Survivor Survey
 

Morning My Girls, just stopping in to tell you how proud I am of you all, and again, every day you fight the fight, YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!! In the mean time, I am asking for you all to send your name, cancer stage, and time in NED. My husband would be very exstatic to have a list of survivor time in remission and your name would be just to send you a thank you. Please my friends, I am begging. Some of you have already written, but we need to start a "List of Survivors".



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Dear Marie,

I was diagnosed in Jan. 2004
Stage 1, no nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR/Her2 positive

lumpectomy, rads, Zoladex & Arimidex
Doing FINE!!!!

Marie, you probably already know all of my story, but here are the quick facts:

1985---Diagnosed with BC , double mastectomy, reconstruction, nothing more

1990---Mets to vertebra, T9 and T10.Tamoxifen, alternative treatments,
including hypnosis.

2004---heart attack ; CT revealed lung mets, now her2. Treated with herceptin, navelbine and femara for 6 months, then just femara and herceptin until ejection fraction was 40. (9 more months).

2005---NED

2006---still NED, had triple bypass

2007---still NED, treating heart failure and cardiomyopathy,Cancer is stage iv
Hope to hold the cancer at bay indefinitely with femara, good diet,
positive thinking, self-hypnosis, and prayer!

Hopes this is helpful in your research. THere are a lot of wonderful survivors on this board! Hugs, TriciaK, St George, Utah

Marie,

My history is in my signature. I've been considered NED since June 8, 2006 the day of my surgery.

Hi Marie,

My info. is in my signature. I, too, have been considered NED since mastectomy July 28, 2005.

Mary Jo

Mt history is in my Siggy as well. I am 2 yrs. NED

Marie, Like the others here have said...my signature has all my info. I have been NED since the date of my surgery which was 1-3-06.

(I just LOVE Tricia K's story. I love to read it when I am feeling a bit down...it ALWAYS picks me up and puts a smile on my face. :) What a aweseome women.)

Chelee

Stage IV survivor
 

Dx stage 2a in 2001. Stage iv in 2005 (Sept)..NED 9 weeks later and still NED.
(18 months)

Jackie

Marie...my details are as follows,
Tricia keegan
Diagnosed June '05 stage 2 grade 1
triple positive ..IDC 3/9 nodes positive.
Also doing fine and hoping for 2 years out in a
few months!!

I Am A Srvivor!
 

"95 dx w/4th stage invasive/infiltrating lobular carcinoma w/2 out of 18 lymph nodes involved. '98 multiple mets in the liver. Her2+ -- 80%. Taxotere Sept '98 thru May '99. Herceptin Nov '98 to present. Wkly '98-'02. Triple dosage every 3 wks '02-present. NED. Just extremely fatigued most days, except when I receive Procrit (and now Aranesp) to boost my flagging red blood cell count -- which has become an issue with Medicare and most insurance cos who don't want to pay for the $7,000 injection for NON CHEMO patients. Herceptin patients receive a monoclonal antibody and have been left in the lurch on this issue, in the last month! I remain positive it will be resolved, but worry that if my dipping red blood counts go unchecked, my health will obviously reflect that. Do I have to become hospitalized before I get help? Who will speak for this small group who have what my doc calls "chemo-induced anemia". Haven't been on "chemo" since '99. All blood tests show no reason for this red blood slippage. 1 shot last 3 mnth usually. But NO shot, leaves me...ANDREA PS PUT "YOUR" NAME ON THE SURVIVOR'S LIST YOU ARE ACCRUING! THINK OF YOURSELF AS A PART OF THAT GROUP. INSIST UPON IT! DAILY! AND DON'T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD FORTUNE WITH EACH NEW DAY... EACH DAY IS A GIFT.

Could set up a poll ...
 

A survivor poll that would ask how many years in remission and their stage.

Would work on it, but no time today. I think it is a worthwhile idea.

You will see by my story at the end of my post that I am over six years since dx and more than 5 years NED on Herceptin, being stage IV. Had extensive liver mets and poor prognosis, but fought really hard with some tough drugs in the mix to achieve a complete response. Like the amazing TriciaK I have used guided imagery in my healing.

Hope these answers help your husband to have a little faith, even though this is a sneaky, pernicious disease.

My best advice - cut out the sugar as cancer feeds on simple sugars.

Cancer Loves Sugar
 

So did I. Chocoholic. But since I heard this pearl of wisdom from several different sources, and found sugar to be a trigger food for the IBS (IRRITABLE BOWEL DISORDER) that came with the Taxotere in '98 and never went away -- I have decided to stay off of sugar. Been sugar-free since '04! Not a single bite even of birthday cake. I consider it poison. So, I' m w/Stephen on this. Amazing story of heroics and determination. Expectation and Intention = End Result, I always say. I was adamant about not giving in to my poor prognosis. SOMEONE has to fall in the Survivors's group. They're the most passionate, positive focused of the lot. THE BRAVEST ARE THOSE WHO HAVE THE CLEAREST VISION OF WHAT IS BEFORE THEM, AND YET, GO OUT TO MEET IT. YOU MUST DO THE THING YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO AND BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER TO ACHIEVE IT! We are each just this side of becoming a miracle! God bless... Please keep us all updated on your findings and ponderings. Networking is a grand way of supporting one another. ANDREA

My story is my signature - except to add - eat right and exercise at least 5 hours per week.

My story is in my signature as well--looking forward to 6 years of survivorship after a poor prognosis in 2001.

My Mom is NED (I picked up that term from this Board)!!
 

Hello everyone

This is for my mom. I wish I had found this board a few months ago. Only came across it recently. The stories shared on this board have been a wonderful.

I finally managed to write down the details of my mom's case to share with everyone. I took a lot of comfort reading +ve news from everyone as we were going thru the last few months.

My mom was diagnosed by my wife when she came to the US to help us with our then unborn baby boy. She diagnosed her the same week we had the baby and it was a week of unbelievable joy mixed with fear/sadness as we soon came to know she was stage 4.

It has been 7 unbelievable months and the baby and grandma are doing well. I realize that we were lucky with her responding so well to Herceptin but I am forever grateful at how strong and supportive my wife has been and how strong my mom has been thru this to get us here. It helps that both of them extremely strong willed and nothing fazes them. I recognize the same strengths in so many of you when I read the messages here. Thank you for being on the board and sharing.

Please drop me a line if you have any questions

/C

my story is on my sig as wel!!

I was dx'd two years ago. All deets in my sig.

Thanks for doing this.

Jen

My story is also in my signature. My oncologist agrees that I have been NED since my surgery 6/14/05.

Hi Ladies,

Add me!

Survivor Survey
 

My story is in my signature PLUS eat tons of veggie and fruit amd almost cero fat

Hi Girls and Marie!
Stage 4 (mets to all 4 lobes of lungs) Diagnosed in April 2004
NED since October 2004
A list like this is just a big bucket full of hope!
Cheers
Kim from CT

my story in my signature
 

HI,

I have also been NED since my mastectomies (Apr '05). My onc recently switched me from tamoxifen to aromasin.

Hi,
I was diagnosed 2/04, stage 3b/4 inflammatory, was given a very poor prognosis (6-12 months) and here I am over 3 years later with last 2 PET scans very good. I have skin mets and am starting on Tykerb/Xeloda. Hope abounds through support, love and God. Love, Vickie

Survivor Survey
 

I was first diagnosed in 1993. One of these days I will get a signature together, and be able to say, my signature says it all. I have had mets to the phleura, nodules on intestines, liver and stomach. Refused second round of chemo until a tumour was pressing on the ureters (2005) and finally agreed to taxotere and herceptin. I had very few side affects from the taxotere and only runny eyes and nose on occation from herceptin. Taxotere took care of tumours and herceptin keeping them small. I asked to have my herceptin treatments every four weeks so I could holiday in Texas. I flew home after four weeks, and drove home today. I have met so many ladies who are moving on to have 'normal' lives in between all the testing, and Dr. appointments. Do you not feel we are on to something with the latest round of treatments? This site is a huge help and it is a place we can get good information. I check in almost daily and I'm amazed at the courage and insight this group has.
Life's a dance,
Diana.

I was diagnosed March, 2006 and had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006, (my husband's birthday. I finished chemo late July, 2006 and I am still receiving herceptin every 3 weeks with little problem other than bad nails and fatigue. My mammogram was clear on March 1, 2007 and I have made it through the first year with NED.

Diagnosed at age 40. IDC 2 tumors

Grade 3 Triple positive. One positive node so staged at IIb.

A/C every three weeks x4 Taxol for 12 weeks--weekly. Just finished 52 weeks of Herceptin last week!
currently on Arimidex/fosomax
Will have first set of scans since diagnosis in May.

I was diagnosed in early April, 2006, had a partial masectomy on April 21, 2006. I was diagnosed with as stage iv with mets to the liver after a petscan. Started chemo (taxotere and carboplatin) and Herceptin on June 15, 2006. I was NED by September and remain NED at this time. My oncologist discontinued chemo in November, 2006, but I am still on Herceptin.

3 year survivor
 

I will be a 3 year survivor in June. I am doing well and still on Hercepting every three weeks. I helps to hear form those who have been around for awhile fighting this disease. Good luck to you.
Judy

Over 2 years NED!
 

Its all in my sig!
________
Hildember.Hot Cam

Add me to the list!
 

Here is my story so far:

Mammo and U.S. for suspicious lump lt. breast-Nov/05 (both neg. for pathology);
Lumpectomy-Dec9/05;
Dx(at age 46): Dec 16/05-Stage IIB IDC, 2.2cm, grade 3, ER+/PR+, Her2+++;
Mastectomy&SNB-Jan 11/06 (2 nodes +);
Axillary Nodes-Feb6 (all 17 neg);
4 rounds AC-began Mar6;
4 roundsTaxol-began June20;
25 Rads-Sept26-Oct31;
Tamoxifen-began Nov5 (for 2-5 yr);
Herceptin-began Nov16 (for 1 yr);
Mammo-Nov/06 (neg. for pathology)
1 year Surviving!

Blessings to all you survivors and your wonderful support!
Karen

Isn't it amazing how everyone's bc is different? I'd like to see "age at diagnosis" in all those sigs! Love to all! -Mindy

My sig is my story, too! Just keep telling the universe that you intend to stick around for a long long time, no questions asked!

Diagnosed 3/04 with IDC
2.2cm tumor with 3 small DCIS
4/18 positive nodes
er/pr/ neg .her2 pos.
partial mastectomy and axillary node dissection
A/C dose dense 4 rounds and 4 of Taxol 1 year herceptin which ended 5/06
last mammo 2/07 showed a few" benign" looking calcification areas near scar tissue. sch. for MRI 6/07
markers fine
NED I think !!!!
3/9/07 marked 3rd year survivor
Carol C

Hi, 10/07 will be two years NED for me. I was diagnosed at 55. My signature gives the info on me.

Blessings and Prayers to all
Linda
S. Mississippi

Diagnosed 1999- 10 out of 17nodes- Left B. Mastectomy
Adriamycin 8 months, taxol 2 months.
Arimedex
2003-3 small lung nodules, also between lungs and left axcilla
xeloda and herceptin
Stopped xeloda and herceptin 6/06
NED until 2/2007-
Recurrence in left axcilla- Surgery to remove. Surgeon said he removed 95%.
Also, tiny nodule in left iliac bone and small lung nodules.
Currently on herceptin, femara and zometa.
Doc is waiting for my next scans and if there is progression, I will start back on xeloda.
Had very good results with xeloda and herceptin together.
Lots of prayer, lots of Masses and positive thinking! God Bless!

Mine is in my signature....
 

Thankful for each minute, each day, each week, each year!!!!!!!!!

It's all below...

This Is Me!

My story
 

Jan/1996 - Diagnosed With Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma Of Left
Breast. Had Modified Radical Mastectomy And Tram Flap
Reconstruction At The Same Time. Was Put On 7 Doses Of
Adriamycine/5-f/cytoxin. In Remission 3 Years.

Jan/1999 - Recurrence In Axila Area On Same Side, Also Mets To Liver.
Several Rounds Of Taxotiere And Had A Stem Cell
Replacement. Started On Herceptin In Dec/1999.

Dec/2001 -recurrence To Liver. Two Tumors.
Stayed On Herceptin. Started Navelbine For Several
Months, Then Gemzar For Several Months, Then
Xeloda.

Sept/2003 - Had Liver Tumors Abalated. In Remission For About 7-8
Months. Tumors Returned By Liver.

July/2004 - Had 1/2 Liver Resected (removed) In Remission For
Another 7-8 Months. Liver Grew Back Clean.

Feb/2005 - Recurrence With A Tumor In Lymph Node Outside Of
Liver. Started On Abraxane For About 7 Months. Was
Put On Taxol/carboplatin. Still On Herceptin Since
1999 (6 1/2 Years)

April/2006 - Second Tumor Pops Up In Same Area. Liver Still Clean.

August/2006 - Started On Trial With Tykerb/xeloda. As Of Last
Scans In April, Am Stable And One Tumor Is Gone And
The Other Has Shrunken Down Some.

So This Is My Story And As You Can See, I Have Survived This For The Last 11 Years And Have Been Fortunate Enough To Have A Good Quality Of Life. Always Keep Your Hopes Up And Keep Your Immune System Strong...and Most Important...live Your Life To The Fullest.

Good Luck To You And Take Care.

This is copied from the IBC page:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon11.gif Seven (plus) years out from Inflammatory; Four 1/2 w/brain mets....


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Jan. '99 Dx'd at age 50. Stage IIIb <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->

My treatment consisted of: Surgery first, followed by 4 rnds of A/C. No rads.




The entire bottom half of my right breast was 'orange peel' - I had an additional two tumors, inside upper (3.8cm) and lower (1.9cm) quandrants, plus 6 nodes positive of 26.

July 2002 - Recurrance two plus yrs. later. Mediastinal nodes/spot on lung and pelvis. Brain mets dx'd just two mos. later.

Focalized rads for 16 brain mets in batches over course of 18 mos. Successful to treated areas.

Navelbine/Herceptin put body in NED after a few months. Stopped all treatment.

Third recurrance of brain mets treated with Xeloda/Temodar responding by shrinkage and stable to all new eight lesions. Still under X/T schedule coming up on two yrs.

Still NED in body, (knock wood) four 1/2 yrs out, with active/stable brain mets.

Feeling amazed and grateful,
yours truly, ;o)
pattyz
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