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'!

Re: One decade...
 

jessica, You give me hope. Once the brain buggers keep away, we have a good chance! Best wishes.

Re: One decade...
 

Congrats! Reading your treatment history gives me hope as a fellow stage IV patient. Here's to another 10~

Re: One decade...
 

Jessica - thank you and congratulations. You are a real warrior!

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 !!

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!

Re: One decade...
 

That is awesome. I love reading these stories :)

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!

Re: One decade...
 

You are the true meaning of "Survivor"!!!!!

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!

Re: One decade...
 

Thank you! As a newbie here, this is great news to hear.

Re: One decade...
 

Simply amazing!! Thank you got inspiring us. You will continue defying the odds. And here's to many decades more!