Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor---Seeking encouragement and Hope
Comments
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I had been in remission
I had been in remission since 1987, but found out I had bone mets this past March. I am on arimidex and zometa and finished radiation. So far, so good. Let's hang in there together!0 -
welcomeJmG86 said:Teri,
I was diagnosed in
Teri,
I was diagnosed in 2003 with stage IV, mets to the bone. I have been living a normal, full, active life since. I have been treated with Zometa since 2003, and originally Femara but now Aromacin. I feel great. It's understandable your having a difficult time, but don't despair! I love the saying "You can't just sit around and wait for the storm to be over - you have to learn how to dance in the rain". So I choose to dance, and I choose to sing. I have my bad days, but I can't dwell there, that's a bad place to be. I think everyone has that hourglass - who knows how much sand anyone has left? I'm a klutz - I might fall out the front door tomorrow on my way to work, and that's all she wrote. You never know! But I'm going out that door, there's still so much to see and do. So I'll try not to let the storm scare me, I'll just look for the rainbow. It's there somewhere!
welcome...even though I wish you never had to be here. I can not add anything to all you told above, but my prayers and good wishes. I love this site. I read the words of encouragemnet from my sisters in pink and I am so proud of them. They make my heart run over. May you find peace and encouragement here as I do continually. You are in my prayers.
becky0 -
Hi Teri
Hi Teri: I was diagnosed with Stage IV with mets to my spine and liver on March 17, 2009. As of October 28, 2009 my breast and liver tumors no longer show in the petscan
I am still on chemo as there are many tumors on my spine and now on my ribs. I also take Zometa once a month. I am still fairly new to all this so I would also love to hear more stories of ladies living life! I plan on being here for a LONG TIME. My onc also seems very optomistic and says she will treat me as if I have a chronic illness, which I guess I do since you are never cured of Stage IV cancer, I've been told, you live with stage IV cancer - so how about WE LIVE!!!! I am having a very positive day today, but there are many days mostly nights that I am sad, scared, angry and most of all worried about my children if this cancer takes me away from them so I totally understand your despair and we deserve to be scared. Please feel free to post or email me anytime.
My thoughts are with you, Libby0 -
I am sorry to hear about
I am sorry to hear about your condition. I have just been diagnosed and this is all new to me however I wanted to share a favourite poem that is all about just being right here right now with whatever you feel, no matter what it is ....
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks0 -
thanks Mariammariam_11_09 said:I am sorry to hear about
I am sorry to hear about your condition. I have just been diagnosed and this is all new to me however I wanted to share a favourite poem that is all about just being right here right now with whatever you feel, no matter what it is ....
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
What a beautiful poem0 -
I am so touched by the responsesmariam_11_09 said:I am sorry to hear about
I am sorry to hear about your condition. I have just been diagnosed and this is all new to me however I wanted to share a favourite poem that is all about just being right here right now with whatever you feel, no matter what it is ....
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
Just came back today to view my original entry and was so overwhelmed and touched by the responses to my post. From the bottom of my heart, thank you ALL for taking the time to reply to my post. Your comments--all of them--are like hugs to me and something that I cherish and hold very dear. It so helps to read that people are actually living lives in spite of this diagnosis. It seems so difficult many days to have any optimism whatsoever.
I have good friends but its difficult to share my experience with them as its non-ending having "chronic" cancer and I feel like they're exhausted from my situation and knowing how to respond. I find that communicating with others going thru this horrible experience is easier as I know that the other person truly understands.
I am taking one day at a time, praying for the strength to get through another day. My emotions are like a pin ball machine racing from one sad thought to another. I do see a therapist and am on anti depressants but it seems like its no match for my saddness and sometimes bleak outlook. I realize now that I need to visit this website far more often than I have as reading the entries makes me feel less alone. Again, thank you all for your words, they mean more to me than I can say.0 -
Teri
Hi,you have come to the right place to talk about how you feel.My faith and family keep me going.I will pray for you to have the streanth to get through this.I would call the American Cancer Society and they can have someone call you if you want.And we are always here on this sight if you need to talk.God Bless you.Love and Prayers.(Pat).0 -
Teri
I have no stories for
Teri
I have no stories for you but I send my love and prayers to you. I am just starting my journey and my Mantra is, 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'0 -
That is lovely and I willsweetvickid said:Teri
I have no stories for
Teri
I have no stories for you but I send my love and prayers to you. I am just starting my journey and my Mantra is, 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
That is lovely and I will remember your Mantra. May God Bless you on your journey and my prayers and love will be with you as well.0 -
I will tell you...
... an amazing story. I live in Fayetteville, GA... I'm 42 years old, soon to be married 20 years and have two beautiful sons - 16 and 10. I was dx with Stage IV Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in February of this year... large tumor in my right breast (4 cm) and metastis to multiple lymph nodes in my right armpit, multiple lymph nodes behind my breast bone and into the bone of my sternum (3+ cm).
In March of this year I stopped eating meat, dairy and all sugars (fake or real)... I started exercising with a trainer to "build myself up" in preparation for the battle ahead (chemo, radiation etc). My doctors (Emory in Atlanta) said my best first line defense was to remove my ovaries, which we did in late April.
I've had no other chemical treatments (yet) and have had diagnostic PET scans every three months. My last one (Nov. 17th) showed no cancer in any of my lymph nodes or bone of my sternum. I'm down to only the original tumor which is now only 1.5 cm!
Doctors have great tools to help us battle this awful disease, but they can't be depended on to carry the whole fight! I just wanted you to know that YOU CAN conquer this monster! Think positive, believe in your own power to heal yourself and amazing things can happen.
I refuse to die because "that's what happens most of the time"... I'm going to throw everything I have at it. Some of the changes are hard, but not as hard as the thought of leaving my boys without a Mother!
I'm so grateful that we have this forum to love and support each other - you go girl!
Kathy0 -
Thanks for your storyK_J said:I will tell you...
... an amazing story. I live in Fayetteville, GA... I'm 42 years old, soon to be married 20 years and have two beautiful sons - 16 and 10. I was dx with Stage IV Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in February of this year... large tumor in my right breast (4 cm) and metastis to multiple lymph nodes in my right armpit, multiple lymph nodes behind my breast bone and into the bone of my sternum (3+ cm).
In March of this year I stopped eating meat, dairy and all sugars (fake or real)... I started exercising with a trainer to "build myself up" in preparation for the battle ahead (chemo, radiation etc). My doctors (Emory in Atlanta) said my best first line defense was to remove my ovaries, which we did in late April.
I've had no other chemical treatments (yet) and have had diagnostic PET scans every three months. My last one (Nov. 17th) showed no cancer in any of my lymph nodes or bone of my sternum. I'm down to only the original tumor which is now only 1.5 cm!
Doctors have great tools to help us battle this awful disease, but they can't be depended on to carry the whole fight! I just wanted you to know that YOU CAN conquer this monster! Think positive, believe in your own power to heal yourself and amazing things can happen.
I refuse to die because "that's what happens most of the time"... I'm going to throw everything I have at it. Some of the changes are hard, but not as hard as the thought of leaving my boys without a Mother!
I'm so grateful that we have this forum to love and support each other - you go girl!
Kathy
I like your spirit.
Mimi0 -
I am a 1 year and 4 months
I am a 1 year and 4 months survivor of metastatic breast cancer (to bone). i completed Herceptin in July. I am currently receiving zometa every 4 weeks. I just had a Pet scan in October and there was no activity, so I am in remission now. I do not personally know anyone who has survived many years, but we can all live one day at a time. I believe that with the Herceptin and Zometa you will not have any problems, try and let go of the fear. My mantra is "I fought cancer, you cant scare me". Herceptin truely is a miracle drug and together with the zometa, you should do well. Take a deep breath, think positive. You will get through this, there is hope for you and me. You can PM me or post if you have any questions0 -
Kathy,K_J said:I will tell you...
... an amazing story. I live in Fayetteville, GA... I'm 42 years old, soon to be married 20 years and have two beautiful sons - 16 and 10. I was dx with Stage IV Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in February of this year... large tumor in my right breast (4 cm) and metastis to multiple lymph nodes in my right armpit, multiple lymph nodes behind my breast bone and into the bone of my sternum (3+ cm).
In March of this year I stopped eating meat, dairy and all sugars (fake or real)... I started exercising with a trainer to "build myself up" in preparation for the battle ahead (chemo, radiation etc). My doctors (Emory in Atlanta) said my best first line defense was to remove my ovaries, which we did in late April.
I've had no other chemical treatments (yet) and have had diagnostic PET scans every three months. My last one (Nov. 17th) showed no cancer in any of my lymph nodes or bone of my sternum. I'm down to only the original tumor which is now only 1.5 cm!
Doctors have great tools to help us battle this awful disease, but they can't be depended on to carry the whole fight! I just wanted you to know that YOU CAN conquer this monster! Think positive, believe in your own power to heal yourself and amazing things can happen.
I refuse to die because "that's what happens most of the time"... I'm going to throw everything I have at it. Some of the changes are hard, but not as hard as the thought of leaving my boys without a Mother!
I'm so grateful that we have this forum to love and support each other - you go girl!
Kathy
From another Stage IV
Kathy,
From another Stage IV sister, I say, "Thank you." You give us hope! What was the plan behind your dietary changes?
Peace.
Linda0 -
The China StudyLC815 said:Kathy,
From another Stage IV
Kathy,
From another Stage IV sister, I say, "Thank you." You give us hope! What was the plan behind your dietary changes?
Peace.
Linda
Hi Linda... I can't believe I forgot to reference this...
When I was first dx... some friends of ours sent us the book "The China Study", by T. Colin Campbell... the entire book is devoted to how diet affects many different diseases, but cancer is a major theme. The book explains the research from the original "China Study"; we all continuously process carcinogens through our bodies and most of them luckily are flushed away... however, research has shown that animal protein we consume can "pull" the carcinogens into our cells and hold them there where they mutate, multiply and eventually become cancerous. The book does not actually call for a ban on animal protein, merely suggests that you hold animal protien to around 12% (double check my percentage). This serves several purposes; helping to keep your bodies oxygen level up (cancer does not thrive in highly oxygenated systems) and to keep your body in a more alkaline state (cancer thrives in an acidic environment and dies in an alkaline one).
Additionally, I have had my ovaries removed which my doctors credit with this remarkable turnaround... yet they believe the cancer will come back. These changes are changes I'm making to ensure that it NEVER comes back!
In addition to the book, I was fortunate to be referred to several "friends of friends" who've kicked this awful disease by changing their diets to include mostly raw fruits and vegetables. I guess all I can really say is "so far it's working for me". And continue to hope that it can work for EVERYONE!
I highly recommend reading this book and would love to hear from others who've experienced a turnaround based on natural therapies.0 -
Thank Youmeena1 said:I am a 1 year and 4 months
I am a 1 year and 4 months survivor of metastatic breast cancer (to bone). i completed Herceptin in July. I am currently receiving zometa every 4 weeks. I just had a Pet scan in October and there was no activity, so I am in remission now. I do not personally know anyone who has survived many years, but we can all live one day at a time. I believe that with the Herceptin and Zometa you will not have any problems, try and let go of the fear. My mantra is "I fought cancer, you cant scare me". Herceptin truely is a miracle drug and together with the zometa, you should do well. Take a deep breath, think positive. You will get through this, there is hope for you and me. You can PM me or post if you have any questions
Hi Meena, Thanks very much for your words. Dealing with my fear is so difficult at times. I've got to work on keeping positive. Going for a PET scan in two days so wondering what will be the results. Very afraid of more bad news as that's all that seems to have come my way for the last couple of years. Congratulations on your Oct scan!!! That's wonderful....how often do you have scans?0 -
what a concept!K_J said:The China Study
Hi Linda... I can't believe I forgot to reference this...
When I was first dx... some friends of ours sent us the book "The China Study", by T. Colin Campbell... the entire book is devoted to how diet affects many different diseases, but cancer is a major theme. The book explains the research from the original "China Study"; we all continuously process carcinogens through our bodies and most of them luckily are flushed away... however, research has shown that animal protein we consume can "pull" the carcinogens into our cells and hold them there where they mutate, multiply and eventually become cancerous. The book does not actually call for a ban on animal protein, merely suggests that you hold animal protien to around 12% (double check my percentage). This serves several purposes; helping to keep your bodies oxygen level up (cancer does not thrive in highly oxygenated systems) and to keep your body in a more alkaline state (cancer thrives in an acidic environment and dies in an alkaline one).
Additionally, I have had my ovaries removed which my doctors credit with this remarkable turnaround... yet they believe the cancer will come back. These changes are changes I'm making to ensure that it NEVER comes back!
In addition to the book, I was fortunate to be referred to several "friends of friends" who've kicked this awful disease by changing their diets to include mostly raw fruits and vegetables. I guess all I can really say is "so far it's working for me". And continue to hope that it can work for EVERYONE!
I highly recommend reading this book and would love to hear from others who've experienced a turnaround based on natural therapies.
Thanks for referencing this book. I will get it, read it, and try to live it!0 -
I was diagnosed with Breastspoonchek said:Thank You
Hi Meena, Thanks very much for your words. Dealing with my fear is so difficult at times. I've got to work on keeping positive. Going for a PET scan in two days so wondering what will be the results. Very afraid of more bad news as that's all that seems to have come my way for the last couple of years. Congratulations on your Oct scan!!! That's wonderful....how often do you have scans?
I was diagnosed with Breast CA with mets to my liver August of this year.I have had four rounds of AC, will start Taxol Dec 9th. I had a PET scan done early November due to pain I was having in my right side. Radiologist said this scan showed improvement from the last. I try to stay positive, but somedays it is hard.I come to the posts often for encouragement. Ill be praying for you. Keep us posted on your results.
Deb0
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