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Old 10-10-2017, 01:18 PM   #3
Joan M
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
Re: Decisions, decisions

Thanks, Tracy. I know of another women being treated at Fred Hutch in Seattle, where they tried to put a port back in at the same location but it didn't work. She had to have it inserted on the other side. But it's good to know that it could work. And thanks for the tip about a potentially "squeamish" surgeon, which is what I could expect.

My onc said that the port is usually placed on side opposite the surgery side, which is where my port was. I have another appointment with him in two weeks to discuss further.

I wish that I had a secret! I used local procedures along with systemic therapy from the get-go, and perhaps that's part of it, as well as maybe my own immune system. I thing we wish we all knew what makes each of us tick with MBC.

Joan <3
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Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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