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12-27-2007, 04:34 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 131
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Looks like I am joining another club , here
Well, The Dr. told me today, that the red areas on my chest was definitely breast cancer...The biopsys came back positive.. He is working on a treatment plan, with radiation therapy to start , probably next week... I would appreciate any information as to what to expect in regards to this treatment...I spent this afternoon getting marked for radiation....along with a cat scan of my chest.
I am a bit overwhelmed by this information... I kept hoping it was just a rash... Nope, not in the cards for me.
I will just have to deal with it as it comes down the pike...
Last edited by charlotte; 12-27-2007 at 04:36 PM..
Reason: error in typing
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12-27-2007, 05:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Charlotte, I don't have any information to help you with this...but I can only imagine the how stressful this must be on you. Its only to be expected that you would be feeling overwhelmed and then some. I am so sorry you have to deal with this.
I know there are a few women here that can answer some of your questions for you. So hang in there...they will come along. I'm glad your onc is already setting up a trt plan. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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12-27-2007, 05:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Charlotte,
I'm sorry you got this news today. I hope you can
find a way to absorb this new information and come
out fighting strong. I wish you all the best. 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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12-27-2007, 06:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Hi Charlotte, I'm so sorry to hear about your biopsy report. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. My wife was dx'ed with dcis in 2004 and had to undergo 18 rad. treatments, I think it was. I'm not sure of the particulars in your case, but with her, she developed some slight fatigue about two-thirds of the way through. No nausea, though for her with just the radiation. Her area of radiation darkened just a little and seemed a little bit like a sunburn. Her rad. onc. recommended applying a cream called "Jean's Cream" to the radiated area to help with this. Someone please correct me if I got the name wrong. The cream can be found at most pharmacies, but it's fairly expensive (50 bucks or so) and you may have to ask for it, but it seemd to work well. Honestly, my wife, Nicola, and I viewed those treatments as "not that bad". She was a stage 0 and the first treatment took 15 or so minutes and after that it was like 2 minutes or so, once they get the equipment centered in. I hope this helps you a little bit, Charlotte. Be strong and keep in touch. Love, Bill
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12-27-2007, 06:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Hey Charlotte! If I remember correctly, you are about 18 - 24 months out from 1st diagnosis, right? Will you also have chemo along with the rads? Do you have confidence in your care? Know that this incredible crew will encourage and pray for you as you take one step at a time with this new battle. Please remind us of your journey so far with BC. There are so many who could share their journeys and choices. Love to you as you fight this new battle. mary anne
__________________
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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12-27-2007, 09:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Charlotte, I'm so sorry to hear the news was what you feared. Just want you to know I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how your first tx goes. Rads aren't too harsh, but you will feel tired. Ask any questions, we've all been there.
Here's a link to the FDA announcement:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01732.html
<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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12-28-2007, 08:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 131
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First thanks to all who responded...
Maryann, No, this is not my second go around with this beast.... It actually will be my third... I am approximately 18 months out from the second go round...
I asked the Dr. yesterday, are we beating a dead horse?? He responded, That radiation will control the local spread..and give me a better quality of life. I am going to call the Onc. Dr. next week and see what game plan , he has now...He did mention Chemo some where along the way... I had so many problems with chemo before....
Peeling of my hands and feet, neurapthy,etc.... was only able to take herception for a total of 4 times.. before my heart said no more... It dropped down to 25 % Ejection rate..I go in for a 2 d echo, on Jan 4,. so I really don't know what the Dr. can do for me..
Do I have confidence in the care?? In some ways I do.. I am just so sad, and disappointed at this turn of events...
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12-28-2007, 08:14 AM
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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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Oh rats, Charlotte! Third time! That makes me so mad, but also sad too. I just remember that so many times warriors on this board have gone for a 2nd opinion and gotten a good new thing to try and also so much hope from a new view and a new attitude. Can they do anything to protect your heart and give you herceptin at the same time? I'm praying and believing for some peace and answers for your New Year. I'm sending lots of love and caring your way today and into 2008. mary anne
__________________
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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12-28-2007, 06:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Hi Charlotte! I'm sorry to read your last post, but please try to hang in there. Like Mary Anne said, try to get a second opinion, and please know that we are all praying for you. Miracles do happen, they happen every day. Please keep us posted and we'll help any way we can. Stay strong, Bill
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12-28-2007, 06:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Aw Charlotte, this does stink. I had a small rash at my diagnosis and sure enough it tested positive for bc. I had the chemo and rads and so far so good. The radiation txs get tiring after awhile going daily. But, I am hopeful that they have done their job in controlling the area on my chest from recurrence.
Please know that I am thinking of you. I also like the way that Bill thinks. Miracles happen every day. Why not you or me... or all of us!!
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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