Nov. 17th--One Year Since Diagnosis!

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missrenee
missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Wow--what a year. So glad we don't know the future. I would have said, "no way, I can't do it, get me a gun, please!" But, after being diagnosed with Stage 3, grade 3 IDC with 10+ lymph nodes, 2 surgeries (lumpectomy, re-excision, axillary node dissection), 6 rounds of TAC, and 33 rads--I'm still standing tall. I feel good. I've learned alot about myself and others--for sure. Still having a few issues--but who cares--I'm alive!!

I'm a little (well, okay girls--alot) scared about mammo, U/S and MRI coming up. That's on December 8. I'll need you all in that room with me, girls.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have answered my questions, listened to me rant, comforted me and been there for me on this board. This is the most wonderful sisterhood I've ever encountered. I only hope to be able to pay it forward whenever I can.

Hugs, Renee
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Comments

  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
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    WOW
    Hi Missrenee,
    I'm excited for you,I want be a year up until May and your right that is scarey I really haven't thought that far ahead but I know your gonna be fine like you said your still standing tall in spite of what you've been threw.please keep us posted because for me your my hope. HUGS Mollyz
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
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    mollyz said:

    WOW
    Hi Missrenee,
    I'm excited for you,I want be a year up until May and your right that is scarey I really haven't thought that far ahead but I know your gonna be fine like you said your still standing tall in spite of what you've been threw.please keep us posted because for me your my hope. HUGS Mollyz

    I'm so glad I'm your hope!
    I am so moving forward--my greatest wish for all my girls here!

    Hugs, Renee
  • bluwillo
    bluwillo Member Posts: 113
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    missrenee said:

    I'm so glad I'm your hope!
    I am so moving forward--my greatest wish for all my girls here!

    Hugs, Renee

    You mean we're supposed to keep track????
    Chemo brain kinda made the last year a blur, and college and a new high stress job. I didn't keep track of the dates, I just kept track of what I could still do. And like you, I'M STILL STANDING!

    Congrats to you! Your treatment sounds almost exactly like mine was. Tough row to hoe, eh? But you did it!! You are one strong lady!

    Doncha just feel like every day is a gift? I sure do! Even the bad ones....I'd tell myself I'd rather be praying to the porcelain god than the alternative.

    When I first saw the stickers that said "Fight like a girl", I was a little insulted. I'm from the first half of my family...1 girl against 3 boys. So, when the brothers would tell me I was fighting "like a girl", it was a definate diss. Now, however, I've learned to fight like a girl...and we fight dirty, don't we??? I never fought with my sisters (the second "crew" to come along) so I had to learn.

    DH had a sticker made for my car. Guess what it says? "Fight like a girl!" And I love it!

    (But sometimes, do you wonder who you were? Where'd that person go, the one you used to be pre-cancer? I do. I've decided I like the new me much better. There are so many small potatoes now...:)

    Congrats to you!! Next year, I'll be here to celebrate your 2 yr anniversary. 'course, I won't remember what mine is, but I'll just tag along on yours! Keep moving on, you're an inspiration to all!
  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
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    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I know
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I know the scared feeling. I just finished radiation a week ago and now I have e-coli. Don't know where that came from but neither do I know where the cancer came from.

    My prayers are with you during your tests. They will be fine. Think positive as I have heard it helps a lot. I am working on that part.

    Many Hugs and Prayers

    Diana
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
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    omg, Renee -
    last Nov 17 was the day I actually heard the C word. Although my mammo was suspicious on 10/28, biopsy results were positive and I got the news then.

    Why, my goodness, we have more in common than cruisin Genessee St on a Friday night!

    Love ya,

    Sue
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
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    It is truly amazing how our
    It is truly amazing how our world simultaneously stops spinning and yet also manages to spin out of control at the very moment we get our diagnosis! We think Life As We Know It has come to a screeching halt, never to be reclaimed. And yet, and yet, the seemingly impossible actually does happen~time passes, we have taken as much control of our changed lives as humanly possible, and we come out just where you are standing now! A year out, not exactly issue free, perhaps, but alive, and vital, OMG making plans for a future! Isn't it absolutely wonderful???? Congratulations to you!!! And yes, paying it forward is a reward in itself...enjoy! This Thanksgiving will have many thanks, I am sure!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
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    That's great news Renee
    That first year sure is crazy...boy, don't we learn so much?

    I'm happy for you. Enjoy each and every day! It's a blessing.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
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    sea60 said:

    That's great news Renee
    That first year sure is crazy...boy, don't we learn so much?

    I'm happy for you. Enjoy each and every day! It's a blessing.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Thank you sisters...
    Bluwillo--I will continue to fight like a girl--forever. And Chen--yes, you're right, who knew how strong we could be. Sue--amazing--we are true kindred spirits--from growing up in Utica, NY to getting diagnosed on the same day--we truly have to meet. Sylvia--thank you, we do learn an incredible amount--just by going through this crap!

    I feel so empowered tonight. Wishing that for everyone on this board. I love you ALL!!!!

    Hugs, Renee
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
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    Renee, I'm so happy for you, 1 year that's great celebrate!! don't be afraid you are going to have many many years of health. Love live and enjoy. Don't worry about the test they will all be clear. And we will all be there with you always. Take care Darlin Kay
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
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    Congratulations!
    Renee, *you* might be a surprised at making it through everything you've had to deal with. But I can assure you that nobody else here is surprised at what you have accomplished - both during your own treatments and in how you have reached out to others.

    A year ago tomorrow, my beloved Moopy celebrated her first diagnosis anniversary (stage IIIa TNBC), with all of the post-treatment concerns: mammo, ultrasounds, MRIs, tumor markers. But you know what? She got through them all just fine. I am absolutely sure that you will too, and that this is only the first of many such anniversaries you will celebrate in the years to come.

    God Bless,
    Joe (and Moopy too)
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
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    We are our own best advocates and not one of us walk away from this not learning a whole lot about our true beings.
    I am not affraid to address my health issues because if I do not no one can for me. The best advice I was given was do not let things go, if still bothering you, a lump still there or still feeling ill in a month get your **** to a doctor.
    I can see my disease was allowed to progress because ignorance seems to be bliss but not reality. I pay attention now and amazing the things we find out if we only do look.
    Tara
  • Brooklynchele
    Brooklynchele Member Posts: 123
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    One year
    One year down and many more to come! Hugs!
    Michele
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
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    One year
    One year down and many more to come! Hugs!
    Michele

    Congrats on your one year
    Congrats on your one year cancerversary! Isn't it great when our diagnosis gets further and further behind us?

    Wishing you continued good health and enjoy your life.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • beetle25
    beetle25 Member Posts: 150 Member
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    jnl said:

    Congrats on your one year
    Congrats on your one year cancerversary! Isn't it great when our diagnosis gets further and further behind us?

    Wishing you continued good health and enjoy your life.


    Hugs, Leeza

    Renee congrats on your one year cancerversay!!!!!!!!!! Having not reached that milestone yet I am hoping that the first year is the toughest and each year gets easier and easier. Congrats and praying that you will have continued good health and a wonderful life.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
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    missrenee said:

    I'm so glad I'm your hope!
    I am so moving forward--my greatest wish for all my girls here!

    Hugs, Renee

    Congrats!

    Congrats!
  • Mariannemm
    Mariannemm Member Posts: 136
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    Nov. 20th
    11/20/09 is my 1 year! I have had 3 surgeries, 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of rads! Now I have a spot on my spine that they are watching, might be bone mets. I will know more by the end of the month. I have another MRI and in that one they are hoping they will be able to tell for sure if it is mets. Scheduled to have reconstruction on Dec. 14th, my fingers are crossed that I will be able to have the surgery. I want my boobs back! If the spot on my spine is mets then I will not have the surgery and begin treatment instead. I too am glad I can't see ahead what life has to offer, I don't think I could of faced it.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
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    Wow Renee
    a whole year has gone by...... You look great, feel great so have positive thoughts when you go for your mammo/xray. We will all be hoping for the best!
    {{hugs}} Char
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
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    cahjah75 said:

    Wow Renee
    a whole year has gone by...... You look great, feel great so have positive thoughts when you go for your mammo/xray. We will all be hoping for the best!
    {{hugs}} Char

    A whole year is great!
    A whole year is great! Congrats Renee!


    Hugs, Jan
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
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    A whole year is great!
    A whole year is great! Congrats Renee!


    Hugs, Jan

    What a year it has been .. a little before you .. all that
    we have endured, our journey and now the knowledge! Congratulations on this milestone.


    Strength and Courage, Miss Renee!


    Vicki Sam
  • rainbow4
    rainbow4 Member Posts: 137
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    Sorry - late
    but congratulations are always welcome, right? I didn't have chemo, but even without it, I thought the first year would never end. Now I've just passed 1 1/2 yrs.
    -rainbow4