Hey Y'all

[tamtam425]

Just stumbled across this site. I'm a MBC Thriver!! In July 2017 it was confirmed that I in fact had HR+ HER2- BC after years of mammograms and ultrasounds. I always knew it was cancer that was causing my issues. At 39 most OB/GYN play it off as hormone changes. What was the final straw was I lost my job on a Tuesday, had my 6 month follow up on Wednesday and told her what happened. Finally she saw the breast was super swollen and the skin was becoming scaly. DUH!! I had been telling them and showing them for 2 years. Thankfully she decided to send me to a surgeon because she felt I had an infection. Surgeon immediately got approval for a biopsy. The ultrasound tech knew yall!! She started prepping me for what was to come. With in 3 days we had biopsy results, went straight from the general surgeon office to a plastic surgeon appointment to discuss options. It was a whirlwind that look back at and know the timing was right. I had a double mastectomy with expanders placed 3 days later...remember I lost my job. Insurance was only good until the end of month until Cobra was established. The urgency was top priority. Well after surgery we found out my tumor in my left breast was the size of a grapefruit. It had spread to 10 of the 16 lymph nodes that were removed. In October of 2017 after healing, a PET scan was done and we found more positive lymph nodes and a bone in the shoulder that "lit" up. After a bone biopsy it was confirmed and I was staged as De Novo Stage 4. January of 2018 I started my treatment plan that consists of Ibrance, Letrozole, Zoladex (remember 39 YO), and Xgeva. I can't tell yall how blessed I am! I've been NED for 5 years!! I'm thankful for this diagnosis. I have a very different outlook...it's not a death sentence for me...it was a life sentence. It has given me a second chance to live a thriving life...to grow, flourish and live like the gate is wide open!

[HbbM]

it’s always so inspiring to me when I read these kind of stories. Thank you so much for sharing!! I hope you have many more years of NED!!

[Nocillo]

So good to hear you are doing well. Taking control of what we can is the best we can do. I hope you get many more years. I just passed 8 years and keeping my fingers crossed!

[Sharon0122]

Congratulations, we are our best advocates. !

[Phillipians4and6]

yes yes yes. Thank you Lord!!! This is such a blessing!

[csw73]

Thank you for sharing this. It is very inspiring and gives me hope for a long life despite my MBC diagnosis. My last PET in January showed an "excellent response" to my current treatment, Xeloda.

[Chewysmom]

Thank you for a sharing , I hope to get to NeD too ! Do you mind sharing what else you do , do you exercise , change in diet , take any supplements ?

[daniellebrooks13]

Hello Tamtam, So pleased that you are NED and I've heard other stories of oncologists and/or other doctors claiming there is no problem even after you present it to them numerous times. I have been metastatic for 17 years and went successfully through exemestane. I'm now on xgeva, tucatinib and xeloda and doing well. Hang in there - you probably have, like me, many more good years ahead.

[OneLump22]

Greetings Tamtam425 welcome to the club!👍😉 Don't you look beautiful!

[Hidden]

HUGS

[lovnmycat]

so happy to hear you are doing well. Gives me hope.

[Pups2Cute]

You are so inspiring! I hope you’re enjoying the summer! Best wishes to all! Xo