HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Remembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

StephN · 05-25-2013, 10:04 PM

Seemed like a good idea to start a thread where we can post our memories and thoughts as a memorial to a most amazing and foresighted woman.

I have a few photos from breast cancer meetings. Here are a couple from San Antonio, December 2005.

First is our group. Sadly over half of this group has left us here on earth. Christine is in the center (Joe behind and slightly left) and is flanked by Linda from Canada (her hubby Al is right behind her) and on the left by Sandy Henry. Linda passed in April of 2006 and Sandy followed her in June of 2007.

Second is Christine with Ginger Empy (still living from early Herceptin trials) holding foam stress relievers in the shape of brains. This was the kick off of the effort to alert the oncology community to the increasing incidence of brain mets in Her2 positive patients. The "brains" were imprinted : "The HER2 Support Group advocates routine brain MRI's for all HER2 positive patients." She did not let people just walk up and take one, she stopped the visitors to our table and made them read it. She explained that she had been treated for brain mets and was doing well, and this was important for doctors and nurses to have their awareness raised.

05-25-2013, 10:04 PM	#1
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Remembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder Seemed like a good idea to start a thread where we can post our memories and thoughts as a memorial to a most amazing and foresighted woman. I have a few photos from breast cancer meetings. Here are a couple from San Antonio, December 2005. First is our group. Sadly over half of this group has left us here on earth. Christine is in the center (Joe behind and slightly left) and is flanked by Linda from Canada (her hubby Al is right behind her) and on the left by Sandy Henry. Linda passed in April of 2006 and Sandy followed her in June of 2007. Second is Christine with Ginger Empy (still living from early Herceptin trials) holding foam stress relievers in the shape of brains. This was the kick off of the effort to alert the oncology community to the increasing incidence of brain mets in Her2 positive patients. The "brains" were imprinted : "The HER2 Support Group advocates routine brain MRI's for all HER2 positive patients." She did not let people just walk up and take one, she stopped the visitors to our table and made them read it. She explained that she had been treated for brain mets and was doing well, and this was important for doctors and nurses to have their awareness raised. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018. Last edited by StephN; 04-02-2015 at 09:59 PM..