topic Re: Survival in Wellness

Survival

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:11:01 GMT

It's been 27 years since I survived breast cancer. I try not to think about it at all. I had a double mastectomy so that I wouldn't have to undergo the procedures again.

I've been made to understand that it's like a ticking time bomb and that the cells could be in remission somewhere.

How long do people stay in remission? Has anyone lasted many more years than I have?

Re: Survival

Citrine1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:13:50 GMT

My mother had breast cancer at age 51. She had a lumpectomy and still has her breasts. She is 90 and cancer free.

Re: Survival

Love the Au and Ag — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:22:14 GMT

Congratulations on 27 years!

In about a week I will be having my 10 years. I also had a double mastectomy becuase I watched my mother battle it 3 times. (She did survive it.) I also did chemo and 5 years of anastrozole (estrogen blocker).

I understand the feeling of a ticking time bomb. It is believed that my family carries a rare type of Lynch Syndrome that genetic tests don't detect. I have donated many "parts' and blood to help with research. I hope it helps future generations.

Please keep taking care of yourself and doing your follow up visits.

You are a warrior.

Re: Survival

cindyNC — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:32:17 GMT

@Love the Au and Ag @Puzzle Piece How wonderful for both of you! Hope you contunue to be well.

I'm just beginning my cancer journey. I had a lumpectomy done in July. I was told it was the "best breast cancer" to have by many medical professionals. I realize so many women have more serious breast cancer types and more traumatic treatments, but it still made me so angry when they said that.

15 radiation treatments and now on an estrogen suppression drug.

The funny/not so funny part is that I didn't realize it, but I had shingles going into surgery and then contracted covid two weeks after surgery. The covid was a bear to get through.

Re: Survival

Love the Au and Ag — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:35:42 GMT

I hope you are starting to feel better.

Re: Survival

FLtricia — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:40:32 GMT

My mother was diagnosed at 70 with Stage 3 breast cancer. Her paperwork indicated her prognosis for survival was "very poor." Well she lived a healthy life until she passed at age 96 and not from cancer.

I have dealt with breast cancer twice. The first time was 19 years ago, second 12 years ago. The first time I had a mastectomy and chemo then meds for 5 years. I was told I had only a minute chance of recurrence. Wrong! Second round was lumpectomy, radiation and meds for 5 years.

The bottom line is, they do not know. I do not dwell on will I survive. I just live my life, enjoy my family, and thank God for another healthy day!

Re: Survival

Scooby Doo — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:29:48 GMT

it's been 20 years for me which doesn't seem that long ago. Caught it early so I had a lumpectomy and radiation. My mother, sister and I all had it but we don't have the gene.

Re: Survival

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:33:36 GMT

@Love the Au and Ag Thank you for your words. I will think of myself as a warrior now.

I had my reproductive organs removed as there was a sizeable tumor growing there and fortunately, it wasn't cancer.

Guess I was feeling down and out at the hearing of a loss of an actress I enjoyed from the past. She was of my generation and it bothers me to know that so many are now passing on.

Re: Survival

wagirl — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:35:09 GMT

@FLtricia ---- My grandfather--in -law (?) spouses grandpa--got cancer at age 80 back in the 70's maybe--lived to be 102 when he died. Can you imagine that?? Not sure what treatment was used back then.

I was dx with stage 3 lobular breast cancer in 2012---had very strong chemo, radiation and got mastectomy, meds for 10 years---and am doing just fine now at age 70. I agree "they"--not sure who they is--medical community maybe--don't know for sure about anything----however--I am much more optimistic about treatments now, than, I was 12 years ago---I don't think much about the what ifs--if it happens, I'll deal with it. Am grateful for today.

Re: Survival

LindaSal — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:46:43 GMT

It will be 10 years in March for me. I had stage 3 breast cancer, surgeon believes my tumor was there but not seen on a previous mammo therefore it had time to grow before the next one. I was very lucky to not lose my breast, I had a lumpectomy, surgery, chemo and radiation. I think it's normal to worry about it returning but I try not to dwell on that. Like another poster stated I just live my life and hope and pray for the best.

Congrats on 27 years! @Puzzle Piece

Re: Survival

Still Raining — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:11 GMT

Congratulations to you. Hope you remain well.

I had two different types and two surgeries less than ten years ago. One was rare and I am in a ongoing watch with a clinical trail. They do the testing every six months. The other one is more an annual thing now.

It changed my thinking for ever. A very different mind set now.