A little good news

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Armywife
Armywife Member Posts: 451 Member

Dear sisters,

This morning I met my new gyn/onc to receive the results of last week's PET scan and have a physical exam.  I like her.  She is no-nonsense and answers the hard questions without flinching.  Today she had good news.  Both exams indicated NED.  With a stage IVB grade 2 diagnosis, it feels like a miracle from our most merciful God.  I don't think I realized how tense I was until I melted into this rocking chair a few minutes ago.  My doctor was direct and realistic about the future - stage IV usually recurs - but was equally direct about her desire for me not to live each day thinking too hard about that.  It's interesting - I had been feeling like each day was one day closer to cancer's return.  Such a dread in my heart as I watch our sisters here go through such pain and suffering.  My friend Eric who has esophageal cancer said, "nope.  each day is one day closer to improving the odds that it doesn't come back."  My doctor echoed that today.   And someone has to be in that 17% who make it to five years, right? Anyway, TODAY it's not back.  My husband's military retirement ceremony was Friday.  We are making plans to LIVE for now.  I told my dad this morning that whether it's 30 years or 30 days, I want to ask the Lord every day what He wants of me and do that.  Just that.  Hold me accountable, ladies.  I want to do all the work God gives me and have all the fun I can possibly manage.  If you see me doing neither, remind me that a gracious God has given me two years cancer-free, and I'd better not waste another minute.  I continue to be so grateful for each and all of you.  I cannot imagine being alive right now without you, as you gave me such guidance before I ever officially joined the board.  I read and read and read your experiences and advice, and you enabled me to be prepared and advocate for myself.  Much love to all of you.  We needed some good news this month.

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Comments

  • cmb
    cmb Member Posts: 1,001 Member
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    Good news indeed!

    I'm so happy to hear your good news – and received just in time to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
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    That is absolutely wonderful

    That is absolutely wonderful news!! And, you're right SOMEBODY has to be in that 17% - why not you??  I love it when someone posts good news on this board - so often, it's not.

    Here's to many, many more years of NED!!

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Fridays Child
    Fridays Child Member Posts: 277 Member
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    Great news!

    Thank you for the update, Armywife.  That was something I needed to read today.

  • Forherself
    Forherself Member Posts: 966 Member
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    Great news

    Thanks for sharing.  You are taking Metformin aren't you.  It does make sense that it helps prevent the spread of the cells.   I am so happy for you.   

  • Jairoldi
    Jairoldi Member Posts: 221 Member
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    Here, here!

    I love to hear that great news.  I, too often, think about the 15-20% that, in my case, get to 3 years without recurrence of their UPSC.  Thank you for reminding that some and perhaps many get to 5 years.

  • Quilter_1
    Quilter_1 Member Posts: 117 Member
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    May God continue to wrap His

    May God continue to wrap His loving arms around you.  Enjoy every day He gives you, and. I hope that He gives you many.  I am looking forward to hearing from you for many years to come.  You have given me encouragement on my journey, I thank you for that.  I am looking to be NED in March, that is my one year anniversary of end of treatment, we will celebrate together.  God bless you.

    Linda

  • Donna Faye
    Donna Faye Member Posts: 427 Member
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    We all rejoice in each one's good news

    WOW! Good days ahead. NED and husband's retirement!  Plan a time to just revel in these facts and know good days are ahead. It is hard sometimes to look ahead with joy as this dark cloud seems to loom ever over us, but when we hear good news, it makes us all try to remember to grab the day and sing. So happy for you!

  • zsazsa1
    zsazsa1 Member Posts: 565 Member
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    So happy to hear this good

    So happy to hear this good news for you!  

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
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    We all rejoice in each one's good news

    WOW! Good days ahead. NED and husband's retirement!  Plan a time to just revel in these facts and know good days are ahead. It is hard sometimes to look ahead with joy as this dark cloud seems to loom ever over us, but when we hear good news, it makes us all try to remember to grab the day and sing. So happy for you!

    Grab the day and sing

    Love that, Donna Faye.  I am gonna do that today for you, ArmyWife. 

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited November 2019 #11
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    significant milestone

    I wish I could remember exactly what my first gyn-oncologist told me when I had my 2 year NED milestone, but I do know that the odds for recurrence drop quite significantly when you get that far out. You don't have to first make it to the 5 year anniversary to shed some of the weight on your shoulders that one carries after treatment, so go ahead and live and enjoy your relief without feeling like the other shoe is still about to drop. It gets even better when you get liberated to 6 month check-ups from every 3 months! These victories are so important to hear about and it's so good that you are still here to share yours. Happy Day!!

  • pato58
    pato58 Member Posts: 120 Member
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    Armywife

    I read your post with a smile on my face. Congrats and YES, enjoy your life to the fullest girl!!!

  • Molly110
    Molly110 Member Posts: 191 Member
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    Wonderful news. and thank you

    Wonderful news. and thank you for sharing it. I alternate between hope that I will be fine and planning how to die with the least trouble to the people I love. So, happy news is so welcome. Congratulations!

     

  • barnyardgal
    barnyardgal Member Posts: 272 Member
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    Great news! And

    Great news! And congratulations on your husband's retirement.

  • Donna Faye
    Donna Faye Member Posts: 427 Member
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    Molly110 said:

    Wonderful news. and thank you

    Wonderful news. and thank you for sharing it. I alternate between hope that I will be fine and planning how to die with the least trouble to the people I love. So, happy news is so welcome. Congratulations!

     

    I had to respond to you

    Molly,as this is exactly how I am. I try and fill every day with something fun or helpful to others, but I have tried to do everything I can to make my leaving this earth as easy as possible for my family. I have read every book on how to do this and filled out notebooks. My children are used to this as it began in 1997 with a stage 3 BC. I recently asked my doctor why we make it so hard to die in this country. She had no answer but I will continue to enjoy NED and make more plans.

  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 477 Member
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    More than a Little Good News

    Hi Armywife, I think you should change the title of your thread from "A Little Good News" to "A Whole Lot of Good News."  Big congratulations to you on your wonderful NED reports and to your husband on his retirement!  Now celebrate and enjoy every minute!!

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    edited November 2019 #17
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    Congrats Army Wife! So great

    Congrats Army Wife! So great to see this wonderful news this morning. I'm celebrating with you in Florida!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • suzycruise76
    suzycruise76 Member Posts: 163 Member
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    Huge congrats...

    ...on your NED,ArmywifeLaughing. Life is good,isn't it?

    Suzy 

  • SF73
    SF73 Member Posts: 317 Member
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    Congratulation, Armywife.

    Congratulation, Armywife. What a beautifully written post. Hope cancer never comes back. Hope the survival and recurrence rates of this disease improves drastically so all the dear friends I made here will enjoy the rest of their lives without having to worry about cancer.

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
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    I had to respond to you

    Molly,as this is exactly how I am. I try and fill every day with something fun or helpful to others, but I have tried to do everything I can to make my leaving this earth as easy as possible for my family. I have read every book on how to do this and filled out notebooks. My children are used to this as it began in 1997 with a stage 3 BC. I recently asked my doctor why we make it so hard to die in this country. She had no answer but I will continue to enjoy NED and make more plans.

    If you haven't read it,

    here's another book for you,  Donna Faye:  The Gentle Art of Swedish Dearh Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. 

  • mamlicsw
    mamlicsw Member Posts: 33 Member
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    Happy for you.

    It's always encouraging to the rest of us as well to hear good news!  I admire your attitude.  I realize how much I've been worrying abour recurrence for my grade 3 cancer even though I haven't yet finished treatment.  It's occupying a room in my head that I visit frequently.  I'm going to try to learn from your example to not be afraid to hope rather than trying to protect myself from disappointment.  Awareness of our thoughts and feelings can help us manage them.  So, congratulations for your good news and thanks for sharing what you've learned! Mary Ann