 |
09-29-2009, 12:26 AM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
|
I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Just a quick hello that we "survived" our trip to Russia. Weather mostly just great, and we actually spent less money than we expected to. Got in late and the airport exchange kiosk was closed, so we still have a lot of rubles!
Got home about 1:30 am last night after a long flight back from Moscow that included a long layover in Chicago. There were earlier flights to Seattle, but the gal at the counter said they were full. She did not even seem inclined to get us on a standby list even though we were sick. Some people are more customer service oriented, but we were is such sad shape did not feel like pressing the point. Was glad to take sanctuary at the Starbucks and have some Tazo herbal teas.
Sorry to see that some here are not getting the positive news they so badly seek, while some others are finding some effective treatments. The board has been active but I am not up to reading through it all yet.
Hope no one else here gets this rotten respiratory crud that we have. Feel like my ribs have been beaten with a rubber hose!
__________________
"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.
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 06:02 AM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Stephanie,
I am so glad to hear you are back. Constance asked about you Saturday.
Sorry to hear you have a cold. I beat Russia was wonderful. I tend to like St. Petersburg more than Moscow.
Amelia
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 09:55 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Welcome back Steph, so glad you had a good trip 
I took a short flight to Edinburgh while you were away, and came home in a similar condition as you. I finally had to see the Dr who dx severe bronchitis so have been house bound and on steroids, anti biotics and even an inhalor ever since!
I do hope your's does'nt get any worse and you're back feeling good in a day or two and well rested after your trip.
We want to hear all about Russia when you're feeling better
__________________
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!
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 11:49 AM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Steph
Welcome home...and take care of that cold....or flu....the same type ended in pneumonia for me last year. Since you are our wine guru on the site, just wondered if you have heard of Emerson-Brown Wines & Vineyards in Napa Valley...or maybe Chris has. My cousins son is the owner, I just ordered some 2008 limited supply ...the first bottle was amazing...
__________________
"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
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 01:00 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
welcome home!!! We are in Poulsbo for a few more days then head for NM for the winter...everyone on this side of the water is sick...coughing...and I heard yesterday that 1500 people in Kitsap county have been dx'd with H1N1 flu...yikes! Hope your brains don't go too far!!! xo Suzan
__________________
 Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 04:42 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Steph,
Welcome back. Traveling is fun but can sometimes expose us to a lot of germs, too. Get some rest. Feel better.
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 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 06:00 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Avilla, Indiana
Posts: 261
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Welcome back to the states, Steph! I have been wondering where you were.
Sorry to read that you have such a bad cough.
Glad you didn't spend as much $$ as you thought you would, this makes travel even more fun. Too bad you had to bring it back in rubles! Save them for your next trip....
__________________
-Dana-
]
Diagnosed - Nov. 2, 2007 at 45
Lumpectomy - Nov. 13, 2007
Tumor 1.2 cm
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR - Her2 +++ (3.8)
Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin- 6 rounds
Neulasta
Radiation 33 treatments - will be done 6/6/08
Herceptin through 12/08
12/07 MUGA 61%, 4/08 MUGA 60%, 7/08 MUGA 64%
three wonderful daughters, a terrific husband,
Life is Good
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 08:44 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Welcome home. So sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I hope you feel better soon. Call the doctor if you don't feel well in a day or two. In the meantime, take good care of yourself.
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 09:28 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
|
Re: I am home and coughing my brains out ...
Thanks, ladies. Hubby just set down some herb tea with raw honey and rum for me! Is that considered holistic? I am marginally better tonight.
Brought back the money as the day we had some time in our schedule for shopping we were hunkered down in our apartment trying to stave off the start of this crud! The airport koisks did not have what I wanted so we bagged the souvenirs for the family routine! I think they are just glad we are home alive ...
We did not get to St. Petersburg. Flew in and out of Moscow, with a flight all the way across to the Russian far east city of Khabarovsk. I know - why go all the way around the world?? Because the routes that used to go from Seattle to Anchorage to the far east cities no longer fly. Otherwise we had to go through Korea and spend a night since the connection does not coordinate. Plus it was more expensive to go via Korea and we could see Moscow for the same money.
Gluttens for punishment!
__________________
"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.
|
|
|
|
|
09-29-2009, 11:16 PM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
|
Home
"Home" is the word that means everything, especially when feeling sick! I'm glad you two are back -- what a trip. I'm glad you got the trip in. Whatever you have, take extra care this year my friend!
We did a trip to Seattle, flying down and driving back. While we were in your Emerald City I did my exams and draw for this year for the trial, and had my second visit with the cancer center RD downtown. I also saw an onc for a general update at the CTCA Wellness Center, which has moved from downtown to nicer quarters in Renton. The weather was great -- and as always we hauled back supplies for the winter... but missed you!
Hugs,
A.A.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:40 PM.
|
Linear Mode
