this group more harmonious, even if we sing different notes.

P.S. Also want to wish everyone a peaceful and happy Fourth of July weekend. I plan to relish the significance of this time and honor all those who have fought bravely for us to live in this country where we are free to speak, interact and enjoy the gift of this web site.

07-02-2009, 06:51 PM	#1
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	May I just say ... ...that my suggestion to close (as opposed to REMOVING) the thread "From Cautious Remission to Freedom" was, I felt, in the best interest of the members here. Andi's subject is a VERY important one for ALL of us, no matter what our stage, as we grow away from the cancer having a grip on us to "getting a grip" on the cancer and changing the way we deal with our disease. To me this was the crux of the thread and the topic had run way off the rails. Various thoughts and opinions had been expressed and acknowledged, but the thread was not getting back on the main message and discussion. It takes guts to back track over years of fear of the unknown and feeling fatigued with barely the strength to carry on. To follow those years through to the point where life took on a different color, if you will. It needs a person who can understand herself to dig down and come up with the mental and physical ability to make a major move and take hold of the cancer and try to break its grip. Maybe less so if a person is early stage, but that is an individual matter. So, I hope no one misunderstood me in that effort to keep the normal tone of this group more harmonious, even if we sing different notes. P.S. Also want to wish everyone a peaceful and happy Fourth of July weekend. I plan to relish the significance of this time and honor all those who have fought bravely for us to live in this country where we are free to speak, interact and enjoy the gift of this web site. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018. Last edited by StephN; 07-02-2009 at 07:12 PM.. Reason: add P.S.