Stage III Cancer Survivors .... 10+ Years and Out
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NancyD,
Thank you for posting! Just what I needed to see today.
Juli
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congratulations NancyD and Wintersocks!❤️ cheers to many more healthy years :
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Hi Girls
I always come back on my anniversary- LUCKY 13 this year - to share and give hope to the newly diagnosed. You can read my stats although stats became just that stats to me... A stage 3 diagnosis can be daunting I can tell you it scared the ... out of me. After many years of cysts and lumps and bumps I found myself sitting across from my breast surgeon in total shock. She had to almost Cher slap me .. Moonstruck- Snap out of it moment ! When she told me my tumour was most likely late stage 2 maybe stage 3 . It ended up late stage 3 .
I found BCO as I was doctor googling myself . This site was the start of my mental healing . I was searching anyone who had survived a stage 3 diagnosis and I found it here. I met some wonderful women here many I am still in touch with. Sadly have lost some along the way. I would reach out and there was always a shoulder to cry on. I can't thank BCO enough for that in my early diagnosis.
So what and where did I go to navigate myself into this whole new world ? I'll shorten up the treatment - Double mx. ( after years of being mammogramed and ultrasounded ( not real words ) I was not taking one more chance obviously one was going the fight was on and if I survived that the other one was not going to take a swing at me ! Dose dense chemo and then radiation with a bolus .I found a naturopath and followed a regime of meds . I started REIKI treatments after chemo found great solace in that, went on to to attaining my master REIKI certificate. I also had Zometa infusions for 2 years. I waited 5 years before considering recon ...it was a disaster. I was followed by my onc for 5 and then graduated to my family doctor, I found the two week rule here. If anything persists after two weeks call - it never has.
What has happened in 13 years ?- my daughter was 17-graduating highschool, I had just turned 50, my sons were in UNI .. my daughter went on to become a peds nurse . My oldest son lives in Thailand living the dream my middle son married with two beautiful children .
So life has been good . Does the fear ever go away?- nope- you just get on living.. One of my favourite sayings- Everyday you think you are dying you are not living . I choose living !
So in closing I wish you all many more years of living life and making memories !
Much Love C
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Great advice C!
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Thank you, C!!!! I wish you many more years of choosing living!
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I was diagnosed 10 years ago.
I wish good health and love to everyone who reads this.
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DX'd Aug 8, 2009 IBC Stage IIIc. Still here and loving every moment.
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Congratulations! So happy for you..
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Kicks, I'm happy to see you here. You were a bight ray of hope for me when I joined in 2011.
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Hello to all. Have not stopped in for some time. They have changed lots about the BCO site. Just wanted to check in as this is the 12th year from diagnosis. Still going strong. No recurrence here. Was so thankful to have found BCO and the 40 something girls in our group. What a blessing to find such great ladies to just share thoughts and laughs and questions with. This group helped in more ways than they know. Just wanted those who think ( I thought anyhow ) the stage three diagnosis is the end …. Nope , not the end. You can carry on ! I’m 56 now . Thought I wouldn’t see 46 to be honest! I was not “ strong “ , and it was difficult to be hopeful at times. So for those just hearing stage three news….. lots of us are still here. Doing well , not worried and hopeful . Don’t even think of cancer anymore and only check in once a year . Take care stage 3 friends. All my best wishes to you all
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Great news Kim
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I am back to leave my 10 yr post. Exactly 10 yrs ago yesterday I was given my diagnosis and so began a new chapter in my life. I was 43 with three kids (15, 13 and 8). The following year of treatment was a crazy roller coaster of physical and emotional changes. I have always hated calling it a ‘journey’…a journey is something I like…this was no journey.
I had the “works” as they say including having my ovaries removed. I have been on an aromatase inhibitor for 9 yrs now and I have no intentions of stopping. I see my onc every 6 months and he lets me know I could stop if I want to but he is happy to keep me on for as long as I am comfortable with it.
Four years post diagnosis I developed debilitating pain in my joints, particularly my feet and ankles, and was worried it was either the aromatase inhibitor or worse. Turns out I have psoriatic arthritis and after another year+ of medication trials I finally have the pain under control.
It was at the time of my arthritis diagnosis that I decided the universe was sending me a message to “stop”and I was fortunately in a position to retire early from my career as an RN.
I haven’t changed my diet…I still love my ice cream! I do enjoy an occasional glass of wine. Due to my arthritis diagnosis I was forced to change my activity level but I am out every day for long walks and hikes near my home. Along with my husband, the biggest change I have made is to learn to be more present in my daily life and to be more mindful of my feelings/emotions.
My kids are now 25, 23 and 18. The youngest graduated high school last year and will be going to University in Sep to become an RN. I have been there for high school and university graduations and have been blessed to watch them all become amazing young adults.
When I was first diagnosed I wondered if there would ever be a day that I didn’t think about my breast cancer. I woke up thinking about it and I am sure it haunted my dreams. Ever so slowly though, over months and years, it changed. It doesn’t hover over me like it used to. Its there, little reminders (scars, medications, anniversaries) but for the most part it is fleeting. I have a lot to be grateful for and that is what I focus on.
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@awnie1301 Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on your 10th year! Newbies will surely see this as a source of strength and encouragement. Wishing you many more to come!
The Mods
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It is definitely encouraging to see these posts, thank you awnie1301!
I'm just two years out from diagnosis, so love to see these. Thank you. It shows that it is possible.
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I just realized I can post on this thread as I am in my 11th year since stage 3 diagnosis.
Everything has been good so far, no complaints.
Good luck to everyone!
My signature stopped working after the site was migrated to this new platform. I was diagnosed in 2013 at 54, had double mastectomy, six months of chemo, radiation. Have been on Anastrozole for 9.5 years.3 -
If you want it to show again, you have to go in and play with it. I think there is a copy feature that lets you add it back.
I was 54 in 2014 when I was diagnosed, so somewhat similar!
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Stopping back in—breast cancer no longer consumes my every waking thought……….This month marks my 10 year biopsy anniversary that led to diagnosis on 10/7/2013. Back then my tumor was so large(9.4 cm) with 2 positive nodes and extracapsular extension, it didn't compute in any of the cancer calculators available. The odds weren't in my favor.
My first oncologist smiled every year when I walked in for a check up—he said "I never thought I'd see so much of you with your diagnosis." He's since retired, as did my 2nd oncologist, on to the 3rd, she too smiles—"I need long term success stories." That's why I go back to the Oncologist and why I come here.
I survived. Please don't give up hope.
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Stopping in to acknowledge my 13 years since diagnosis! I hardly recognize the site because i honestly don’t think about breast cancer much anymore. I did 2 years of tamoxifen and 10 years of arimidex - and just went off it all for good. I still have complaints of the mess BC made of me, but overall there is enough else to worry about :)
There is hope ladies. Hang on to one another and walk each other through this terrible time. You’ve got a whole community cheering you on.
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Such an inspirational thread! Thank you to all of you who continue to come back and give such hope. It means so much! ❤️
—The Mods
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I am so thankful that I can post on this thread. I am 10 years since my Stage 3 diagnosis. The first couple of years were challenging; however, as the years passed, I felt less of the impact of the treatment and cancer, and there came a point in time when the thoughts and their effects didn’t consume me. I celebrate each year with a quiet thankfulness and a prayer that I have survived another year. I was diagnosed in 2014 and had a rare presentation of an “Occult Primary BC,” which means there was no tumor, and 18/8 lymph nodes, seven months of chemo, radiation, then two years of tamoxifen, and seven years of Anastrozole.
My visits to the ONC were every six months until year 5, then switched to once a year. I have the same sweet and wonderful Oncologist and she lights up every time we see each other.
I encourage those that are in the waiting room Awaiting thier diagnosis, those that are in treatment and those just entering into PFC stay strong and remember you are an inspiritation to us all.
Blessings, and Love across the miles
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Thank you for sharing. It is always encouraging to read success stories, especially from someone who had extensive lymph node involvement. It gives everyone hope. Wishing you many more years of good health!
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10 years since stage 3 Lobular BC diagnosis.
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Ten years out! I am so grateful to be able to post here.
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Congratulations! Thank you for sharing.
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I will be ten years completing therapy at the end of December when I will stop taking Arimidex. My last appointment (July 3) my MO said she believes I am going "to be fine". You can still have a recurrence, but the odds drop dramatically with every year! I was walking on a cloud out of that office :)
knock on wood, ;)
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wow, so glad to hear! congratulations!!
I just diagnosed Stage IIIB recently. So happy to hear all the great success stories, which give me the light of hope. Thank you for sharing!
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Chemotherapy 7/1/2024 AC
Surgery 5/31/2024 Left, Mastectomy, Axillary lymph nodes removed
DX 5/31/2024, left, 8.6cm, Stage IIIB, Grade 3, ER+, PR+, HER2-, 14/19 nodes
DX 5/1/2024, left, 3.6cm&2.1cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, ER+, PR+, HER2-, 4 nodes
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Congratulations, @metoo14, and thank you for sharing!
@huangyfmz, welcome to our community! Hope you find the support and information you're seeking here. Let us know if we can be of any assistance. We're here for you!
The Mods
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