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-Diagnosed Sept. '99 Stage IIIB, ER/PR- HER2+++
-Recurred to lymph nodes and chest skin Jan.2001.
-Have scans when progression is suspected, otherwise annually. CT's w/contrast, PET/CT, lung X ray's, bone scans, brain MRI's.
-CEA has been run occasionally but other than at first recurrence when it was 10(quickly came down to under 3 after Herceptin/Navelbine) has remained well under 3 for years now, so is not considered reliable for me. It was run when this latest progression heated up, and was under 2.
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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