5 year survivors, post your screen name here!
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I am a survivor of almost 7 yrs!!!!! (Nov. 2013)
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My five year date is in two weeks, and I'll be having a hysterectomy on that day to treat the endometrial atypical/question of endometrial cancer caused by 4.8 years of tamoxifen.
My great gyn pushed me into three D&CS in the last almost 5 years, and the last one, two weeks ago came back as complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypical.
I'd seen my onc the day before the procedure and she still wanted to go to 5 years of tamoxifen.
So now I have a new doctor on my team, a gyn oncologist.....
Not feeling very upbeat. I thought I saw the end of treatment in sight
I'm so hoping the surgeon won't need to take nodes, I already have arm LE0 -
Kira, I'm so sorry to read what's been going on with you, but glad you have a great gyn. Is there any chance you should maybe get a second opinion on your pathology? Is there any chance that getting off the Tamox alone could make a significant difference in what's going on with your cells? Those are just a couple of questions that crossed my mind when I read your post. (((Hugs))) Deanna
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Kira, I second what Deanna said, get another opinion on your pathology. I do know one member on here, Hadley, had complex hyperplasia due to the tamoxifen back in August, which she promptly quit taking. When I contacted her again last month, she said her uterus had gone completely back to normal and she was happy to have avoided a hysterectomy.
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Deanna, the path is being re read as protocol. There is a continuum of pathological changes of the endometrium, and once you get to complex with atypical the conventional wisdom is that 29% progress to endometrial cancer, but when a hysterectomy is done, 45% of the time they find endometrial cancer already there.
I did find an article that said if the specimen was obtained by direct hysteroscopy, and it was, and the bad stuff was only in the tamoxifen induced polyps, then there's a far lower chance of finding cancer on the path in the hysterectomy, that was missed in endometrial biopsies.
My endometrial biopsy was normal, but my gyn had a bad feeling and pushed for more testing, and I put up a fight, but now I'm glad she was/is so vigilant.
I did speak to my gyn, my onc, my PCP and the gyn onc, and all agreed that a hysterectomy was indicated, as did another gyn I spoke to....
I sure got an education in a second cancer that I wished I never had to have. I have an appointment with a second gyn onc, but I really like the woman I already met with who my onc called and she came in the next day at lunch time to meet with me and my husband and spend almost 2 hours with us and gave me her cell number. The other guy won't see me for three weeks and won't return calls
Just saw the post about Hadley, I'll mention it to my gyn. But she was adamant and I stopped the tamoxifen two weeks ago. It's the atypical changes , the call it AEH in the articles I've read that seems to push the hyst recommendation
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5years as of Jun 2012! Hanging in there...
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My 10 year anniversary will be in August. Still dancing with NED.
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@StefS That is so wonderful!!! I am concerned about the number of pos nodes I had. I guess they did their job!! Seeing your post is very inspiring!! It really means a lot for members to come back after several years and give us all hope!! Thank you!!
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As always, we are loving hearing each and every one of your stories! You are each an INCREDIBLE inspiration! We are thankful for -- and in awe of -- you all!!!!
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5 years since my lumpectomy of May 20, 2008. I was 47 at diagnosis, perimenopausal. I had radiation, followed by 3 years of tamoxifen, which I stopped once my uterus started acting up and I needed a D&C. Luckily, the cells turned out benign.
Did only 2 months of aromasin, stopped due to insomnia, aches, and pains, and a fear that it would cause more rapid aging. Yes, I do have my vain side, LOL! But I have been exercising consistently, lots of walking, yoga, and stair climbing, for the past 5 years. Also eating lots of antioxidant fruits and veggies, as well as avoiding dairy that has the added hormones, and I take in lots of phytoestrogens, with their stronger estrogen blocking abilities.
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5 years has come and gone as of May 2. This diagnosis came only 3 weeks before my son's wedding. They have now celebrated 5 years of marriage - a double blessing for us.
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May 29th was my 5 year anniversary of ned. Doing the Happy Dance.
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Just wondering when all of you count your anniversary. To me, it makes sense to count from when I had my tumor removed by lumpectomy. That is when I became cancer free, but I've heard some count from the day of diagnosis.
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28 years (right side) 2 years (left side)
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Rose, whatever date works for you is right. I personally count my dx date, since I had a lumpectomy in Feb 08, then a mx in May 08 (after my second opinion team found more bc). Also, I didn't consider myself totally cancer-free even after two surgeries since I had to do chemo, which made me feel like bc cells were still lurking. So I guess I look at my cancerversary as when bc entered my life.
Congrats to you and everyone here on 5 years! Deanna
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Next week will be 5 years since diagnosis!
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Five years last month for me
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Whatever date you pick as the milestone, all of us here at Breastcancer.org are celebrating right along with you. Congratulations!
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I'm 4 year survivor. I'm also having my right breast reduced and my left lumpectomy breast reconstructed and I'm so happy. My 17 year old son graduated from high school My 24 year old son is working after being unemployed for 3 years. Everything is looking good for me right now. Praise the Lord.0 -
Rose there are many dates but your survivor date according to the American Cancer Society is the date you were diagnosed.
NED (no evidence of disease) is the date some early survivors use if they reach NED status. It's the date the tumor was removed or if you had chemo first usually after it has been confirmed you are NED (scans or surgery).
I'm coming up on my 3 year diagnosis/survivor date.
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What was your treatment?fightinhrd
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March 14th was the 6th anniversary of my original diagnosis!
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Beautiful sherry!
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I was dx in March 2011, I was told to count from the last active treatment, so last November I started my 2nd year out from active treatment, this is an important year because I was also told that IF it comes back or mets that it will most likely be in year 2 after active treatment ends. So that puts me in the middle of my 2nd year from active treatment. But technically in year 3, does that make sense??? I just can't wait to say 5 years out!!
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Diagnosed Jan 2005. Met in bones, now in lungs. Still here!
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Diagnosed 2005, bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Cancer returned in bones. Forgot the name of that chemo. Then came back in lungs.After many treatments which i cant remember all the names but listed what I could,on Havalen now.I'm her2 neg. If Havalen stops working, not sure what's next. Tolerating well tho! 8 years and still kicking! Finally getting over blob phobia, finally joined to be a support since y'all have been so helpful to me. Thank you.
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More than 5 years out and so happy to be done with arimidex and so glad to have this wonderful forum. It got me through some dark days.
May all be well and happy.
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MaryLW--17 years!
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17 years? Wow! My heart just got refilled with hope! Thanks for sharing :-)
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Celebrated 5 yrs from dx at the gyno's office and getting dexa scan. Bones are good. Then a little shopping to top off the day.
Richa i think you asked about when you count the 5..i guess it depends on who you ask. Of course my oncologist will not count it until I am 5 yrs out from chemo which will not be until january of 14 but for me it is important to mark the day of dx. That was the day that life took a shift of direction..I have several of the dates marked on my calendar...next up July surgery. Love to all
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