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 Melinda2 years on Prolia injections have significant affect on Bone Density improvement.
Hi Ladies, I love the sharing of information as I think it's valuable to everyone here. I had my Oncologist visit yesterday and received my Bone Density results. Compared to 2016 there is a marked improvement in my TScore in the Lumbar Spine it was -2.9 and now is -2.2 with a Z-score that was -2.4 and now is -1.6. The Oncologist said it is an incredible improvement and indicative of the Prolia injections. In 2016 my Bone Density post Chemo was deemed Osteoporotic. I don't do weight bearing exercises but I know the benefit of it. I do exercise and am active in my job however. I am super happy to be out of high risk, whilst I'll never be fantastic, alot has to do with genetics he said, he's really happy with where it is. So I will have 1 more year on Prolia which I can add....has zero symptoms :) As a result of this after 3yrs I am now pushed to yearly Oncology visits woohoo!!!!!! My Oncologist in 1997 undertook a 3-year breast and lung cancer clinical research Fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, working with Professor Ian Smith. He is a member of the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group, and until recently was the head of the Breast Trials Group of Cancer Trials Australia. He has authored articles appearing in journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Oncology, The Breast and British Journal of Cancer. He also said in terms of risk of recurrence, it is solely based on an individuals diagnosis, pathology/histology and genetics only that will determine this irrespective of anything else. That it has been OVERDONE in terms of the message to reduce risk together with stats. M x