[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

10 YEAR BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR
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Jan. 1996 - diag. with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma to left breast. Had
modified ratical mastetomy with immediate tram flap
reconstruction. Was on Adriamycin/Cytoxin/5FU

Jan. 1999 - Recurrence to auxilla on left side and also met. to liver.
Treated with 2 rounds of Taxol and had a stem cell replacement
with very high dose chemo. In hospital 30 days during
transplant. Found out at this time that I was Her2 possitive
and started on Herceptin in Dec. 1999

Jan/Feb 2001 - recurrence again in liver - 1 tumor.
Treated with Navelbine/Herceptin - 8 months
Gemzar/Herceptin - 8 months
Xeloda/Herceptin - 8 months
tumor never completely destroyed.

Sept. 2003 - Had Radio Frequency Abalation to liver for tumor.
Tumor returned around 8 months later

July 2004 - Decided to try resection of liver. Surgeon removed
half of my liver and along with it the tumor.
Liver has grown back nicely and so far no tumors in
the liver.

Feb. 2005 - Recurrence to lymph node behind head of pancreas
Treated with Abraxane for 8 months when rescanned
and showed another small tumor next to the first lymph
node. Was taken off of the Herceptin when started
Abraxane.

April 2006 - Just took my first treatment of TAXOL/CARBOPLATIN/HERCEPTIN

Well ladies, that's my story and I guess I'm sticking to it (and not because
I want to) haha . It's been a long road but I can say that I have been enjoying my life to the fullest and plan to continue. So as you can see, cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Keep fighting and learning as much as you can about this disease and one day hopefully there WILL be a cure.

I will be making the BREAST CANCER 3-DAY WALK HERE IN TAMPA FOR ALL OF US.

Take care