Best Of
Re: Stage III Cancer Survivors .... 10+ Years and Out
I had to go looking for this thread. Yes, I am posting this a bit early but I wanted to bump the thread back to the top. There are some great stories here.
On November 5th, I will be out ELEVEN years! WoooooHooooo!
That about covers it. I am so thankful for every single day.
Re: Stage III Cancer Survivors........20+ years and out
I'm here too ! 21 year out this past February .Hallelujah !! A lot of changes on these boards since I Iast posted in '24.
I'm continuing to do well with N.E.D. I went off my Aromasin which I've decided that I used as my security blanket after almost 15 years . That was about 3-4 years ago. Although I did really well on that AI ..once off for a period of time I had no idea of it's impact on how I felt. I'm thankful for it but am so glad it is done.
I see a new doc who has made a few changes . I now go every 6 months rather than once a year so as to work in a rotation of Breast MRI and Mammo/US . She is very involved and I feel that she cares for my welfare.
I follow no special diet ,walk about 2 miles most days and probably drink too much wine : ) .
Looking back, never would I think I would be where I am today but an excellent oncologist and breast surgeon and GOD made it happen . Thinking of you all as you make this journey ..there is light at the end of that long dark tunnel !
texgirl
Re: Poll: How does Breast Cancer Awareness Month make you feel?
Having just recently been diagnosed /w BC and not yet had my biopsy…. I really don't know what to feel. Due to personal reasons, I've kept this from my entire family/household. After Diagnostic Mammogram & Ultrasound I have a mass in my right breast and BI-RADS Category 5 - Highly suggestive of Malignancy. I continue to do research, being careful of where/whom I'm getting my info from. And have a biopsy scheduled Nov. 3rd, 2025. Of course I have more questions than answers, but at least I've tried to look into it all. After seeing all of you that have been through SO much - how did/do you do it?
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
Hello all, just checking in as I am now 1 year into my stage 4 diagnosis and Kisqali treatment. Going for my 3 month scans in 2 weeks and feeling some scanxiety. I have no new symptoms with the exception of appetite loss. Any one having the same? I wonder if it’s just nerves. I am feeling stressed and can’t seem to control the stressful thoughts like I have been doing. Maybe once I get through these scans.
Big Hugs
Lafish
lafish
Re: Truqap experience
Hi Soldanella,
Thank your for your input. My rash looks like dark red pimple looking things and if I touch or scratch them they have a flaky center. They look like guttate psoriasis more than a rash. They are scattered all over my body. I keep doing research and it seems that the Faslodex can cause this to happen too. I am off Truqap for the next week to see if it makes a difference. Have Faslodex shots on Halloween and my Zometa infusion. Getting cold here too so I will not be wearing anything that shows this mess on my skin. No scans till November to see if the Truqap is working. God Bless you and sending healing vibes your way.
Re: Faslodex Girls Thread
I have been getting fulvesterant shots for over a year and have had no problems. I exercise and walk the first 24 hours afterward. I work out with weights 4's a week. 2 focus in lower back, glutes and legs
This last shot has been a challenge. The pharmacist says they are the same ones I always get and ingredients have not changed. The shots look like they were in the right location. I had a reaction to the bandaid, first time in about 2 years so know where they gave it. I am allergic to adhesive. The bandaid was a diffent shade of tan this month. My scans were just done 2 weeks ago and were negative.
I two very painful spots slightly below the bandaid marks. My whole lower back aches, hips, and my legs. I have been in touch with my drs office. I am using Tylenol, heat, butt stretches, and will do some walking. I am also gently massaging the area around the painfull spots. I need to message the office back Monday. Until then what else can I do or try to improve my pain?
Re: Poll: How does Breast Cancer Awareness Month make you feel?
@forza , you're allowed to vent. Your hospital sounds dismal and exploitative - charging for water?! I hate what private equity has done to our healthcare system.
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
@eddiej, @ssales13, @tougholdcrow, @eleanora, @chicagoan, @emiliamarty and anyone else on this thread!
Well, I have returned from my PET scan, had Olive Garden take-out (I was famished), and have the results of the test. No evidence of metastatic disease!! Yay! The only thing of note was "Multifocal ground-glass pulmonary opacities with mild hypermetabolic activity, most consistent with an acute infectious or inflammatory process." Just FYI: I did have "something" several weeks ago where I felt absolutely horrible. Lots of sinus issues and coughing. According to some online searching I've done, this is the most likely culprit and can take some time to disappear from scans. Not too concerned as I am feeling better now, but as I mentioned earlier, I take a long time to fully recover even from mild sleep loss or eating at the wrong time. I must get back to a normal routine.
Wishing and praying for fantastic results for the rest of the October Scan and Imaging Girls!
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: Why was I stronger DURING treatment than I am now?
Metoo14 - I feel the same way. There have been many times when asked myself, why did I fight so hard to live if this is the way it will be? I've really struggled with it. I've resisted the new normal concept because there is nothing normal about this. Maybe I need to revisit that thought. I honestly don't know how to do it. It's like I make 2 steps forward, and 3 back. This is not the life I fought for. I keep marching on because the only other option is going to bed and staying there. I've been through that before, and landed in the psych hospital. I refuse to go through that again if I can avoid it.
My therapist said that we go through the 5 stages of grief once treatment ends. I always thought the progression would be linear, but it's all all over the place.
LIttlebee - A few months after finishing chemo, my MO said the drugs were out of my system. BS! I'm about 3 years post chemo and my rehab specialist said that stuff is still in me. How could it not be considering how toxic it is?! One of the drugs is a derivative of mustard gas! It's a miracle that most people live through it at all, but here we are. Still, I feel pretty destroyed.
Re: Why was I stronger DURING treatment than I am now?
Timbuktu.....that's my job!!!!!! I have been an ESL teacher now for about 20 yrs.....love it. I used to be a registered dietitian until I was pregnant with my first son. Then I stayed home for six years to raise two boys. I joined a mother's group and one of the mothers
came with a leaflet looking for volunteers to teach English at a local church. The rest is history.....never went back to dietetics.....took all the courses to become certified and love every part of my job. Well, I'm 65 now and can't bring myself to quit...lol