Giving Thanks!

[Kathleen1999]

Was told at 52 that I had 18 months to two years to live. I was diagnosed with infiltrating and lobular breast cancer with mets to the bone. I just celebrated my 70th birthday yesterday. Thank you Lord!

[Petreep]

That makes for a very happy birthday. I'm hoping to be that lucky. I want to see my grand kids grow up. I hope you have many more birthdays.

[Jan_Schnabel1]

Good for you! That is so awesome...thank you for sharing! I hope the same for myself and all of our fellow warriors!

[Yolo15 in reply to Jan_Schnabel1]

That is awesome I pray to be that blessed.

[Fpmeehan]

Thank you for sharing this with us. It's given me a booster shot of hope.

[JulSoul]

Happy Birthday to you! Thanks for sharing such positive news! It's like a birthday for all of us!

[Kcuocci]

Happy birthday! And many many more to come! Continue to defy all odds!

[Tap321]

Happy bitthday! Many more!!!!!! And that was even before they had all the drugs they do now!!!!

[Rhwright12]

Happy Birthday! And many more to u!

[Anneespo]

That is fantastic news hope you enjoyed your birthday it's nice to hear some great

[Epinto]

ThAt is remarkable!!! Did u change your plan for treatment that made this difference? Please tell us more if u can

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Epinto]

My treatment plan included the standard of the day, plus: a positive attitude, strong faith, lots of support in terms of Prayers, and the love of the many people in my life.

I did four years of Yoga (quit due to knee replacements), a few years of exercise and Chinese Dragon Boat racing with a fabulous group of survivors known as HOPE CHEST, in the Buffalo area. We also had Breast Cancer Network of Weastern New York, which is fabulous and very diverse in it's services. I did Qigong at Gilda's Club.

I was also a Cancer Wellness Coach which is connected to Daemen College. I was glad to have lived in Buffalo during those years. There is not that much going on in the Albany, N Y. area by comparison.

[Epinto]

God bless u always!!!

[Cowgirl2]

Wow! Happy Birthday 🎁. Thank you so much for sharing your remarkable story. It gives us others fighting Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer hope. God Bless you and I pray that you are here to celebrate many more years 💗

[Kats3]

Happy birthday Kathleen! You certainly proved your medical people wrong! Wow! 18 years and from the sound of it, you're doing well.

Can I ask you if you were on Aromatase Inhibitors like Tamoxifen , etc. throughout all those years?

Wishing you many more birthdays! And Happy ones too!! Kats2

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Kats3]

I was on Tamoxifen, only worked for three years, then another bone tumor. Then did seven years of oral chemo (Xeloda), then Arimidex, followed by Faslodex which I am still on. Besides that I did three rounds of radiation therapy. In 2012, I had a rod put in my right femur, due to a fix from a tumor...no big deal.

[Petreep in reply to Kathleen1999]

It is a big deal. You are quite the fighter. Hope that I will do as well. I don't have quite the opportunities you had living in a small town.

[Kats3 in reply to Kathleen1999]

Kathleen1999,

You did exceptionally well on Tamoxifen and especially Xeloda. I only lasted about 6 months on Tamoxifen, went through Arimidex and Faslodex and am now on Xeloda almost 2 years but markers climbing. I can't believe you were on Xeloda 7 years!!!

I'm also surprised you were given Arimidex, then Faslodex. AFTER Xeloda. Usually all the anti-hormone drugs are used first and then the oral chemo drugs come into play. I find that mystifying. Has your doctor mentioned Ibrance at all?

I have bone mets too but was never told I had a tumor in my bones. I have extensive bone mets as they say, which is many cancer cells in many bones, but no solid mass.

Did you have a solid tumor in your bones? And was that what was radiated? I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the bone involvement specifics in breast cancer.

Anyway, whatever treatments you've been having, it seems to be working! Congratulations on your recent birthday!

If you can explain any more abt why you went from oral chemo drugs to anti- hormone drugs, I'd appreciate it. I take it you're Estrogen + and Her2-.

Wishing you well! Kats3

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Kats3]

I was given a chemo vacation. The Xeloda was working when I was taken off of it. No, I don't believe it was a solid tumor ...rather mets. I was also on a bone strengthener, the name escapes me at the moment, which might have contributed to the fracture . It was given IV. The next treatment is Xeloda again.

A combined anti-estrogen to would have been next but it is impossible for me to take due to chronic lung issues.

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Kathleen1999]

I am estrogen receptor and progesterone positive and her 2 negative.✌🏻

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Kathleen1999]

So far my tumor marker has never been over80!😀

[Kats3 in reply to Kathleen1999]

Wow! Never over 80.? Wish that were me! You've done very well indeed in dealing with this disease. Time to buy a lottery ticket or two! God has blessed you in providing treatments that have worked so long for you. May you continue to do well!!!

Kats3

[Kathleen1999 in reply to Kathleen1999]

Now my tumor marker has never been over 90.

[Hidden]

Awesome... God Bless!!! This is so encouraging....thanks for sharing...😊

[RLN-overcomer]

Kathleeen1999/Over-comer: Lord/God has truly blessed you. H-A-P-P-Y H-a-p-p-y 70th Birthday,and I hope your Mothers Day was amazing.Your testimony will give hope to so many sisters ,and yes some brothers in this fight. Gods continued blessings.

[Kathleen1999 in reply to RLN-overcomer]

You are right some brothers...my dad had a mastectomy a couple weeks before his 89th birthday!

[Dartyus]

Look at God. The doctors can treat you but God has the final word. Wishing you many more birthdays. I want to be just like you when I grow up😁😁

[Susan1953]

Wishing you a very happy birthday. I love to hear stories like this. We all want to be you!!!

[Juliandrea]

Just read this Kathleen. Wow, you have made my day. God Bless you. We have the same diagnosis at the same age. I am scared, but keeping positive. I was diagnosed this year in February. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Did you lose your hair with Xeloda, the chemo drug as you were on this for 7 years!!! Amazing . And we’re you ever NED or is your dr going by the tumor markers.