10 Years Today

10 years ago I received the confirmation that I did indeed have breast cancer and that I would need a mastectomy and chemotherapy. As it turned out, I was extremely lucky to have discovered a dent in my breast and then to have made an appointment with my GP. After surgery I was told that the cancer was growing right up to the chest wall and that it was in 5 lymph nodes, 3 of them extensively. That meant after chemo I would also need radiation. If I had not noticed the dent, if I had waited until 50 to have my first mammogram…. I was 47, no family history and did not have many of the known risk factors. 

My first visit to the oncologist we asked for statistics for my situation. That was a shock (chance of getting to 10 years disease free was about 33% without further treatment) but useful to understand the importance of each part of my treatment.

So, straight into chemo, then radiation and then Tamoxifen. At 49 it was decided that I would have my ovaries removed after my periods returned. Then I changed to Femara which I found much harder than Tamoxifen. All up I managed 7 years and 3 months of anti hormone therapy before my oncologist said enough. She told me to walk out that day believing that I had every reason to think that I would continue to remain cancer free.

Today I will have a quiet celebration that I am still cancer free and I have had 10 years of living well since diagnosis. Discovering that dent and the medical treatment I then received has given me the opportunity to enjoy my life, spend time with those I love and have some incredible adventures. I am so grateful to the doctors and many medical personnel, my family and my friends who have helped me along the way.