2-Year Her2+ Cancer-free Roll Call
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Congratulations lkc! what a wonderful story. So glad you came back to share. See you in 9 more years.
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Hi everyone I just had my 2 year mammogram done and am anxiously awaiting my result . I'll fill you in when I hear anything. Sandi0 -
Hello IKC
Thank you so much for posting and reposting!
So happy for you - and for your research work. It gives us hope.
So pleased it has turned out so well for you.
Alice
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I am wondering 2 years from what? I refer to the BCIRG study quite often to try and keep my anxiety at bay but I get confused when they say 1, 2, 3 years etc if it is from diagnosis or end of treatment. I am 3 years out from diagnosis, 2 years out from ACTH, but only 1 1/2 years out from finishing my Herceptin. I am in a weird place right now where it feels long enough ago that I can forget that it happened or don't think about it every day but then will have sudden anxiety attacks and become consumed again at the thought of recurrance....mostly because I feel like I am still in that critical window and can't get through it fast enough! I also get confused why the 10 year recurrance rate in some of the online predictors is higher than the 5 year rate when the highest rate of recurrance for ER-PR-HER2+ is supposedly in the first 2-3 years?? And the BCIRG results seem to support this. I would love any insight.... I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! I have a 3 1/2 and 5 year old and it's been a lot of fun this year, mostly because I feel good..my daughter was 6 months old when I was diagnosed and it's amazing to see the little girl she has become. In some ways it truly feels like the BC thing was a lifetime ago.
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sduch the first 2-3 years is the highest for recurrence for everyone but it appears the more aggressive (like triple negative and HER2+/hormone negative) tend to recur even more often in the time period. But at the same time if you are hormone negative and you have passed the first 3 years your chances of recurrence goes way down and you are almost considered cured! I count the 2 years from NED date but it's best to as your MO that question. My 1st treatment was surgery so that made me NED. For those who had chemo first and surgery last it might be from the the last surgery.
Here are my famous speeches I post for those who worry about recurrence:
seat belt speech:
You don't assume you will get into a car accident every time you get in your car. You do put on your seat belt and drive carefully. Same with breast cancer. Eat right, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and take your hormone therapy (if prescribed). No reason to think you are going to get mets until you actually have a symptom.
shit happens speech:
Some people win the lottery and become millionaires too but do you really think that's going to happen to you? Shit happens. Sometimes good shit, sometimes bad shit, but most of the time shit doesn't happen. Don't assume shit is going to happen to you.
Remember the word "if" is in the middle of the word "life" for a reason. As long as you have life you will always have "what ifs". It's your MO's job to worry about those cancer "What Ifs"
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lago...I've been on this board since diagnosis and have read your speech on more than one occasion. I'm smiling right now and saying "thank you" because what you say is sooo true. As for the debate on "how to calculate how far out you are"..I talked to my MO about this. She uses the date of diagnosis. She admitted that some docs use the surgery date but in her words"it's just semantics" because most of the time initial diagnosis and surgery date areonly separated by a matter of months. Based on that, I am celebrating 17 months !!!!!!! Looking forward to this summer when I can ring the bell for my 2 year anniversary:) in the meantime I'll just keep thanking God.
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You'll be ringing that bell before you know it.0 -
Thank you for your responses, and for your speeches Lago! Using my date of diagnosis, I feel like I've come a long way. It will be 3 years in February. It's when I count from my last Herceptin that I feel like I am not that far out. I guess I am 2 1/2 years out from surgery...a lot of milestones to keep track of. I had TH first, then surgery, then AC, then radiation and H. Wishing everyone continued health and happiness in the new year!
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I had my 2 yr cancerversary on Dec. 7th! Looking forward to a long life.
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Awesome LizA!
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Hello there! I remember when I was first diagnosed, I was desperate to hear success/survival stories from other women who were HER2+. I wanted to share that this coming May 2015 will mark my 9 year anniversary of being cancer free (I was diagnosed at the age of 32)! I had a 3cm lump in my right breast with 1Lymp Node infected. After a mastectomy, chemo and herceptin, I have had a clean bill of heath.
Please know that there is a light at this end of this tunnel! In a few years you will be sharing your story of many years cancer-free as well.
Peace and Health to All!
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I am new to this site (ILC/Her2+/Stage 1/Grade 2) and in August of this year will be 3 years clean!! I had a lumpectomy, chemo (6 rounds), radiation (7 weeks), Herceptin for 1 year. Arimidex since April 2013. Zometa infusions for 1 1/2 years (every 6 months). Even though being Her2+ was what made chemo a must for me, I have been told by my surgeon, onocologist, nurses, etc., that it is a GOOD thing to have because they know how to treat it and stop it! If it wasn't for the heart issues that Herceptin can cause, I'd prefer to stay on it forever!ha
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Hi Vicki2012, We just want to chime in and say welcome to BCO and so glad you have found us, and are sharing your experience. So glad the Herceptin is doing its job well for you!!!
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Hi Vicki. Congratulations on 3 years NED (No evidence of disease)
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Congratulations on reaching the 2 year milestone. It is a big one. I am coming up on my 14 year milestone. When I was 6 years out I did find out I had heart damage from the chemo. Other than that I am doing great!0 -
Congratulations Debbie! 14 years. Did you do a trial for Herceptin?
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Will be seven years April 4th since my surgery. All is good with the exception of some gifts from chemo such as neuropathy and osteoporosis. Exercising and generally enjoying life. Have a unrelated (I think) medical problem now but I am still NED.
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I just returned from my eight year annual check up (my oncologist measures the time from the end of my 4 AC).
I am fine and feel great.
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Thank you and YAY to all of us!!! XOXO
On Arimidex now; it's kicking my butt:/ Terrible side effects; hope they lessen.
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Diagnosed Feb 09, last Herceptin treatment Aug 11. So almost 5 years free for me!
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I can never remember which threads like this ive posted on already, and dont here much anymore, but i will be 7 years out in may
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Congratulations Fightinhard!
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I saw someone else asked this, but I didn't see an answer - what event are we counting from? Dx, surgery, or end of treatment? It seems like a lot of people are counting from Dx, but to me counting from surgery makes more sense, as that is the first day I was cancer-free. Thoughts
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Emily - depends, but it seems many count from time of diagnosis. I had surgery first, so I am counting from there. It's a 2 week difference, anyway!
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I just passed 3 years and still going. SO HAPPY about it despite the beast of a road it has been.
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Anyone here have a mamo with area of concern to watch turn out to be benign? I am 1& 1\2 years out and have reconstruction next week! Really want to make 2yr mark!
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Hi,
The two times I've had mammos since dx I got callbacks both times. Then they did Ultrasound. This last time in November they then did a core needle biopsy (stress much?!). And in the end, after all that stress, it was benign. Hoping yours is as well!
I'm at 2.5 years.
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Thanks momwriter! Very encouraging! Congrats on 2&1\2 years!
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These milestones are just incredible and encouraging! I had revision surgery as well as VLNT surgery a few weeks ago. I didn't expect to still be going through all this stuff for 3 years but in those years I have also done tons of wonderful living. Acceptance is a powerful thing. I have low WBC right now - which scares me. But, as with my other scares I will keep marching ahead. Sad to hear of heart damage 6 years later. I pray you continue to feel well and live to be very old.
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10 years and counting. Stage III Her2Neu positive with lymph node positive. Stay strong, take care of your body. Eat well, exercise and sleep!0
