5 years - 5 years of tests, treatment, scans - everything to eradicate this alien from my body.Now I have had my 5 years scan and nothing !!! nothing at all !! I am clear again. It's weird. My surgeon said goodbye, I hope we never meet again. I see my onc in a couple of weeks and I am hoping she says the same.I watched Kym's video on fear of recurrence, and I know it will always be there for me too. Every cough, every twinge, sends me scurrying to the doc for an xray or a CT. She doesn't mind, she is happy for me to be reassured. Bless them all.I have been fortunate, mine was found early by Breastscreen Tas - they saved my life.I have known some brave and wonderful people over the past 5 years, I have lost some friends. I know all of them are thrilled that I am a survivor. Without my family I would not have got through with any sanity. They have been here for me every step.For all of you lovely ladies who are just starting out, or who are in the middle, or struggling with secondaries - my good wishes are with you all. May more of us be survivors.

Oh my dear @primek, I have been so grateful for this forum over the years, saved my sanity on many occasions. I hope I can be of assistance to others as they have to me.Best wishes to you on the road as well

That's the beauty of the forum - no judgment here! We all get it! Just hoping that you can settle those thoughts and are enjoying the now.

Congratulations @magicmum! For every one of us travelling on this path, it is wonderful stories like yours which give hope and encouragement when the day is not so bright. Thank you for taking the time to post, I wish you continued good health. Jane xx

thanks girls, my pink sisters. I am here because of and with you all.I remember you well Adean - I hope you are doing ok too.We will all have our days of gloom - not so many now but still there. I have so much to be thankful for, since BC I have been given 3 little grandchildren, such a joy. I know and understand now how my mother always felt when my children were with her. It's indescribable.Success, good health and hope to each and every one.much lovemm

I haven't been on the website for about six months because my way of dealing with all this is to pretend it didn't happen, not very smart way to cope I know. I'm coming up for my second year check up hoping for the all clear and the anxiety is already creeping in. As a member I receive emails and when I saw the email about fear of re occurrence I had a look. So in looking through the website to see you magicmum have made the five years and that is so inspiring.I must visit here more often, it feels comforting with some many real people happy to support each other and share their stories.Thank you for sharing and a huge congratulations.

and now I am a survivor ? | BCNA Online Network

24 Replies

mum2jj
Member
8 years ago
Good on you @magicmum, ticking off another year. I am just at 7 years and totally get how you feel. I hope all turns out ok for your friend.
Paula xx
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@Schwen Yup. I think everyone here feels like that...
Schwen
Member
8 years ago
@kmakm, just my bloody luck to be one of the 10% whom has cancer.... lol
magicmum
Member
8 years ago
thanks for those helpful and positive thoughts - I hope that is the case for my friend. She is single and I cannot imagine having to go through this on my own. I will give her all the support I can of course if it turns out for the worst, but it's just not the same.
keeping positive for the moment :smile:
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Hey @magicmum. It's confronting when one of your friends get a call back, isn't it? I did a thread here called The Ripple Effect when several of my friends went to get checked because of me. Two had callbacks, one of whom was my best friend. It bought it all back and I spent 10 days feeling sick to my stomach. Fortunately it turned out to be nothing. I tell you the relief was almost as great as if I'd been told my cancer was all a mistake! She rang me when I was in a shop and I burst into tears.

WA's breastscreen page says about 1 out of every 20 women screened will get a callback and 90% of them won't have cancer. I would imagine the numbers are similar in Tasmania.

Congratulations on the six year mark! I am one month and two days NED. Can't wait to be where you are! :) Kate xox
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
That's the beauty of the forum - no judgment here! We all get it! Just hoping that you can settle those thoughts and are enjoying the now.
magicmum
Member
8 years ago
thanks iser - I mostly can do it, guess it's just worrying about my friend and the reigniting of my own memories of that day , I know I will be ok. Having somewhere to talk about it is huge xxxx
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
@magicmum
note to self: it is okay to wallow a little, as long as you don't stay there too long - let's face it, it has been huge and to come through and starting to clock up the years is absolutely wonderful
Take care and enjoy the day and the family for what it is without worrying unnecessarily
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@magicmum - congratulations xoxo
magicmum
Member
8 years ago
recently one of my dear friends received a call back from Breastscreen - instantly my mind returned to May 2012 when I was told I had cancer. I have told her not to worry, not to overthink, just wait for the appointment. No point being anxious over what might be nothing.
Hah ! Can I tell myself that ? I have been cancer free now for 6 years, and yet I still worry every time I have an unusual pain, a different kind of headache, feel more tired than normal. I am incredibly anxious again right now. Does it ever stop ? I met a school friend recently with her mum, 40 years cancer free - momentarily felt totally ok. But I can't get that back at the moment : (
Note to self: read the mindfulness book, look at photos of grandchildren, colour in

Thanks ladies