Are Long-Term Cancer Survivors Thriving?

I’m 4 years out in April and doing very well on Phesgo and Letrozole. MBC, Er/pr+ and her2+

IDC ER/PR +, HER 2+: I am 7 years post treatment. I am doing great. I kept having side effects from the anastrazole so I stopped taking it last year. I say I am doing great lol But of course after 33 chemos and 37 radiations it did change my body some and I now have heart failure But I say I'm doing great because I'm alive and get to enjoy a lot of things in life that others unfortunately have not got me opportunity to do. I look older and I'm a little slower but the gifts I've been given of knowledge, the preciousness of every breath have made my life great. How are you doing How far out are you from treatment?

Triple + Ned since April 2017 and off everything at last🙌🏼

Shirley, I am a triple + NED sense August 2017 and off everything also.

We twinkies Cathy..lol What kind of medical stuff cancer left u with?

Shirley, I've never met someone with the same thing I have or had lol I am off of everything because the hormone blockers gave me not much quality of life. I'm 61 years old and in my brain I think I'm 30 bet my body feels like it's 70 some days. I've recently been diagnosed with heart failure they believe due to the radiation so I am working hard on eating a better diet, including more exercise which for me is walking because I cannot stand going to a gym lol I am a 5th grade teacher swim on my feet all day which wears me out but I'm not getting much cardio so I have to push myself after school to go for brisk walks. How about you How are things with you?

I run off and on doing chores and 2 dogs and a cat. Constant help to grand dtr and lots of yardwork. Lots of thrift shoppin, garage and estate sales. Hormone blockers r miserable and the neuropathy, arthritis and all the rest keeps me in alot of pain but sittin still don’t help. Do u have good insurance? Do u get free rxs? Hav some extra stuff is why I ask. Im soon turnin 65. Forgot again r u in Virginia?

I’ve had both knees replaced, increase 2xs of thyroid meds due to radiation and Lymphdema on left side of course

I was diagnosed in 2019 de novo stage 4 her2 + Mets to brain. Had craniotomy which took care of the entire tumor and I also had a tumor in my right breast and I did taxol pergeta/herceptin for 20 treatments I had WBR 6 times. Scans shortly aftet showed decreased size of breast tumor. The medicine however does not cross blood brain barrier. But thanks to God I have had no reoccurrence in my brain. I have since the end of taxol remained on pergeta/herceptin and have remained without any evidence of disease for almost 6 years now! Still just taking life the only way we all can and that’s one day at a time. Everything’s not all roses and rainbows but I’m alive with fair quality of life I’m here for a reason I know that. I’m not sure what it is but it doesn’t matter. I have learned to just enjoy the littlest of things now. I feel like I’m a totally different person than before my cancer. A better person for sure. Not the best way to get there but I got there! I love and wish you all the best peace love and comfort as you battle this awful disease. —Arianne

Shirley Jean, HOW????

8 yrs out and very satisfied

I’m 2 years out and thankful every day 🙏🏻

Dawn M how what?

Yes. I am 8 years out, 9 at the end of May. Not working or driving due to the continued side effects of treatment (immune therapy) and the prescribed meds. But… overall I am living and waking up every day by the grace of God!

Philippa, you can’t drive while doing immunotherapy injections ? I start tomorrow and was hoping it will be easier than the TCHP treatments?

-Shirley Jean, I was wondering what you did to get the awesome report of NED. Is it diet? Is it outlook? Is it moving your body? Is it the meds? So far I’ve only taken Ibrance and Anastrozole the disease has advanced to my liver on top of my lungs and bones. I want to know how to get from where I am to where YOU are Shirley Jean! Thank you for asking.

4 yrs

It is been 6 years since my diagnosis of HER2 triple positive breast cancer stage 4 with mets to my bones. I had Kadcyla, a single mastectomy, reconstruction and radiation. I currently have no evidence of disease. To maintain this status, I have Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks and I take Arimadex daily.

Dawn M I got extreme Tx; radiation Dr told me “I was a tough woman” and they hit me hard with chemo and radiation. I was burnt badly with radiation, that’s what it takes sometimes. Don’t know what else to say except we are all different as are our Drs. I hope all good things for you sister💕

I will be 3 yrs clean in Oct 2025. I do have collateral damage. Neuropathy in hands and feet. Eye problem, blurry and watery eyes, that cyclosporine has helped.lung damage that Breyna inhaler has helped. Gastro track not quite normal, but I can live w a bit of constipation. Happy to be a live!! Stage 2 Her2 positive, grade 3. Lymph node positive. Had partial mastectomy. Clear margins and clear nodes! Had very strong chemo, surgery and radiation then catzyla.

Lynn M, I am 2 years out and my eyes and nose never stop running. My taste is affected also. What is cyclosporine. Had double mastectomy, 3 months of chemo and was on herseptine for a year

I woke up one day blind in one eye. Cyclosporine are eye drops which have helped bring my sight back to 95%. Still a bit blurry and watery. I get plugs in my eyes every 6 months and that has reduced the watering.

Thanks for the info Lynn

About 10 years out from diagnosis, early stage 1, triple positive, sentinel node removal only, 13 wks chemo, 7 wks radiation. (Yes, I realize that compared to many I had it… easy?) Had a lumpectomy that after almost a year turned into a double mastectomy. (Long story) I am almost done with anastrozol. Now, elevated blood pressure and osteopenia and tingly toes. Has anyone else struggled with weight loss? Is it the anastrozol? Anastrozol and hypothyroid (on levothyroxine)? Walking miles, dieting, different programs, yada, yada all yielded zip. Frustrating. TIA.

Many long-term cancer survivors in this community are living full, meaningful lives years after their diagnosis. This is such an important question that can bring hope to others who are earlier in their journey. The community would love to hear from those who are thriving at various stages post-diagnosis to share their experiences and insights.