Ten years ago today I was in surgery having a mastectomy. I followed that up with FEC-T chemo, rads, herceptin and tamoxifen. The cancer was in three of my lymph nodes. My children were 12, 14 and 17 and I was 44. I was scared that I wouldn’t live to see them all grow up. My mum had died six weeks previously of cancer, my dad many years previously of cancer. My daughter was bullied at school (‘your mum’s got cancer and is going to die’). It was a horrible year.
Ten years on - life is good, I’ve seen my kids leave school, learn to drive, graduate, get jobs. I’ve hit my half century and more. I do lots of things for me - something BC taught me. Don’t wait till you have more time, or the kids have grown up to do what you want to do, do it now.
To celebrate I’m going to Peru with BCC at the end of this month to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Two others on the trip are also celebrating 10 year anniversaries - we’ll have a ball!
To anyone starting their journey - there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for this story. I am only 30 and been diagnosed with her2 + grade 3 with lymph node involvement. My oncologist is very hopeful and I am just throwing myself at her. I read such scary stuff about her 2+ so to read your story is truly wonderful xx
Fantastic to hear road runner! There is life after breast cancer and it’s so important that we come back to tell our tales, all the best for your treck sounds amazing!! Xx
Thank you for this road runner .
I am 41 -kids 4-9-10 and I have stage 2 her pos and level 3 lymph nodes involved… very scary…
I’m now on weekly PAC then op then rads I guess …
My mum died of bc when I was 7 so my greatest fear is leaving my kids without a mum like me … so your story is so important to hear . Thank you and I’m so happy for you and your family , it’s wonderful xx
What a dream holiday- also one of my dreams . How fabulous- soak in everything for us until we all get there too … stand on top of that mountain and shout " " im alive "
I remember reading your posts when I was going through treatment nearly 4 years ago and finding them helpful. Thank you for posting. Many congratulations on your 10 years and enjoy every minute of the Inca trail xx
Great to hear a positive story and great adventure, my partner was diagnosed with Her2+ back in February, she only went for a routine check up and its turned our life upside down…
she’s recently had double mastectomy and has just had her 3rd chemo, half way there! then it’s the herceptin for a year, I think she’s also going to have her lymph nodes removed as when she had surgery they only removed 2 and one was infected, she’s decided not to have reconstruction and is proud of her bald head, she is amazing, me on the other hand, inside I’m terrified, but I’m there for her every day and will get her through this, we have only been together for 3 years, and have spent most of that time cycling around the world! so this is hard for her being trapped at home. Hope you had a fantastic adventure and continue with many more? We have a travel blog on Facebook called Chris & Gabs Southeast Asia Cycling Adventure, I pray for when the day comes when we can continue on our adventures! Take care x
Thank you for posting , I’m 5 years (nearly!) from diagnosis of grade 3 her2+ so wonderful to hear a positive story.goid luck with the inca trail I’d love to do something so amazing x
Thank you for posting , I’m 5 years (nearly!) from diagnosis of grade 3 her2+ so wonderful to hear a positive story. Amazing doing the inca trail I’d love to do something so amazing x
