Life expectancy

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to how much time I have left?  

Diagnosed 2004 with stage III disease (multifocal, ER+/PR+, HER2-, grade 2).  Treatment included bilateral mastectomy, dose-dense ACT, and radiation, followed by Tamoxifen.  Mets to supraclavicular lymph nodes only in 2009 while on Tamoxifen.  Disease is now ER+/PR-.  Following 6 rounds of taxotere, I am in complete remission.  Currently taking Femara.

Any input is appreciated.  Thanks!  

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear enjoyful, It is impossible to answer your question.  No one knows how long someone will live.  You state that you are now in complete remission, hopefully that will continue for a long time - we wish you the best.

[soblest]

Since we have a similar hx and tx, I wanted to respond.  Drs dont like to give us life expectancy answers, do they?  We know they are right when they say it is all relative, it all depends on so-and-so, etc etc. but we still want a statistically based ball-park figure, right? I want to hear things like "You have a 70% chance of recurrence within 3-5 years," or "56% of those who have a similar recurrence will die within the following 2 years." (I made those figures up, btw, they dont apply).

My mom was diagnosed in 1990 at age 54, stage 2, adriamycin only.  No tomoxifen initially, but took it after about a year as part of trial.  Recurrence to CONTRAlateral supraclavicular nodes 3 years later. (Fall 1993).  Mets to lungs June 94, died May 95 at age 59.

It does not apply to you and me. We have had different treatment plans, different scenarios.  My mom;s mass was tiny, tiny, and 4 nodes were positive. Mine was 2 cm (after it had already been biopsied, on initial ultrasound it was closer to 3cm) and I had 11 nodes positive.  ER+/PR+, and I had 5FU, cytoxan, and epirubicin, followed by 3 doses of taxotere.  I had supraclavicular beam of radiation as well as chest wall beam.  I had my ovaries removed so I could be classified postmenopausal and start Femara.  I was dianosed 2 years ago, stage 3, at age 41, no signs of recurrance.

I dont believe it matters much HOW LONG I will live, although I REALLY want to see my 6 year old graduate high school, see my daughters have babies, and all that.  I just know I am gonna cram as much living as possible into what time I have, whether its 6 days or 30 years.  I Pray that you stay in remission, and that you have many many more happy healthy years.

"Chemo *****, thank God for chemo..."

[katarina777]

Good answer, soblest! (since you cannot expect to hear back from the people who ask questions?)