Message for the long time surviviors... - Page 2

Chelee · 11-26-2007, 12:45 AM

Its been said many times before...but there truly is no board around remotely close to this one...not if your her2/neu. Everyone on this board plays an important role but I really just wanted to mention what I call the long time her2 gals. Its so hard to believe when 1st DX that you can make it...let alone if you recur. We have so many women here that have *not* recurred, and some that have been down one very difficult road...but are still here to tell about it & that gives one hope. We all know HOW much one needs that when you 1st get the news. Although it pains my heart to know what many have been thur.

Audrey, I am so glad you are going to stick around. When I 1st found this board I remember reading one of your posts along with your signature & it gave me so much hope when I needed it that most. I have to say congratulations on six years. That is just wonderful to hear! I so appreciate you staying in touch with the board when you have time.

TriciaK in Utah...yes I did mean you.

You always manage to pop in and answer a post when someone really needs you. That means your lurking, and ready to lend some encouragment and hope to those that need it so badly. Your story & that long list of women mentioned in this thread are so inspriational to all of us. I'm sure some of you like to check into see what new drugs are out & advances that might of been made, but no one makes you women help out the rest of us. You all do that out of the kindest of your hearts. You women give back of your own free will and that is such a blessing to all of us. Some of you are having a rough enough time going through more trts, different drugs but still find it in you to help others. What an amazing bunch of women here. (Bev, I smiled at your last sentence.) lol

Chelee

Joanne S · 11-26-2007, 04:20 AM

Chelee,
Just wonderful- -- Thank you for your special post.

And I, too, want to express my appreciation to all of our Special Long-Time-Survivors for sharing their wisdom, and experiences, and being generously dedicated to all HER-2ers in all the phases of their Breast Cancer Journey.

I am so very thankful for All My HER2-Sisters. I may have gone off the deep end without all of you. Thank you all for your support from the bottom of my heart!

And again, thanks Joe and Christine for all your giving and hard work in making all this possible for all of us!

Adriana Mangus · 10-28-2009, 11:27 AM

Dear Chelee;

Thank you for you nice message to "long term cancer survivors".

I, personally love this site, without it I couldn't have survived this long.

It's nice to talk to women with so much knowledge,
compassion, strenght, love, and some with a wierd sense of humor. I also tank them for their time to share their stories with us.

Love,

Adriana

P.S. Going strong after almost 15 years...

Pam P · 10-28-2009, 11:35 AM

Thank you, Chelee, for starting this post. I too am so grateful to all who post here and for all I've learned from all of you. This site - this group of wise, compassionate women and men, is truly a God send in the midst of all the chaos of this disease.

ElaineM · 10-28-2009, 12:17 PM

Please add me to the list of long time survivors. I was diagnosed in January, 1999. A doctor gave me 6 months to live in January, 2000, but I decided that was not going to happen to me. Life since my diagnosis has not always been easy, but I am a pretty strong woman who advocates for myself. I don't always do everything the way the docs want me to do them, but I think I made the right choices most of the time, because I am still here. I am also thankful to God for helping me.

Lien · 10-28-2009, 01:50 PM

Chelee, that was such a lovely thing to say! You are perhaps going through the roughest patch of your life and still you found room in your heart to show appreciation for what others were doing. You are truly amazing. I've been admiring your strength and perseverance throughout this ordeal and I think you are a champ and an inspiration to all who read your posts.

Love

Jacqueline

StephN · 10-28-2009, 01:59 PM

Thanks, Adriana, for ferreting out a 2-year-old thread. I feel like it was just yesteday that this one was "new."

How are you doing on the taxol these days?

The "old-timers" mentioned are all still around, testifying to how extremely valuable this site is to so many, seen and unseen. We all take what we need and know it is OK to ask the hard questions.

Chelee is going to be around, too. She will find a way forward.

Sherryg683 · 10-28-2009, 04:14 PM

I think when we see others that are living with stage IV it gives all of us some hope. I remember when I first got on here just to see that there was hope I wasn't going to die right away was reassuring. I still come here every day just to see how everyone is doing. It is so sad when we lose someone that my heart breaks, but I have gained so much knowledge from everyone. My Oncologist just laughs when I talk about "the ladies on the board". But he is surprised at how much I know and how up to date I am on everything. ...sherry

whatz · 10-29-2009, 04:51 AM

Great Idea Chelee! Yes, very much thankful for all the insight and caring from everybody and the willingness to share. It helps to see others with same diagnosis and input with their experience. Same as Sherry, at initial diagnosis you feel you need to make funeral plans. When I found this board I realized I may not need them in the immediate future :-) and there truly is life after cancer diagnosis :-)

Ellie F · 10-29-2009, 10:48 AM

Hi All
Just want to add my thoughts and thanks. A really hard part of this BC journey for me is maintaining hope, for a future, for a cure and for a continued quality of life. Those sisters who battle on, offer support to others and hang on in there show that these things are possible and achieveable.
I am grateful to you all for your selflessness and generosity.
Ellie

jhandley · 10-30-2009, 07:40 PM

Hi
I am an 8 year 7 month survivor, dx stage 4 in 2005 and have been in remission for over 4 years. I read the board every day but don't post that often. I turn 50 in Jan 2010 and when I was was first dx I didn't know if I would see my daughter grow up; she was 4 at the time. Now she is almost 13 and is nearly finished her first year at high school and is growing up into a lovely person.

You just have to keep up with research and take one day at a time and enjoy every moment!

jackie (down under)

Jackie07 · 10-30-2009, 09:04 PM

Hi,

I am also going to turn 50 next year - in February. And I am 6 years and 4 months from the very first diagnosis.

Ruth · 11-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Chelee ~ You are such a sweetie to post this! I fondly remember a wonderful lady Lisa (Love & Light) who drew me to this website. I think she found me at ACS forum and I was struggling to find someone with a similar diagnosis...I was desperate and very, very sad, scared and discouraged. Lisa told me that I would find the sweetest of people and find hope here and she was so right. When I ran across Aubrey, Christine and Maryann's signature's I almost did a jig.
Thank you Chelee!
Hugs ~ Ruth