5 year anniversary tomorrow!!!

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
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Oh my g-d, I can hardly believe it.  November 30, 1999, I cried all morning fearing the worst, and cried all that night in terror. "It's cancer," said the doctor. "You'll need your lymph nodes out, not sure if you can keep the breast or if it spread, you will probably need chemo....sorry, come back in a week for the path report and we'll know more."  Wow, here we go....
 
Mixed emotions galore!  If you had ever told me that I would someday hit the 5 year mark after breast cancer, I'd have never believed it. More than 5 years ago, frankly, I never thought I would get cancer, especially not breast cancer at 30! And until the last year or so, I could never be sure I would be a 5 year survivor. 
 
I have always said that breast cancer at 5 years gets you a pat on the back and a move into the next statistical category...but no other guarantees.  But 5 years is almost magical sounding to me, and only you all understand that. 
 
Last year, within a couple weeks of the 'anniversary', I started getting my pain in the sternal area, and it scared the crapp outta me....this year I am looking ahead to only good things. And thinking I just might be on the winning side this time. 
 
And I am so honored to have you all on my team too. I am humbled every day by you all, my sisters, and especially by our sisters that have passed away, by their heroics and every day bravery.
 
Looking forward to the next 5 years of this journey with you all...
 
Love, hugs and pink blessings-
Lori

Post Edited (Tavish) : 11/29/2004 8:39:57 PM (GMT-7)

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Lori:

WooHoo!!! yeah    "Magical" is right.  I hope we spend 5x10 more years with you. 

Love, hugs, and pink blessings to you too,

Candy

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Lori,
Congrats on hitting five years....and it's not "just a number". You're chances of having a recurrence drop dramatically after 5 years. We all know it's doesn't mean it will never come back, but the odds are definitely in your favor now.
Do something fun tomorrow...
Julie

Do not go gentle into that goodnight,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~Dylan Thomas

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Lori, congratulations on reaching five years. Amazing, isn't it??? Look how much we have all been though in the past few years. It has been an emotional time for all of us. But, we are stronger for what we have survived. I'm with Julie, do something wonderful tomorrow. Have a great day. Looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries with you. Hugs and love, Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau
 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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WOOHOO LORI! yeah yeah yeah I am dancing for you here in Indiana! Here's to 50 more years!!! I think this calls for some margaritas! Would anyone else like one? tongue Or for my non-alcoholic drinkers, how about a virgin strawberry daiquiri? Either way they both taste good when celebrating againist the beast!
 
L&H, Shelley

*Just keep swimming*   Dory....Finding Nemo
 

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Lori...Happy Dancin here in Louisville!  Congratulations and yes we all know exactly what you are feeling.  I just hit the 4 yr mark last month.  Shelly I will be glad to join you for a margarita...my favorite! 

Do something fun for YOU!  Wishing you many many more celebrations.

L&H

Sara

 

 

Sara Dearing
 
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present!

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Well all I can say is with all this dancing going on, the band ought to get out their instruments and have a go at it. tee hee Congratulations. L&H Joyce

People are like tea bags, you have to put them in hot water to see how  strong they are!
 
 

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Lori.....I am so thrilled for you and I am certainly celebrating with you my dear friend. I remember when I met you for the 1st time in St. Louis !!! I thought how unfair that this horrible disease would strike such a young woman...It mad me so angry to see you with the rest of the young woman fighting breast cancer. But, I am honored to know you and call you my friend ! Also, thanks for all the help you give us on the board with your knowledgeable and understanding replies.

Much love and huge hugs

Cathi

 

 

Sometimes it is a slender thread, Sometimes a strong,
stout rope; She clings to one end, I the other;
She calls it friendship; I call it hope....

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Five years is quite a milestone, isn't it? I agree with Cathi. You were so young when we met in St Louis and it seemed so rotten that you had to deal with such an awful disease, along with the other young women. I'm helping to celebrate your five years!!!!! Hugs MK


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Dear Lori,
 
Congratulations on hitting your 5 year mark!  Wow, we really have something to celebrate.  I will get out my kazoo for the occasion, can you hear the band playing ?   
 
I am so happy that you have this day to be so very thankful for.  I will be here to celebrate the next 20-30 or so years with you too.  I too remember meeting you and the other "young" women in St. Louis that were fighting this dreaded disease.  I could relate so much to you all since I was only 33 when I was DX'd in 1985.   I have been truly blessed with ALMOST a 20 year (in March) survival time. 
 
Please know that you are in my thoughts today.  What a blessing for you......I hope that you are doing something really special.
 
Love ya,
Debbie
^j^  ^j^

"What sweetness is left in life if you take away friendship? It is like robbing the world of the sun"
Cicero

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Lori, congrats on 5 years. May you have another 95!!

   

TTVickyTT

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.o^^o^o^^o^o^o.
.o^^^o^^o^^o^^^o.
ee_)(_ee

Happy Holidays

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CONGRATULATIONS!

I'll join you in the margarita!  tongue    This definitely calls for a celebration!  Have a great day tomorrow.  Like the others said - do something fun.

Hugs,

Kathy

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Isn't it great to say we have made the 5 year mark, Lori?  Like the others that met you in St Louis, I felt it was so unfair for someone so young to be facing this dreaded disease.  You are my oldest son's age and I knew I wouldn't want my children going through what we have all faced.  Even though I don't have daughters, many of you here have been like daughters to me.  I have worried about you as though you were my own.  With each milestone you pass, it is more of a relief to this mother.

Five years doesn't mean we have beat the disease, but like Julie said, our chances get better with each passing year.  Keep on top of things, but I know you will be around for years to come.  You have much to do in this life, so head down the road - rough or smooth, you will do fine.

Good luck and God Bless.

Love, Kitty

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Congratulations Lori, GREAT news!!! I will hit 5 years in about 6 mo. I will celebrate with you now and then again!! L&H, Gail

 It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.   Elisabeth Kubler Ross

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Lori-
5 YEARS!!! Congratulations friend!!!! I remember when we met in myrtle beach i think you were almost 2 years out and i remember thinking 'wow if i could only get 2 years out from this nightmare instead of thinkin in terms of MONTHS!" you are such a blessing to this board and i am so happy for you...be sure to celebrate in a special way... retail therapy, of course!!!!

BIG HUGS
Stef

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's been worth everything I've been through,
 To do what I do"

                       To Do What I Do   -Alan Jackson, 2004

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Hey, Lori!  We're celebrating with you on this special anniversary!  There are quite a few of us getting ready to hit that five year mark -- and very thankful to still be here.
 
We've come a long way since our freshman class had its first chemo, but we never take a day for granted any more.  Each day is a gift.
 
Sending you hugs as you begin counting the days to add another year.  The older I get, the faster those years go!
 
Take care, my friend. 
 
Love,
Becky

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Woohoo, yippee and whatever other positive exclamation I can think of. 5 yrs. is a wonderful, life-affirming anniversary. I am soooo happy to share this special milestone with you, Lori.

Hoping to share 5 years with so many others on this board. In the meantime, you love every minute of this important anniversary and I'll love it with you. Sending you the biggest ((((HUGS)))). Luci

Sometimes it is a slender thread, Sometimes a strong,
stout rope; She clings to one end, I the other;
She calls it friendship; I call it hope....

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I am so happy you have reached this milestone. The first five years is the big one and you have certainly earned it.
 
I'm raising my glass to you and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30........ more anniversaries.
 
I'm curious if you will have to see your onc and have your tests every year. 
 
And, be sure to go out and buy yourself something beautiful and expensive, preferably at a jewelry store.
 
Congratulatory hugs, Jo-Ann
 

A good friend will bail you out of jail...
but a true friend will be sitting
next to you saying,
"Dâmn... that was fun!".

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Congrats Miss Lori on reaching the 5 year milestone.  I felt better after reaching that one.
 
Enjoy your celebrating and retail therapy and we'll enjoy celebrating you.  Hugs, Libby

Friends are God's way of taking really good care of us.

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Hey Lori,

Just wanted to add my congrats on the 5 year mark.  It is a great feeling though we all have learned that we can never let our guard down.  Hope you had a great day!

L&H, Christi