10 years ago yesterday I was diagnosed with lobular grade 2 breast cancer at the of 50. I was totally floored by it all and really didn’t see a future for myself. My treatment plan seemed to change with every appointment, and I couldn’t see a way through. In the end I had 2 lumpectomies (due to not having clear margins), 6 months of chemo followed by radiotherapy. I had so many ups and downs during that time, some good and some bad, and met some truly inspiring people. I learned so much about myself during that strange time. None of it was plain sailing, but yesterday my family organised a surprise 10 year celebration for me. I didn’t think I’d make Christmas 2013, ever mind 2023!
So I’m posting this to let you know that there are so many of us who have lived through all that you are going through now. And although it’s a very tough road, you can do it.
Wishing you all a similar 10 year family celebration and hoping that any side affects of treatment are as minimal as possible.
Thank you for your post! Always so helpful when only a couple of years out. I still worry every day and ten years would be such a milestone. Did you have any positive nodes? X
I was deemed node negative, but did have stray cells in the first of my sentinel nodes. I did however go through treatment with a lovely lady who had 3 positive nodes on removal. We both have passed the 10 year mark with no evidence of recurrence. Hope that helps x
This is just what I needed to read right now. I have just had a lumpectomy (3 weeks ago tomorrow) and am trying to calm down about the future. Congratulations! Here’s to lots more healthy decades
Congratulations Ann! That is wonderful news for you and so good to hear about you. Thanks for posting that for the benefit of all of us at the beginning with all the fear and uncertainty. I had a similar diagnosis to you, it is so hard to imagine a long term future so I just try to focus on getting through each day.
Elaine
Hi Ann, firstly a huge congratulations on your milestone - I am so happy for you! Secondly, thank you so much for sharing your positive message of hope. I am 3 years post-chemo now in my mid-fifties and have felt saddened and discouraged by the stories of recurrence, secondary breast cancer and celebrity diagnosis on social media and have found it very difficult to recognise that in fact many, many of us will go on to live cancer-free after treatment. Your story has helped bring that important message to life - thank you so much.
Congratulations Ann, you are an inspiration to us all. Just passing my first year so 10 years seems a long way off at the minute. I hope I’m celebrating in 9 years time. Thanks for sharing xx
This is so wonderful, Ann! Thank you so much for sharing this great message of positivity with those of us still in the early phases and scared, it’s such a ray of hope I am a year and a half into my treatment, got the all clear in February but now going through preventive treatment which is making me very grumpy and lacking energy. I have hated every minute of this cancer experience from diagnosis through treatment and now preventive meds, I lose sight of all of the positive years beyond all of this so your message has been a real boost. Thank you and huge congratulations
Hi there thankyou so much for sharing your story
I have been diagnosed with stage 2 lobular in the left and stage 1 ductal in the right they recommended a lumpectomy but have opted for a double masectomy due to having cancer in my family and have now been told the lobular cancer is close to me skin so radiotherapy will be done after surgery I have also opted for a tissue expander in both I’m just hoping I can cope with the anasethic
Congratulations on your survivorship. I’m not one of the “ladies”, but I’m glad you’re doing well. Diagnosed with IDC ER+ breast cancer with left side mastectomy a little more than a year ago. Rick in Florida
This is so good to hear and I’m so pleased for you.
I’m just starting my journey.
Diagnosed a month ago and waiting for my treatment plan.
Grade 2 ILC.
The waiting for results and my treatment plan is excruciating. Just need to know a way forward.
Wishing you all the best and a healthy new year xx
Lisa
Yes it really is. Been doing ok but struggling just now. They have their MDT meetings every Friday so I feel like I’m just living for the Friday phone call from the hospital just now. X
inspirational post 
I am a year and a half into my treatment, got the all clear in February but now going through preventive treatment which is making me very grumpy and lacking energy. I have hated every minute of this cancer experience from diagnosis through treatment and now preventive meds, I lose sight of all of the positive years beyond all of this so your message has been a real boost. Thank you and huge congratulations 
