success stories - real life accounts of women who have survived breast cancer and managed to put it behind them

As Elton would sing : I’m still standing 

HER2 +++ best score I ever got in a test that I never wanted 

I’m awaiting my 2nd mammo after BC. Herceptin has been a game changer for many and I only got half of the jabs ... check out my profile. 

But here I am checking in every so often and living a good life 

Please don’t allow this poop to define you 

I didn’t 

Sustaining hugs

Leolady56  

Thanks Tracey, that's a great way to look at it and very reassuring. Never thought about  chemo being a friend before, that does help. I'm up and down at the moment as I'm recovering from 2 surgeries in 5 weeks and still in some pain so some days I'm feeling very positive and others not so much. Getting stronger every day though. Thought I was going to get away without chemo until they found a her2+ tumour hiding behind the negative one. It came as a bit of a shock. I'm getting used to the idea slowly. Stories like yours certainly pick me up. Thank you again xx

Hi West End Girl. I'm not surprised you feel down beat! Where did you hear that information as I haven't been told this? Perhaps the McMillan panel of Experts can add to this. I really hope this is not the case. Start your treatment with a positive mind and don't even think about what you have heard. I've finished treatment now, apart from a reconstruction operation in two weeks. Live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. Stay strong and embrace the treatment as it is helping you fight your battle. Big hug, Tracey xx

Hi,

Any success stories from grade 3, stage 3 IDC?  24MM tumour, 5/15positive nodes.  I've had WLE, axillary clearance, chemo and rads.  I'm on 10yrs of Tamoxifen and a trial drug at the Christie  (Abemaciclib).  Also had 1st bisphosphonate infusion of 6.  

Would be great to hear from anyone with similar.  Lost my hubby to lung cancer last May at 50yrs age.  Got 2 teenage boys and am understandably worried about reoccurrence. 

Thanks

Gail xx

Hi Tracey,

I read the information earlier in this thread.....it just popped up as a comment in the middle of all the positive stories. I am definitely trying to stay positive. I have my first appointment with the oncologist tomorrow so I can ask the question myself. But my BCN was very positive about the test results and said about the drugs I can take for the next 5 years to help prevent reoccurrence, so I'm guessing she might be referring to Herceptin.

Thank you for replying and for the other good HER2 + replies and about Herceptin. My journey is about to begin and I AM going to beat this!!

xxx

Hi West End Girl, thanks for your message. Your mind set is exactly like I was, fantastic. Please let us know how you get on with the Oncologist tomorrow. Tracey x

this is the thread, there's quite a few very positive stories to read. Hugs Carolyn xxx

I just found this thread - it is a treat to read. I for one need positive stories.

What a great thread, I’m on 2nd cycle of EC and doing ok so far with manageable/minimal side effects. I use mindfulness and meditation, along with some prayers to help keep me positive and relaxed.
It took me a while to accept I needed chemo due to a positive pre cancerous pagets disease with DCIS stage 1A grade 2 initially which every appointment got worse as they then found I was still stage 1A-no lymph node involvement but HER2 +++
very successful WLE and reduction on other side 13 weeks ago, positive of pert boobs at the age of 64! 
Fast forward to onco meeting on 6th January when I was told NO Herceptin, just chemo, radiotherapy and bisphosphonate for 3 years as I was Er- and PR-  Onco felt as it was a 5mm IDC well contained within the margins of DCIS that Herceptin would be overkill and the risks outeweighed the benefits. It felt like a death sentence on that day as I’d read so much about it preventing recurrence. 
Clarified why this decision at next visit, Onco thinks the staining on Pagets often shows up as HER2+ and as this didn’t tie in with other results her feeling was it was Triple negative and chemo etc as above was correct course for me...did some reading after freaking out and have made peace with this now. I live each day, take joy in simple things and trust once I reach the end of this journey my body will be cancer free...it actually is atm after surgery, that’s why I struggled with chemo after initially being told only radiotherapy...I believe I will be healed as I have a strong desire to live and see my daughter married and have more grandchildren. My mother had BC 40yrs ago, had mastectomy and radio...survived 7yrs even though it was advanced so even worse case scenarios are not an immediate death sentence. So glad to have read the uplifting stories on here.
Sorry for the very long post. best wishes to anyone else in this rollercoaster of a journey...stay positive, stay hopeful and listen to your body. 
sending virtual hugs

denise x

Love this -  I was diagnosed with Lobular beast (what a typo) cancer yesterday 30th July2021,  it’s a rollercoaster. One day, I hope to  put the date into a distant memory box.   Thanks for sharing