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

"I do have a positive experience to share though. My maternal aunt was diagnosed 25 years ago, had a mastectomy, took tamoxifen for 5 years and is now 74 with no recurrence."

amy66 

Hi Carolyn

My aunt has been an inspiration through this - and in the treatment decisions, as she was my mum's sister.

I forgot, I have another two good examples

My next door neighbour is a lovely and feisty 83 year old who had breast cancer 15 years ago. She opted for a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy and refused chemotherapy, despite being strongly advised to have it. She had radiotherapy followed by tamoxifen for 5 years and is extremely fit and healthy today.

And a good friend of mine from school was diagnosed when she was just 29. She had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy only - she's now 20 years clear.  Hopefully that will be encouraging for the younger members on here.

As you say, we need more of the positive stories.

Here's the article about the Mediterranean diet, it was only 199 women but an encouraging story.

www.theguardian.com/.../mediterranean-diet-stop-breast-cancer-coming-back-study-italy-fruit-vegetables-fish-olive-oil

Amy xx

Kacang 

Carolyn hi,

I have 2 more successes for your list.

Firstly my grandmother diagnosed in 1971 when treatments were quite basic. She had a mastectomy as that was the only option, no chemo because it wasn't there and I'm not even sure she had radiotherapy. However, she lived for another 20 years afterwards, dying aged 88, from something totally unconnected with cancer.

Secondly, like Kacang, I had a lady at church who I've known for at least 15 years, come over to me, to tell me that, ' It was 22 years'  since her breast was removed. She had never had a reconstruction but wears a soft falcie! I had had no idea.

You're right Carolyn........we need a special section with all these success stories listed. On days when percentages of survival seem to weigh us down, or chemo is making us really sick or we're just frightened for the future, we need to read these to reassure ourselves that 25 years from now, we'll be the examples on the list. If we don't let ourselves believe that......we might as well give up today!

Keep your spirits high everyone ( have a cognac if its easier!)

Love Karen

Lacomtekp 

Reply by jjtoo
Hi Carolyn,

Another success story....... my maternal aunt had breast cancer in 1989 aged 70,after years of having lumps removed (not sure exactly what they were, as she was very private person). She had lumpectomy & radiotherapy, but got it again in other breast 2 years later. Radiotherapy again, then she had uterine cancer not long after, although not sure what treatment she had then.

But she lived until she was 96, dying from something unconnected.

She played tennis once or twice weekly all her life till she was about 75, had a sherry, or two, at 5pm every day, later it was whisky. So did one trade off the other?????

Best to all,

Jan xx

jjtoo 

I was diagnosed with Lobular Breast Cancer on 22nd February 2008. ( never forget that date) The cancer was found in my lymph nodes so had mastectomy and clearance of the axulla. Had 6 rounds of TAC chemo and radiotherapy.

Had breast reconstruction in 2010.

Have seen the births of my 4 grandchildren which I didn't expect to see.

Am still taking Arimidex and will be for another couple of years.

Life is sweet. xxx 

What a great idea !

I was swimming up and down the pool at Ragdale Hall on a spa weekend in between chemo and surgery. Bald shiny head on full display.  I saw this woman at the side of the pool looking at me then she called me over. I swam up to her and she said , how far through treatment are you ? I told her a little about my story and she said I was diagnosed 20 years ago , keep going . Just a few simple words but I'll always remember her and her kindness. 

X

How uplifting to read about survivors. I am lucky in that after my mastectomy I don't need any further treatment except hormones. However, there is always that what if feeling. This thread is wonderful and I hope to contribute to it in 10 years time.

Hi Lullabella

You are way too young to get this but you will deal with it. It sounds like you're coping already with the decisions you are making. My friend got bc in her 20s and two decades on is still going strong and has since had a lovely little boy.