Thanks, dear. I think things turned the corner, and not a moment too soon. That "time is relative" thing is supposedly because the older one gets, the smaller a percentage of one's aggregate life a year represents. 1 year to a 5 year old = 20% of their life 1 year to a 50 year old = 2% of their life Or so goes the theory.
I haven’t read this whole thread but just wanted to say also it’s nice that someone else is giving a big F.U. to cancer. My wife was diagnosed by a routine annual mammogram. No one could feel it, they couldn’t see it with ultrasound but confirmed it by biopsy. It appeared to be low stage/grade and well differentiated, so the plan was lumpectomy and radiation. During the surgery, the surgeon would routinely take two “sentinel” lymph nodes as a just in case. We were all shocked and surprised when one of the lymph nodes came back positive for a metastatic tumor the same size as the primary and which had already eroded through the lymph node. So, back in for a second surgery and 9 more lymph nodes all along her side and arm were removed for histopathology. They were all clear so then the plan switched to chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy and long term hormone therapy. It’s been 8 years now. She sees her medical oncologist every 6 months for some sort of blood test that looks for any increase in several breast cancer specific markers. So far, nothing has reared its ugly head. I hate cancer. My work experience involved working in labs involved in differential diagnosis of tumors by electron microscopy in one lab and mammary gland carcinogenesis in another. I literally hate it.
Just counting off another year. I should go back and read this whole thread sometime. Amazing that it's been three years already. Happy holidays, everyone.
I think I know how you feel in that respect. It's been about fifteen years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When I got that diagnosis, it felt a lot like a death sentence. In my experience, prior to that time, the only people I knew personally who had cancer (as far as I was aware) died from it, and, as a paramedic, the people I transported with cancer were pretty much in the process of dying from it. So, despite having head knowledge that told me that people can survive cancer, that's not how it felt to me, so I am sometimes amazed that I'm still here.
Beth, It is amazing how fast the time went by, more amazing was your journey and your determination. Happy Holiday, Tony
Exactly. When I was diagnosed with "IBC," all my googling convinced me that I'd be dead within the year. It is the most aggressive type of BC and the prognosis is grim. In fact, many of the women who started treatment around the time I did are deceased... some of them young and with small children left behind. They all wanted to live so badly. Typically IBC has a high rate of recurrence up until year five, so I still have "holding my breath" moments. Congrats on your 15 year mark, and I hope you have many more.
I have said it before, Tony... but all of you made my 'journey' so much easier. You all kept me company with words of encouragement and lots of prayers and I will forever be grateful. I hope Mrs. Tony is doing well, too. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I hope you are getting settled in your new home.
Beth, You'll never know how pleased I am for you. I remember that first message you sent me and how you were taking it all. I had to talk a blue streak to myself so as not to alarm you at what to expect, but to also give you reasons for all the hope in the world. It was like walking on eggshells for awhile, as I then was hit with the lung nodules and facing radiation. Well, dear girl, you see how it all played out, but now I am facing another possible go round with 2 new ones. The last cat scan showed that the two faint ones are presenting themselves, and I told my doctor we'll have another look in 3 months before going back to the Oncologist. He agreed, as these are a tad too small to do anything about. Meanwhile, I will not worry about it. Let's celebrate what we've achieved and I am so very, very happy for you.
Yes, we're still standing my friend. You will have to keep us informed about your checkup in 3 months; we will all be here for you. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Lois.
Thanks, G. I was happy to have you all to lean on through a dark time. Merry Christmas to you, hubby and the pup.