Anniversary date

[Glas0824]

Tomorrow is three years since I was first diagnosed, the bone mets were found fairly quickly afterwards. I have had stable scans since, work , care for my children and have a good life... biggest side effect is lack of energy and fatigue. I wonder how others feel about the date they found out? I’m feeling bit emotional - feel I should be grateful all is stable, and I am, but also feel a bit like, wow... three years of living with cancer !?

[Hidden]

Hi,

I can understand your uncertainty and apprehension about the upcoming anniversary since your diagnosis. It's not like a wedding anniversary that we want to celebrate and make plans for. This is the date we found out that our lives were changing, and not for the better. You have reasons to be thankful as you mentioned, but I agree that diagnosis day is not one that should fill us with joy.

It will be three years since my diagnosis on 14th March, and like you I will not be celebrating. I would rather forget. Oh, and as for living three years with cancer, I get that too! I finally told a close friend in California that my disease is metastatic and she immediately texted a friend (who survived early stage breast cancer) to tell her! Her response? Three years "is pretty good!" I responded by saying that I'm hoping for a cure. Three years isn't good enough. I found her comment really offensive. I know she didn't mean it that way, but I suppose in her mind she survived breast cancer and the fact I have been living with it for three years is unexpected. That's how I feel anyway. I just find some early stage cancer patients smug and annoying, flaunting the fact that they have survived when we have to live with this disease year after year.

Sophie

[Glas0824 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - I don’t think until you’ve had the diagnosis you really understand.

However - I will get up tomorrow , get on with it and try to put it to the back of my mind ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Glas0824]

Yes, that's how I feel too. I hope you have a good day tomorrow and that you don't feel downhearted. 🌺

[mariootsi in reply to Hidden]

Sophie,

I just really think that people just don't get our situation. They don't know what to do or say!

[Hidden in reply to mariootsi]

Hi Marianne,

Yes, I think you are right. I am a bit too sensitive at times! Many people associate cancer with aggressive treatment, and then the "all clear". They don't always know that there is another story to be told, and that's living with this disease long term.

Sophie

[8576]

Happy to hear about your great stability. I was diagnosed in 2013. Very little increase in the cancer. Hope it continues. I am the old gal one here. 80 yrs. old. Best wishes to you.

Cheers, June S.

[SunshineBoss in reply to 8576]

Inspiration to us all! 😘❤️

[Glas0824 in reply to 8576]

I’m liking this post! Need the positive vibes today!

[jersey-jazz in reply to 8576]

Dear June. I have you beat by three years but who is counting? Once we pass the eighty year old milestone it's all gravy! I think that you may be smiling.

[8576 in reply to jersey-jazz]

Yes, I am smiling! Thanks. So maybe there are more of around. Yes indeed, all gravy.

Cheers, June S.

[mariootsi in reply to 8576]

Bless you June.

[SunshineBoss]

I think we all feel the same way you’re feeling. My two year anniversary is coming up and I can’t help thinking two years is the average people are on Ibrance - what’s next for me? But then ladies on this site say they’ve been on it for a lot longer and that’s so encouraging!! Other people just don’t understand- they think because you look ok you must be all better. The bottom line is a positive outlook is the best way to get through this every day! Each day is a blessing so try to enjoy it. ❤️

[Glas0824 in reply to SunshineBoss]

Thank you - my oncologist, nice but not the cheeriest , always says ignore statistics . By the time they are in public domain they are outdated! I also been told Ibrance could keep working for a long, long time . Was bit teary this mornng but going to keep busy and as you say, positive and grateful ❤️

[rubyc1234 in reply to Glas0824]

Well, I am just over 3 years and feel great. Three years ago I was so sick for several months but then I came back and it has been good ever since. I am doing well on the Ibrance and Letrozole and I anticipate being here for many more years. The internet stats took me down in the beginning, but after being on this site, I realized that many women were doing way better than 2-3 years with mets.

[Boogitymom]

I completely understand your anxiety, I had been told the same thing about 2 years and Ibrance. I worried endlessly about every ache and pain as my 2 year anniversary approached. But my 5 year anniversary was 1/31/21 and my bone scan last week was stable. Thankful for every moment of every day. Keep up the good fight!

[Glas0824 in reply to Boogitymom]

Thank you for your words of wisdom ❤️👍

[MaryCos]

As I was diagnosed de novo in July 2020, I haven't reached a full year anniversary yet. So, I can't speak to what you are saying, specifically. However... whenever I read posts by folks who have been doing well for many years, my hope (which is in a healthy place in large part because of this forum) is enhanced even further. Thank you for today's boost!!

Wishing you many years of continued good news and best outcomes!

Cos

xo

[rubyc1234 in reply to MaryCos]

It was this site which gave me hope 3 years ago and the SHARE folks shared with me that there was plenty of hope.

[MaryCos in reply to rubyc1234]

❤️

[hurricaneheather]

it is personal and thus, different for each person. the initial dx cancerversary was different than the mets dx. i am still aware of them, 10 and 6 years later. though i recall the "years," i place less focus on them. and, i focus on the successes and the learning from the dx, particularly the mets dx. i celebrate the NEAD & stable reports, as i know it change.