HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Collection of Quotes that Relate to the Cancer Journey

Paula O · 12-14-2013, 06:19 AM

Words of wisdom and encouragement from a Her2 Positive sister who long outlived her doctor's prediction at diagnosis:
12/30/10
"Happy New Year !! Hauoli Makahiki Hou !!
I couldn't let this occassion pass without wishing all of you peace, good health and joy in 2011 and beyond.
I was diagnosed in early January, 1999. A doctor told me I had 6 months to live at the beginning of 2000. I remember that day. I did not say anything. I just laid on his exam table quietly, but in my heart and mind I decided that was not going to happen to me !!!!!!!!
I didn't know how I was going to accomplish that task that day, but I figured it out as I went along. I learned as much as I could, was not afraid to challenge doctors when it was appropriate to do so and found ways to get the things I needed. This journey has not always been easy, but I kept going even though I changed the route a couple of times.
I changed doctors when I needed to do that. On the other side of the coin I am still working with one or two doctors I first saw in 1999. Thankfully they are willing to travel with me through this journey.
I am still learning and putting one foot in front of the other. I promised my doctors I will be showing up for check ups when I am 90. That is my goal.
Never give up !!!!!!! Determination, believing in the possibility of success, learning as much as we can, refusing to give up, and being proactive and aggressive are the keys to long term survival.
All the best to each and everyone of you !!!!!!!!!! Never give up !!!!!!!!!!!"

1/13/13
"I was diagnosed in January, 1999, so that makes me a 14 year survivor. I am happy to be living long enough for age related health problems. I had quite a few of those last year. I am still recovering from some of them.
I still see most of the medical professionals I have seen for many years, including oncologists.
My plan is to keep going and live to at least 90 years old or beyond !! I will do everything I can to accomplish that goal. If one thing doesn't work for a health problem I will find something else that will work for whatever health problem I have or another doctor who is willing to help me with that problem. That is what I have done for the last 14 years. That is just the way I do things.
One of my doctors said he will be retired by the time I am 90. No problem. I will find another doctor to help me. His latest worry is that I will live longer than he will since two of my doctors passed away since my diagnosis.
I told him he is younger than I am so he shouldn't worry about that and I wish him a long life !!!!!!!
I am blessed to be alive. Life on earth is a tremendous learning experience. I want more of it !!!!!!!! I want to be around to see all the things that are coming in the future. I will hang in there, I will keep finding solutions to my health problems and keep putting one foot in front of the other."

------ALICE ELAINE MITCHELL 72, passed away at Queens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 31, 2013 after valiantly fighting HER2 breast cancer for nearly fifteen years.

12-14-2013, 06:19 AM	#42
Paula O Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 954	Re: Collection of Quotes that Relate to the Cancer Journey Words of wisdom and encouragement from a Her2 Positive sister who long outlived her doctor's prediction at diagnosis: 12/30/10 "Happy New Year !! Hauoli Makahiki Hou !! I couldn't let this occassion pass without wishing all of you peace, good health and joy in 2011 and beyond. I was diagnosed in early January, 1999. A doctor told me I had 6 months to live at the beginning of 2000. I remember that day. I did not say anything. I just laid on his exam table quietly, but in my heart and mind I decided that was not going to happen to me !!!!!!!! I didn't know how I was going to accomplish that task that day, but I figured it out as I went along. I learned as much as I could, was not afraid to challenge doctors when it was appropriate to do so and found ways to get the things I needed. This journey has not always been easy, but I kept going even though I changed the route a couple of times. I changed doctors when I needed to do that. On the other side of the coin I am still working with one or two doctors I first saw in 1999. Thankfully they are willing to travel with me through this journey. I am still learning and putting one foot in front of the other. I promised my doctors I will be showing up for check ups when I am 90. That is my goal. Never give up !!!!!!! Determination, believing in the possibility of success, learning as much as we can, refusing to give up, and being proactive and aggressive are the keys to long term survival. All the best to each and everyone of you !!!!!!!!!! Never give up !!!!!!!!!!!" 1/13/13 "I was diagnosed in January, 1999, so that makes me a 14 year survivor. I am happy to be living long enough for age related health problems. I had quite a few of those last year. I am still recovering from some of them. I still see most of the medical professionals I have seen for many years, including oncologists. My plan is to keep going and live to at least 90 years old or beyond !! I will do everything I can to accomplish that goal. If one thing doesn't work for a health problem I will find something else that will work for whatever health problem I have or another doctor who is willing to help me with that problem. That is what I have done for the last 14 years. That is just the way I do things. One of my doctors said he will be retired by the time I am 90. No problem. I will find another doctor to help me. His latest worry is that I will live longer than he will since two of my doctors passed away since my diagnosis. I told him he is younger than I am so he shouldn't worry about that and I wish him a long life !!!!!!! I am blessed to be alive. Life on earth is a tremendous learning experience. I want more of it !!!!!!!! I want to be around to see all the things that are coming in the future. I will hang in there, I will keep finding solutions to my health problems and keep putting one foot in front of the other." ------ALICE ELAINE MITCHELL 72, passed away at Queens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 31, 2013 after valiantly fighting HER2 breast cancer for nearly fifteen years.