5 years

I have a big anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks. It's almost my five year anniversary of being diagnosed with breast cancer. I have had a wide range of emotions over the last few weeks while reflecting on that day. Part of that is because I chose to have my implants removed and go flat due to some health issues that were being made worse by having the implants. I'll be getting inserts in a few weeks. I also saw my oncologist for my five year follow up. I got a great report, but she is quite disappointed and frustrated that I am not taking tamoxifen. I feel like we go rounds every 6 months when I see her because I reacted very negatively to it and Lupron, but she is determined that I need to take one of those or have a hysterectomy since my tumor was estrogen and progesterone positive. I always leave those appointments feeling frustrated because I have discussed all of that with my gynecologist and she has a very differing opinion on what I should do. (I happen to have her opinion and have tried explaining my reasons to my oncologist, but she is as stubborn as I am.) I have another five years of seeing my oncologist every 6 months. Since my tumor was hormone positive, I have to be seen for a total of 10 years before being declared in remission. It used to be five, but new research shows that there is still an increased chance of cancer returning within the 10 year time frame. I'm still thrilled to have made it to the five year mark!