15 years later

[kitty9]

Now 15 years NED after stage 3, grade 3, 19 + nodes !
I hope this info is useful to those in the early stages of their journey.

[Laurel]

Dear "Kitty9,"

I am sorry I do not know or recall your actual name, but I do want to thank you for posting. Your story is an inspiration to those who are entering their own cancer journey. I remember the fear and uncertainty. Here you are 15 years after a Stage 3, 19 positive nodes diagnosis! Wow! In this season of Thanksgiving (November is Thanksgiving in the US) I am thankful for your survival and to all the many health professionals who fought to make a Her2 diagnosis no longer a death sentence. Thanks be to God for Dr. Slamon and Herceptin! May you enjoy many, many more cancerversaries! All the very best!

Laurel

[tricia keegan]

Kitty 9, you're about a half year ahead of me so I'm delighted to wish you continued good health and remission. So sorry I can't recall your name either but love your cat avatar which looks very like my asian Jack!

[jra40]

Congratulations - you are a true warrior and inspiration!

[Donna H]

Thanks for the update. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi All

I am delighted to see this post, to encourage others who have landed in the land of bc, and to see others again who have shared "the journey".

(As a stage 1 from 2002, I am still NED at age 69, moving slower... and still kicking.)

[tricia keegan]

Congratulations AA, good to know you're doing so well still!

[Christine MH-UK]

Hi Kitty9 and everyone else,
Nice to see some old familiar names. I was diagnosed in 2003, so only come back on every few years or so. Glad to see people are keeping well.

[AlaskaAngel]

Wonderful to see you both here!

Just wanted to add this bit of odd history... The abrupt slowdown in metabolism that came with chemo (and resulted in major weight gain for me). which lasted despite all efforts until very suddenly last year, when I lost 40 pounds without trying at all. I am now back to wearing the same size as I wore at the time of diagnosis at age 52 (and at age 29 as well). I haven't had any disease process that I know of, and I'm still active although slower. It remains a mystery.

I am NOT complaining.... (but if I could just get my thick shiny dark long hair back....*sigh*)

[StephN]

Thanks for the post Kitty. Very nice to know more of us are still kicking.

Hey there AA!

So good to "see" you checking in. Great to hear you have shed some weight that vexed you for so long.

I am still at it and also not as peppy as before, but slogging through!

How is your hubby? I still have the same email addy.

[Mary Jo]

So happy for you. Congratulations.

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Steph! I can't BELIEVE how many years have gone by since we last met....!!! A few changes on this end since then, and I will message or call so that I don't get too longwinded here... The world is upside down for sure for an awful lot of people right now....

AA

[StephN]

AA -
I am around. Same home phone. Same email address. Love to hear from you.

[AlaskaAngel]

Morning, Steph! If you are out and about, I've left a message on your home phone, will definitely try again later today.... SO good to hear your voice message! Golly...... 18 years (!) since being BALD and sharing whatever we could in dealing with it all.... Herceptin was new then.... so much to share and find our way through....

[StephN]

Good to connect back with some of the "old timers" here! We can be a tough bunch. Keep well, and do what you can to Wage Peace.

[Catherine]

Greetings to all. In the middle of the night I am checking in. As always, it is a treat to see familiar names and pictures. May those actively battling BC right now, draw strength from those of us who are still around after similar DX years ago. I always feel grateful for the dedicated scientists and doctors who keep improving the treatments and bringing long lives to so many. Thank you to the team that keeps our site going!

Love to all, Catherine
14.5 years NED