Forum Discussion
Five years and counting :)
Well I have finally got five minutes to gather my thoughts after a busy couple of weeks. March 31st marked 5 years since my mastectomy following my recurrence of triple negative breast cancer just 18months after initial diagnosis and 6 months after completing all my treatment. What a scary time that was for me.
However I am not telling you this to scare you, especially those who are newly diagnosed. I want to let you know that even if the worst does happen and the dreaded BC returns it can often still be treated. Yes I went on and had more surgery and more chemo, no it wasn't the best time in my life, but I am still here to tell my story. I feel blessed to live in a country where treatment options are available to us.
I always get what had been described to me as scanxiety when I have to go for tests and check-ups, especially as I had lymph node involvement at first diagnosis 6 1/2 years ago. However the relief I felt when I saw my surgeon last week and was given the all clear at the five year mark was immense. I will try and attach a picture I took right after my appointment. I thought at five years I would be put out to pasture and seen no more, but she said no they will continue to monitor me for another 5 years. That's ok, I kind of like the idea of that, especially being triple negative and unable to take hormone blockers.
I spend most of my time facilitating the breast reconstruction group but still pop in here when I have time. I enjoy reading all your posts. This is such a special network where we all get what we are going through because we've all been there. It is so lovely seeing the support given to all members whatever stage we are at in our treatment and recovery.
Hugs to all you special ladies.
Paula xxxx
25 Replies
I am sure they are out there busy living life :)
I see you had a go again too....Here's to a long life
Paula xxxxx
Well done Paula,
Always great to hear of long time survival. Great to here of another Triple Negative survivor - we need to get the numbers up - I have met some lovely ladies who are 15 or 20 years or more post BC but not met any long term Triple Negative. I hope they are out there.
Beverley
(8 years and 2 years post Triple Negative)
Hi Trace,
Thankyou for your kind words.
Cuddles right back to you and I hope you are doing well.
Paula xxx
Thanks Karen, every year further away from those dreaded diagnosis deserves a celebration.
Hope you travelling OK.
Paula xxxxx
Hi Paula. Fantastic news!! Congratulations. Glad you were able to celebrate with your loved ones. Karen xox
Oops it auto corrected your name. Xxxxx
Thanks so odd, I'll take that hug and send one right back to you.
Paula xxxx
Yep, you can get bogged down in all the bad stuff written about triple neg, however I have stared it down twice and there is every reason you can survive this. I tried really hard to not read about it. I just got on with the treatment. It wasn't always easy, espescially doing it twice, however here I am 5 years on. I wish you all the best with your treatment. Just remember one foot in front of the other, one day at a time.
Hugs
Paula xxx
This is wonderful, Paula! Thank you for posting this news. I'm nearly recovered from a dbl mastectomy, and heard it is triple negative grade 3, and will have chemo and radiation next.
I'm normally not an anxious person, normally want to know the worst case scenario and then go from there. But I haven't found any sense of control or reassurance from reading about triple neg BC!
So hearing your news is like a little ray of sunshine, just for me.
