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05-07-2008, 07:18 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: WA State
Posts: 199
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Chemo starting tomorrow
I'm starting my chemo tomorrow. Early in the morning, I am getting my arm port put in and from there going to my chemo appt. I'm feeling pretty positive about it. I have some pre-meds for anxiety and nausea so I guess the Lord willing, I'm ready to go to battle against this foe. I would appreciate prayers for courage and strength as I begin this next leg in my journey. Thanks everyone in advance,
Cindy
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Cindy
L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008
Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!
I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here
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05-07-2008, 07:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Cindy, Good luck with your chemo treatment. At first it is very scary and intimidating but you will come through okay. I'm glad to see that you're armed with anti-anxiety and anti-nausea medications. That's a step in the right direction. Best, Joan
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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 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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05-07-2008, 07:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Sweet Cindy, we are there with you. Please let us know how it goes when you feel up to it. You have got the right fighter's attitude, and that means so much. You're in my thoughts and prayers, Bill
Last edited by Bill; 05-07-2008 at 09:21 PM..
Reason: "have got", lol
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05-07-2008, 08:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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You'll be fine. Its alittle emotional cuz it really hits home that you're actually doing chemo but its killing off any errant cells that might be around.
Let us know how you are doing because if you have any side effects we all have our own "home remedies" that helped us through so we can help you.
__________________
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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05-07-2008, 08:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Saying prayers for comfort and your anxiousness. Chemo isn't fun, but honestly, it is doable. Please know that you have our support.
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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05-07-2008, 08:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Cindy,
Sounds like you are ready for the fight, you will do great! Be sure and take your meds as directed, listen to your body and rest when you feel tired. Let others take care of you - you deserve it.
Stay strong!
__________________
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
Last edited by Gerri; 05-07-2008 at 08:41 PM..
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05-08-2008, 08:19 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Cindy, you will do fine. Of course you are nervous about it...but more so, I feel you are ready to take on the fight.
good luck
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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05-08-2008, 09:06 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Cindy,
Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
The unknown is the worst part...you will find it is not
what your mind imaged. Positive thoughts being sent
to you....
Hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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05-08-2008, 09:16 AM
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#9
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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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Cindy........
Sorry that I did not give you a proper welcoming but I have been reading about things and am sending welcoming wishes now. I will be saying special prayers and positive thoughts for this to go smoothly for you. I am sad you have to be in the place you are in but so thankful you found us here. Do not forget to use those nausea meds before you get nauseated. My husband has never vomitted during treatements. Chemo has come a long way. Best wishes my new friend, keep us posted.>>Believe51
__________________
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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05-09-2008, 05:21 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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Cindy,
Good luck today!
Take care,
__________________
Krista
Diagnosed 3/29/2007 @ age 34
Stage 1, Node Neg. (SNB), Grade 2, 1.4 cm. IDC
ER/PR 90%+ HER2 +
6 TCH started 5/25/2007, ended after #5 due to steroid "reactions" and neuropathy in feet and hands
BUT--#6 CH w/o Taxotere
Begin Herceptin alone 9/28/2007
30 rads completed 12/19/2007
Finish Herceptin 5/9/2008
Stopped Tamoxifen early--HATED it.
Married 17 years
13-year old son
3 embies on ice (from 1999)
GA, USA
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05-09-2008, 06:10 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: OH
Posts: 385
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Cindy
I'm glad you're feeling positive about your treatment today. It is a step in the right direction. You can't get over anything until you get through it, and you're starting the process to get through it. Many positive thoughts are being directed your way today, and I add mine to them. Good luck.
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05-09-2008, 07:08 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Newnan, Georgia
Posts: 80
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Cindy, will be thinking of you today. The not knowing how you will respond is the worst. It was not near as bad as I had imagined. Just be sure to take all of your meds they give you. May God give you peace and comfort today.
__________________
Nancy
Diagnosed 4/06, age 45
IDC, 3.5 cm, 4/7 positive nodes
Stage IIB
Her2++, ER & PR++
Mastectomy, 4 AC, 4 Taxol & Herception for one year
Radiation
Ovaries out 4/07
Currently taking Arimidex and Zometa every 6 months
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05-09-2008, 07:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Best of luck. It's all medicine -- the chemo, the anti anxiety meds, the anti nausea meds. Take your medicine and you'll get through. If there is ever a time in your life to pamper yourself, be very nice to yourself, be self centered, This is it!!!
__________________
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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05-09-2008, 11:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: WA State
Posts: 199
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The Day after My First Chemo
I'm doing pretty good. I feel weak and a bit shakey but nothing real bad. I think the port hurts the worst where they did the incision yesterday morning in my arm. But that should get better quickly. I'm taking all my meds as you all have pointed out are so important to manage this. I did have a really bad headache this morning and even before all this, I had to be careful that if I got a bad headache, It could make me get sick. So I took one Tylenol and another nausea pill and am feeling better now. Any other home remedy ideas on the headaches with chemo?
Thanks so much for the warm welcome here. The prayers and support have met the world to me.
Cindy
__________________
Cindy
L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008
Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!
I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here
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05-09-2008, 11:53 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Cindy I found that when I had a headache it meant that I haven't had enough water to drink.
When taking chemo you need drink and drink and drink water to flush it out of your system.
Glad that things went well for you.
__________________
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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05-09-2008, 01:00 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 503
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Way to go !!!
I often felt yuk two days after chemo... day 3 and 4 were no different but by the 5th day I was sooooo much better !
Keep a record of what and when you take stuff- it helps prepare for the next round.
With everything going on with your body- all the new meds can cause possible constipation. It seems like a minor concern at first, but it can be very uncomfortable. Drink lotsa water.
Keep us posted-
maria
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