Has anyone else been over 20 years before a recurrence?

CypressCynthia
CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Sometimes I feel like a freak having been 22 years in remission. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for every day and I know that many wish that they could have that long of a remission.

However, I have not bumped into one other person who went that long before a recurrence. I asked my oncologist about it and he said that it is not unheard of, but he didn't mention any names. If you are out there, please let me know.
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Comments

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    I know several on here had
    I know several on here had recurrences Cynthia, but, I can't remember how long it was for them. These are the ones I remember that might have had a long time between their original diagnosis and I hope they will post to you. RE, Kathi M, carkris, Meena and Jeanne D. I think a couple of them went a long time, but, not sure.

    Wishing you good health and good luck!


    Megan
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Megan M said:

    I know several on here had
    I know several on here had recurrences Cynthia, but, I can't remember how long it was for them. These are the ones I remember that might have had a long time between their original diagnosis and I hope they will post to you. RE, Kathi M, carkris, Meena and Jeanne D. I think a couple of them went a long time, but, not sure.

    Wishing you good health and good luck!


    Megan

    Thanks. I hate to even
    Thanks. I hate to even mention how long my remission was, as I don't want to scare anyone. But I do sometimes feel like I am the only one.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Thanks. I hate to even
    Thanks. I hate to even mention how long my remission was, as I don't want to scare anyone. But I do sometimes feel like I am the only one.

    Warrior Sisters in PINK .. information is information
    Good, bad or Ugly. Breast Cancer or Cancer in general is now a part of our everyday lives - It is scary, if we allow it to be. I still lose sleep thinking about cancer and the odds of survivorship .. then I remember the strong willed, spirited women who have walked before me on this very same journey - and all that they have accomplished and are here amoungst us .. SURVIVORS! I am at peace, until the next influx of statics and clincial trial information is splashed in the media or on-line.


    Vicki Sam
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    LIving with Metastasis or Stage IV
    When I had my last recurrence, I wrote to a lady who was diagnose in 1975 just short of her 40th birthday.

    Her 1st recurrence came 9 years later, a regional one in her axilla in 1984. Radiation and Tamoxifen.

    Her 2nd recurrence came 15 years later, metastasis to her bones. She used Arimidex.
    Her 3rd recurrence came 8 years later to nodules in her lungs. She used Faslodex which failed . She was no longer hormone positive. She went on using many different chemotherapies and tried a trial which failed.

    She died 34 years after her original diagnose of breast cancer and ten years after learning of her bone metastasis. She was 74 years old.

    This lady I knew. I've read many stories online, and in articles that some do live a normal life span. It's not the norm, but it does happen to some.

    SIROD
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    SIROD said:

    LIving with Metastasis or Stage IV
    When I had my last recurrence, I wrote to a lady who was diagnose in 1975 just short of her 40th birthday.

    Her 1st recurrence came 9 years later, a regional one in her axilla in 1984. Radiation and Tamoxifen.

    Her 2nd recurrence came 15 years later, metastasis to her bones. She used Arimidex.
    Her 3rd recurrence came 8 years later to nodules in her lungs. She used Faslodex which failed . She was no longer hormone positive. She went on using many different chemotherapies and tried a trial which failed.

    She died 34 years after her original diagnose of breast cancer and ten years after learning of her bone metastasis. She was 74 years old.

    This lady I knew. I've read many stories online, and in articles that some do live a normal life span. It's not the norm, but it does happen to some.

    SIROD

    My breast surgeon did tell
    My breast surgeon did tell me that, although it is unusual, for some cancer is a chronic condition. He said that it can't be cured but may be managed and may not even be what kills me. Who knows? The longer I live, the stranger life seems!
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Cynthia I know of two women.
    Cynthia I know of two women. My friend Sherry was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid twenties. She is now 55 and is still cancer free! I met this other lady at the chemo clinic. She is a spry, spunky woman in her late seventies. Her recurrence occurred 30 years later! She had breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. A new cancer came back in her GI tract.

    They are out there. It is so reassuring to hear from Survivors like yourself who have been dancing with NED for over 20 years! It gives us hope. Thanks for sharing with us.

    I certainly hold those dear Sisters who are, once again, battling the beast up in prayer.
    BL
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    Cynthia I know of two women.
    Cynthia I know of two women. My friend Sherry was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid twenties. She is now 55 and is still cancer free! I met this other lady at the chemo clinic. She is a spry, spunky woman in her late seventies. Her recurrence occurred 30 years later! She had breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. A new cancer came back in her GI tract.

    They are out there. It is so reassuring to hear from Survivors like yourself who have been dancing with NED for over 20 years! It gives us hope. Thanks for sharing with us.

    I certainly hold those dear Sisters who are, once again, battling the beast up in prayer.
    BL

    Thanks!
    Thank you for saying that I give others hope as I feel bad that I have to share that I did have a recurrence after so long. I know most could consider themselves cured and I am just a big weirdo. But I thank you for the story about the woman who had been 30 yrs. It makes me feel less isolated.
  • Miss Murphy
    Miss Murphy Member Posts: 302

    Thanks!
    Thank you for saying that I give others hope as I feel bad that I have to share that I did have a recurrence after so long. I know most could consider themselves cured and I am just a big weirdo. But I thank you for the story about the woman who had been 30 yrs. It makes me feel less isolated.

    Me Too!
    I also know two women who are past the 20 mark with no recurrance. One was in her late 30's when dx and is now around 60 - her daughter was in my Girl Scout Troop when dx. She's doing great and just danced at her daughter's wedding! The other lived on the street in back of me and was early 40's when dx and she's now about 65 and enjoying her grandkids! Oh and I just remembered a lady in my bridge group - she's in her late 70's and I know she had bc many years ago - it must be at least 20. When I get down I think of them and that gives me lots of hope and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 20 plus years! You also have given me hope Cypress Cynthia and I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

    Hugs, Sally
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member

    Me Too!
    I also know two women who are past the 20 mark with no recurrance. One was in her late 30's when dx and is now around 60 - her daughter was in my Girl Scout Troop when dx. She's doing great and just danced at her daughter's wedding! The other lived on the street in back of me and was early 40's when dx and she's now about 65 and enjoying her grandkids! Oh and I just remembered a lady in my bridge group - she's in her late 70's and I know she had bc many years ago - it must be at least 20. When I get down I think of them and that gives me lots of hope and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 20 plus years! You also have given me hope Cypress Cynthia and I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

    Hugs, Sally

    Cypress, you definitely give
    Cypress, you definitely give me hope with your story. We all know we can have recurrance at any time, and it means a lot to me to know that you share your experience with us who hope it doesn't happen but if it does, we can fight. I truly wish you the best.
  • 2Floridiansisters
    2Floridiansisters Member Posts: 384 Member
    GayleMc said:

    Cypress, you definitely give
    Cypress, you definitely give me hope with your story. We all know we can have recurrance at any time, and it means a lot to me to know that you share your experience with us who hope it doesn't happen but if it does, we can fight. I truly wish you the best.

    Dear Cypress Cynthia
    I don't know of anyone personally that even has cancer besides these ladies here on this site, I pretty much am a loner and don't really have any friends so I know nobody out there, I am also not real close to any family members. I would hate to have a recurrance but if I ever do I sure want it to be at least 20 years out, heck yes add my name to the list of posters you give hope to. Absolutely, none of us want to experience this but look at how long you've been in remission!!! That's good, although I am sorry that it has come back. Stay positive, you beat this once and you're strong enough to do it again. You are in my prayers.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member

    Thanks!
    Thank you for saying that I give others hope as I feel bad that I have to share that I did have a recurrence after so long. I know most could consider themselves cured and I am just a big weirdo. But I thank you for the story about the woman who had been 30 yrs. It makes me feel less isolated.

    Don't feel bad Cynthia for
    Don't feel bad Cynthia for sharing this. If anything, it might make all us more aware that it can come back to where we are more aware of something that might not be right. I remember Meena posting her story and I certainly learned from it.

    Wishing you a healthy life!
  • iowasignterp
    iowasignterp Member Posts: 55
    I know someone with a 19 year recurrence
    My mother in law had cancer in one breast, three years later the other breast, and then 19 years later again in the original breast. So 19 is a year shy of 20 but close. She had lumpectomies, and then mastectomies after discovering she was BRCA positive. That was around three years ago and she is still doing fine although she had to have the back flap surgery because the radiation made it tough to heal from a regular reconstruction. We thought it was odd that I was diagnosed, about six months later her daughter was diagnosed, and then a couple of months after that she was diagnosed with her recurrance. We were all doing the breast cancer thing within months of each other.

    So yes, 19 or 20 years is not quite as odd as you think.
  • FIDDLEPHYL
    FIDDLEPHYL Member Posts: 2
    I had cancer 21 years ago. They did a needle biopsy as it was in encapsulated in a duct. Ended up having it done a second time.
    This past June I was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. Had a bilateral mastectomy in July. So I was free of cancer for 21 years. My surgery went well and no cancer in my lymp nodes. Am still recoving. Best of everthing to you.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    GayleMc said:

    Cypress, you definitely give
    Cypress, you definitely give me hope with your story. We all know we can have recurrance at any time, and it means a lot to me to know that you share your experience with us who hope it doesn't happen but if it does, we can fight. I truly wish you the best.

    I agree Gayle. We do know
    I agree Gayle. We do know that it can happen, and, it is good to read of other's experience. Keep fighting and living your life!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    I had cancer 21 years ago. They did a needle biopsy as it was in encapsulated in a duct. Ended up having it done a second time.
    This past June I was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. Had a bilateral mastectomy in July. So I was free of cancer for 21 years. My surgery went well and no cancer in my lymp nodes. Am still recoving. Best of everthing to you.

    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in
    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in remission and all of my physicians had dismissed me as not needing them anymore. Hope you do well too ! Keep in touch; not that I would wish this on anyone--but it is nice to know that I am not alone. Thanks so much for writing.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member

    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in
    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in remission and all of my physicians had dismissed me as not needing them anymore. Hope you do well too ! Keep in touch; not that I would wish this on anyone--but it is nice to know that I am not alone. Thanks so much for writing.

    Glad you posted this, Cynthia
    We need to know everything. Great that you went 22 years but sucks that it returned. However, think of how much more advanced the treatments are now with much better results. Time to put that warrior helmet back on and kick this beast's butt again--you can do it--you already have once.

    We're all pulling for you, girlfriend.

    Hugs, Renee
  • cathyp
    cathyp Member Posts: 376 Member

    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in
    Weird huh? I went 22 yrs in remission and all of my physicians had dismissed me as not needing them anymore. Hope you do well too ! Keep in touch; not that I would wish this on anyone--but it is nice to know that I am not alone. Thanks so much for writing.

    45 years
    my aunt was around 40 when she had a radical mastectomy w/cobalt treatments. Wow, it was radical, huge cavities in her chest and under arm. No lympedema and no recurrence and she is 85. No cancer ever in her other breast.
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991

    I know someone with a 19 year recurrence
    My mother in law had cancer in one breast, three years later the other breast, and then 19 years later again in the original breast. So 19 is a year shy of 20 but close. She had lumpectomies, and then mastectomies after discovering she was BRCA positive. That was around three years ago and she is still doing fine although she had to have the back flap surgery because the radiation made it tough to heal from a regular reconstruction. We thought it was odd that I was diagnosed, about six months later her daughter was diagnosed, and then a couple of months after that she was diagnosed with her recurrance. We were all doing the breast cancer thing within months of each other.

    So yes, 19 or 20 years is not quite as odd as you think.

    A recurrence is all of our
    A recurrence is all of our nightmare. I am sorry it came back to any of you and your loved ones. Wishing you good luck and praying for all of you!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    Thanks. I hate to even
    Thanks. I hate to even mention how long my remission was, as I don't want to scare anyone. But I do sometimes feel like I am the only one.

    You aren't the only one
    You aren't the only one Cynthia. Like someone wrote, there are several on here that had a recurrence that went many years. It is scary, but, it is something that is always in our heads. Praying for all bc sisters!


    Jan
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Someone else comes to mind
    Someone else comes to mind Cynthia. Julia Childs lived into her late 80's, I believe, with no recurrence! They are out there.
    BL