One decade...
Ten years...that's what today is.
Ten years ago, on this date I was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer at 33 years old, and life took a severe, mind-boggling turn. Who would have ever guessed, especially after failing my first treatment combo. So now, after 200+ infusions, 12 different combos of every available standard of care drugs, 3 clinicial trials, 2 encounters with brain mets, and countless scans over the past 10 years, bald 4 times, I am amazed by the resilience of this human body. What these black & white details don't illustrate is the full life that I continue to lead, not without many challenges & compromises due to this disease, along with the typical bumps life offers. Thank you for being a part of it all. Thank you for being among the better parts of it all. Keep the Faith~ Jessica Dx-5/17/02 - 33 yo; Stage IV - L IDC w/single liver met 1) Herceptin + Navelbine x 8 weeks - No response; progress to innumerable,immeasureable liver mets 2) ISIS 2504 + Herceptin - 6 mos, partial response 3) Taxol + Herceptin x 13 weeks to NED! NED for 1 year 9/04 - Single liver lesion recurrence Taxol + Herceptin - on/off to beat back lesion 12/05 - R Hepatectomy; Liver NED until 2009 3/06- Local recurrence - Left breast, IDC & DCIS, but holding treatment while continue to heal from Hepatectomy. 12/06 - L mastectomy + reconstruction through 8/07 10/07 - Recurrence - supraclav nodes 4) Gemzar + Herceptin - on/off controlling nodes thru 9/08 - 7wks Rads to supraclav nodes 10/08 - Acute Renal Failure - nodes in belly stricturing kidneys. placed permanent ureteral stents Back on Gemzar + Herceptin, but no longer responding. 5) 05/09 - Tykerb + Xeloda - partial response x 5 mos 6) 10/09 - Xeloda + Herceptin - no response, disease progresses 7) 2/10- Ixempra + Herceptin - partial response x 12 wks. Discovered single brain lesion x 4mm & liver lesions growing while screening for TDM1 + PI3Kinase study. 6/10 - Novalis to treat brain met - SUCCESSFUL! 8) 6/10 - Chemo-embo w/Adriamyacin to de-bulk liver lesion. 9) 8/10 - Screened & Started TDM1 EAP Immediate response, disease in belly responds dramatically. 2/11- questionable progression of lung nodules Discontinue TDM1 10) 3/11 - PI3Kinase + Herceptin - intial good response in 1st 6 weeks but LFT's elevated. 11) 7/11-Discontinue PI3Kinase + Herceptin study; Disease progression - 2 small lesions in colon – docs have never seen this before in BC 11) 8/11 –Start new combo Halaven+Herceptin 10/14/11 -Completed 3 cycles (9 wks)Halaven+Herceptin... 10/18/11 - Scanxiety time -1st scans since starting this regimen Good interval response, continue on H+H! 10/25/11 – new 2mm questionable spot in brain? Due to Novalis or new disease? Re-scan in 8 weeks. 1/3/12- Disease progression; 50%increase size & SUV-R lung, middle lobe 6cm lesion. R supraclav node multiple, miscellaneous nodes in belly. Colon lesions fired up. 12)Herceptin+ metronomic Cytoxan + Methotrexate. …on a hope & a prayer. Only chemo I haven’t been on is Taxotere. Hurry up Pertuzumab & TDM1! Follow Up Brain Scan on 1/18/12…pleasepleaseplease be okay. I can’t take much more. 1/18/2012- 8 new spots in 8 weeks since last Brain MRI one 2cm spot in brain stem, one 2cm spot in R temporal lobe. No symptoms, THANK GOD! 1/25/12 – Start WBR x 15 rounds 2/10/12 – Oral Cytoxan WORKING! Melted supraclav node & undetectable by US! 2/14/12 – FINISH 15 rounds WBR;) |
Re: One decade...
Congratulations! You are truly an inspiration and I am so VERY proud of you! :) GO GET EM'!
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Re: One decade...
jessica, You give me hope. Once the brain buggers keep away, we have a good chance! Best wishes.
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Re: One decade...
Congrats! Reading your treatment history gives me hope as a fellow stage IV patient. Here's to another 10~
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Re: One decade...
Jessica - thank you and congratulations. You are a real warrior!
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Re: One decade...
Well done Jessica.You bring much hope.
Ellie |
Re: One decade...
Wow !! What a wonder woman you are !! Keep up the good work !!
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Re: One decade...
jessica,
some mighty impressive stats my friend! Your post brought tears to my eyes. I didn't realize that in addition to all the other remarkable things about you, that you were psychic as well. How did you know I so needed to read this post today??? Thanks Jessica, keep the fire... chris |
Re: One decade...
You are amazing!
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Re: One decade...
That is awesome. I love reading these stories :)
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Re: One decade...
Jessica-
Congrats! I continue to be in awe and so uplifted by the sheer magnitude of what you have faced and conquered... 10 years- wow :) Love and blessings to you... |
Re: One decade...
You are my hero!
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Re: One decade...
You are the true meaning of "Survivor"!!!!!
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Re: One decade...
Big congrats to you Jessica!! Another Warrior Woman!
all the best caya |
Re: One decade...
Jessica,
Thanks for sharing! So thankful for the 10 years you have had and wishing you so many more, and great years at that! |
Re: One decade...
Wow! Thank you and congratulations. You give so much hope to many of us!
Sending love. |
Re: One decade...
Jessica,
Wow, what an amazing person you are! And what a roller coaster! I especially appreciate you pointing out you've been living with it, not letting it define you. |
Re: One decade...
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing! Love your inspiring story and spirit!
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Re: One decade...
Thank you! As a newbie here, this is great news to hear.
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Re: One decade...
Simply amazing!! Thank you got inspiring us. You will continue defying the odds. And here's to many decades more!
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