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02-21-2007, 01:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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5 years ago today ......
5 years ago today I heard those awful words that shattered my world...you have breast cancer.....my whole life went into a tailspin...before I fully grasped this news, I began to deal with this emotional rollercoaster....the first time I looked in the mirror and saw the scar where they had removed my breast....I felt beaten, overcome with fear...planning my funeral....
Well, now, 5 years later, I can say that it was a turning point for me...I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, I know that life has no guarantees, and I try not to put off things that are important to ME! I have found new friends through this site, and all the knowledge, love and compassion anyone could ever ask for from all of you.
5 years ago today could have been the worse day of my life .... but in my heart, it was probably the best....it made me appreciate all I had taken for granted over the years.
__________________
"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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02-21-2007, 01:16 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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I love seeing your smile, Sheila. What an encouraging post!
AlaskaAngel
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02-21-2007, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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 Congratulations, Sheila, on the last 5 years and on the positive journey you made it be. Here's to the next 5 years and many more smiles!
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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02-21-2007, 01:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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Re: Five Years and counting
Congratulations Sheila. You have given the rest of us hope with your milestone, and also your wealth of information. I'm praying for you many more years. Keep that smile on your face, and continue doing things for Sheila.
Many hugs,
Linda
__________________
Diagnosed 12/23/04
Biopsy 12/28/04
Lumpectomy 1/04/05
IDC, ER-PR-, HER2Neu+++
7mm tumor, Stage 1, Grade 3
6 CAF's
38 Rads
Finished 10/05
"Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up."
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02-21-2007, 01:52 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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Congrats Sheila on your 5 year anniversary! You are an inspiration and your kind words are always appreciated. I wish you many many more happy and healthy years ahead.
Hugs,
Lexi
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02-21-2007, 02:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
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Hi Sheila,
Congratulations and thanks for all of your posts. I am approaching 2 yrs (Apr 13) and can relate to so many of those early feelings you had.
Karen
__________________
Karen Raines Hunt
Dx April 2005 at age 46
stage 3A, very large (12cm) tumor
2 positive axillary lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, Her 2 +++
Bilateral mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, A/C, Taxol, Herceptin, Tamoxifen, Aromasin
5 yrs since diagnosis and NED
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02-21-2007, 02:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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5 years today
SHeila: Congratulations! I hope to see you smiling many many more years. You have been so helpful to me, thanks from the bottom of my heart and cheers to you for a healthy and long life, the Best is yet to come!!!
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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02-21-2007, 02:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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This is a wonderful anniversary. Thanks for the wisdom.
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 02:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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encouraging message
Sheila:
Your post was so uplifting and encouraging. From the pits of despair to the realization of a real hope and finally a gratefulness for day to day living which we all can and have taken for granted. Thanks for sharing your five year anniversary with us!
__________________
Leslie's Sister (Lisa)
Diagnosed 5/17/06
Left breast Stage II
5 cm. Her2Neu+++, ER-, PR-
1 positive node out of six,
double mastectomy 6/9/06;
TCH started 7/12/06
last chemo 10/25/06
herceptin ended 6-11-07
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02-21-2007, 02:34 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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I get quite a bit of hope hearing how well other Stage IV folks are doing...you are an inspiration to all of us. Don't forget to change your signature to say that you have actually made it to the 5 year mark!
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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02-21-2007, 02:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Here is to 50 more years! I am so happy to have met you through this sight, and the many other women and men. And breast cancer has changed my life so much. But most of it is truly for the better like you I appreciate so much more than I ever did before my cancer. Wishing you all the best Sheila!
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 02:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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congratulations, you give me such hope.
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02-21-2007, 03:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Sheila, congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. You have such a wonderful outlook and attitude. I only hope on my 5 year anniversary I can feel and write exactly what you said. You truly are an inspiration and have helped so many, more than you realize. I am not sure I am ready to say that this is the best thing that could have ever happened to me because I truly don't believe it is. I have had other illnesses before this that have made me realize the real important things in life so having breast cancer of course emphasized this but I think breast cancer is the worst thing that has happened to me. Now that is not to say I haven't gained some things I value since finding out I had breast cancer. I have met some incredible people because of it and I am thankful to have them in my life, (forum group included), but I don't think I will ever say I am happy to have breast cancer. I respect you so much for being able to.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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02-21-2007, 03:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Colleen
Thank you for reminding me to change my signature....I just did...this is better than a birthday to me....by the way, I have gained so much knowledge from the friendships on this board...and a few pounds over the last 5 years. What a day to celebrate for me, my 5 years and my little grandaughter had her back surgery in Chicago today and is in ICU and doing wonderful!!!!! She may be released by Friday if she continues to do well! What a great gift for me!!!!!
Thanks to all of you who have given me the encouragement to make it to celebrate 5 years!
__________________
"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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02-21-2007, 04:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Congratualtions
You said it all Sheila and you said it so well. I couldn't agree more. Although it isn't quite 2 years for me I share your appreciation for life and all that it offers.
Congratulations on your 5 year mark. I am so happy for you and lift up prayers of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.
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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02-21-2007, 04:18 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 212
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Amen, sister! Congratulations on your 5-year anniversary-I hit mine last August and it was better then a birthday--now we shoot for 10 years..(one day at a time).
__________________
Audrey
diagnosed July 2001, at age 36
large tumor, 11+ nodes
Stage IIIb, er/pr-, Her2+
treated with A/C, weekly Taxol
radiation, + year of Herceptin
on clinical trial. double mastectomy
followed by reconstruction
NED!!
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02-21-2007, 04:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Congratulations Sheila on such a milestone. Your positive attitude and success has given me such hope since frequenting this board. Reading how others with advanced b/c are getting along well gives me so much optimism. I hope things go well for your granddaughter and that she has a speedy recovery. If she is as tough as her Grandma, she will!
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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02-21-2007, 04:49 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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You kept the faith ...
Dear Sheila -
Welcome to the "Five Year Club!"
WOW! It is a long road in a short time span since we met on this forum. Must be somewhere in the 3 year time frame.
Just goes to show that life DOES proceed whether we choose to participate or not. The New Normal IS do-able, and we learn that along the way.
When we have a joyous event like your granddaughter's surgery, we reach another plateau and feel we can see at least a little bit of the future.
See you in the "Ten Year Club" which will be upon us before we can say "facelift!"
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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02-21-2007, 05:45 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 77
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Sheila,
Congratulations.
I sign on fairly regularly but rarely post replies.
I had to reply to your wonderful news.It will be three years for me March 9th.
When I reach the 5 year mark, I'm planning a big party for myself.
Hope you celebrate and treat yourself !!!!
Carol C.
DX 3/9/04
2.2cm. tumor IDC, 3 DCIS , 4 pos. nodes out of 18
er/pr neg. her2+
A/C, Taxol , 37 rads
1 year Herceptin finished May 06
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02-21-2007, 06:16 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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Hear, Hear
thank you Sheila for sharing your experience, your anniversary and your encouragement! Congratulations and I'm thinking you will be sharing many more anniversaries with us. We are both February girls. I was told February 15, 2000 that I had cancer. Your smile brings me much warmth in this wintery month and your words encourage me to keep going!
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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