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-   -   19 years and still going strong (https://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=38550)

asahizuru 03-22-2009 08:30 AM

19 years and still going strong
 
This is my first time of posting so I am hoping there isn't a limit on words!

I was dx back in 1990 at the age of 45. On an examination with my GP 'cos I was on HRT she noticed a mass on my left breast that I was totally unaware of. I had a mammogram - the mass was 5cm and malignant (IDC Stage 3). ER/PR (-). Back as far as 1990 there was little information so we tended not to ask too many questions. I had 6 rounds of MMM chemo (mitomycin, methotrexate, mitozantrone) and responded very well to it - the tumour shrunk with the first round. I then had 35 sessions of radiotherapy and at the end the tumour was no longer visible. Back then there was no surgery if the tumour was not visible any longer.

I was fine for 5 years, but noticed then the same breast was changing. This was obvious to me but sadly not so obvious to the oncologist and from my first seeking advice to dx was 14 very hard weeks. I had a mastectomy (ILC) but on the advice of the surgeon did not have the lymph nodes removed because there would be a high risk of lymphodema. 6mths later on a regular check I had small red bite-like spots. Fortunately my surgeon recognised them immediately as a recurrence and did 3 biopsies on the area. They needed to remove all the tissue covering that side of the chest wall and patch it with a large area from my stomach. The surgery went well, and I had 6 rounds of ECF (epirubicin, carboplatin & fluorouracil). The side effects weren't nice - but that's nothing new to most.

Again I lasted another 2 years until 1999 without incident then about 6 weeks after a clear mammogram I found a large lump in my right breast so had mastectomy and full node clearance (ILC & at all levels in lymph). The tumour was 7cm and growing fast. I had 8 rounds of taxotere (not usually given in UK for primary bc). Hospitalised once with neutropenic fever I did not enjoy my time on taxotere and often felt I wanted to give up. This was followed by 30 sessions of radiotherapy).

In 2002 I found numerous lymph nodes around my neck, jawline and collarbone. My onc adopted a wait and see attitude as I had used a lot of chemo options. Towards the end of 2002 I got sciatica in my leg and couldnt put any weight on it without awful pain so scans were the order of the day. I was found to have extensive bone mets in my skull, all areas of spine, collarbone, pelvis & hips. I started on pamidronate and xeloda but had to come off xeloda after 3 rounds as it wasnt working, and put onto Navelbine. This shrunk the lymph nodes, but after a few weeks they returned again. At that point my onc checked out the stored tissue from previous ops and it had been noted that I was her2+++ and haven't looked back since. The bone mets are stable, the swollen lymph nodes have behaved. It is thought that all my problems were down to her2 so I have been really thankful for herceptin and am starting my 6th year on it.

I have passed many milestones for which I am so thankful. Seeing my kids graduate, our 40th wedding anniversary, and becoming a senior citizen!

I look forward to getting to know some of you, and hope you find my story encouraging.

Asahizuru.

Ellie F 03-22-2009 08:48 AM

What an inspiring story! Hope you don't mind me saying but even more so as like me you were treated in England. It seems like you had a committed oncologist who was prepared to keep trying.I think your story and that of other women on the board demonstrate that dire prognoses are not always true! I think you also captured that though not 'cured' you can still live a good and happy life. Praying that I am as blessed as you.Love Ellie

ElaineM 03-22-2009 11:41 AM

19 years and still going
 
You are a great role model !! You certainly have the never give up attitude. That is great !! Congratulations and many more years of life on this planet to you !!

Laurel 03-22-2009 06:01 PM

Inspiring? Well, I'll say your story is INSPIRING! Thank you so much for posting. You story will help anyone who is wondering whether to try another protocol or to give up to chose treatment and LIFE. I am so happy you have fought on, and I thank you for posting your story.

donalddonald 03-22-2009 09:16 PM

your story is great! and YOU ARE GREAT TOO!

Believe51 03-23-2009 12:14 PM

Very encouraging and I want to thank you for that. I want to welcome you to our wonderful family. Cannot wait to get to know you better too. Long journey with lots of milestones, I like it. Good for you.>>Believe51

lexigirl 03-24-2009 12:26 PM

Wow! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with us. You have been through so much but I can tell from your post that your spirit is great! I am so happy that you continue to do well!

Lexi

Shobha 03-30-2009 08:32 AM

Thank you so much for sharing such an inspiring story! It really is something to read how much you have gone through and how positive and brave you have been through all of it!

You give me so much hope!

May you be blessed with many many more anniversaries!

love,
shobha

Jean 03-31-2009 07:32 PM

You are amazing! Just simply amazing....
Thank you for sharing your story, as it will show many to never give up....and I am so thankful that herceptin has entered our lives!

I send you strong hugs to a very strong Lady!
Jean

Jackie07 04-01-2009 04:20 PM

That is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I've got 19 years also counting my first brain surgery :) Let's keep going.

ps. I am very thankful to read your posting just 1 day after my '3rd' breast cancer surgery (a biopsy). Thanks.

Trish 03-10-2011 11:20 PM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Thank you so much for sharing your story it certainly has given me encouragement. I look forward to hearing more from you,
Trish

asahizuru 03-11-2011 05:09 AM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Hi ArojelaGeop,

Sorry but I don't understand your post. Have you posted it in the wrong place?

Trish,

Thank you so much for your reply, and to all you others who have responded. I can't believe it is a whole year since I was on here. I am so busy on the UK board I admin, and it was getting a post from Trish that brought me back to say hi. Trish reading your bio it sounds like you have had a real tough time - I thought I had a lot of chemos but you have had so much - doesn't look like you ever got a break! I found that once I was put on herceptin I haven't so far needed any further chemos.

I am still here :) LOL. The pain has become an increasing problem and they discovered last year that it was not my bone mets (hips or spine) that were causing the problem. The latest MRI scan showed I had a soft tumour growing alongside my lumbar spine! wrapping itself around the nerves that exit there. I had 5 shots of rads to the area in the hope of controlling the tumour and subsequent mri have shown it has not grown any further but as it is almost a year since that I will be asking for a further mri. Love to you all xxx

asahizuru

schoolteacher 03-11-2011 06:51 AM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Thank you for letting sharing with us.

Amelia

Morgan 03-11-2011 07:15 AM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Hi, asahizuru

good to see that you are "still here" :-)

I'm from the UK and am just wondering what site you admin?

Thanks
Morgan

asahizuru 03-11-2011 10:00 AM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
will pm you morgan.

Jackie07 03-25-2011 10:09 PM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Asahizuru:

Congrats to you on your 21st (?) anniversary.

Trish 03-25-2011 11:26 PM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Thanks Asahizuru. I'm hoping to have a chemo break for a while but staying on Herceptin, Abraxane and adding an anti hormonal.I hope things stay stable for you.
Trish

fisch 03-30-2011 08:31 AM

Re: 19 years and still going strong
 
Hi! I'm grateful to you for posting...I too am new to this site, and so happy I found it.

I was diagnosed in 2000 (age 39) with a 2.5 cm infiltrating ductal ca with 3/10 positive lymph nodes... ER-/PR "slightly" +, and HER2 +++. Left mastectomy, and the the AC/Taxotere process; however, Herceptin wasn't available at the time...I did undergo a right mastectomy as well as the surgeon was concerned about the risk of recurrence.

I've recently (over the last couple weeks) been experiencing pain in my thigh(s), and left hip...intermittent, but still nawing. I have an appointment with the oncologist next week...

Looking so forward to continuing to read inspiring posts such as yours...


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