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Midwest Alice · 02-07-2009, 03:18 PM

Hi Everyone,
I flew out ahead of an ice storm here in the Midwest and spend 9 days at M D Anderson in Texas. Here is a up date.

I saw Dr. Cristofanilli who specializes in Inflammatory Breast Cancer
at MD Anderson He is the head of the first IBC clinic in the world.

I received good news from my PET,BONE SCAN,CHEST X-RAY AND
BLOOD WORK. 40% of IBC patients have metastasized at
the time of diagnosis. We had figured mine was in my spine. The bone scan
confirmed treated mets in the spine. I am NED So my treatments are working on the cancer and I have
no active cancer in my body.

I will continue to see my onc in town and will continue every
three weeks injections of Herceptin for an unknown length of time (years)
and now they will add Zometa to strengthen my bones. My onc is awesome. In Oct. when my heart ejection fraction
dropped too low to continue Herceptin he put me on a heart drug to bring it
up. I will be working on bring up my heart score (muga) by
exercising and making sure my cpap in working correctly.

I will be back at MD Anderson in April for a brain MRI. This type of cancer
has shown a trend to metastasize to the brain without symptoms at about a
year out. Herceptin doesn't cross the blood brain barrier so we will take a
look and go after them if they are there.

My friend Karen traveled here with me. She is a retired nurse so she
likes hospitals and this place is amazing. She has been great support for me
and we have found out we are well suited traveling partners. We are talking
about taking a trip out west or to the Holy Land.

I have much to be thankful for and continue to be amazed by Gods plan for
me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to
man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you
can stand up under it."

Thanks to everyone for your posting. I learn so much for all of you. We are such a supporting group. And a big hug and thanks to Vickie H. for your strength and the love you have showered on me.

Keeping the faith,

02-07-2009, 03:18 PM	#10
Midwest Alice Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 455	Hi Everyone, I flew out ahead of an ice storm here in the Midwest and spend 9 days at M D Anderson in Texas. Here is a up date. I saw Dr. Cristofanilli who specializes in Inflammatory Breast Cancer at MD Anderson He is the head of the first IBC clinic in the world. I received good news from my PET,BONE SCAN,CHEST X-RAY AND BLOOD WORK. 40% of IBC patients have metastasized at the time of diagnosis. We had figured mine was in my spine. The bone scan confirmed treated mets in the spine. I am NED So my treatments are working on the cancer and I have no active cancer in my body. I will continue to see my onc in town and will continue every three weeks injections of Herceptin for an unknown length of time (years) and now they will add Zometa to strengthen my bones. My onc is awesome. In Oct. when my heart ejection fraction dropped too low to continue Herceptin he put me on a heart drug to bring it up. I will be working on bring up my heart score (muga) by exercising and making sure my cpap in working correctly. I will be back at MD Anderson in April for a brain MRI. This type of cancer has shown a trend to metastasize to the brain without symptoms at about a year out. Herceptin doesn't cross the blood brain barrier so we will take a look and go after them if they are there. My friend Karen traveled here with me. She is a retired nurse so she likes hospitals and this place is amazing. She has been great support for me and we have found out we are well suited traveling partners. We are talking about taking a trip out west or to the Holy Land. I have much to be thankful for and continue to be amazed by Gods plan for me. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Thanks to everyone for your posting. I learn so much for all of you. We are such a supporting group. And a big hug and thanks to Vickie H. for your strength and the love you have showered on me. Keeping the faith, __________________ Alice 04/08 age 50 III IBC Her2+++ ER/PR-8cm 14/14 Double M, Body and Brain CT/PET clear, ? on spine,Muga 53 06/08, 4 A/C, Neulasta 08/08, Herceptin/tax 12 every week 10/08, CT/PET clear, ? on pelvis, hips, MUGA 43, started Enalaprial for heart, Herceptin every 3 weeks 11/08 33Rads; 12/08 MUGA 48 2/09 MRI spine and bone scan, old mets to spine, Chest x-ray, blood work, IV NED,regular CPAP use,Zometa x6, first -flue like symptoms 2 days;Herceptin x3; stage 2 lymphoedema..sleeve and glove 4/09 Brain MRI - CLEAR; MUGA 54 7/09 chest ultrasound, 10/09 PET, brain and spin MRI NED Herceptin only. MUGA 59!!! 1/11 Hip replacement 7/11 Hip 2 replacement 4/12 4 years!! Herceptin 6/12 start reconstruction finish in 12/12 2/14 Herception - 6 years!!! 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."