I was buying bras today and the lady who served me told me she was 8 1/2 years down the line from all this. I’m nearly 5 and she really spurred me on. I have everything crossed for November.
I have met several people whith similar stories, but as a stage 4 person, I always ask them what stage they were. Invariably they say stage 1 or 2, and then my heart sinks.
Having said that, I am in contact with someone in the US, who was diagnosed stage 4 over 21 years ago, and that lifts my spirit.
Hi folks
I must admit that before all this happened to me (diagnosed last August, Stage 3 Oestregen + and Her2 +) followed by surgery, chemo, rads, now Herceptin and Letrozole I used to hear about people being 3,6, 12 yrs etc post treatment and not really understand the differences of types of breast cancers etc. I had no concept of how some were more aggressive than others. I so hope for each and every one of us on here good fortune and very very long remissions.
Lemongrove, living with secondaries as you do, must be very difficult and I do hope that you have the same good fortune as the US lady you speak of, and beyond. Take care everyone. J.
Just wanted to say, I had an aunt who was diagnosed with very aggressive BC back with all lymph nodes affected back in the very early 70s. She had a mastectomy and radiotherapy which back then was horrible. I remember her having dressings up to her neck from the burns and she spent time in a convalescent hospital at the end of treatment. At the time my cousin was only about 7 or 8 years old, he was a late addition to the family.There was no chemo to speak of, but she went on one of the first trials for one of the first drugs developed, which I have been told was 5FU and is still being used for some cancers. She died 5 years ago at the ripe old age of 82. I have never known a more cheerful lady and she was a great believer in just getting on with things, so I’ve often wondered if this was why she lived so long beyond diagnosis. I think about her a lot, she died about 3 months before I was diagnosed.
Glad i read the post about ur aunt,Lovely2read these sort of posts…Gives us hope of bein the same…Livin4many many yrs after bc.Xsarahx
My Mum was diagnosed in 1982, had mx, chemo and radiotherapy. She was in her mid 60`s. When she was 84 she was again diagnosed in her other breast and had mx, she refused all other treatment apart from arimadex. She was 95 in April and still does reasonably well for her age. I was diagnosed in Feb.2009 at 65, had mx, chemo and radiotherapy and although I have had had some hiccups along the way, I just think of Mum and look what a great life she has had. So ladies in your down moments think of my Mum 29 years since diagnosis and still going strong. Pam
Another great post pam,these r the posts i read again and again…Xsarahx
Hi
I’m currently going through chemo for BC aged 40 and every woman in my family for the last 3 generations has had BC. Sadly some didn’t make it, but I thought I’d tell you about my mum and her sister who did and are still here to tell the tale. My Aunt was 49 when she was diagnosed and is still going strong with no recurrence 17 years later. My lovely Mum was 29 when she was first diagnosed in 1972 and she had another primary BC in 1977. She had a double mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy (no anti sickness in those days! YUK!) It is now 38 years since she had her first BC and 34 since the second one. She has never looked back. She is my rock and my inspiration and I thought you might all like to know about her too.
Rachel x
When I was undergoing treatment in 2006 / 07, my oncologist told me she saw older ladies all the time for check ups who’d had BC 30 years ago and they were still in remission. The 2 breast nurses who came to my house to do my Herceptin every 3 weeks told me this as well. One of them had worked with BC patients since the late 70s. Those ladies did not have all the new drugs that have been developed for modern day patients, so I always believe there’s hope.
Thank Rachel, for another inspiring story about strong women. I remember being a child when my aunty was being treated, all the other aunties pulled round her and went to the hospital every day. They were the generation of women who served in WW2 and this was why they all had great strength in the face of adversity. Prior to the war they had all seen the poverty during the depression as well. I think they could show us a thing or two.
Its so lovely reading these fills you with hope. Lemongrove I wish for you to be the same as your friend in the states.
Id like to hear also about the TN women who have done really well especially those adviced by onc to have rads only as myself as this is quite unusual & although im grateful I do often feel a bit of an ‘ODD’ one so to speak
Mekala x