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Jackie07 · 05-18-2009, 07:56 AM

Thanks, Nancy and Sheila, for being such great role models for us Her2 BC fighters.

When I found out about the recurrence 4 years after my first diagnosis - it was always there, the medical staff just overlooked it, always called it scar tissue - I was mortified and started to write my farewell letter to my family overseas while in the waiting room. Hubby went and got another oncologist (mine was out of state attending a conference in Chicago) who assured me that it is called a 'local regional recurrence' and not a stage IV as I had believed.

When I was checking with Joe about my disability application, he also thought I was Stage IV and should automatically qualify. But my lawyer has actually been using my brain tumor surgeries as the basis for my claim. Lately I've been having irritable bowel problems - had a CT scan again just last Friday. I think legally only when there's involvement beyond the region will the recurrence be considered a stage IV.

For Her2 +++ patient, 'Local regional recurrence' probably doesn't make much difference since most likely there would be recurrence in other areas as well - just hasn't been detected yet. When mine was first diagnosed, it was super fast-growing. I wouldn't be surprised if the tumor cells had sneaked to other areas also.

Guess it's time to request for a PET scan... [Result of 5/20 Ultrasound shows 2+ cm Hemangioma plus a new 4mm spot in liver - I don't remember the 2+ cm deal, but the oncology nurse said according to the doctor it had been there all along. So I guess it was a relief.]

05-18-2009, 07:56 AM	#12
Jackie07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: "Love never fails." Posts: 5,808	Thanks, Nancy and Sheila, for being such great role models for us Her2 BC fighters. When I found out about the recurrence 4 years after my first diagnosis - it was always there, the medical staff just overlooked it, always called it scar tissue - I was mortified and started to write my farewell letter to my family overseas while in the waiting room. Hubby went and got another oncologist (mine was out of state attending a conference in Chicago) who assured me that it is called a 'local regional recurrence' and not a stage IV as I had believed. When I was checking with Joe about my disability application, he also thought I was Stage IV and should automatically qualify. But my lawyer has actually been using my brain tumor surgeries as the basis for my claim. Lately I've been having irritable bowel problems - had a CT scan again just last Friday. I think legally only when there's involvement beyond the region will the recurrence be considered a stage IV. For Her2 +++ patient, 'Local regional recurrence' probably doesn't make much difference since most likely there would be recurrence in other areas as well - just hasn't been detected yet. When mine was first diagnosed, it was super fast-growing. I wouldn't be surprised if the tumor cells had sneaked to other areas also. Guess it's time to request for a PET scan... [Result of 5/20 Ultrasound shows 2+ cm Hemangioma plus a new 4mm spot in liver - I don't remember the 2+ cm deal, but the oncology nurse said according to the doctor it had been there all along. So I guess it was a relief.] __________________ Jackie07 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2 NICU 4.4 LB Erythema Nodosum 85 Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d 3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills CN 3 GKRS 52301 IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET 6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M Diastasis recti Tamoxifen B. scan Irrtbl bowel 1'09 Colonoscopy 313 BRCA1 V1247I hptc hemangioma Vertigo GI - > yogurt hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410 Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk DEXA 1/13 1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer. 3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer. Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2) 10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016 7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence. 7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule. 1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule. "I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe Last edited by Jackie07; 10-14-2009 at 06:33 PM..