With much gratitude and appreciation...and not a single joke...an update from Flori~
 

I have been meeting with second and third and fourth opinion doctors over the past few weeks and trying to figure out a treatment plan.

Along the way I realized that since joining this board in April, I have spent about 5-7 hours per week online, on this site, reading;
your posts,
your posted abstracts,
your opinions,
your thoughts and ideas,
your posted studies,
some surveys,
and of course some of that time is spent writing my own stuff.

Basically, I have spent nearly 200 hours here, learning more about breast cancer and treatment than ever before. Considering that I am an 11 year survivor, it is significant to me how much more I have learned from this board than from all the books on my shelf!

AND
In meeting with various doctors, I noticed that I was able to communicate on a better and more efficient level than in the past. I feel that my meetings were more "professional" and that I was treated with more respect than in the past. I was able to better fight Blue Cross (who turned down ALL treatment for me), and prevail this week.

In thinking about these things, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributes here. Especially to Joe and Christine for providing such a wonderful place to connect and learn.

Thursday I will be starting back on Herceptin & Tykerb. I am going with another oncologist - leaving "my guy" of 11 years :( and going with a very aggressive woman oncologist. She's already scheduled me for a Brain MRI, followed by a bone scan when the isotope shortage is over, and thanks to info here, I will have my existing tumor (that is sitting on a shelf doing nothing) re-evaluated for more current information with an IHC from T-Gen. I have an updated supplement plan that includes some mushroom extracts, and some other goodies to bump up my immune system. After all, SOMETHING in my body must be working to allow me to still be here so I am going to do all I can do to support my 50 year old self:) Targeted therapy for a cancer with many targets. And despite the FDA I am going to figure out how to add in AVASTIN and still send my kids to college and put food on everyone's table. Step by step. With Her2support.org as my strongest weapon!
With gratitude and appreciation, ~Flori

Flori - You go girl!! Your new onc. sounds like she is really on top of your situation.

Wishing you continued success with your treatments.

all the best
caya

Thanks Flori for the update. What a wonderful post that was. I feel just like you. I'd be lost without this site and wouldn't know nearly what I know (which isn't muchhttp://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...cons/icon7.gif) without the knowledge from so many at her2support. And, also like you, thank Joe and Christine from the bottom of my heart for making this site available to each of us. God Bless them both.

And now you dear Flori, I pray that the new onc. and new treatment plan will be good to you. I pray God's Peace, His protection to your body from the effects of the drugs but for the drugs to do what they are suppose to do.

You are an 11 year survivor. Simply - AWESOME!

Love & Peace to you Flori,

Mary Jo

Hi Flori, I have to say that your post was such a powerful tribute to all of us here fighting this fight. I agree with you that the information that I have gleaned from this site and all the amazing women and men, that post here is far more valuable than almost anything else that I have learned about breast cancer. I never go to an oncology appointment without a list of questions and information, much of which I have gathered here. I feel like I am taking an active role in my survival and this Support Group is more important than words can convey. I only wish that I was a gazillion-aire so that I could contribute all my money to Joe and Christine for keeping this going! And a HEARTFELT THANKS to all of you, all of us, for every day...a miracle!!!

Flori, You are an inspiration to us all 11 year survivor and still fighting! Never give up that fight, as that is why you are still here. (I detect some stuborness in there, which is a good thing) Praying you have the best of luck with this new onc. Sounds like she knows what she is doing. My onc is a woman and I find her more atuned to my feelings and how I feel my treatment should be handled. May god wrap his healing arms around you and give you an early christmas present (NED). God Bless!

Flori,
I miss the jokes..
You knock the da*ned cancer on its bottom any way you can...your Doc sounds like a someone willing to fight with and for you and THAT sounds like a powerful combo to me!

Marcia

I love how you express your self ....love it w/numbers so clear for me ...you go girl and you have some compromise with us (this site) because you are roll model ..so you need to keep fighting with smart decisions ...with everything ....

Flori, jokes or not, your post still made me smile! You are such a vibrant and special lady and I always look forward to reading ANYTHING you post. You are awesome and have lifted me up so many times with your attitude, love, and yes, your jokes. I hope getting that lazy old tumor off the shelf and into the lab will help reveal some better solutions for you.

Much love
Chris

Flori - you rock. You rock. And you rock. May I also add that you rock. You are my idol (and there are many more on this site whom I feel that way about...But today is Flori day). Need I say more?

Wow...What an endorsement.

Today, members of our group will be arriving in San Antonio to attend the world's formost breast cancer symposium.

The information that we bring back will be added to our growing pool of knowledge to benefit all of those who use these boards.

Flori..I have taken the liberty to print your post and will be showing it to several oncologists and other health care professionals at the meeting.

YOU are the embodiment of Christine's vision when she first decided to create this website. Her mission was to educate a person with bc to the extent that they were no longer a patient but a full partner in their treatment team.

Warmest Regards
Joe

thank you Flori
 

WOW! You said so much in that post and said it so well. Thank you for acknowledging what needed to be acknowledged AND thank you for inspiring us. I'm excited that you have some plans in place and am sending you all the kick a#@ vibes that I can.

Love,
Joy

Joe said Christine's "mission was to educate a person with bc to the extent that they were no longer a patient but a full partner in their treatment team"

Well that sure has come true in you Flori! You are amazing.....inspirational!http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon10.gif

I'm so glad I found this place too!!! All the best with your new plan of action Flori!http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon14.gif

Blessings
Hermiracles

Well Said Flori
 

and I am sure we all echo your words. Thank you for expressing them so well.

You and your onc HAVE A PLAN and it sounds like a good one. You are doing what needs to be done by taking "control" of your health care. I also have Blue Cross Ins. (Blue Options plan) and "so far" they have not denied any of the chemo's for me. Did yours explain why?? I am not quite sure what my onc. has told them but they approved Avastin for me immediately and I was really thinking they would not. GOOD LUCK to
you with your insurance co. Isn't it a pity that we have to struggle so much with these companies to get something that we need so desparetly.

JOE - BRING US ALL BACK SOME GOOD NEWS ON YOUR RETURN.
I WISH I COULD HAVE JOINED THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE GOING
TO SAN ANTONIO THIS YEAR.

Flori - keep us posted on your scans and have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY.

YOU ROCK MY FRIEND......

An aggressive oncologist and a knowledgable warrior patient are a wonderful combination. May your next 11 years be great ones, and may your life just keep getting better after that.

Flori,

What an inspiration you are! What you say is so true and said in a way that we all relate to. I'm glad you found on oncologist that you feel good about -- must have been a very difficult decision to switch after being with the same oncologist for 11 years. I admire you and pray that you have another 11 years to celebrate!

I concur
 

I too, have a new oncologist, and with the knowledge I have attained from the website and my own snooping on the internet, we have intgelligent, and informed discussions about "My" cancer. She listen's to me and vice versa. We are in this fight together!
Stay the course Flori, and know you are never alone.
Happy Holidays,
Emelie

Wow, Flori, your post brought tears to my eyes. You've put into words what I feel each time I visit this group, and your spirit exemplafies what this group is all about.
Together, we are all that much stronger!

<3 Lolly

Beautiful Post Flori...
 

Your post teared me up and without tearing YOU up I must say again to you that "You are one of my greatest heros, and although that list is very long, each hero in my life all provide me with different things that add up to making me complete!! I love you, I admire your honesty with your feelings and I take pride knowing that YOU are there for Ed and myself. To be honest, my husband and I are honored to have such people in our lives and on this journey. Flori you are a lifeforce in itself; your spirit conquers and regains, you fall back and you get right up with fortitude, determination and strength. You are every woman Sweetheart!! (I love that poem)".

Dear Flori you are a Warrior, a Conqueror, a great inspiration. So go grab your weapons and assume the position. This is war and that cancer has no idea who they are fighting against. Show 'em how it is done Girl!! Prayers and much respect>>Believe51

Oh Yes Lolly...