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Five years ago today..........
I found a lump. It was a surreal time for me, my mother had died of an unknown cancer less than three weeks earlier (she was dx with brain mets, but a body scan failed to find the primary site), we had been through a very difficult three months, I was expecting life to get a bit easier and instead found out I had BC at 44. I think it took months for reality to sink in.
I had a grade three cancer, hormone and herceptin positive, in three of my lymph nodes. I had a mx, 4 x FEC, 4 x Tax, rads, herceptin, and I am still on tamoxifen. In 2010 I had a delayed LD flap recon.
My children were all at secondary school at the time. I was imagining not seeing them reach 18. Well, the older two are at uni now, eldest graduates this summer, and my youngest is doing A levels.
So for all the newbies out there, don't panic (easy to say, I know), there is life after BC.
I was going to sign off when I got to my five year anniversary, but I am now signed up to run the London marathon for Cancer Research in April to celebrate being five years free of cancer, and training hard, so will stay on till then to let you know how I get on
Thanks Roadrunner for your encouraging post, I am almost (in 2 weeks) at my 1st year anniversary, it's always good to hear from people who are still here years on from initial Dx, good luck with the marathon.
Jean xx
Great you have been NED at your five year anniversary, congratulations!!
I'm on a similar prgramme as you, Im only at the beginning of all this, DX last Nov grade two, lymph affected but till mx I won't know how many, have chemo 3FEC 3Tax, MX, started first Herceptin yesterday and have to have five years of Tamoxifen and I keep thinking five years wonder where they get their optimism from!?
Yes there is life for most woman, but sadly not for all after DX. It can catch up with us sooner or later or never. My aunti had BC more than 20 years ago, back in the eighties, op, chemo, two lymph nodes affected. She's still alive!!!
All the best for the marathon!
Christine xx
Congratulations on reaching your 5 year anniversary, Roadrunner! Great news!! Here's to the next five and to a personal best in the marathon ;0) Good luck and best wishes, Angelfalls xx
Congratulations Roadrunner. Long may you continue to do well and keep posting on here.
Christine, I had my first diagnosis in 1989 and continue to do well and enjoy life. I have had more bad news since then but have been able to watch my two girls grow up into beautiful women and for that I am really grateful. It is not easy at times but the fact we have each other on here to share experiences, the good and the not so good is a great thing. There were not forums like this when I was first diagnosed and it is great that we do now. Love to all those reaching a milestone. LOve Val
Val, is bone mets the "only" secondaries you have? Sorry sounds degrading I don't mean it obviuosly that way!
And what grade did your primary have? ER+ Herceptin + (I guess no)
Hope you don't mind me asking xx
Christine
Lovely to hear such positive news.
We can all "Take Heart" from experiences like yours.
I`m very pleased for you.
Good Luck with the marathon.
xx
Christine, My original diagnosis said that my tumour was not hormone receptive. At that point no test re herceptin. When bone mets diagnosed they still had original tumour stored and with new testing found it was slightly hormone receptive, that is when I started the tamoxofen, which didn't work for me, but then switched to arimidex, later aromasin and now femara. My Consutant likes to alter them now and again! So far I "only" have secondaries in my bones, but in my spine, ribs, thorax and pelvis. But I am still getting out and about but frustrated that the Blood Transfusion my Consultant requested on Monday has still not happened. Have been on the phone this morning again trying to sort it out. Love Val
Hi Roadrunner,
I believe our paths have crossed a couple of times on here! That's really great news,nand great that you are also doing the London Marathon! I did it in 2005 and it was one of the best things I've ever done.
It is also my 5 years since diagnosis in a couple of weeks so I'm not too far behind you on that score! With regard to running I've a fair way to go despite my trying to get into it again for the last 5 years! I gave up full-time work in Sept, have gone vegetarian again, am mostly off the booze and as a result have lost a stone and am starting to run further and faster at last! (hope that doesnt sound too smug but I'm quite proud of myself!!)
I cant remember now whether there was a link in your post to your fundraising so I'll check now, if not let me know as I'd like to sponsor you.
Take care
Pauline x
many many congratulations - two years for me this week - well done and thanks for posting, Nicola
Hi - I have also just hit 5 years - I remember your name well from the constant support needed to get through the initial treatment. Also had the fear of not seeing children grow up.....Youngest is now off to secondary school and I really never thought I would see....Take heart all you newbies, it does get better in the majority of cases.....Good luck to you all.....H xx