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Cannon · 03-13-2013, 07:29 PM

Hi everyone, newbies and long-timers alike, and best wishes to all. I last checked in last year when I was diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy - since then, I have seen more reports about long term cardiac herceptin effects. Bummer. Another happy little thing - early cataracts - no need for surgery yet, but 10-20 years early due to chemo. As I like to say, though, glad I'm here to have these problems.

Latest is my first abnormal TM level since treatment - my CEA was 0.9 in 11/12, and was 3.0 last week (norm 0-2.5 for non smokers). I know 3.0 is not HIGH, but like I said, I've never had an abnormal reading before. We're re-running the test, and I know from reading here that TMs are very individual in their predictive-ness for recurrence, but what can you tell me? Thanks for any input.

Rebecca
aka

03-13-2013, 07:29 PM	#1
Cannon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 203	Checking In and CEA Q Hi everyone, newbies and long-timers alike, and best wishes to all. I last checked in last year when I was diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy - since then, I have seen more reports about long term cardiac herceptin effects. Bummer. Another happy little thing - early cataracts - no need for surgery yet, but 10-20 years early due to chemo. As I like to say, though, glad I'm here to have these problems. Latest is my first abnormal TM level since treatment - my CEA was 0.9 in 11/12, and was 3.0 last week (norm 0-2.5 for non smokers). I know 3.0 is not HIGH, but like I said, I've never had an abnormal reading before. We're re-running the test, and I know from reading here that TMs are very individual in their predictive-ness for recurrence, but what can you tell me? Thanks for any input. Rebecca aka __________________ Dx 8/06 Age 43 Stage IIIA multifocal throughout breast, largest tumor 5 cm, grade 3, comedo, ER+PR+HER+++ Neoadjuvant A/C 4X Dose Dense 11/06 Bilateral Mastectomy (no choice on the right, my choice on the left) Taxol+Herceptin weekly x12, continuing with Herceptin, finished one year in 12/07 33 Rads Femara for 5+ years, staying on (started with Arimidex, switched after about a month, much happier) Abnormal brain MRI shows no cancer, but "extensive white matter diease" - unknown cause BRCA negative - lots of cancer in my family survivor of thyroid cancer also have Crohn's disease CT and bone scan say NED as of 5/13 dx with severe cardiomyopathy 5/12 (likely due to chemo and Herceptin), ejection fraction in low 20's, now up to 40, went to 50, latest read 12/13 is back down to 35 1/13 Acute pancreatitis - are you kidding me? 9/13 started Humira for Crohn's. starting to have some energy again B12 and Vit D both needed supplementation Cataracts in both eyes noted 6/12 - surgery in the next 2-4 years? 4/14 Kidney stones/blockage/infection - related to Crohn's Disease 5/14 My aunt passed away - she was diagnosed after I was with Stage I - not Her2+, then Stage 4 for about one year 6/14 Scans - still NED, thank God. However, broken rib (I didn't notice) lots of bone degeneration osteopenia/osteoporosis. I also still have cardiomyopathy secondary to chemo.