FIVE & 1/2 years NED in my head

[StephN]

I would like to add to the string of posts with postive news.

After having 2 tumors found in my brain in January of 2003, I now have joined the Five Year Brain Mets Club.

My rad onc looked me in the eye today and said, "You know you are in a very special group."

I replied,"Yes, something like 2% or less." He said, "Or less."

He seemed to be trying to see right into me to fathom the reason for my success against my cancer. Especially since he knows I have been off Herceptin for 18 months now.

Have blood work and scans again in mid-June, which will take me up near my 10 year mark of diagnosis. Very hard to believe!

[caya]

Big congrats Steph!!

all the best
caya

[Kim in DC]

Congrats Steph!!!

[schoolteacher]

Congratulations Stephanie. You know you are my hero too. I could not have done the vaccine without you.

Amelia

[Ellie F]

Well done Steph. You offer hope that we can beat this thing! Big thanks also to Christine and Joe for their work running this online group.

Ellie

[Joe]

I had always suspected that there was nothing there.

GREAT NEWS !!


Regards
Joe

[CourtneyL]

You are an inspiration Steph. You and Christine both. You give me so much hope. I hope to be in the 5 year club myself one of these days. I've got 4 years to go but with hope and faith, I will get there. Someday that percentage will be much MUCH higher. Thank you for continuing to inspire so many of us. I wish that when I initially Googled "brain mets breast cancer survival" your picture and story would have popped up instead of all of the other grim stuff out there. These stories of success need to be told. And I am glad this website is here for us to tell them.

[ElaineM]

This is certainly great news !!!!!!!! Keep up the good work. Whatever you are doing is working.

[Shobha]

Great news, Steph! Wishing you many many more NED years.

hugs,
shobha

[chrisy]

Steph - Way to go! I was going to say what Joe did, but the truth is there is definitely SOMETHING special going on there...

[tricia keegan]

Wonderful news Steph, many congrats to you!!!!! xx

[Ceesun]

Absolutely terrific news!!! Ceesun

[krisvell]

Steph
I am so very happy for you. I wish you many, many, many more years of NED. When I first logged onto this site last year, I read many of your posts and they gave be great hope. Now, you are sharing again with some very good news. Sending hugs your way.
Kris....

[Gerri]

Great news Steph! You are a source of strength and an inspiration to all of us here. I am thrilled you are doing so well.

[misquam42]

Your a a true survivor.... congratulations and best wishes.
Pat

[Jean]

Steph,
That is wonderful news and makes us all feel so good.
I am thrilled for you.

What a very special day to hear great news.
Keep it coming.
Hugs,
jean

[ammebarb]

Steph, your post gave me goosebumps and made my eyes sting! I am so very pleased that you continue to do so well. When I get scared for my sis, I come here to be encouraged and inspired. As my oncologist used to say, "Keep up the good work!"

Barb A.

[lkc Gumby]

Congratulations Steph. You are amazing !!

[Bill]

Congratulations, Steph, and thanks for all you do for all of us. You are truly one of a kind and very special. Just last night Joe and I were grilling out (he likes his ribeye steak medium rare with 2 or 3 pieces of bacon laid across the top and if you really want to impress him serve it to him with a small side of chimichurri sauce. Whenever I cook for Joe I like to have a "fake steak" that I flip around alot just for show, you know, with alot of sizzle and pizzazz. He loves that sizzle. He looks every time.) He looked up at the sky, took a healthy swig of his gin and tonic, and said, "you know, Bill, that StephN is one hell of a gal. Hey! You're not overcooking that steak are you?" I jumped a foot in the air. For those who don't know Joe, you never, ever want to overcook his steak. "No, Joe, it's gonna be just perfect, just like last Saturday, honest! Yeah, I agree, StephN is a real sweetie." "Ok then, Bill, I think it's time that you brought that steak over here and oh, yeah, PM Steph for me and tell her congratulations"

[sassy]

Steph,

What a wonderful inspiration you are, and what a wonderful person to continue to share your story of hope and joy to so many who need that hope.

May you remain forever NED!

[freyja]

The force is with you! If only they could bottle your special brand of relentless determination and positivity...I believe that is the secret ingredient he was looking for.
Keep on keepin' on.
Cheers, Celeste

[SoCalGal]

Thanks for this post - you are my hero!
Flori aka SoCalGal
PS to Celeste - LOVE your new photo

[StephN]

My thanks to everyone for the nice messages.

One thing about my attitude is that I NEVER FELT LIKE A SICK PERSON. Even when I was beat to a pulp by my chemo treatments. I knew the cause of that was from something from outside my body, given to me on purpose, and would be temporary.

Those "get well" cards always struck me as strange, "why is this for me, I am not sick?"

I did not consider having cancer as "being sick."

Maybe that was a successful defense mechanism.

Freyja, love those "dancin' feet."

[suzan w]

Steph...congratulations!!! I have goose bumps!!! xo Suzan

[Joan M]

Wonderful news!

Joan

[alicem]

Steph,

This is such FANTASTIC news!

I'm so happy for you!!!


Alice

[TriciaK]

Your post gave me goosebumps, too, Steph! You have been an inspiration for me ever since I first found this site. Your words about how you've dealt with cancer really touched me because that is how I have felt too. I have never said "I HAVE cancer" in the 25 years I've been dealing with it. I always say "I am FIGHTING cancer". I love to read your posts. I think maybe attitude has a lot to do with survival. Thank you for all your inspiration through the years. Hugs, Tricia

[jhandley]

Hi Steph
Congratulations!
Jackie (down under)

[Lien]

Dear Steph,

I am so happy for you, and for all of us, because it's a delight to "know" you through this list. May they find out what it is that made a difference for you, so they can help more bc patients have that wonderful outcome!

Love & hugs

Jacqueline

[karen z]

Dear Steph,
Wonderful news to hear from a gal with the best attitude and fighting spirit. Best wishes,
karen

[Catherine]

Steph,

Wonderful news. I am so happy for you and for all of us.
Thanks for sharing the good news and the details.

Hugs,
Catherine

[RivkA]

I see you also took (are taking?) Zometa. Do you also have bone mets?

Please feel free to visit my blog:
http://coffeeandchemo.com

[Diane H]

Your news made it a happy day for us all, thanks for sharing it.
You are a bright light here,
Hugs,
Diane

[fullofbeans]

Well done,

that is amazing and yes not accepting cancer is the way forward I never understood the mcmillan slogan who call people (even if they are stage 1 with no node ) :living with cancer.. does not make sense to me

[Sheila]

Steph
You are amazing.....cancer just does not stand a chance messing with you....so happy to read this post...you may be Ned in the head, but your heart is full of love and courage!