HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - To ALL

StephN · 11-21-2009, 12:03 AM

Yes, we are here to support those who ALREADY have breast cancer. With all due respect that is normally what takes place in these forums.

Our shared disease is much tougher than the normal DCIS that may grow slowly. OUR brand of this disease needs to be taken seriously and kept in the equation of any health care reforms. It strikes at any age.

How can we have a voice if we are reduced to numbers from papers/studies written before Herceptin and other new drugs are factored in??

Our brand of breast cancer is inherently more expensive to treat at the outset. How do we ensure that those coming behind will get the same or better treatment as we had?

11-21-2009, 12:03 AM	#9
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: To ALL - Please Remember Our Focus Yes, we are here to support those who ALREADY have breast cancer. With all due respect that is normally what takes place in these forums. Our shared disease is much tougher than the normal DCIS that may grow slowly. OUR brand of this disease needs to be taken seriously and kept in the equation of any health care reforms. It strikes at any age. How can we have a voice if we are reduced to numbers from papers/studies written before Herceptin and other new drugs are factored in?? Our brand of breast cancer is inherently more expensive to treat at the outset. How do we ensure that those coming behind will get the same or better treatment as we had? __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.