I need Long-Term Hope! Tell me how many years you have been clear please.

JustGrateful

I have terrible feelings of going through all of this and then just having to repeat in a year, 3, 5, or whatever. How many years have you been a survivor? I need inspiration!!

cllinda

I will be Breast cancer free 8 years in October. The first couple of years I worried. Especially when it was mammogram time. But as the years go on, I get less fearful. There is hope for anyone going through Breast cancer. Go through the treatments, and take care of yourself. Nap when you can. Eat healthy. Exercise. And take care of yourself. I hope that I give you hope for survivorship.

JaneA

I was diagnosed in 2014 with Stage IV rectal cancer. I am still NED. All that we can do is modify our lifestyle and ditch bad habits and pray for the best. Eat healthier, exercise, limit alcohol, and follow the other suggestions for our particular cancer. Best wishes - honestly, I think that the pandemic is "spooking" all of us who have had cancer.

Carool

I’ve been clear of breast cancer (from what I know) for almost 21 years (it’ll be 21 on May 5). And I have five friends who’ve been clear of it the same amount of time, or even a few years longer. Three I met in a post-treatment group in my hospital; the other two other friends I knew from before I was diagnosed. Those two did each later have a new primary breast cancer; their cancers were found very early and these friends are doing well.

I, too, worried (for years) that I’d die from my cancer. I still worry about getting another cancer, breast or elsewhere. Then again, I’ve always been a worrier. Now I’ve added worrying about the novel coronavirus, which, same as many diseases, can kill someone much faster than a cancer.

Many other women (and men) have similar stories of being alive for a long time after diagnosis. Sending you best wishes. All any of us can do is put one foot ahead of the other (or, what I love to do, lie in bed!).

jvbaseballmom2

It’s been 15 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I find the fear of recurrence never goes away for me, but I keep the stress somewhat under control unless I have an ache or pain that I don’t know the cause, or before doctor appointments. Keep fighting and Stay Strong!!

meyati

Rare head cancer. Diagnosed Nov 16, 2012. Finished experimental radiation Valentine's Day 2013. Declared cancer free summer of 2019.

My prognosis was DEAD, DEAD, in 3 years--even with traditional treatment.

Angelaine

Hi. i as done with chemo December 2013. Done with Herciptin june 2014. Cancer free since. I finished 5 year Letrozole 15 months ago. No sign of any cancer. I am functioning well. Glad I went through the treatment, now. I have met both grandchildren, seen last 2 kids married. Now, Imam enjoying a new chapter in my life.

Bug

I was diagnosed in July of 2010 so it has been almost ten years for me.

po18guy

Coming up on 5 years - the second time. Two different aggressive T-Cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, stage IV twice, plus MDS (a bone marrow cancer) that is a precursor to acute myeloid leukemia. In 2015, I had all three at the same time. Long term survival for even one of the lymphomas is zero. I am at the 12 year mark right now.

Hope does not disappoint.

ChildOfGod4570

It was 7 years ago yesterday when I found out I had breast cancer, and I have been NED ever since active treatment had stopped. Of course I get a little nervous during mammograms and doctor appointments, but it's not as bad as it was in the beginning. Another note of encouragement for you, my best friend's mother will be a 30 year survivor come this summer! HUGS and God bless.

Sunshine777

7 and a half years cancer free!

Jbro

6 years after stage II IDC (bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction and 5 years on aromatase inhibitor). 10 months out from follicular and papillary thyroid cancer diagnosis (thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment and levothyroxine forever). All is good.

Horselady46

I was diagnosed in June 2012 with stage 2. Still cancer free.

Genie

I was diagnosed July, 2011, so I will be 9 years this July, cancer free. My cousin was diagnosed 2 months before me, and she is well. My mother was diagnosed at the age of 63. She will be 96 this June. Breast cancer treatments have taken great strides, you can do this!

suemartin

I was diagnosed May 2014 with stage IIB, ER positive and HER2 positive. Went through mastectomy, chemo, no radiation. It's been almost 6 years!!! I feel great, have been exercising and trying to eat healthy to increase my odds of continuing to beat this!!!

lynn1950

I was diagnosed Stage IIIa in Feb 2008. 12 years. The first years were the toughest emotionally.

raven

When I completed treatment 10-7-11 I was told I had 85% or greater chance of metastasizing with in 5 years. It is now 8 1/2 years later and I am still NED! I had Inflammatory Breast Cancer which is particularly aggressive.

msesq

Diagnosed with HER2+ in 2014 and still NED

ChicagoSandy

Breast cancer (IDC): NED 4 yrs. 9 months since diagnosis (Stage IA), 4 yrs. 8 months since lumpectomy. Short, targeted radiation, no chemo. 4 yrs., 4 mos. on letrozole (probably will do 7 yrs, per MO's advice).

Lifesaver

JustGrateful,

15 year survivor; right side- Estrogen and Progesterone Positive, and left side Triple negative. Stage 0 going into Stage 1, Bilateral mastectomy. History of Male Breast Cancer on my mother's side. I'm still cancer-free!

Myungclas

I just hit the 10 year mark on Feb. 26. I remember how long and scary the road ahead seemed 10 years ago, but I tried to remember to just concentrate on the mile I was in. Sending hugs and positive vibes your way! You've got an army of people here praying for you and willing to support in any way we can.

andreacha

Surgery in 2006 for Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma. Recurrence in 2012 on remaining kidney. Oral chemo. Have been stable since. Mass disappeared 2013.

legaljen1969

For all of you who have long term NED, I am so happy for you all. I pray one day we can find a way to cure all cancers.

Lynne-I-Am

Diagnosed with later stage ovarian cancer in 2013. NED since March 2014.

CASSIEME1

8 yearsDCIS

savingrace

July 10th this year will be 19 years cancer free. Of course my mind started wandering to the negative side in the beginning when it came time for mammograms and oncology appointments but it has gotten much better now. My oncologist actually released me in February. Stay positive and strong, it gets better.

LiveWithCancer

I have stage IV lung cancer so a completely different beast than breast cancer ... and I'm not free of it ... but, with all of that said, I was diagnosed in October 2012 and given 4 months to live.

Good luck! There's a lot of hope here at WhatNext!

happydyad

Diagnosed 2014, bilateral mastectomy, no adjuvant therapy. Feeling great but always feel that I am walking down a dark street and hearing footsteps behind me. I turn but nothing is there and then I start walking again and the steady approach of something ominous is always there. I wish I could shake it but I have learned to live with it. I’m still far enough ahead of the grim reaper that I am NED and able to leave a vibrant, active, demanding life with joy. That is good enough. Judy in KY

happydyad

Lead. . . . . Not leave!!! See what I mean, the clippity clop is always there. Sheesh!

gpgirl70

I was diagnosed in Feb. 2015 with stage IIIc breast cancer and stage I thyroid cancer. I finished all treatments - 2 surgeries, 16 chemo infusions, 35 radiation treatments in March 2016. I have been NED since then.

petieagnor

I was cancer free for 10 years. No Dr. was looking for my MBC in my lung. I took my Arimmadex for 5 years. Now, 10 is suggested. I did my yearly examines & never gave it a second thought as I wasn't told that it could re-appear. To me it was a bump in the road.