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Old 02-06-2010, 09:02 AM   #1
IRENE FROM TAMPA
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
Re: Irene From Tampa

Irene was laid to rest on Sunday, January 31st 2009 following a nice service within which many spoke of her affect on there lives.

The "spirit" of the room buoyed my own.
The many and continual greetings...hugs...and good wishes kept my thoughts positive...and excepting for some darker moments (to be expected) I've been able to maintain an even keel about things.

One of the photos I took in Italy....the "reach out and snap a shot" of our two heads pressed together was cropped and placed beside her casket. Irene looks radiant. It was accompanied by the room full of flowers I'd hoped for and a myriad of photos and clippings that marked her life. That picture hangs on the wall of the family room now...so I sense her still with me.

At her gravesite, one of her healthcare providers whispered something to me...that Irenes doctor...Doctor George...had told her that Irene was his longest living patient.

Her continual fight for additional life...her struggle for additional time to love and learn while on this earth...had bought her that time...gained her that experience.

Now its up to you.

Its up to you to carry on your own fights...to carry Irene's flag...together with flags of the many cherished loved ones and friends who struggle still or you have lost...another 14 years...until a cure is found...until a suitable maintenance drug is discovered...or until you or your loved ones are no longer in jeopardy.


As with the spirit in my heart...
As with that picture on my wall...
Irene will be with you all as you carry forward.

All my very best...

All my love...care...appreciation...and best hopes go out to each of you.


John
2/6/10
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Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial

"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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Old 02-07-2010, 12:47 AM   #2
Chelee
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Location: Southern, CA
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Re: Irene From Tampa

John, What a wonderful description of Irene's service...I can almost picture it as if I was there. You have a wonderful way with words. Irene's service sounds as beautiful as she was.

I'm not surprised that Irene was Doctor George's longest living patient. Irene was a true fighter with a strong will to live...nothing was going to stop her. She was one very amazing lady that I will never forget. She was a true inspriation to me and so many others here...I feel so blessed to have known her. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I will continue to think of Irene and smile. God bless you and the family.

Chelee
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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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