Three years post treatment from UPSC

I have somewhat moved away from checking this site as much as I used to. Yesterday I had my six month checkup marking three years from the end of my treatment. I was diagnosed in June 2013 and after surgery staged at a Stage 3, 3B or C I'm not sure which. I had eighteen chemos and 4 internal radiation treatments. The journey in the beginning is like your going to climb Mt. Everest and  you currently take the elevator instead of the stairs. Now three years has passed since finishing treatment. Seems impossible that so much time has gone by.  Just as a note my husband was diagosed with belateral kidney cancer a month before me and our daughter  breast cancer in Oct 2014. Also my brother that Oct. with non hodgins and he passed away in April 2015. To say that we do cancer is an understatement

So many wonderful women are posting support, a shoulder to lean on and so much knowledge.  I learned so many things and got great support from so many; the hard part is knowing that several of those ladies are no longer with us. I know that I am very lucky to be doing so well. We will not talk about the neuropathy aned bladder problems. They are well known to many of you.

The really good news is that my husband and I leave for Mexico to spend a couple of weeks with close friends on the beach near Puerto Vallarta.  Countdown to departure is 3 days. He is fine -lost one kidney and had tumor frozen off the other kidny and our daughter is doing fine also. At times when the bad news just kept coming it was overwhelming but we just kept going. That's what you do. To this day I am more compassionate and try to be a better wife, mother, grndmother, friend. They were also so supportive and there for me. 

For those at the beginning of this journey, know there are women here to help you. I know I'm not out of the woods yet but have always been positive that I have the upper hand on this cancer. Four more checkups and my incredible oncologist will kick me to the curb.  It will be here before I know it

Take care

Joanne

 

 

Comments

  • derMaus
    derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
    edited January 2017 #2
    Thank you for checking in and

    Thank you for checking in and best to you and your family. Enjoy your trip!

  • beccabtown
    beccabtown Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2017 #3
    Thank you for posting, Joanne

    Thank you for posting, Joanne. Your story gives me hope and comfort. Have a great trip!

     

    Rebecca

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    Nice that you checked in

    Joanne,

    Thanks for checking in and giving us an update.  Glad to hear your recent check-up was good.  Enjoy that trip to Mexico!   Please check in again and tell us about your trip.

    Kathy

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    Great news Joanne! The life

    Great news Joanne! The life we all hope for!

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    Great post Joanne! Thanks so

    Great post Joanne! Thanks so much for the inspiring words. Enjoy your trip.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,476 Member
    edited January 2017 #7
    So nice to hear from you,

    So nice to hear from you, Joanne.  Go enjoy yourself in the warm sand.  

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    Very good to hear

    Thank you SO MUCH for coming and checking in and sharing your wonderful news.  So glad your husband and daughter are also doing well.  Sorry about your brother.  You really had a long haul of this stuff!!!  Have a GREAT vacation- enjoy (((HUGS)))

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    edited January 2017 #9
    Wonderful news

    So glad to hear your good news.  Have a wonderful time walking on the warm beach.

    Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited January 2017 #10
    Have a good time!

    God knows we all enjoy hearing positive news! Have fun in the warm water and sunshine!

  • Angelapo
    Angelapo Member Posts: 24 Member
    edited January 2017 #11
    Great news!

    Thank you for your great news and words of encouragement! Enjoy Mexico! 

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    Thanks for checking in!

    It's always wonderful to hear great news like this!

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    Editgrl said:

    Thanks for checking in!

    It's always wonderful to hear great news like this!

    Hope you continue to post

    Your success is so encouraging to all.  I hope your husband and daughter continue to do well. Thank you for the positive post.

    Suzanne

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 790 Member
    Excellent update, Joanne!

    Excellent update, Joanne! Thank you so much for posting. Let us know how your trip went! Kim