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03-04-2008, 12:28 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Update on myself
Hello all my friends,
I have been on Gemzar for a while now had 4 treatment and last week I had a catscan. Well I seen the doctor today and it doesn't seem to be working. I have told him that I do not feel well at all and the pain is unbearable at times. I said it feels like I have a softball in my abdomen. He told me thats because the tumor has grown so big that it is almost the size as one. The good news is that the lung and pancreas mets stayed the same. And my liver function is great! One of the things thats scares me the most is that I have always been tumor marker sensitive, and this time the marker has stayed the same and I have had heavy progression.
So the next plan of attack is Abraxane, Herceptin and Carboplatin. I will be going into the hospital on Thursday since I am allergic to the Carbo they are going to heaviy premedicate me and give it to me very slowly and monitar me very closely. I hope and pray that I can have the Carboplatin I need to catch some kind of break because I feel horrible, I need to have this treatment kick butt. I have not been posting lately too much but you are all in my thoughts and prayers every single day and I love you all and I will let you all know How I make out on Friday or Saturday I maybe in the hospital a couple of day he said.
Love to everyone
Karen
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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03-04-2008, 12:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 148
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I'll Be Thinking Of You And Hope This Treatments Helps You, Please Let Us Know How You Are As Soon As You Feel Well Enough To Post.
__________________
SHEILA (45)
09/2005--BREAST CANCER/8 POS NODES --A/C, MASTECTOMY,TAXOTERE, RADS, TAMOXIFEN,HERCEPTIN
02/2007--B/C METS TO OVARIES--HYSTERECTOMY, FASLODEX
12/2007--ENLARGING LYMPH NODES IN ABDOMEN--IXEMPRA, THEN TYKERB
08/2008--COLON TUMOR--A/C AGAIN,
12/2008--ABDOMEN TUMOR--AVASTIN/NAVELBINE FEMARA
05/2009--MET TO SPINE (L2) RADS
CURRENT TREATMENT
07/2009- START ZOMETA MONTHLY, XELODA & ABRAXANE......SURVIVING THE BEST I CAN
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03-04-2008, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 309
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Hope the new plan of attack goes well for you Karen and your stay in hospital brings a bit of relief and comfort. I never am a real good patient - I think the nurses are always glad to see the back of me! lol! Hope your stay goes good!
Blessings
Hermiracles
__________________
2003 L/DCIS –> LWE: High G./Comedo - 6 nodes clear 6 wks Rx
04/07 2 miracles born ~ very grateful
06/07 Susp areas L/b
09/07 Stage 2 bilat. mastectomy R/ b. clear extens DCIS/IDC Paget’s 8 nodes clear ER(<5%) HER2+++ CT clear
11/07 Portacath - FEC
15/11/07 Stage 4 Emerg op - hip replacemt #NOF bone mets H/Taxotere
12/07 Rx to 'spots' on spine/R/hip/femur 3wkly H
2008 H+T mets to rib/sternum? Aredia CT clear! Cont. H + Aredia 07/08 1 wk Palliative Care - mets to lungs + ?1 to brain
09/08 Stop H complete Epirubicin 1wk PC new brain mets
10/08 2wks WBR 1wk PC 22/10/08 Tykerb/Xeloda 12/08 6 CEREBRAL METS COMPLETELY GONE! Rib mets down to <1cm.
01/09 Tumour markers normal! Rx to L/arm
03/09 LUNGS CLEAR (ALL NODULES GONE!), brain clear, liver clear. Bones stable! ~ THANK YOU GOD
07/09 Repeat CT Scan ~ ALL organs clear apart from bones which remain stable. I walk in gratitude.
***************
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03-04-2008, 04:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: East Central Illinois
Posts: 89
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Karen, all of us with mets know the low feeling we get when the chemo is not working any more forcing change of treatment. Then you also have the complication of needing to go to the hospital to get the carboplatin. Plus, you are dealing with pain--a factor that makes it hard to stay postive. Thankfully, you have some good news about most of the mets staying stable. Dear girl, hang in there. When I am facing much and feel overwhelmed, there are scriptures that come to my mind and I repeat. "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all"; "What time I am afraid I will trust in him"; "Casting all your cares on him because he cares for you"; "I can do all things through him who gives me strength"; and others. So many here are thinking of you, praying for you. Let us know when you can how you are doing.
I also just recently started abraxane and herceptin after being on Tykerb/Xeloda almost 6 months.
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03-04-2008, 05:06 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Karen,
I know how deasted you must be feeling right now. It is never easy to hear that a treatment plan is not working. But look on the positive side the lung and pancreas did not progress. I will pray that the Herceptin/ABraxane/Carboplatin is the magic bullet you need. At least with the Abraxane you don't need to take all the premeds!
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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03-04-2008, 05:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Dear Karen,
I am glad to hear that the lung and pancreas mets have stayed the same. I am praying that this new combo will do the trick for the other mets.
Love,
Tonya
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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03-04-2008, 05:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Sweet Karen, I'm sorry you have to switch chemos again., but I'm glad there was no progression in the other mets. You know we are here for you and praying for this one to work. I hope your doc. can do more for your pain. Love, Bill
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03-04-2008, 05:37 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Karen, I'm praying that the slow but steady from of the carboplatin infusion will do the trick! Karen, you will be in my prayers each day til you hear those glorious words NED!!!!! Lots of love, ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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03-04-2008, 06:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Karen, don't feel too discouraged yet. I had Gemzar for a couple of months and it didn't work for me either, in addition to making me feel terrible. I'll be thinking of you Thursday and pulling for you that this new combo will reduce this tumor down and you make progress against the other mets. Hope the hospital stay goes well, and as soon as you feel able let us know how it's going.
<3 Lolly
__________________
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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03-04-2008, 06:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 232
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Karen,
I am praying that this combo works. Stay strong.
Hugs and prayers,
Karen
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03-04-2008, 06:29 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Carmel, Indiana
Posts: 98
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Karen,
I hope the carbo goes well - you are in my prayers.
Love,
Beth
__________________
DX 9-19-07 at age 40
DCIS, Inv. Duct. Car. 3 cm
Positive lymph node biopsy
Er+Pr+Her+++
Carboplatin/Taxotere/Herceptin
10-1-07 -- 1-16-08
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 9/24/08
Lump. and node dissection 2-12-08
BRCA1 and 2 negative
30 rads finished 4-23-08
oophorectomy 5-6-08
Femara started 5/25/08
Zometa for osteoporosis every 6 mo. started 9-24-08
Married 16 years!
3 kids - daughter (10), twin sons (7)
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03-04-2008, 07:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Karen, I'm sending lots of prayers your way. Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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03-04-2008, 07:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Hi Karen
I will be thinking of you on Thursday and
sending you lots of good vibes. I hope
your stay in the hospital goes smoothly -
good luck with the new combo. We are all
pulling for you!!!
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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03-04-2008, 07:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Karen,
I am thinking of you ..and keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well for you.
Big Hug,Marcia
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03-04-2008, 11:32 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Karen,
I am also pulling for you. Hang in there and know there are many of us having you in our hearts and minds.....
Best wishes.....
Harrie
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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03-06-2008, 04:52 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Hi My Lovely ladies,
I am off soon to go to the hospital, and just want to ask for some extra prayers this moring. So that I can take all the Carboplatin with no problems, I thank you all so much for everything the suppourt makes me so strong and I love each and every one of you. I will let you know how I make out tomorrow when I get home. Have a wonderful blessed day.
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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03-06-2008, 09:44 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 660
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Karen - I am praying for you and sympathizing for you - I hate the hospital, but I always get better afterwards!! Please keep that in mind!!! Hope the Carbo goes well.I did put me in to NED! Ask if the hospital offers massage or reiki. Some of the cancer hospitals/wards have students come in. It is really nice and helps you accept the treatments better by calming your nerves...Good luck sweetie!!!
__________________
Maryann
Stage IV Inflammatory BC 1/00
Mod Rad Mastectomy 24nod/5+
Adriomycin Cytoxin Taxol
Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs
Radiation - 32 x
Metastatic BC lung/liver 10/04
thorocentesis 2x - pleurodesis
Herceptin Taxatiere Carbo
Femera/Lupron
BC NED 4/05
chemo induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia 5/06
Induction/consolidation chemo
bone marrow transplant - 11/3/06
Severe Host vs Graft Disease of liver
BC mets to lung 11/07
Fasoladex Herceptin Zometa Xeloda
GVHD/Iron overload to liver
Avascular Necrosis/morphine pump 10/10
metastatic brain tumor
steriotactic radiosurgery
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03-06-2008, 09:52 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Hi Karen
It's no fun being in the hospital - hope
everything goes smoothly and you're back home
soon. Everyone here is pulling for you.
Keep us posted as soon as you feel up
to it. Good luck.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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03-06-2008, 10:01 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Hi Karen,
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you. Hope all is going well. Prayers and warm wishes are being sent your way.
Hugs,
Tonya
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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03-06-2008, 11:36 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Karen thinking about you and saying prayers that this new treatment works.
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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