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A Bittersweet Day / Treatment #2
It was a bittersweet day today for me, going to Chicago for Treatment #2...just Taxol today, I am just coming out of my drug high...the benedryl / decadron kicks my but. My scalp is tingling all over...could be my hair ready to take the jump. GOOD NEWS, THE NODES ARE SHRINKING ALREADY!!!!
The most pleasant surprise when I met up with Donna D from Crystal Lake (and her wonderful husband) in the chemo waiting room....(US HER2 GALS KNOW HOW TO PICK A SWANK PLACE!) ....joined together in an illness we didn't want, and can't control, I have found and met the most spectacular women, friends and support system....& Donna is one of them! Without this disease, I would have never met others from this group who have sustained me many times over the 5 years...I am blessed!
In sadness today, I returned home to get the phone call that my best friend passed away this morning, ironically while I was getting my chemo....she fought so hard, I was so happy that I felt well enough to spend the last couple days with her...I knew it would be a few days after my treatment until I felt up to driving back. I have a void in my life that will take time to fill...but I know that she is not in pain and so with me in spirit on my journey. She went with such dignity (although she did get upset with me yesterday when i wanted to clean her teeth, which I did every time I went there to see her)! It was a standing line between us, you don't know who or whose butt you may have to kiss today, so brush up. Thank you all for all your prayers....they have given me hope and love during the process of losing "my best friend to cancer," Mary Jo, at age 55.
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"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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