5 years ago today ......
 

5 years ago today I heard those awful words that shattered my world...you have breast cancer.....my whole life went into a tailspin...before I fully grasped this news, I began to deal with this emotional rollercoaster....the first time I looked in the mirror and saw the scar where they had removed my breast....I felt beaten, overcome with fear...planning my funeral....

Well, now, 5 years later, I can say that it was a turning point for me...I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, I know that life has no guarantees, and I try not to put off things that are important to ME! I have found new friends through this site, and all the knowledge, love and compassion anyone could ever ask for from all of you.

5 years ago today could have been the worse day of my life .... but in my heart, it was probably the best....it made me appreciate all I had taken for granted over the years.

I love seeing your smile, Sheila. What an encouraging post!

AlaskaAngel

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_203.gif Congratulations, Sheila, on the last 5 years and on the positive journey you made it be. Here's to the next 5 years and many more smiles!

mary anne

Re: Five Years and counting
 

Congratulations Sheila. You have given the rest of us hope with your milestone, and also your wealth of information. I'm praying for you many more years. Keep that smile on your face, and continue doing things for Sheila.

Many hugs,
Linda

Congrats Sheila on your 5 year anniversary! You are an inspiration and your kind words are always appreciated. I wish you many many more happy and healthy years ahead.


Hugs,
Lexi

Hi Sheila,

Congratulations and thanks for all of your posts. I am approaching 2 yrs (Apr 13) and can relate to so many of those early feelings you had.

Karen

5 years today
 

SHeila: Congratulations! I hope to see you smiling many many more years. You have been so helpful to me, thanks from the bottom of my heart and cheers to you for a healthy and long life, the Best is yet to come!!!

This is a wonderful anniversary. Thanks for the wisdom.

encouraging message
 

Sheila:

Your post was so uplifting and encouraging. From the pits of despair to the realization of a real hope and finally a gratefulness for day to day living which we all can and have taken for granted. Thanks for sharing your five year anniversary with us!

I get quite a bit of hope hearing how well other Stage IV folks are doing...you are an inspiration to all of us. Don't forget to change your signature to say that you have actually made it to the 5 year mark!

Here is to 50 more years! I am so happy to have met you through this sight, and the many other women and men. And breast cancer has changed my life so much. But most of it is truly for the better like you I appreciate so much more than I ever did before my cancer. Wishing you all the best Sheila!

congratulations, you give me such hope.

Sheila, congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. You have such a wonderful outlook and attitude. I only hope on my 5 year anniversary I can feel and write exactly what you said. You truly are an inspiration and have helped so many, more than you realize. I am not sure I am ready to say that this is the best thing that could have ever happened to me because I truly don't believe it is. I have had other illnesses before this that have made me realize the real important things in life so having breast cancer of course emphasized this but I think breast cancer is the worst thing that has happened to me. Now that is not to say I haven't gained some things I value since finding out I had breast cancer. I have met some incredible people because of it and I am thankful to have them in my life, (forum group included), but I don't think I will ever say I am happy to have breast cancer. I respect you so much for being able to.

Colleen

Thank you for reminding me to change my signature....I just did...this is better than a birthday to me....by the way, I have gained so much knowledge from the friendships on this board...and a few pounds over the last 5 years. What a day to celebrate for me, my 5 years and my little grandaughter had her back surgery in Chicago today and is in ICU and doing wonderful!!!!! She may be released by Friday if she continues to do well! What a great gift for me!!!!!
Thanks to all of you who have given me the encouragement to make it to celebrate 5 years!

Congratualtions
 

You said it all Sheila and you said it so well. I couldn't agree more. Although it isn't quite 2 years for me I share your appreciation for life and all that it offers.

Congratulations on your 5 year mark. I am so happy for you and lift up prayers of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.

Mary Jo

Amen, sister! Congratulations on your 5-year anniversary-I hit mine last August and it was better then a birthday--now we shoot for 10 years..(one day at a time).

Congratulations Sheila on such a milestone. Your positive attitude and success has given me such hope since frequenting this board. Reading how others with advanced b/c are getting along well gives me so much optimism. I hope things go well for your granddaughter and that she has a speedy recovery. If she is as tough as her Grandma, she will!

You kept the faith ...
 

Dear Sheila -
Welcome to the "Five Year Club!"
WOW! It is a long road in a short time span since we met on this forum. Must be somewhere in the 3 year time frame.

Just goes to show that life DOES proceed whether we choose to participate or not. The New Normal IS do-able, and we learn that along the way.

When we have a joyous event like your granddaughter's surgery, we reach another plateau and feel we can see at least a little bit of the future.

See you in the "Ten Year Club" which will be upon us before we can say "facelift!"

Sheila,
Congratulations.
I sign on fairly regularly but rarely post replies.
I had to reply to your wonderful news.It will be three years for me March 9th.
When I reach the 5 year mark, I'm planning a big party for myself.
Hope you celebrate and treat yourself !!!!
Carol C.
DX 3/9/04
2.2cm. tumor IDC, 3 DCIS , 4 pos. nodes out of 18
er/pr neg. her2+
A/C, Taxol , 37 rads
1 year Herceptin finished May 06

Hear, Hear