Share your personal story, diagnosis, and treatment path, and stories of survival, hope, and success to encourage and inspire others!
Posted on: Jun 23, 2003 03:41PM
Carmelle wrote:
Every now and then I read a post on this forum that talks about somebody who has lived a long time with disease. I know there have even been threads with many node positive success stories and stage IV survival stories.Posts 151 - 180 (1,567 total)
Oct 10, 2004 03:29PM Molly57 wrote:
A friend at work was diagnosed 7 years ago. Don't know how big the lump was, but 19 of 20 nodes were affected! She had mastectomy, chemo and stem cell transplant then rads. She is active and disease-free now, living each day to the fullest.Oct 11, 2004 04:30AM CorinneO wrote:
I was diagnosed with BC when I was 25 years old, it was grade 3 and had 1 lymph node involved. I had lumpectomy radio and chemo. A year later I found another un-related BC in the other breast. This one was much bigger, was also grade 3 and I had 5 lymph nodes involved. I had a much harsher chemo and another lumpectomy, and my doctor said I had a 50% chance of living another 5 years (kind of him
). I then had a good long think and at the ripe old age of 26 
I came to my senses and decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. This is the good part... It has been nearly 9 and a half years since my first diagnosis, and I am still going STRONG! I really believe that a good portion of my success has to do with POSITIVE THINKING and a lot of positive support from my family, especially my husband. I also had a little mantra I used to say to myself every night before I went to sleep: I am going to live a long, happy and healthy life until I am an old lady in my 80's! I aint going nowhere! I used to say it so often that I made myself believe I would be ok, and I have been. Even today when I have a worried thought I say it to myself, and it helps me. After 5 years I was officially discharged from the hospital (no more check-ups) much to the surprise of the doctors and nurses. Keeping positive was hard at times, but I just kept saying my little mantra before I went to bed every night.. and I am still here, healthy and strong and Im not going anywhere till Im a little old lady in my 80's!Oct 12, 2004 08:48AM jlcmomofthree wrote:
I went to a family reunion this summer and an older lady (80's, friend of our family, but I didn't know her)told me she had a mastectomy over 40 years ago! She had no chemo and no radiation. She never had the other breast taken off either. I asked her if she had ever worried about a reoccurance during all these years. Can you believe she said nobody had ever mentioned that it might come back. She didn't even think about it!Oct 14, 2004 03:45PM Sachi wrote:
What great stories... keep 'em coming!! There are so many success stories out there and I love to read this thread and be reminded of them.Oct 25, 2004 10:28AM londonlady108 wrote:
HI
Dec 9, 2004 01:18PM Carmelle wrote:
Corrine-o,Dec 27, 2004 09:11AM cher wrote:
disthat women have any lymph node involvement.If so how many
Dec 29, 2004 11:14AM Fitztwins wrote:
My mother was dx 14 years ago. Her tumor was 4 cm. Very agressive. Here she is today..14 year survivor. She never lost her hair during chemo.Jan 8, 2005 08:39AM Sachi wrote:
Fitztwins - What a great inspiration (your Mom) for all of us. Thanks for telling us about her.Jan 9, 2005 05:03AM sgoat13 wrote:
Great thread!!!Jan 9, 2005 06:39PM Ben66 wrote:
Shelly,Jan 10, 2005 02:27AM sgoat13 wrote:
Diane,Jan 10, 2005 02:15PM Ben66 wrote:
Thanks for your response Shelly. I mostly hear of success stories for ladies without node involvement and I get all depressed. I had 5 positive nodes with vascular invasion. This is what really scares me.... anyways I try to stay postive and be thankful that all other organs were clear. If I do ever have a recurrence, I pray that better and new drugs and treatment will be available. My dad has colon cancer and has been battling it for 4 years now. He was diagnosed with metasesis to his liver and his outlook did not look great. He is stable and doing well, he is not in remission but is on and off treatment. The doctors are all amazed at his progress, they use him as a successful example for other patients. He is 72 years old and his secret is to not think of the C word and stay positive. Whenever he goes to the hospital for his chemo, he is always joking with the nurses and they love it, he is famous for telling jokes. They love when he comes in because he livens up the place!!His advise to me as soon as I was diagnosed was, just try not to constantly worry and think of that awful word............Jan 10, 2005 04:24PM sgoat13 wrote:
You know if my mom would have had bone mets many years ago, I doubt she wouldn't be here now. She was able to put the "C" thing out of her mind for a long time.Jan 11, 2005 05:09AM raven81 wrote:
Shelly, thanks for sharing your Mom's story. It has helped me so much. My pathology was very similar to hers, and if I can get another 20 years or more with my girls, I'll gladly take it.Jan 11, 2005 08:42AM sgoat13 wrote:
I'm so glad I can be of help to you ladies. You go through so much and even though I don't have bc (yet), being so close to my mom, I feel like it is happening to me.Jan 12, 2005 11:51AM eva2004 wrote:
Ok,Jan 12, 2005 12:02PM sgoat13 wrote:
Eva,Jan 20, 2005 11:31AM nevedale wrote:
I was diagnosed with DCIS and had my right breast removed in January of 1997. All nodes were clear and my doctor said I needed no other treatment. So far, everything has been wonderful. I thank God every day for my blessings. There is really hope after that word Breast Cancer enters your life, it is not a death sentence. Camille, I think you idea is fantastic.
Jan 20, 2005 03:11PM raven81 wrote:
Eva--thank you so much for sharing your Mom's story. It is very inspiring, and I'm sure it gives you strength as you go through your own battle. Good luck with your treatments.Feb 15, 2005 09:01AM Sachi wrote:
I just wanted to bring this to the top again. I love to go back and read all these success stories!Feb 16, 2005 03:56PM pattycupcake wrote:
Hi, I just read your post and almost fainted. I am newly dx right in situ, left side invasive carcinoma, and am awaiting dx for an MRI due to an abnormal bone scan. Having double surgery Feb 28 , including nymph node test. I hope everything is ok for your Mom
Feb 24, 2005 04:32AM Gabrielle wrote:
I was 44 when diagnosed 5.5 years ago. Stage IIIa, 9/21 nodes, 5.2 cm tumor, Her-2/Neu, estrogen negative. I haven't recurred - still going strong.Feb 28, 2005 10:38AM Sachi wrote:
Thanks so much for posting Gabrielle! That's just what I want to hear. Today is my 2 year anniversary from my first chemo. I had chemo first to shrink the tumors. There were 3 tumors in my left breast - one of them 3 cm. and one of them in a lymph node. (Who knew there were lymph nodes in the breast?!?) Anyways, chemo first and then mastectomy and then radiation. I'm feeling great and, usually, confident that I've kicked this thing in the butt! It sure is nice to read these success stories to remind myself!Mar 2, 2005 01:39AM L_in_PA wrote:
I just read all your postings. How wonderful for Stage III gals to read and know hope is always alive. I was diagnosed Jan 2004, and have had chemo and rads. I am currently on Tamoxifin and undecided on the hysterectomy. Onco say don't need, but amd not sure how I feel about it since I am only 44. I had 23 of 26 nodes positive 4 cm tumor er/pr+ and a rather large amount of family with history of cancer.Mar 2, 2005 08:46AM Gabrielle wrote:
Hi Barb,
Mar 2, 2005 03:07PM pattyjane wrote:
I may be cheering too soon, but I realized today that I have been cancer free for 2 1/2 years! I was stage 3b, with 19 positive lymph nodes. Did A/C, taxotere, radiation and am now on tamoxifen. Had mastectomy on "bad boob", did treatment, then prophylactic mastectomy on "good boob". My Dr does tumor marker test every three months, and, so far results have been incredibly good! I feel great. Except for being very flat chested(no reconstruction-didn't want the hassle), and that little white pill I take twice a day, it's almost like it never happened. I keep my fingers crossed, and say prayer, every day(cause you never know), but I'm starting to feel like it's time to let my breath out, and celebrate a little.Mar 3, 2005 08:16AM Gabrielle wrote:
PattyJane and L in PA: