Hi girls
I used to come on these boards 5 years ago when i was diagnosed with very agressive breast cancer at age 31.
I had stage 2b invasive cancer and 7 nodes positive for cells
I had 4 x fec 4 x taxotere and 2 years of Herceptin in the trial
Just wanted to say it can be done, im coming up for 5 years in Aug and fingers toes and all things crossed i am absolutely fine…at the beginning it seems a hard hill to climb and i know full well the horror of this diagnosis but many many of us make it through ok, keep smiling and remember the treatments now are really good at keeping this as a chronic illness for many of us.
Yes i have lost some freinds along the way and it scares me witless everytime but we must look to the positives and remember not all women who are living well so many years down the line will lurk around the boards anymore.
Love to all of you and remember theres a small twinkly light at the end of the tunnel, this is not a death sentence even if the cancer has spread a bit.
Hi nixxic
How fantastic to hear stories like this.
Throughout the treatment we often think we are the only one in the world going though this dreadful process and it is so helpful to hear positive stories of people who have come out of the other end of the tunnel. Being the 3rd generation female cancer sufferer (there being no medical or genetic link between our cancers) I hold on very tightly to the fact that both my mother and grandmother were a lot older and in the case of my grandmother have access to treatment not available in her time.
It is of great comfort to hear the success stories providing hope for all - keep them coming.
Katharine
Hi Nixxic,
Thankyou for your post.
I’m 34 with 3 littleones currently undergoing chemo for BC - stage 2. i am scared and frightened of the future but reading a positive post does give us hope. i’ve had epi. tax and now on CMF and then tamoxafin.
My fear has always been lymph nodes and it is hard to get your head around it.
Thankyou once again to take the time out and post this as we all sometimes need some inspiration when we feel low.
Luv
Sukes
Sukes I agree, when first told i had 7 nodes affected i freaked out and went to arrange my funeral!!! BUT i know of many women who i have met on my journey with even more nodes involved who are living great lives free of disease, some are even further out one lady is 12 years down the line and she was stage 3 so never ever think you are doomed, yes some reccur but even if the cancer does come back the treatments are getting better and just today we heard Tykerb maybe licenced very soon.
Keep well and enjoy each day, the odds are in your favour these days
Love Nikki
Nikki,
Thank you for your post. I too was stunned when told it had spread to my lymph nodes (3/16), and that it was grade three. I had 4 x FEC & 4 x Tax, and am currently half way through my year of herceptin (how on earth did you manage two years of it? it’s driving me mad), so hopefully the treatment will work for me too.
Keep with it Roadrunner, do not give up Herceptin is a wonderful drug and you really will be glad you did it…i got very tired towards the end and my MUGA scans showed my fraction rate dropping but i made it with lots of treats to myself such as spa sessions and new shoes (well like the L’oreal add says you are worth it)
The tiredness gets less once you stop and with some workouts i have managed to keep the weight down a bit!
Good luck to you and keep at it, this is our silver bullet for our type of cancer!!
Hugs xx
Thanks for your post Nixxic , the media is always full of negatives and I really seek out the positive news. My head is in turmoil right now so good post !
cally x
Oh how I needed to hear your post. I am one of the ones who thinks when it comes back rather than if. I am sat here waiting for my 16th herceptin and feeling a little down. I know everyones different but thanks soo much for posting you will hve given a lift to loads on this site. Take care thanks Eileen
Just to add my bit of encouragement - I was a Stage 2a Grade 3 which had spread to my lymph nodes (2/15, with ominous sounding ‘extra-nodal spread’, and ‘vascular invasion’ in the breast )- all of which terrified me at the time. Like Roadrunner I had 4 x FEC & 4 x Tax, and I have just passed the 4 year mark, feeling very well. Also, I agree with Nikki, even recurrences are given much better treatment than they used to be and lots of women survive them for many years
Sarah.
Another positive story from me too, girls. First dx in 1999 - stage 3 agressive tumour, vascular invasion and 3 nodes involved. Then fine for 5 years until 2005 when I had a recurrence in the same reconstructed boob on the scar line. Lost the reconstruction as tumour was attached to muscle, total auxillary clerance - 6 out of 10 nodes involved to level 3, chemo and Arimidex. But it is now 3 years since 2nd dx (almost to the day) and I am NED. Now off Arimidex, feeling much brighter in myself and despite 2 ‘scares’, which were obviously worrying, for the moment at least, I can get on with my life. I do have 6 monthly check ups and regular bloodtests etc., but it is worth it for the peace of mind. My hope is that continuing research will improve the survival rate further and further, so even if there was a further recurrence, I know that treatment is advancing at a very fast pace.
Birgit
Thanks ladies for sharing these …its very needed.
Wishing you many many more years NED…
Love P xxxx
What wonderful stories. Just what the rest of us just starting out need to hear. I am Grade 2, HER2 and 6/21 nodes and fear for the future although those close to me are positive. I am taking the treatment and hoping. But it is really good to hear of others who are 5 years down the line and NED.
Very many thanks.
Starfish x
Thank you for your posting Nixxic. As the others have said it’s what we want to hear.
It’s a year today since I had my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Such a milestone as I was Grade 3 with 8/14 nodes involves and was planning my funeral, what songs and hymns I would have. I don’t do that anymore and trying to get on with life but my thoughts are like Eileen I think when and not if it comes back. But I don’t dwell on it.
I have just had my 5th Herceptin, after 3 FEC and 3 Tax and rads so had all the belt and braces and hope to see many years to come and hopefully any grandchildren!!
Love to you all
Liz xx
Hi Liz
What another heartwarming story. But I am just interested in how come you had an immediate reconstruction after mastectomy with positive lymph nodes. To date ie 4 months after dx & 3 after mastectomy no one has mentioned recon and also I have to have 15 rads as well as chemo.
Love to hear from you.
Starfish x
Hi Starfish
I was offered it by the surgeon. When I found out I had BC I just wanted a mastectomy and away with it and it was him that suggested immediate reconstruction and I said no. But when he went out of the room I asked the nurse how they did it and when she said they take the nipple off and take everything out through there and save the skin I thought that’s for me.
He told me to think about it and I went back the week after and he said he would use my back muscle and put an implant in. On being discharged from hospital my discharge note said I had a tissue expander in. I don’t know and the BCN doesn’t know why he put expander in and not an implant. Maybe because I needed radiotherapy and it would go hard - not sure. I haven’t seen the surgeon since 2 weeks after my op (!) but due to see him in September and will find out more. I am very pleased with the reconstruction but still find it very uncomfie.
Liz xx
Hi Liz
Thanks for info. They couldnt save my nipple so maybe that is why.
Its interesting to get different info on things.
Take care
Starfish x
My nippe wasn’t saved. They used the skin and flesh they took off my back and sewed that in place. I am not sure if I want a nipple making. Still unsure as at my age I don’t think I shall be flashing them !
Liz xx
That’s supposed to say nipple !!!
I have posted this on behalf of new users, Hayley.
Kind regards Sam
Hi there,
Great to hear some good news stories…I am a new recruit…I’m 41 with 2 children (6 & 4) and had Mastectomy 2 weeks ago. Turns out mine is grade 3, aggressive and oestrogen driven!!! Joy! I had a 10cm lump and all lymph nodes are positive so looking at 8 sessions of chemo (due to start in about 2-3 week) followed by 6 weeks of radio therapy. Real rollercoaster ride as you all know, still hubbie has been superb and the little ones so resiliant and obviously curious.
I was not offered reconstruction, surgeon said “lets treat the cancer first”. I was really pissed off but now to be honest I am not sure I really want any as just putting me through more surgery and pain.
Hang in there everyone and lots of love
Hayley
Hi All
I feel much better after reading yours posts. I got my results after mastectomy on Thursday they found I had numerous tumours totalling 9cm, which I find amazing as I have small boobs my whole boob must have been cancer. Some of the tumors were Grade 2 ductal and some DCIS and 2/19 nodes affected. Absolutely terrified as nodes involved and also one tumor close to chest wall so could not get clearance but surgeon confident chest wall clear. I have felt really down since Thursday, not helped by PMT, but reading your posts made me feel better.
Well seeing oncologist Thursday to find our treatment but will definitely be having Chemo, Rads and Tamoxifen. All a bit scary , any advice?
I also feel I stink my surgeon said I have to leave dressing on another week? I need a shower!
Hugs to all
Bugnut
x