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What I do
I'm 42, diagnosed in Nov 2004, upgraded to IIIC in Nov 2005 and then IV in May 2006 with lung mets. I live in Tokyo where I used to work for a Japanesee company importing U.S. and European radar technology and electronics for sales in Japan. After marrying 13 years ago I quit my office job and have been teaching English at my husband's language school 3 days a week and doing some freelance translating and editing jobs while keeping up with the PTA and other various neighborhood associations. We have 3 daughters, 13, 12 and 9, and a son who is 7. I just started weekly Herceptin this month and may add Navelbine to the treatments next month. I'm thinking of asking my former boss if I can work for him again as I'll need lots and lots of money to cover the Herceptin bills which are 29,000 yen per week (Actually 96,700 yen a week, but I only have to pay 30 percent). It makes me a little angry because I'm on the Herceptin to extend my life so I can be here for my kids, but I may never see them because I have to work so hard and long to pay for the treatments. Sigh.
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Kathy S in Tokyo (44)
11/2004 partial masectomy (clear margins) - ER/PR++ HER+++
12/2004 Tamoxifen
11/2005 Clavicle & neck lymph nodes mets
30 Days rads, 7 months CEF-T Chemo
6/2006 mid chemo lung mets oral toremifene
10/2006 changed hospitals
12/2006 Tamoxifen and monthly Zoladex
2/2007 Dramatic growth of mets! Stopped Tamoxifen and Zoladex
3/2007 Began weekly Herceptin
6/2007 Added weekly Taxol to regime
4/2008 More lung mets - stopped Taxol
5/2008 Xeloda - 3 weeks on 1 week off
8/2008 Got a port!
9/2008 Stopped Xeloda, started weekly Navelbine
12/2008 Tumor progression, stopped Navelbine
1/2009 Taxotere begins again, once in every three weekly Herceptin IVs
3/2009 Added Zometa pelvic bone met, lung tumors progressing, stopped Taxotere/Herceptin
4/10/2009 Whoa seizure! 6cm&3cm brain mets. craniotomy and gamma knife surgery 5/15/2009 Started Adria/Cyto stopped 9/15 due to progession. Brain mets back 10/28 surgery more gamma soon
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