Five years out???

tricia keegan · 05-10-2010, 02:46 PM

I've noticed in the past few months many of us posting having reached the magical five years.

I hopefully will celebrate this next month, herceptin had just been approved here in Ireland a week before I was dx in the summer of '05 so I was very fortunate.

It got me thinking, I know it'll be a while yet before we have study results on the change (if any) this has made to the number of people who recurr with her2+, but thought it may be interesting to see how many of us here have (or about to) reached this milestone.

If nothing else, I'm sure those of us who do may give confidence to those newly diagnosed her2+.

I find myself hoping herceptin really has made a huge difference in adjuvant treatment, not just in print but in actual lives. Please post if you're almost five years or beyond with no recurrance

Tricia x

Audrey · 05-10-2010, 05:27 PM

Happy to report that I was diagnosed in the summer of 2001 and am almost 9 years out with no recurrence! I think Herceptin has made a huge difference and am soooo grateful.

Laurel · 05-10-2010, 06:44 PM

Long way from 5 years here, Tricia, but thought I'd chime in that I just had my 2 yr cancerversary on the 9th, nice Mother's Day present for me this year! NED times 2! Hoping for 30 more!

Fun post, thanks! Congrats to both you and Audrey!

caya · 05-10-2010, 07:02 PM

Congrats ladies! Every year is a milestone now!!

all the best
caya

Catherine · 05-10-2010, 08:49 PM

I will be 5 years out from DX next April 2011. So I am on my way to 5 years. I, too, hope that Herceptin was the magic many of us needed.

Tricia...happy for you and your 5 year mark next month. Is 5 years still a "mark?" I am not making a joke....I am just not up-to-date on the terminology. In the olden days, 5 years was always the "good mark" to reach and feel somewhat confident that you could "relax."

All the best,
Catherine

mcgle · 05-10-2010, 10:49 PM

Will reach the 'all clear' 5 year mark in November; no recurrence as yet! But I am an anomaly in that I received neither chemo nor herceptin, in spite of being weakly HER2+. Think it was the right decision now, though anxious at the time - the medics thought it would be 'a nonsense' to throw the heavy guns at a strongly hormone positive tiny tumour, in spite of its HER2+ status.

Mcgle (UK)

Jean · 05-11-2010, 12:02 AM

Tricia,
I have been wondering the same thing the last few weeks. I wanted to know the number of women who have been dx. and received hercpetin and have had no recurrence and have reached a milestone such as min. 5 yrs. Then we could also total those 5 yrs. out who have Not had herceptin.

So lets start adding them up..certainly we should see some impressive numbers?

Mcgle (getting close to 5 yr. on 11/10 yea no herceptin)
Catherine (getting close to 5 yr. 4/11 yea - herceptin)

Tricia 1- 5yrs out - herceptin
Audrey 1 -9 yrs. out - herceptin (in trial)
Jean 1 - 5 yrs. out -herceptin

total of 3....min. 5yrs. out no recurrence NED with hercpetin.
.please continue to add onto this number if you are 5yrs +...and no recurrence/and NED...

PS Laurel....Congratualions on hitting the 2yr mark! What a great Mother's day for you. Wishing you continued years of NED....now onto 3,4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - well you get the picture

tricia keegan · 05-11-2010, 05:17 AM

Thanks for commenting everyone, and Audrey congrats to you at nine years!

Laurel, every year is a milestone and I hope you enjoy and celebrate your two years, many congratulations!!!

Catherine, I'm really not sure if five years is a "mark" but it feels like one to me!

I noticed Steph mentioned in another thread that after five years the risk of recurrance is reduced a little but maybe someone else knows more?

Mcgle, it's interesting to know you did not have herceptin and I wonder if many other's did not have it but still NED...

Jean,I'm sure it's something many of us have wondered about and it'll be interesting to note how many additions we get posted here

Diane H · 05-11-2010, 06:20 AM

I'm five years out this spring, and looking for 50 more! Big collective hug out to everyone

Diane

Vi Schorpp · 05-11-2010, 07:59 AM

Hi all: It was 7 years for me April 6, no herceptin. I love these milestones.

lkc Gumby · 05-11-2010, 03:33 PM

I am 5 years out this month! Herceptin rocks. NED

bashmaz · 05-11-2010, 04:22 PM

Hi - I'm just over 8 years (April 5 2002) - no recurrence and no Herceptin. Doing very well.
Good luck to all on reaching this milestone.
-Marianne

newgg · 05-11-2010, 04:34 PM

Rollin in at 6 years in June....triple pos. Finished initial chemo and did battle for herceptin a year later...YES !! A quote I found: " when Kismet hits you hard, it is life affirming to HIT BACK" !!

Susan · 05-12-2010, 05:11 AM

Hi All: It's 5 years out for me this week! No recurrence! I have my mammogram, and chest x-ray, blood work next week and see the oncologist the following week. I hope to cut loose from the every 6 months exam. I'm feeling great, and it all seems like sooo long ago that I was diagnosed.

PinkGirl · 05-12-2010, 05:37 AM

Count me in .. 5 years for me in August. Feel very lucky to have
had Herceptin as an early stager ... approved in Canada right when I
was diagnosed in 05

Becky · 05-12-2010, 08:07 AM

I am nearing 6 yrs with no recurrence!

Kat · 05-12-2010, 09:04 AM

hello, all! I, too, am about to be 5 years out and NED! I was diagnosed July 2005. I didn't think I'd live. I'm so grateful to God, and all the fine doctors and nurses. Onward, everyone! kate

Morgan · 05-12-2010, 11:29 AM

Me too! 5 years in June and no recurrence.............

schoolteacher · 05-12-2010, 02:30 PM

I love hearing all this good news. All of you are truly wonderful. Thanks for the encouragement.

Amelia

tricia keegan · 05-12-2010, 03:15 PM

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I can't remember all the names but whats coming across here is so many of us surviving even after five years, with and without herceptin

That has to be great news to all reading this, and a special mention to Susan celebrating her five years this week!

Many congrats Susan !

I had a feeling when starting this thread there were many of us out there, I'll give it a few days and count the numbers and see what we get to! Thank you again to everyone.