Long-Time Survivors

saleboat · 01-12-2006, 08:49 AM

Elaine- thanks so much for logging-in and sharing your story with us. I was diagnosed in April with 3C, 15+ nodes, so to read your story serves as inspiration and lessens the 'what if' fears that are natural at this stage.

Jen

01-31-2006, 08:05 PM

I was diagnosed Dec 1999 Stage IIIa, 9 positive nodes; my kids were 12 and 9 at the time. They are now 18 and 15 - I'm in my 7th year; no recurrence. Keep the faith. - Gabrielle

Ruth · 02-03-2006, 05:04 AM

This is the first time I have been back to this website in almost a year but I wanted to post to Lisa's. I was diagnosed in 6/03 and at the time had a 9 month old daughter also named Emma and two boys 6 & 8. It was a very difficult next 15 months as I went through treatment and fear...however I have moved on from fear and now have a crazy 3 1/2 year old, 3rd grader & middle schooler. Not to forget the most wonderful new love & more romance that I ever thought possible! I was diagnosed w 10/16 pos nodes; HER2 pos;
ER/PR- and I remain NED. I am almost done with reconstruction and love my new bumps! I have implants & so many told me I wouldn't be able to because I had so much radiation...but proved them wrong! They look great (better than they ever were).

Please don't give into the fear just remember that it is NORMAL and as time passes and life isn't consumed with the treatments your fear will lesson.

Bless you and the best of luck ~ Ruth

Mar · 02-03-2006, 12:43 PM

It is wonderful you haven't had any recurrence either. So glad you have had more children and have a great love in your life. I have a wonderful husband who I have been married to for 27 years. Sounds like we both had aggressive cancers that we have survived. I have been reading that many women aren't hit with profound fear/worry until AFTER they finish their treatment. I think, in my case, having to deal with post chemo related Neuropathy (from Taxotere) triggered my worry/fear, with a little anger thrown in too. I am coming to terms with it all and have come to understand Neuropathy and WHY I am in so much pain EVERY DAY now. My doctor is treating my pain, which has been the key to moving on with my happy life, though there aren't any medications that can cure chemo related Neuropathy, so far. Every day no doctor tells us our cancer is back is a fantastic day, one to be celebrated with our loved ones and friends. Isn't it! Have a great weekend. Affectionately, Mar

maryb · 07-10-2006, 06:49 PM

Can you please give me more info on your implant procedure? (I also had radiation, and was told I could not have implants) I don't want to go through that TRAM flap stuff...thanks in advance and God bless! Maryb

Jinete789 · 09-23-2008, 02:31 AM

I am just diagnosed, going through pre-adjuvant chemo and was terrified when I got my HER2 positive result, thinking it was the final straw. thank you to all of you for these posts.

Mar · 09-23-2008, 04:30 AM

I just saw your email. I wanted you to know that I was terrified also when I was told I was HER2/neu with overexpression, with three lymph nodes involved, and that I was hormone negative, and that my cancer was quite aggressive and was likely to return. I just celebrated five years in remission, since my surgery, the first week of August. Take heart from that and know it is possible to beat this disease and live many years. I just had CT scans and bone scans done that didn't show any sign of return.
Each day is a gift of sweet sweet time. I am STILL learning to not have moments of fear. After all, I am human.
I suffer long term side effects of nerve damage(I have severe nerve endings pain that causes me agony) to my arms, legs, and groin area(called Neuropathy) from Taxotere, one of the chemo drugs they gave me, post surgery. I go around singing "I can do all things, through Christ, who give me my strength". It helps me when my pain gets worse and I am weary from coping with high end type pain. I have lots of family support and encouragement and that helps too.
Good luck to you as you go through your treatment. I will pray for you in this fight so many of us have faced. God bless you.

Leah · 10-27-2008, 06:40 PM

Have you tried any of the medications available for nerve pain ie. neurontin, or just regular pain meds? I don't think you should have to 'deal' with the long term side effects of cancer treatment. There is help available.

ElaineM · 09-23-2008, 08:32 PM

Hi,
I was diagnosed in January, 1999 and plan to live into my 90's. Many advances in breast cancer treatment were made since I was diagnosed that have helped me. Many more new medicines and treatments will be developed in the future, so if you take good care of yourself, are proactive and assertive with your docs you have a good chance of being a long term survivor. Stay positive !! Have hope.

Mar · 09-24-2008, 03:33 AM

That's a wonderful attitude. Each year I survive,(5 years now), has brought me more confidence that all my surgery and chemo treatments DID destroy all those monster cancer cells.
Being a nurse and having doctors and medical professionals speak bluntly and not sugar coat my prognosis in the face
of an extremely aggessive cancer made me more realistic.
The good news is that I have learned to live in the present and find great joy in every experience and happy memory I make. I have become a survivor who assists other women going through surgery and chemo whenever I am asked or see the need. I am also educating oher survivors suffering long term side effects to seek treatment from their doctors.
I don't know 100% I'll live to age 90. But, I am alive in the present. I'll take that and live with gusto.

Gabrielle · 09-25-2008, 07:51 PM

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to say I've completed almost 9 years. Still NED. Hang in there.

-Gabrielle

Leah · 10-27-2008, 03:32 PM

This is my 12th year living with bc.
I'm usually not on these boards anymore but someone private messaged me so i started reading. I do now have stage lV and am getting treatment, but have been for several years. It isn't 'normal' but it is my normal now.
Seems I will be around a long time still.
Leah

Christine · 11-15-2008, 11:19 AM

hi!, long time friend. I have been thinking of you, but was affraid to call, to hear another dooms day report from you. Nice to hear you are more positive about your survival and keeping your communication on our support group message board.
For me..........it is sooooo nice to hice to hear from you. Hope the other side of your family life is getting good results.
Call me if you wish.
Hugs, Christine