4 years ago today!

Hi Grogg,

I remember you from 2015, I was diagnosed a bit later in the August, who would have known we would still be on this forum. In those days the champs were Dreamthief and Crystaljuju and they gave lots of information and support.

Good luck with the early retirement ans I know how you feel about the Mammo, I hate it xxx

Hiya Grogg 4 years ago, Wow!!! you give people like me, who only got the all clear 2 weeks ago the piece of mind that there is life after cancer. I already worry about it coming back but when i read stories from people like you it put my mind at rest somewhat.

Also congratulations on your retirement in 4 weeks, lots of time to make lots of memories.

I can only imagine how anxious you must feel waiting for the results from annual mammograms and having your last one. But that doesn't mean that if you ever have any concerns you won't be able to go to your doctors and request one. 

Thanks for sharing your story, and giving hope to others xx

Grogg

So glad to see you here being positive for those who think tomorrow is a poop day

Sending good sustaining thoughts

But .... as a BC survivor you can ask that you get yearly mammograms. My BC nurse told me this back in January

So pester for that peace of mind

Leolady56     

Hello Grogg I just wanted to say, that although it's been so long it's so lovely to still see you around the community. It must feel like quite a milestone, retirement and that your biopsy results day was 4 years ago. I want to wish you the best for your annual mammogram, and please do enquire about continuing these, as Leolady said, I think when you have had breast cancer, these become much more a priority. And of course, I wish you so much happiness in your retirement! We are always still here for you, no matter what you go through you'll always have your Macmillan family. Lots of love and best wishes to you. 

And Snowys Mum again, it's also lovely to see you still around the community and helping others who have been in your situation and the fact you can empathise with them, in a way that you know, and understand them is a blessing. I hear the previous champs were brilliant- I hope you're as happy with us newer ones that are around these days! Haha. Good luck with your annual check ups too, I hope you have lots of happiness now you've been through such a tough journey. 

Lots of love, 

Alex xxxx

I'm here too.....the class of ' 15 is doing well!!!

Good luck with your retirement. I'm sure the mammogram results will go well. 

My surgeon told me I would have a mammogram yearly for the rest of my life....perhaps you will too?

Take care. Karen

I am still around too.  diagnosed March 2015 -  the odd aches and pains and stiffness, but still doing most of what I want to do, not always at the quickest of paces.  Retired in February, enjoying pleasing myself (mostly helping the family and grandchildren) longer holidays and time to sit and read a book in the middle of the day!!    I switched to Examestane over 2 years ago,  Letrozole (femara) and I did not get on and the other Letrozole makes gave me horrendous side effects.  I had a bad blip mentally 14 months after diagnosis and have been on AD's since August 2016 - I have brought myself very slowly off them this spring ( taken 10 weeks).  Now I just manage with my Examestane ( 6 more years?)  and the calcichew D3 to which I add Vit K2 M7 Natto, Magnesium and B12.   

Its good to know I can ask for yearly mammograms, I shall certainly do that next year at my 5 year check.  The Breast surgeon signed me off this January and I think the oncology team will do the same this December    so mammograms are at least a reassurance once a year.

Writing this has taken me all the way back to this time 2015, hairless, sick and battered - 28 days in hospital over the 5 chemo courses and wondering whether I would still be around in 6 months time.   

It seems interminable when you are in the middle of it all, but time really does help it fade.  The odd reminders and twinges just serve to jog me into remembering that I am a survivor.

Good luck to all who are going through the mill at the moment  xx

That's interesting.  I have just been signed off by my Surgeon after 6 years and I was told I will now get 3 yearly mammograms.  I think I would prefer yearly ones if possible.  Maybe it is different areas that offer different things.

I love seeing the old names haha - not 'old' names, lets say 'familiar' names posting.  

Well Done on the clear scans.  Don't forget Grogg, we are all here for you - I will say 'try not to worry', however, I know we all do.

I'm from the Class of 2017, you all gave me so much help, advice, comfort, encouragement, sense of belonging and not alone.  
The group feels like it has changed a lot since the start of this year, however, like many I am still here 'paying it back' or is it forward. 

Grogg, I hope you don't mind me asking..... 'how does one go about retiring?' 

I know it may sound a silly question, can you do this because of the job you are in, or a company pension, or is it health related.

The reason I ask, I am 57 and have worked since leaving school and..... I am now ready to stop, or slow down, I need some 'me time, some family time'.  

Any thoughts on how I would go about retiring please?

WhatHappened

So age 17 I went to work for local authority and was given excellent advice by older colleagues to opt into pension fund when I turned 18. So tempting yo save the 6% of my pay it cost every month but I joined - almost 30 years later gave my nephew same advice.

So a thing about local govt pension is if made redundant age 55+ then you can access your pension with no reduction for taking it early.  So I have 30 years full time service - I worked part time for over 15 years I asked to be made redundant!  The LA  had to make huge savings due to cuts in funding so considers every volunteer which can mean a compulsory redundancy is avoided. My job still there but is now being done by someone whose job had been cut!

it was too good an opportunity to miss as this rule will be changed in very near future snd then I would have had to work till 65 ti have full 40 years service.  I can live with 30 years of pension .  

I have also recently retired from local government age 63.  I applied for I'll health retirement but was turned down as they considered that I would be recovered enough to return to do some sort of work within 3 years.  I could have appealed but decided to just retire.   I took a small reduction in pension for taking it early.  The pension scheme has changed though and youngsters would take a bigger reduction for taking it early.  I don't get a state pension yet - 66 for that.  But lucky enough to have, like Grogg, more than 30 years service taking into account part time years and so can live quite well on this pension.