10yrs fighting cancer

Hello, I'm from Belfast, I am 52, female.. In 2005, aged 42 I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, her2 positiive. I first had lumpactomy an 20 lymphnodes removed, which one node was affected. As results weren't good they wanted to remove my breast but gave me 6 sessions of chemo (F.E.C) first. Six months later they removed my breast. I received Herceptin for 1year an was put on Tamoxifen for 30mths. 5 years (2010) into my diagnoses the cancer had spread to my liver, spine, pelvic, bones...I was given 6 sessions of Chemo (Docetacsyl) an put on Herceptin, which I am currently still on...In 2011, I started to have a persistant headache so my oncologist requested an M.R.I, which the results showed 4 small tumours in my head. I was given 20 shots of whole head Radiotherapy...One year later Dec' 2012 some of the spots became minimally active, I was sent to Leeds Hospital for GammaKnife treatment, which treats directly to the cancer to avoid damaging good brain tissue. I didnt suffer any major side effects, only severe fatigue...18mths later, April 2014 I had to go to Leeds again for Gammaknife treatment as one of the original spots had grown an I had 2 new small spots. Again I was fortunate not to hav severe side-effects, but my hair is pityful now due to a combination of treatments an medications...I have been recently told that the original persistant lump in my head has possibly grew some more, they say possibly, as they're not sure if its still cancerous or accumilated scar tissue...They have suggested brain surgery to remove this lump, but want to wait on the next M.R.I results which will be on 1st April 2015. Depending on if the lump has got bigger I could have a big decision to make, which I'm dreading if it's the worse for me...I have my low's, typical rollercoaster of emotions, an even though I can't completely put the thoughts of cancer out of my head, I'm determined to have as many positive days as i can, because for me there is no other way to face it...Cancer has invaided my body, but not my life...
  • You 'go' girl....you live with it .....live being the important word!!!!! On days you feel up to it,enjoy normal things & laughter with friends & family.ive had my diagnosis only a year & joke knowing my luck I will be killed by a bus.....we are the lucky ones in some respects,we have time to enjoy our life because only when you have to face up to cancer do you understand truely what living means to you!hope this makes sense...

     

  • So pleased to hear you are fighting this, and staying positive. I wish you all the best for the future :)