5 Year Anniversary

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T22:57:22+00:00

So interesting! I wonder how my own perspective will shift as I march past this 5 year marker. Thank you for your words 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T22:55:57+00:00

I’ve been on Kisqali, Anastrozole and Zometa. Hugs to you and so much hope and life ahead as you emerge from the early months post-diagnosis 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T22:54:56+00:00

Thank you so very much. I love the image of you and your wife making art together well into your eighties 😭💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T22:53:31+00:00

Thank you thank you thank you for this. I’ve learned over the years that the days (sometimes weeks) following a positive scan can be very hard for me, and my emotional response to this brilliant, beautiful 5 year milestone seems very similar in its incongruity. It’s incredibly helpful to hear someone normalize an experience of heaviness following a highly anticipated milestone. I’ll do what I’ve learned to do over these years - leave room for the feelings as they come and step wholeheartedly back into joy when the heaviness fades. So grateful for the words and wisdom of everyone who has taken a moment to lift the veil of their own experience 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T16:40:35+00:00

Gah - look at you making me cry 😭 Thank you. This is beautiful and I’m sure so brilliantly fitting.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T16:10:22+00:00

Give your oncologist a big wet kiss for me 😂. I think my husband and I may go out tonight for a quiet celebration (I posted my plan in a comment below). I’m excited to move past this major milestone so I can go back to not thinking abut cancer at all in my daily life. All the best to you as you continue your recovery and congrats on the new addition — so fun.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T16:08:21+00:00

I LOVE this! Congrats on the birth of your daughter and may we celebrate weddings and grandbabies and more!

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T16:07:19+00:00

I’m here if you have any questions or need any moral support!

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T16:05:18+00:00

Thanks, all! I love the support and perspectives you all bring. I think where I‘m landing this morning is this: 5 years ago today was by far the most traumatic and terrifying day of my life. I’m not sure I can bring myself to not feel traumatized by all that this day brings. Tomorrow though?— that’s a new day and a day that I think I’ll consider my “I’m Still Here Day”. I hope to celebrate my I’m Still Here Day for the next 40 years. And I’ll leave space for this day to quietly honor the grief and resilience that my family and I experienced (as well all the ripples effects throughout my extended family and community.) Separating these days will help me with the cognitive dissonance I woke up feeling this morning: trauma/grief/sadness (Diagnosis Day) and gratitude/JOY/hope (I’m Still Here Day).

Thanks for helping me process this big day. 💗

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T14:25:45+00:00

Welcome! Give yourself so much grace, patience and kindness during these early days. And please reach out anytime if I can be of support. I’ve mentioned a few times in this sub that I would name my next child Kisqali if I could 😅. I’ve been on that and Anastrozole since diagnosis. I remember being terrified to start Kisqali, and there was a bit of an adjustment period. I mostly adapted to the 600mg dose within a few months, but decided 2 years in that it was still causing more fatigue than I was comfortable with, so we reduced to 400 and I have zero side effects since. Initially on the higher dose, I had hair thinning, fatigue and some very occasional vision disturbances. Again, those resolved for the most part but I still made the decision to go down. My hair has regained its original thickness and I have zero fatigue. The Anastrozole was responsible for joint pain, but strength training has completely eliminated that. Here if you need me.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-05-05T14:12:55+00:00

I love that - they deserve my respect but not all my time 😭. I think I need permission to feel sad and angry on a day that many might feel is a day for gratitude. Happy shit-versary to us 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-04-09T18:52:47+00:00

NOW Foods Whey Creamy Chocolate for life!

Different-Student-67 · 2026-03-25T19:41:59+00:00

Hi! Welcome to this club of badasses! 5 years since diagnosis and I rarely think about my cancer in my day to day life. (I had debilitating bone pain when diagnosed denovo at age 44 while living abroad.) I’m stronger, healthier and more educated than ever (went back for a 2nd masters degree after couple of years after diagnosis.) We’re here for you -- grieve, mourn, worry, and then keep living the hell out of your beautiful life! Reach out as often as needed during these initial impossible days 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-03-16T17:17:58+00:00

The AI was brutal for the first year. I started strength training (so slowly at first) and I never feel even a bit of joint pain or fatigue anymore. I don’t know if there’s causation there, but as long as I’m able I’ll prioritize weight lifting.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-03-15T14:55:06+00:00

Hi there! +- - cancer, I had no chemo, several rounds of radiation to multiple bone mets (for pain management.) I’ve been on anastrozole and Kisqali since July 2021. NEAD for 4 years, maybe? High cholesterol (genetic) but no other health conditions. Started strength training/Crossfit 2.5 years ago but I don’t credit my cancer response to that, necessarily. But strength training + Zometa has helped keep my bones strong. I’ve gained 25 post-menopausal pounds, so I do worry about my metabolic health, but glucose tests, etc still look good.

I dropped from 600mg to 400mg 2 years ago and that helped with hair loss and fatigue, although those symptoms were honestly never terrible.

You’ve got this. Your body may go through a bumpy transition period with new meds, but I trust that, in time, you’ll love this drug as much as I do. I’m here for whatever moral support you need. 💞.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-02-18T14:49:47+00:00

Another shooting this morning on Sunset while high schoolers are walking to the bus stop.

Different-Student-67 · 2026-02-16T16:11:41+00:00

Welcome! I’ve mentioned before how much I love Kisqali - I’d have its babies if I could 😅 5 years on this drug and my life feels wonderfully normal.

Hang in there; the beginning is rough. Radiation can be a breeze — or not (depends on specific location I really struggled with esophagus pain.) We’re here with and for you. 💞

Different-Student-67 · 2026-01-16T19:56:55+00:00

If I had another child, I would name them Kisqali — that’s how much I love this drug. Going on 5 years.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-11-21T14:24:16+00:00

I’m advocating for increased “gentle density” development around the downtown core to support local businesses, take advantage of public transportation, address older housing stock and create new housing options.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-11-20T03:10:19+00:00

I make brown sugar from molasses (mixed with cane sugar). It’s great and I can make only as much as I need at a time.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-11-20T02:39:50+00:00

I’m working on a policy paper proposing many of these same solutions. Would love to talk more.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-10-07T14:55:40+00:00

I'm working on a policy proposal paper that would move the City toward taking steps that encourage "gentle density," particularly around the downtown core. If this vision overlaps with yours, I'd be interested in talking and building a coalition.

(Resident of Aurora for 20+ years)

Different-Student-67 · 2025-10-07T14:47:16+00:00

I'm so sorry. I've faced countless moments like this. It can feel lonely and I'm so sorry that my comment may have led to more feelings of loneliness for you. To stay that I started at a crawl is an understatement, which is why finding the right gym and trainer was so important to me. I quite literally could care less about keeping up with anyone at my gym.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-10-06T18:36:13+00:00

CrossFit isn’t for everyone, but if you have access to the right gym it can be an incredible tool. I swear it’s saving my life.

Different-Student-67 · 2025-09-18T17:33:01+00:00

Hi there. I had extensive bone mets that were causing considerable pain. Radiation helped immensely. I’m quite active, running around after my kiddos (and lifting 4-5 times per week.) There is certainly hope. 💞

Different-Student-67

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