Sandy - Although I have No Evidence of Disease at this time, I do have plueral effusions (minor) in my lungs. I had my lungs sealed so no further fluid can build up, which in turn also keeps the fluid in. I will most likely always have minor fluid in my lungs. When most of the fluid was drained 17 months ago, there were cancer cells floating in the fluid. There is no way to know if the remaining fluid has microscopic cancer cells floating around...so I am truly considered stable - not in remission. The chemo is keeping me stable and is considered a maintenance plan. My onc feels that if I stop chemo and it comes back then I will loose momentum and have to start all over again and it may be too late... Of course, this may not be the best thing for everyone else, but it works for me.
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Maryann
Stage IV Inflammatory BC 1/00
Mod Rad Mastectomy 24nod/5+
Adriomycin Cytoxin Taxol
Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs
Radiation - 32 x
Metastatic BC lung/liver 10/04
thorocentesis 2x - pleurodesis
Herceptin Taxatiere Carbo
Femera/Lupron
BC NED 4/05
chemo induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia 5/06
Induction/consolidation chemo
bone marrow transplant - 11/3/06
Severe Host vs Graft Disease of liver
BC mets to lung 11/07
Fasoladex Herceptin Zometa Xeloda
GVHD/Iron overload to liver
Avascular Necrosis/morphine pump 10/10
metastatic brain tumor
steriotactic radiosurgery
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