Best Of
Re: Stage III Cancer Survivors ...Five + Years and Out.
Five years ago, the Friday of Labor Day Weekend, I got the news that I was expecting and dreading. This particular thread and BCO was my lifeline. I promised myself I would come back and post my own story, if I was lucky enough to reach five years NED. It was hard to imagine it being possible. I hope my story helps anyone finding themself in the same situation. At first it seemed like the news kept getting worse. My tumor was hormone positive, grade 2 and probably in my lymph nodes, per MRI and biopsy. Surgery confirmed it was in 10/14 nodes and grade 3! I did 4 DDAC chemo, 12 Taxol, and 30 plus radiation sessions (I can't remember exactly). Verzenio was newly approved for Stage 3 and I did two years of that and continue to take Exemestane. My then 10 and 7 year old kids are now 15 and 12. I just switched to 2x yearly onc visits. Life is good and cancer is becoming a smaller part of it. The AI does make my muscles sore and cause me fatigue. Shortly after starting Verzenio, I had the chance to participate in a CTC DNA study. I was so disappointed when they found 14 circulating cells (and they were all HER2 as well as hormone positive--what?!). I didn't even know if I was on the "right" treatment. Six months later, they found 0 cells. Another 6 months, still no cells. That motivated me to continue the Verzenio and stay on the AI. They're not easy drugs, but they seem to have worked/be working. For those of you just starting treatment, I'm sending a big hug. This is the hardest and scariest thing I've ever done, but it does get better, and the treatment options available to us are very effective. I am so grateful! And thank you to all of you who post and share your stories. The hope and strength you show, helped me pick myself up and move forward.
Re: Just Diagnosed
@cookie54 thank you for your kind comment! I did sort of update in a separate post-lumpectomy went well and my pathology was as good as it could be given the circumstances. Stage T1aN0. Oncologist said no chemo, which kind of scares me. I’m seeking a second opinion just in case.
I hope you are well!
Re: STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER
Folks I had Saline implants above the pectrols in the 1970's , Vanity, thought Husband would love them. Made no difference. No comment.
Post BMX 2009, breast cancer had sub pectral implants . Pain was such for two years that I considered deconstruction. About a month before the crainiotomy for the brain tumor identified on the same day of the BC, the pain ceased very much. Not Zero, but very close. It was odd, but very valued. The next pain was the post crani pain which was skin that lasted years, But the HUGE thing HUGE HUGE thing is
I am still alive. In 2026. Boob things are still mostly okay, Crani skin things have greatly improved, NO NO NO brain deficits of any nature
Boy friend since 2013 loves the boobs, Sex was good until my hips wouldn't agree. (75y/o). Still considering working on that.
Am I doing everything that can make a positives out of muck. Muck being an old word for cow or horse shit. NO, I could have made or could be making fertilizer.
I make excuses, The thyroid cancer came next. Duh, Survived it and the treatment. Treatment lead to a Lichen Sclerosis of the vulva. Asked three docs to either fix or give me seconal. ( the drug to die) They didn't get how bad the pain was. Finally one doc did and did surgery. Two docs by observation of the vulva tumor said cancer or pagets. Outcome dx Not cancer. but seriously unhappy tissue.
Two years later learned it was tooooo much use of topical steroids. Steroids were good for the LIEUCHEN SCLEROSIS, But not for the folds of the labia underneath, Still unknown in the Vulva clinics of major centers, b/c my doc didn't get it. Rare diseases, are ignored.
Different body parts are so unknown and specialties are so divided, even by millimeters.
So, I asked three docs to either let me die or fix me. In the end I found the answer on my own. It was the liberal use of topical steroids. Steroids created the itch on the very soft epithelial tissue. If there is a scientist or research doc reading this and understands what I am saying you can change history. You have skin, then transitional cells then mucus membranes. Application of steroids long term cause a change. A steroid side affect is itch. Long term itch, causes proliferative growth.
All the research describes is subjects , describe the itch, caused itching during sleep. THE subjects all are lying. It's embarrassing to say , I can't control not scratching the itch, I have to scratch. Been there, Lived it, Asked docs to give me the drug to die
Who knew that the drug the docs gave me to control Licken Sclerosis would lead to a need to end my life.
After the surgery to excise the tumor created by excess use of steroids, two years later, I suggested to the up grade opthomoligist, I was suspicious about steroids causing an eye problem. TADA, dx'd with Central Serous Retinopathy. Cause. STEROIDS.
ALL DRUGS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Our care is fractured. One specialty has there drug regimen, they are not uncaring of other regimens or specialties, but just simply don't think of them because it's not their body part.
Re: STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER
We get hummingbirds and do have feeders for them but they seem to almost prefer to use the zinnias we plant and we love those. We have that are very bright.
Re: how about drinking?
a few years ago they said drink some wine, it’s good for your heart and now it’s don’t drink wine it’s a carcinogenic especially for breast cancer that is ER+.
Good grief. I am not a heavy drinker but may have 3-4 glasses of wine in a week.
Did this contribute to my diagnosis? Unwind they say, try to get out with friends and enjoy your life.
Can I have some wine without feeling guilty?

