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4 years since Stage 4B diagnosis, 3.5 years NED
Hello, everyone -
I don't stop in often anymore but wanted to share good news I received recently. I was diagnosed in January 2018, initially as Stage II, then 3 months later after a scan, Stage IVB with nodules having spread to my lungs via LVSI. Life looked like it would be quite abbreviated.
Yet here I am, 59 now, and NED since chemo ended early fall 2018. My most recent PET scan was a few weeks ago and, for the first time ever, my oncologist was positively brimming with upbeat prognostications. She's usually rather silent about my future. This time, she said, "It's looking really good for you getting to that magical 5-year mark. Just one more year!" I asked if the 5-year mark was really meaningful to someone with Stage IV, since it's not considered curable. She said, "I think you're going to have a very good long while yet. It may not even come back in your case. It will if it wants to, but you and I have done everything possible that can be done now, and it may not return." Wow! It probably helped me that when the cancer spread, it went straight to my lungs without stopping anywhere else, and the lung nodules were caught before they were large.
I have been out living my life (well, such as it is during a pandemic), thinking about cancer every day but not letting it lead my life. I know it may come back. I know maybe there's a chance it won't. I can live with not knowing because I'd made my peace with a likely abbreviated life three years ago. Every additional day is a gift.
Thanks to all of you on the board who have been with me on this journey and who have provided such support, wisdom, and friendship. I'll continue to stop in occasionally and try to be helpful.
Tamlen
Comments
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Totally Awesome and Totally Encouraging News from you, Tamlen. Thank you for stopping in to lift the spirits of all on this site while offering advice on living in the 'in between' times. I am seeking that peace in my dx. This pandemic and the recent surge has led to too much introspection on my part. I am so much better a busy person. I vacillate between acceptance and anxiety and fear.
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I haven’t been on since the changed format, so I’ve really been looking for familiar names. I have hit the 5 year mark and am cautiously optimistic. There have been many changes at my center with original doc gone and replaced with one I’m not fond of. Now another new doc is here and I’ve heard good things so I, hopeful.
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Hello, Soup,
I hope you can find some familiar names but we newbies are happy to welcome you back and celebrate with you! YAH! I am so glad you came back to tell us of your 5 year mark. I love to hear encouraging milestone news and 5 years is just amazing. I am just 6 months post treatment with 3 month checkups and 6 month scans.
I never thought about the changes that could happen at a treatment center... I hope the new doc is more to your liking. ((Hugs))
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Hey Soup - glad that you checked back in to give us your update! 5 Years is a great milestone and one we're so happy to celebrate with you.
Most of my various doctors are near or already past retirement age. I'm not looking forward to having to find replacements when they leave. I hope your new doctor works out well for you.
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