Forum Discussion
After 13 years and 2 diagnoses today the biggest celebration yet...
After 13 years and 2 diagnoses today my Oncologist gave me a discharge. A day I NEVER believed would come or would be possible.
To anyone who is at the beginning, don't let go of hope that you will get through this. It's definitely not lost on me the many that don't make it this far. So I feel humbled and incredibly reflective of the 13 years that have brought me to this day and to my new normal of who I have become.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with ER+ left breast cancer, underwent biopsies, surgery, radiation and tamoxifen. Until 2015 at my yearly checkup the unthinkable, impossible happened, I had a recurrence in the same spot in spite of all the treatment. My world shattered for a 2nd time, another surgery and chemo which was no picnic but I look back and think wow kid...you did that! it was damn hard and you were so sick, but you made it out the other side, put on Arimidex and switched to Aromasin. 1 year on 2017 I was recommended to follow with a mastectomy, so I had a single done and diep flap reconstruction, massive op and difficult. So 6 monthly visits to the Surgeon and Oncologist since 2015.
I gave the AI's away about 2 years ago, I had been taking them for 10 years. Thrust into menopause during Chemo, so that was hard to contend with. 6 months with an Exercise Physiologist to help me. Prolia injections 6th monthly for 8 years and today is the day the Oncologist gave me wings to fly...a feeling I've not known throughout the whole ordeal. A closure to this chapter and a possibility of moving forward with my new normal.
I managed to get back to work in 2017 and haven't stopped. I work full time in Education particularly in behaviour management and my biggest passion was to publish a book of Poetry which I did recently. Something I may never have done if not from walking this path. I feel more connected to me than I ever was.
So today I celebrate just for now I will sit with no thought of what tomorrow might bring.
Live a great life everyone, and trust that you are brave enough and strong enough to get through it.
PS: This is a link to my first book https://amzn.asia/d/i1vI8JN for anyone who is curious.
Hugs xo
Melinda
To anyone who is at the beginning, don't let go of hope that you will get through this. It's definitely not lost on me the many that don't make it this far. So I feel humbled and incredibly reflective of the 13 years that have brought me to this day and to my new normal of who I have become.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with ER+ left breast cancer, underwent biopsies, surgery, radiation and tamoxifen. Until 2015 at my yearly checkup the unthinkable, impossible happened, I had a recurrence in the same spot in spite of all the treatment. My world shattered for a 2nd time, another surgery and chemo which was no picnic but I look back and think wow kid...you did that! it was damn hard and you were so sick, but you made it out the other side, put on Arimidex and switched to Aromasin. 1 year on 2017 I was recommended to follow with a mastectomy, so I had a single done and diep flap reconstruction, massive op and difficult. So 6 monthly visits to the Surgeon and Oncologist since 2015.
I gave the AI's away about 2 years ago, I had been taking them for 10 years. Thrust into menopause during Chemo, so that was hard to contend with. 6 months with an Exercise Physiologist to help me. Prolia injections 6th monthly for 8 years and today is the day the Oncologist gave me wings to fly...a feeling I've not known throughout the whole ordeal. A closure to this chapter and a possibility of moving forward with my new normal.
I managed to get back to work in 2017 and haven't stopped. I work full time in Education particularly in behaviour management and my biggest passion was to publish a book of Poetry which I did recently. Something I may never have done if not from walking this path. I feel more connected to me than I ever was.
So today I celebrate just for now I will sit with no thought of what tomorrow might bring.
Live a great life everyone, and trust that you are brave enough and strong enough to get through it.
PS: This is a link to my first book https://amzn.asia/d/i1vI8JN for anyone who is curious.
Hugs xo
Melinda
37 Replies
- @June1952 thank you so much, it's still a very surreal feeling today. Oh I think we all try and help and do our part through the chaos of BC. My book can be found on Amazon https://amzn.asia/d/i1vI8JN
This is a Poetry compilation of the delicacies of loss, love and self. It explores how hope, optimism and resilience are key elements in moving forward into a place of peace and self-discovery. It reaches into the vulnerability and honesty of emotion that flows from the heart to the written words.
Thankyou for the suggestion. I know for me the years have helped me heal through writing and really get into the depths of my emotions and feelings. It's this path through BC that I started to write again. x - Thank you for a lovely post @melclarity. Congratulations on being discharged by your onc. You have been so much help and are definitely an inspiration to many on this forum for many years.
Perhaps add a link to your book for newbies who may not have read about it ? - Congratulations 🎊
- @jennyss thank you so much! I'm still in and out of the Forum. I really hope my story can help someone who may be struggling right now. hugs xo
- Dear @melclarity,
I am so happy for you. Thank you for your encouraging story.
Congratulation; and love and best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW - @Krystel thank you so much I'm so glad that in someway I helped. I hope you are doing well. Message me anytime if I can help in anyway. Hugs xo
- @melclarity what a celebration. You are such an inspiration. Thankyou for sharing your journey with us all. I'm new and haven't posted much, but definitely have read a lot of threads. What you have shared has really helped. Just wanted to say a big Thankyou.
Well done on the book too. - @locksley thanks so much 🙏
- @melclarity congratulations that is awesome.
- @Julez1958 oh goodness yes :) thank you and I will lol. Hope you're doing well xxx
