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06-20-2008, 08:35 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hello everyone - It's me Mary Jo stopping in.
Hello my dear sweet her2 family..........
Well, I made it. Whoooo! I was a little scared and prayed and prayed and prayed all would go well. IT DID! A BLESSING.
Dr. Hijjawi did a fantastic job "creating" my new girls and it amazes me that you can look like this after having bilateral mastectomies. It's a miracle really. ANOTHER BLESSING.
As Maryann reminded me over and over again....it get's easier everyday and that is true. The day after the 9 1/2 hour procedure was rough (to say the least) but the next day I felt fabulous and was up and about. I walk the halls and can get in and out of bed and in and out of chairs all by myself. The doctors tell me every morning that I am "ahead of the curve and healing quicker than most women." ANOTHER BLESSING.
My husband has been my rock (well, next to God) and takes such wonderful care of me. ANOTHER BLESSING.
So, as you can see, so far so good. I am thankful and I am thankful to each one of you for your prayers and love. ANOTHER BLESSING.
I'm typing this from the hospital and now me and Mark are gonna go take a stroll in the hall (the first time in Mark's life he can walk faster than me) Tomorrow, God Willing, it's homeward bound for this girl.
Love you guys - you are all blessings to me.
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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06-20-2008, 08:52 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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~Ow Great...
I am glad you checked in, I have been thinking of you tremendously lately. Sending love and wishes for a speedy recovery!! Oh, and by the way, PM me with your address 'cause I have a special treat for you girlfriend. Continued prayers>>Believe51
PS. You husband is not just a 'rock' he is an Angel too!! Thank him personally for me!
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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06-20-2008, 09:26 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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I have been thinking of you too. Your healing is the result of the good care you take of yourself and a testament that your body knows what its supposed to do now!
So... what cup size did you get 
Party on and keep moving !
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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06-20-2008, 09:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Mary Jo,
I am so thankful that you are healing well and that you look fabulous, my dear. Praising God this morning for all your blessings. Glory, Glory, Glory...
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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06-20-2008, 09:53 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Wonderful news Mary Jo!! Soon you will be out shopping for clothes for your NEW figure!!
Good for you for being 'ahead of the curve', just don't overdo!
Take care,
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault
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06-20-2008, 10:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Marejo
I am so glad you are healing fast, feeling great...just take it easy and be spoiled for awhile...then go & shop for all those special clothes that didn't feel right before!!!
Sending prayers and love
__________________
"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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06-20-2008, 10:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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I agree with Gerri. Soon you can put your new girls into some new clothes. I suggest Victoria's Secret.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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06-20-2008, 11:49 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Thanks for checking in marejo. You sound so good!!! And things will be just get better when you get back
home and into your own bed. Onward and upward!!!!!
__________________
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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06-20-2008, 11:51 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Mary Jo it's wonderful to hear from you. I'm glad that all has went well and you are on the fast track to healing.
__________________
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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06-20-2008, 12:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Whoa MaryJO! It is GREAT hearing from you!! I am not surprised at all that your drs told you how much ahead of most you are in your recovery in getting up and around!! You are in good shape to begin with and that gives you a significant advantage.
It gets nothing but better each and every day and someday you will look at the healed results and marvel at the work of art.
Take care. Remember, call me if you want to talk!
muchas alohas,
maryanne
__________________
*** 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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06-20-2008, 01:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
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Mary Jo:
I thought of you all day Tuesday. I'm thrilled to hear how well you're doing. I'm living through it vicariously and will be calling on you for advice and moral support when my time comes in November.
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06-20-2008, 01:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
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Congrats Marejo! I am so happy everything worked out so well. Maybe make a sign that says "DO NOT MAKE ME LAUGH!" Ouchy! I remember my friends would try to make me laugh, not realizing it hurts like heck for awhile.
I agree, it is a miracle and a blessing what they can do. I love DIEP surgeons!
Best to you and Mark!!
__________________
Are we there yet?
Dx 10/05 IDC, multi-focal, triple +, 5 nodes+
MRM, 4 DD A/C, 12 weekly taxol + herceptin
rads concurrent with taxol/herceptin
finished herceptin 01/08
ooph, Arimidex, bilateral DIEP reconstruction
NED
Univ. of WA, Seattle vaccine trial '07
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06-20-2008, 03:22 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Thanks for checking in mary Jo and congrats on getting through the op so well. You sound great and I'm glad you're pleased so far with the results.
Enjoy your weekend back home and relax!
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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06-20-2008, 08:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Massillon, Ohio
Posts: 247
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Thx for checking in!! I am so glad your spirit sounds great. What a rockstar you are!!! God Bless
__________________
Laurie
Diagonsed 8/10/06 (found own lump)at 35
Her 2 +++, er-/pr-
4 A/C 8-29-06 to 11-06
Lumpectomy, node dissection- 11/30/06
Pathology report stage IIIC
1 tumor 3 cm
10 of 15 nodes +
12 Taxol 12/18/06-03/06/07
Herceptin 12/18/06- 12/11/2007 done!!! yeah!!!
33 rads started 3/22/07, done!! yeah!! 5/07/07
Lymphedema diagonsed 2/1/07
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
port out 1/10/08
pregnant after 6 yeas of trying- due mid feb.
Ryder David Kessel Hunter born feb.6th 2009
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06-21-2008, 01:00 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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You sound fantastic Mary Jo! Just don't overdo it - especially once you get home - be sure to keep drinking tons of water. And Mary Jo - YOU are a blessing to all of us here, thank you for sharing your journey with us!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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06-21-2008, 02:00 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Hi MareJo,
Sogood to see you posting!! I am so happy that all went well and sure that you will be pleased with your results.
Gentle hugs and speedy healing sister.
Lexi
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06-21-2008, 07:44 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Maryjo,
So glad to hear from you, and glad you are doing well. Don't overdo---but I'm sure you will continue to be a "star" patient.
You are leading the way for those of us who are considering DIEP. I'll be watching closely. Let us know how the tummy is doing as well as the girls!
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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06-21-2008, 11:43 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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MJ, are you home now? If so, I bet it feels REALLY GOOD!! I remember one thing....food sure did taste GREAT when I was back at my sister's house out of the hospital!! For some reason food tasted horrible in the hospital. I think it was due to all the meds. Take care and keep up the good work on recovery.
__________________
*** 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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