Great news Steph. You have been such a wonderfull role model for me these past 3 1/2 years. I never thought I would live 6 months with mets, but you and many like you have proven we can live a quality of life whether we are NED, stable or in active disease. Thankyou and praying NED never leaves your side. Lu Ann

Five years and going strong
 

Dear Steph,

From one "5" to another, a toast to your continuing good health, with plenty of resveratrol! I'm hoping you are listening to NPR today (a very interesting segment on wine production in Bordeaux in regard to global warming), and another discussion later today on All Things Considered, so tune in if you get the chance...

As always,

AlaskaAngel

Congrats Steph on your 5 years of NED - You are a true inspiration for us all, especially we newly diagnosed gals looking for hope -
all the best, and may you continue your dance with NED for many years to come.

caya

Hi Steph, i'm so happy your doing good!!!!! I miss talking with you, i know everyone is so busy, living i guess!

Steph, that is so good to hear! I take hope from your friend also, as I am one who continues to battle "small" mets, that one day I will be NED again.
So glad your dad is improving, even though slowly, as that is so much better than the alternative.

<3 Lolly

Steph,

So good to hear a trifecta of good news- counting in your dad here too!

I wish you continued good health and happiness,
Margerie

Thank Goodness
 

Many women and a very wonderful man, LOL..have recently been told that the cancer has spread to brain, liver, lungs. As the person who owns that wonderful man, LOL (sorry, this post is making me silly with joy) I NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT WE NEEDED TO HEAR THIS POST!!!

Not only is my husband and myself so elated for you, but WE NEEDED THAT!! Thanks for keeping us posted with your journey, it gives us hope and peace to see that this does happen. Maybe next time it will be another person we love. Each NED case proves that this beast can be tamed and that we have just as well as a shot to meet NED as the others we love that experience it.

Thanks for loving us enough to post both good and bad about your journey, especially because I do go over my friends journeys in my mind when I pay tribute to them or pray.

Looks like our prayers are working!!

Waiting For A Miracle...and commanding one soon!!>>Believe51

Congratulations Steph! It makes me happy to hear good news like yours. I will share my story to encourage others with brain mets as I have been doing well also.

It has been 2 years since I was treated for brain mets and I am still NED. It has been 8 years since my original diagnosis. As you read this story please note that I have been having a normal life, except for my initial treatment in 1999 when I needed help with my three children (at the time ages 1, 4, 7).

1999 - At age 39, I was diagnose with breast cancer: 5 tumors in right breast, 20/36 nodes involved, ER+/PR-, Her2+++. I had a modifed radical mastectomy followed by high doses of Adriamycin then Taxol, then Cytoxin (this was a reasearch study). Then a month later radiation for 25 days. Finally I was put on tamoxifen and declared NED for about 2.5 years,

2002 - Tumor markers started going up and tiny bone mets showed up after that. I switched to Aromasin and Zoladex and continued on that for about a year with a very slow progression of the cancer.

2004 - With my ca 27-29 in the 400's and my cea something like 36 and a tiny spot on my liver and maybe my lung, I switched to Herceptin and Navelbine weekly, Zometa every three weeks. In about 6 months, tumor marker were normal, scans looked great. Continued this combo. for 6 more months.

2005 - Cut back to Herceptin/Navelbine every 3 weeks/zometa quarterly.

2005 - Brain mets arrive. One 2.9 cm and two more tiny ones. My symptom was weird visual disturbances. WBR for 21 days while continuing Herceptin/Navelbine. Three months later Stereotactic radiosurgery (same idea as cyberknife) on the remnants of the big tumor.

2007 - Still NED in body and brain. I continue getting Herceptin every three weeks. I get MRIs of my brain ever 3 months, ct scans lungs and pelvis every 4 months along with muga and bone scans. TOMORROW 8/9/07 I get my next brain scan. Wish me luck!

I.V.W.

Dear I.V.W. - thanks for your story
 

This is EXACTLY what I was hoping for when I made my post. That more success stories would emerge either from some "lurkers" or new eyes to this board. We know there are more like us out there and by the responses to my post, it does so much good for those either just newly diagnosed or battling with mets.

Those down days can come too often for those in active treatment and these success stories can provide a so much needed lift. Even those of us cuddling with NED have our moments of doubt or wondering when the next met will rear its ugly head. It is a hard yolk to carry no matter what stage we are. Heavier some days than others.

I finally had time to book with my massage therapist for a visit today. Had not seen her in a few months. She also worked over the scar tissue that has developed from my lumpectomy and rads. Those changes have been going on for a while, but the thickening and stiffening of the tissue was getting uncomfortable.

THE BEST NEWS. While writing this post my Mom called. She said that the therapists got Dad on his feet and standing on his own today! This is the first time since early MARCH! Prayers along with some hard work are finally paying off.

WOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

So happy for you and your dad Steph. The viking marches on..........

Love it!
 

Stef,
Love your beautiful news....so happy for you and also happy your father
is doing well also even if it is ever so slow...would you share the product
information on which brand of Olive Oil you are using? I am most curious
and also your diet routine on the Omega 3 6 and 9...I take Omega and of course use Olive Oil but I would love to know your model....esp. since you
are having such wonderful results.

Wishing you continued NED....so inspired by you.
God Bless,
Jean