11 years out!

[caya]

I celebrated my 11th year from diagnosis this month.
Happy for each day/month/year that goes by.
I was discharged from my after cancer treatment care oncologist this past summer - I love her, but I hope never to see her again!

all the best
caya

[PinkGirl]

Congrats Caya ... 11 years!!

[Laurel]

That is terrific news, Caya! They are talking about a dicey winter for us in the U.S. northeast. How does it sound for Canada's winter forecast?

[Lucy]

That's great Caya! Here's hoping you've seen the last of your oncologist. :)

[Becky]

Yeah! I remember when you joined the board and we became cyber friends. Congratulations to you!

[caya]

Thanks everyone!
Laurel, they are calling for a bad winter here in Ontario too.
I plan to escape to LA for awhile to visit my younger daughter who lives there. Then maybe to Florida for to visit my mom and step-father who spend their winters there.

[Catherine]

Congratulations Caya! 11 years out is where I am too. You were 48 in 2006 at time of DX and I was 58. Sounds like you have a good winter planned. Were you able to reverse the lyphadema? Thanks for posting your 11 year milestone!
All the best for many more good years!
Catherine

[sarah]

Congrats Caya!

[caya]

Catherine, my lymphedema is very,very mild. I only wear a sleeve on a long flight. I was discharged from the Lymphedema clinic at my hospital a few years ago.
I am still careful with lifting heavy items, but I have not really had a flareup in years.

all the best
caya

[lkc Gumby]

Congratulations . So happy for you. Enjoy!

[StephN]

Wonderful to hear from you, and with this positive news. Sounds like you are retired now? All the ability to get away makes me think so.

Glad any lingering side effects are so manageable. Take care.

[caya]

Hi Steph,

Not "officially" retired, but winding down our shoe importing business of 25+ years. We like to say we're on "sabbatical". My husband has had lots of offers in our industry, but we've decided to take a break, at least for now.

all the best
caya

[jra40]

Congrats Caya! Did they continue Tamoxifen or Arimidex for you? I am celebrating 7 years and my oncologist is taking me of Arimidex, she decided to not do 10 years. Just curious. Keep on living the dream :)

[caya]

My oncologist stopped me after 5 years. I did 2.5 years of Tamoxifen, and 2.5 years of Femara.
I did talk to her about continuing after the 10 year recommendations came out, but she advised me not to.
For me, I was stage 1, no nodes, and she felt the side effects (possible heart and osteoporosis issues) would outweigh any slight possible benefit. In my case, she would not recommend more Femara or Tamoxifen.
Family history of both heart attack and osteoporosis.

I have to tell you, I didn't realize how crappy I felt on the Femara until about 6 months after I went off it. I dropped 25 lbs. almost without trying, had so much more energy, etc. I spoke to my onc. about that, and she said that people often don't realize/remember how strong those drugs are, and how hard they are on our systems. Of course we have to take them if we need to. But I'm happy I did "my time" and am doing well.

all the best
caya

[MaineRottweilers]

Congratulations, Caya!

[Donna H]

Congrats!!

[suzan w]

YAY Caya!!! Lucky 11!! Good for you.

[karen z]

Congratulations Caya!!!

Awesome news. Karen Z

[Kkmom]

Wonderful, wonderful news!! Nuggets of hope.