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  • cubbie2015
    cubbie2015 Member Posts: 773
    edited October 2015

    I mentioned this on another thread, but my Grandma was a 30 year survivor, and died of old age at 92. I hope her story brings hope to other ladies like it does to me.

  • Survivorwoman
    Survivorwoman Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2015

    Thank you, Ladies!

    Songbird68 and Live_deliciously: looking back on these crazy past 5 years what I can tell you is that finding a new meaning to our existence after breast cancer is essential and that you have to look forward to what you want to do AFTER YOU ARE DONE WITH TREATMENT. That seems to have helped me get through the treatment part.

    You see, I promised myself that once I got well I was going to give back to the women who were coming behind me. So for the past 3-4 years I have been volunteering at the breast clinic where I was treated. I hug women, I cry with them, I show them my boobs and scars before they have surgeries in order for them to see that there is life after breast cancer and that a breast can be re-built, let it go, let it go. That all will be well. In fact, I am doing my volunteer work tomorrow at the hospital, and am helping at the mammography clinic. People at my work know that it is part of my life's mission to help others, so I get to take a few days off as often as I need to. In any case, you both need to find what you think will make you happy and keep that close to your chest and heart. And when you get strong again you do what is important to you.

    And yes! songbird68--- walk a lot in nature, inhale the fresh air, bike if walking is hard, or just sit in a park, go to a yoga class and just lay on the mattress while other are doing the asanas. Just enjoy the now. DO NOT LOOK BACK on what happened in the past. It happened, done, cross it out... and move on.

    If you have nice essential oils, use them: I still do. They work well to calm my brain. (lavender, or Aura Cacia has Chill Pill --- they DO work)

    Ruthbru--- Thank you, dear Sista! Heart

    Cubbie2015 -- Thank you! I needed to hear your Grandma's story. I intend to do the same as she did. Medicating

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,691
    edited October 2015

    My aunt had BC in the 1960s. She just died a couple years ago at the age of 88, having never had a recurrence. In the 1950s, my grandfather had stomach cancer. They removed 3/4 of his stomach and sent him home to die......which he did....30 years later, at the age of 92. So don't let anyone tell you that it can't be done!!!!

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239
    edited October 2015

    Congratulations, Survivorwoman.

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited October 2015

    Hi survivorwoman, I'm not emotionally strong enough to be a good support for newbies - yet. I'm working towards it. Weirdly fragile today, even your kind words are striking a chord with me.

    SickTired

    BawlingGuess who's just found the emoticon tab and is now overdoing it? lol

    Love you guys and take care everyone

    x x x


  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 183
    edited October 2015

    Survivor woman. ive thought about volunteering too. During chemo I tried to talk to newbies coming in and made several friends. Did the same in radiation but how did you approach the medical office with this volunteer request? Thanks for sharing and I'm trying hard to move on too.


  • Survivorwoman
    Survivorwoman Member Posts: 70
    edited October 2015

    Ladies: I was talking about waaaaay after you are done with treatment. When you have fully recovered and strong again. Then you can give support and then you can give back. Right now, your "job" is to get through and get well. You will have lots of time to do charity work later on. XOOX

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited October 2015

    Bumping it up !

  • cubbie2015
    cubbie2015 Member Posts: 773
    edited November 2015

    I found out this weekend that one of my high school teachers is a 17 year survivor - surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She's doing well and now volunteers with a couple of different support programs. Can't wait to talk to her the next time I see her.

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited November 2015

    My mother-in-law was diagnosed at 62, had a modified radical mx and rads. She lived to almost 96.

  • Stenokim
    Stenokim Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2015

    I've posted before but it's been a while. I will be going to a family friend's 100th birthday party in early December. She still lives on her own and is a breast cancer survivor. She had mastectomy, radiation and tamoxifen. Quite an inspiring gal

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited December 2015

    Bumping for Trinity ~

  • Ruska
    Ruska Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2015

    I'm so happy I have this place . I wake up a lot of times during the night and first thing I do I start reading all those inspiring stories!!! Thank you so much sisters!!! Very greatfull to found this thread . So much hope!!!!

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,637
    edited December 2015

    We love this thread!

  • Survivorwoman
    Survivorwoman Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2015

    Ruska: I remember those nights in the first two years of my journey. Yes, at times some days were very scary, but I was prescribed some sleeping pills that seemed to have worked well (most of the time). And I happen to know many stage III survivors who are doing well today, many many many years after their initial diagnosis. Keep your mind occupied with uplifting thoughts and make yourself laugh daily (I know it is hard) -- but try to watch funny movies daily. And if you like classical music listen to Baroque music -- it is supposedly very healing. And do not watch the news at all. Laughter is good for us. You will overcome this illness.

    http://www.healthyconsumer.com/712/the-healing-potential-of-music/

    I see you are in Brooklyn too. Me too. :)

  • carmelle
    carmelle Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2015

    Wanted to check in tonight. Thinking of all whom are in midst of treatment during holidays. I finished chemo in November 2003…then radiation just in time for Christmas. Started this post in March 2003 looking for women who survived long term. Now I forget I had breast cancer and am afraid no more. Would never have thought so back then.Wishing you all through treatment and back into life after Breast Cancer.

  • honeytagh
    honeytagh Member Posts: 447
    edited December 2015

    Hi Carmelle

    Congratulations on your biggest achievement in life to overcome this disease. Whenever I feel depressed I come here and read all the posts to get some inspiration. Thank you so much for starting this thread. Would you please tell us how you managed your fears and anxieties of this disease returning? Were you ever scared of the pains suddenly emerging ? Were you always positive?

    Hanieh

  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 183
    edited December 2015

    carmelle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story. I know I get moments I go to the dark side and this thread gives me hope.

  • carmelle
    carmelle Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2015

    Hanieh. I suppose i was like everybody else facing uncertainty and trying to be positive in the face of it. The only common thread I can see in those who manage to overcome the fear of recurrence is the effort and desire to do so. It is like trying to cross a river without a boat. You have to get wet to get across. xo

  • honeytagh
    honeytagh Member Posts: 447
    edited December 2015

    Hi Carmelle

    Thank you so much for your reply. What you said is what I am always trying to do. I hope I achieve what you have achieved. Can I ask you whether you started a new life syle, or whether you avoided some food.

  • lauren32
    lauren32 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2015

    Thank you very much Carmelle for starting this thread all those years ago it is so inspiring that you come back to help others like myself and remind us that we can have a hopeful good future ahead of us!

    Hanieh I too was diagnosed last year at 32 and I've read this thread many times and am dealing with the same emotions fear etc that you are. It helps to think and know that we are not alone. I like what Carmelle said about the water so true!!

  • Abby20
    Abby20 Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2015

    awesome stories! Thanks all for sharing. Wonder if there any long time survivors who had kids after diagnosis?

  • metoo14
    metoo14 Member Posts: 165
    edited December 2015

    i have a friend who was diagnosed with IBC 8 years ago and just had third child, the second since cancer. To me that's long term.


  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 47,691
    edited December 2015

    A friend of mine had 3 kids, had breast cancer treatment, waited 5 years and then had 2 more.....and this was a long time ago because they are all grown up now and she is a grandmother several times over!!!

  • Abby20
    Abby20 Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2015

    Metoo14 and ruthbru I love your friends stories, thanks for sharing

  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 701
    edited December 2015

    Hi.....I have two friends that went through breastcancer over 20 years ago. Its very uplifting speaking to them.

    I will be 8 years out in a couple of weeks myself. However I wish that i could convince myself that not every ache and pain is NOT cancer coming back. I'm a very involved person and keep busy with artwork and excercising, but have gone through several scares that bring me back to that ......place.😬

    Thank you all for sharing.

  • Srh242
    Srh242 Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2016

    bump

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited January 2016

    Bumping for Rosalie ~

  • lemonadehk
    lemonadehk Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2016

    went to see a family doctor today for something unrelated. He heard my situation and told me that he had a stage 4 patient in 2000, and he just saw her a few days ago

  • Teakie88
    Teakie88 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2016

    lemonadehk:

    Thanks so much for sharing this information! It provides a lot of hope for us Stage 4 people! Keep those encouraging stories coming! Ann

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