Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

It is the end of the day - and after celebrating my 58th birthday (gasp!!) my mind is on all of you.
Ten years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and mets to all four lobes of my lungs. I felt pretty lousy. I was horrified at the thought of breaking this news and all the awfulness that comes with it - to my 4 children (ages 8 - 18). Many of you too have walked in these stinking shoes.
Well today, 10 years later, my scans last week came back with a “no changes” report - I am stable on Herceptin … and A-OK. (ALMOST NED except for one stinking tiny spot on my lungs that hasn’t changed for many years)
Today, it is my fervent wish and prayer that all of you with mets are given the same chance. NED. A moment when cancer is not on your mind. A few days of feeling pretty darn good. The chance to look to your future with joyful anticipation.
At the very least, I wish for my experience to give you all a small bucket full of hope.
I am not logged in as much as I was in the early years; but I will not let another birthday pass without an update.
Love and Hugs to all of my her2 sisters!
Kim (from CT)

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Dear Kim, what a fantastic milestone...10 years! A decade of navigating the unsteady cancer landscape, with all its ups and downs. Thank you for posting your wonderful news!!! Congratulations and hugs!!!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Yay Kim! Your story gives me a bucket of hope, thank you! And Happiest of Birthdays!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy Birthday and such inspiring news! I have my last chemo tomorrow and bmx scheduled for June 20...looking ahead to 10 years down the road as well :)

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Kim, you have made my day with your wonderful post. Such great news, and I love your wishes for us all here - thank you! I feel very happy for you, and wish you many, many years ahead stable and NED.
Cheers Marie

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Great news Kim, giving hope to many of us! Hope you had a wonderful birthday.
Best wishes.... Pam

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy Birthday and scan results! thank you for sharing. I am approaching year 2 and it is so good to hear of the possibility of many more!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

I am so happy for you. Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Kim, this is simply wonderful! I wish you many, many more birthdays to enjoy. And I wish for myself I may be as lucky as you are - I was recently diagnosed with HER2+++ ER/PR- and mets to the bones off the get go.
My daughter is 5, so 10 years sounds just great to me - 15 or 20 would be even better (shooting for the moon, here)!

Thanks again for posting this - it gives me hope!

Annette
----------------------------------------
03/2014: Diagnosed with ER/PR-, HER2+++ MBC (bone mets)
04/2014: Started 6 cycles of "PHD" (Pertuzumab, Herceptin, Docetaxel)

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy Birthday! Congratulations on reaching a major milestone both physical and emotionally.

Wishing you many more joy filled decades!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy Birthday! and thanks for sharing your good news. You've give us stage 4 sisters much hope. Coming up on 4 years stage 4 myself. God is good.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Yeah Kim, way to go!!! A very happy birthday
health and happiness always
love sarah

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Angel! (I love it when you call me "Angel")!! Oh, how I love to see your face and hear your news!
I was thinking about you just yesterday, that I had to call and give you all my news! And I will!
Please come around more often, you are soooo loved!
Enjoy your day, beauty,
Hugs & Kisses
Karen

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Dear Kim,

It's so great to hear from you and to learn that you're still stable on just Herceptin. Hallelujah!

I'm happy for you, of course, but I'm also happy that people just starting down this road can see stories like this. It's good to have reason to hope.

Thank you.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Gods blessings to you and your family�� I'm sure every birthday is filled with sheer joy��

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Kim, Happy Healthy Birthday....BRAVO! Cathy

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy birthday, sorry a little late but so pleased to hear your news! May it continue forever!

Love from England

Ellie

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Congrats Kim! this is good news. We love good news! Thank you for posting.
Michka

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Wow that is great, you give me so much hope! Thanks for posting!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

I celebrate your fantastic news and thank you for sharing it is such an encouragement. Also a slightly belated Happy Birthday, I look forward to wishing you an on time birthday in 2015, hopefully by then I'll be finished primary treatment with my year of Herceptin maitenance. I am just in the middle of neoadjuvant treatment then surgery ? radiation ? reconstruction.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Wow, many congrats to you Kim and here's to many more!!!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Dear Kim,

Thank you for sharing the great news. Happy Birthday and many, many more.


Adriana

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Very few things in life give me as much cheer as a shout out from so many Her2 sisters - thank you all for your kind words and cheerful greetings.
Karen, Becky, Sarah, Ceesun, Ellie F, Adriana, Tricia - I love seeing your names - it is so comforting seeing old friends on this site for many years.
SusanW, KaiM, Bunty, Pamelamary, 4angel, Dianamk, Pray - it seems like you are nipping at my heels and running after NED. Hang in there, you’re doing good!
annettechen - you just keep on shooting’ for the moon, honey. Hold that beautiful baby close - with today’s research progress I feel like 20 years IS within reach!
crb, lizbeth, amy, Michka, Dizzydoo, FLFrost, Adriana - I feel like you are still in the midst of treatment turmoil and yet you still have the grace to share in my own Yahoo moment - true angels, all of you.
love and hugs times 10,
Kim (from CT)

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Hi Kim,

Count me in on the congrats. I am so happy and encouraged by your story. Hope you had a wonderful bday.

Take good care,

Jackie

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Hi Kim,

I missed your original post as I was away for a couple of weeks.

Big congrats to you on being 10 years out, and at stage 4 yet!!

all the best
caya

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Such wonderful news! Thanks for sharing and I hope your birthday was absolutely fantabulous!!!!!!

BIG CONGRATS!!!!!!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Happy canniversary! Awesome!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Kim,

It's so sweet of you to respond individually. You are a blessing to this group.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

congratulations Kim. What a great Birthday present! Ten years stable...Keep 'em coming. Thanks for the inspiration.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Dear Kim -
After TEN more years of such hopeful postings, you will see age 68 and on from there.

With a glad heart I read your post and see that it is just "one little stinky met" that is stubborn. Well, you can live with it - just keep it in its "littleness".

Does PET show uptake there? Or could it have been reduced to a little scar spot by now?

Enjoy the summer and all it holds for you and your family.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Always great to talk to you here Mama. As always, you are in my thoughts and wishes. Love you lots.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Dear Kim,
I remember when I was brand new on the site and read your posts - I was terrified for you and all of us.
But - your strong spirit and calming presence always offered hope and that there was a way to fight.

Wishing you continued NED...
and Happy Birthday.
Jean

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Ahhh Kim,

What a lovely post, and a very happy belated birthday to you. Congratulations on your 10 yr. milestone. I too remember so vividly when I had my 1st recurrence to my liver and the fear really set in. The thought of leaving my family was unbearable. I had already endured the stem cell procedure in 97, so I figured there was no way I'd make it through another chemo, and even if I did, it probably wouldn't prolong my life by much. That was before I had learned about our amazing Herceptin! It has truly been our miracle drug. Thank You DR. Slamon!

So a toast to you dear one, on your wonderful news and a belated birthday hug coming your way!

Kim

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Honestly, a glass of wine, chocolate and a web chat with old her2 friends…what could be better?
Jackie, Caya, Sassy, Jean and StephN - It seems like all of you too are hanging in there with NED - NED, my how he gets around - we need to introduce him to a few more members...
StephN - My cancer never showed on a PET scan - CAT scans only. I feel like I have had so much radiation that I should be starting to glow in the dark. I always think of you with special amazement - that you conquered brain mets and have been NED for so long.
And Kim from CA - another of my mentors - It is so good to hear from you. I am wondering how you are - judging by your signature, you are still in treatment? How is the Perjeta working for you? My second opinion doctor at Sloan Kettering seems to love Perjeta; says it is similar to Herceptin and that we can be on it long term. Is it working magic on you?
XOXO
Kim

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Congratulations Kim! Yours is a great story and you tell it with such love and hope for all! Here,s to the next 10 years!

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Huge Celebrations are in the air, Happy "belated" Birthday...so grateful to hear your news...thank you for sharing!! :)

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Wow! I am so very happy for you. I know what a milestone that anniversary is, my daughter was diagnosed almost four years ago at the age of 32 with stage 4, er+ her2-. Because of her diagnosis we were tested and we are brca2+. My daughter saved my life, because of the brca2 thing I was monitored every 6 months. Mammo and MRI, well in April the MRI showed something, next biopsies and I am stage 1 her2+. Just started treatment after bilateral mastectomy. I know I will beat this but I pray that my daughter will also be one of the luckier ones to beat this beast down for many years to come. Thank you for your uplifting post. I wish you many more years living well.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

LOVED reading your update! Happy belated birthday - and thanks for the reality check on all things possible...you are three years ahead of me in stage-fouring!!

Hope you had a great birthday and thanks for all the encouraging words. <3 <3 <3

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Thank you SusanN and SoCalGal for your kind words and best wishes.
And Kgregorin, I can see that you hold your daughter close; how could you not. She is so young, and then in the midst of her crisis, she saves your life. Somehow there is a thread of good Karma running between the two of you. I too pray that your daughter will beat the beast. She is lucky to have you as her loving mom. Godspeed to you both.

Re: Ten Years Stage 4 … and still A-OK
 

Hi Kim, A belated Happy Birthday and a BIG congrats on your mega milestone. I wish for you long long happy years ahead, and that the stinkin spot resolves. ( which it surely could)