, I have an aunt (Connie) whose birthday is appropriately in October, same as mine. She's very special to me. This week she had her 79th b'day.
At age 32 (1955), she was dx'd with BC. She had the standard tx for that time, the Halstead mastectomy and radiation. She is a 47 yr. BC survivor and offers hope, I think, for every single women (and man) dx'd with this wretched disease.
When I was dx'd in 1998, she was right there, helping me organize things. She's a retired nurse and took care of me after my first surgery. Gosh, I love this woman.
I was thinking about her this morning and thought her story could be a "shining star" moment for our board. L&H's, Luci
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer. Albert Camus
Luci, Thanks so much for sharing that. Just the idea of how hard it had to be years ago.... She is a very special woman and I am so glad you had her in your corner. Hope her birthday and many more are special. L&Hs Joyce
People are like tea bags, you have to put them in hot water to see how strong they are!
I met Luci's Aunt Connie when I was a guest at Luci's DD's wedding ! She is one amazing woman..So energetic and full of life...! She is truely a survivor ..... and she really loves Luci...( but then who doesnt)...
Thanks for sharing Luci....
Love and Hugs
Cathi
Sometimes it is a slender thread, Sometimes a strong,
That is proof BC can be cured. Wow!! Amazing! Let's all hang on to this marvelous message from our ever thoughtful lovely lady, Luci.
Yes, Luci did your birthday get past us? If so belated wishes, if it is still coming, Happy Birthday. I am terrible about remembering birthdays. Two of my DS and one DIL have birthdays the 21st and 22nd. My brother is the 23 and my step brother the 24th. We do a lot of celebrating all at once.
How wonderful to hear about a long-term survivor. So often we get hung up with what's happening now and forget that there are survivors out there that defy the odds every day. Thanks for sharing her remarkable story.
Two years ago I met a woman who was a 37 year survivor. I wanted her karma so bad all I could do was hug her. There are many women out there that are still around and have been for many years. God rest her soul... Julia Child was another survivor. I like to think that she died of "old age" and not breast cancer at her point in life as she lived many years past the point of diagnoses.
But I still want to hear somone say "you are cured"..............................
Yes, I think Julia Child was in her 90's and had survived for many decades after BC. My colleague's mother had it when he was a teenager, he is nearly 50 now, and his mother is still living.
And Luci, now I do remember you are a Halloween baby and the elevator story...I misread when you said about your aunt's b-day, I thought yours was the same week as hers.
Wow Luci, what an encouraging post. 47 year breast cancer survivor .........AMAZING!!!!!!! Next spring (be the Lord willing) will be my 20th !!!!!!!!! YAHOO..........I am hoping that when that time comes you all will join in my celebration.
Sending you special hugs ..........you are a dear lady.
{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}} Debbie ^j^
"What sweetness is left in life if you take away friendship? It is like robbing the world of the sun"
Thank you Luci for that! I think we all needed to hear about such a vibrant and great lady who has really survived!
I have been grilling my docs about the "real" survival times and they all have said there are many women who live decades and decades! I of course thought they were lying but you made me think HMMMM- maybe it IS true!
What is a Halstead Mast?
And Julia Child died in her sleep from respiratory problems that had nothing at all to do with her BC...at 93 I think- bless her heart.
Great message, Luci. When I was diagnosed in 1996, a good friend of mine told me she had double mastectomy 33 years before. "I surived and so will you," she told me. She was right. She died a few years later of something other than cancer. And, so far, I too have survived and plan to have many more years. Early birthday hugs, 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.
