Topic: Stage III Cancer Survivors .... 10+ Years and Out

Nov 30, 2019 06:29PM NancyD wrote:

If she is over weight, losing weight is probably the most helpful change. I tried several ways, but a Keto diet worked the best for me. In general, switching to a healthy diet is good for you, no matter what your health status.

I still have an occasional drink, sometimes have too much sugar, and don't get enough exercise—by far! But here I am, almost 12 years later and NED. I complain about the age-related aches and pains, but I think it's all so quixotic to think you can do anything about what happens (short of changing a really destructive lifestyle).

So after she finishes active treatment (surgery, chemo, radiation), encourage her to evaluate what changes she feels she can make, and stay with. We have all made those New Year resolutions that only last a couple weeks, but the post treatment lifestyle changes need to be more long term. That's harder to keep up, so maybe start with smaller changes (cut certain carbs from diet) and add another change after a few months rather than everything at once.

Nov 30, 2019 07:15PM Artista928 wrote:

During treatments protein is important for healing tissues. During chemo it's whatever you like to a point. Most have no appetite and things taste bad. So chemo is not the time to worry about diet. It's about trying to eat good but if hamburgers and fries are it then so be it.

Dec 1, 2019 07:26PM Artista928 wrote:

one day at a time. Don't look further than that. Once treatment is in place and starts it gets easier in my experience. I did it on my own. Big ups to you for helping your mother. Some kids don't. Best wishes.

Dec 4, 2019 12:00PM Aseye wrote:

Can you share exactly what you did in terms of diet and lifestyle? I will really appreciate an insight into how you survived long term

Dec 4, 2019 06:28PM 7of9 wrote:

Ilovemymom... remember your mom has already won the battle. She has a child who loves her to the moon and back. That alone is a win in a time when kids move away or become distant, selfish, cold. I'm just saying this to help you and her take some pressure off. One day, one treatment at a time. Enjoy each day the best you can and shine. It will make her heart happy. Sorry you are going through this. Hugs!

Dec 5, 2019 01:39PM Flo80 wrote:

Hi friends I was diagnosed with stage 3B and I just had my surgery. Before the surgery I finished chemotherapy and the MRI showed lymph nodes normal. The pathology report states that i have 9 out of 12 lymph nodes with cancer. There is also extracapsular spread of one lymph node. Out of these nine six have macro metastasis and two have micro metastasis and one has isolated tumour cell. My brother is a hematologist and toldnevreport says margins are clear. I am yet to see my oncologist and surgeon

Dec 6, 2019 07:38AM Lexica wrote:

Hi, Flo - I went through something not too different from you - a poor response to chemo (still a 12 cm tumor). It's so disheartening to see that kind of path report after all that chemo, but you are ER+/PR+, so, as one community member phrased it for me - with that and radiation, you still have some tools in your arsenal. I would be prepared to ask about additional lymph node removal since you had some with macromets - but my instinct is that the surgeon will not suggest it. Also, you could ask about more chemo (which I did and was denied with the argument 'why risk the additional toxicity without being sure that it will work - hormone therapy is your best option' - but others on this board have had more chemo after an incomplete response to chemo). *Hugs* You'll get through this.

Here are some threads on incomplete responses to neo-adjuvant chemo:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/67/topics...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topics...

Dec 6, 2019 08:25AM Flo80 wrote:

Thank you Lexica I might ask my surgeon about these. You and all other members give me a lot of hope. I am supposed to start radiation in a month and other oral chemo I guess for 10 years. I am seeing my surgeon on the 12. I wish I had negative nodes. The mass did shrink from 5.2 to 3.2 cm and he got clear margins so I am not sure if they will agree with additional chemo. I will definitely ask them. Thank you so much one again for the links.

Thank you so much

Dec 15, 2019 04:36AM Aseye wrote:

Amen

Dec 21, 2019 03:47PM Artista928 wrote:

ilovemymom

While asking questions here is fine, if you post chemo stuff on the chemo forum you'll get responses faster.

Jan 14, 2020 02:06PM Flo80 wrote:

Hi friends did anyone of you have her2- before mastectomy and become her2+ later. I am her2 positive now and had 8 lymph nodes positive. I want to take kadcyla but since I did not receive herceptin before surgery my oncologist is apprehensive and wants me to take herceptin and Parjeta. She will seek a second opinion for me as well. Anyone here with a similar situation

Jan 21, 2020 01:13PM - edited Jan 21, 2020 01:14PM by shelly56

Hi all. I've not posted for a very long time, but this topic seems like a good one to get opinions on life after NED for 10 years. What kind of follow up (if any) has anyone done after 10 years? Long story short, I did the CA27-29 tumor testing for 10 years after, was on Tamoxifen for 6 years, now still on AH only switched to Femara. At my yearly appointment in 2019, the CNA said it was up to me if I wanted to be seen ever again and/or wanted to stop the Femara. I was also tested last year for the BRCA mutation and I am negative.

On another side note, I was getting a CT scan of my lungs every year for a couple of nodules which have remained stable in size throughout these years. I'm just not sure what and how much more I should be doing. It is peace of mind when it seems you've come out of the clouds, but I'm also a pragmatist. Any thoughts would be great!

Shelly

Jan 24, 2020 02:41PM shelly56 wrote:

Artista: Do you plan on going off the Tamoxifen after 5 years or going for 10 years total? I'm not that confident of my pcp due to an illness I had last winter and not being treated aggressively as should have been. Thanks for your input !

Jan 28, 2020 07:20PM 7of9 wrote:

Artisa...no regrets! Im 4 yrs into Arimidex and blowing past 5 yrs ...10 yrs ..15 yrs. .hoping we get there, and then some!

Feb 3, 2020 07:10PM karen1956 wrote:

14 Fourteen XIV!!!! 02/03/2006, I heard those dread words. I don't remember back then if I wondered if I would be here today, but I'm pleased to be here. I looking forward to growing old :)

Life is full of challenges, but I'm glad to still be here for the good and the not so good :)

2 high school graduations, 2 university graduations, 1 Bat Mitzvah, 1 wedding, 14 birthdays, 14 wedding anniversaries. My kids were turning 8, 17 and 20. Now they are turning 22, 31 and 34!! 14 trips to Israel and at least as many trips to Toronto.