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04-19-2008, 10:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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My brother and hospice
I had to take my brother to the doctor last week while he was officially told that there was nothing else they could do for him and that he needed to go under hospice care. His doctor told him that he had at the best..a couple of months, but that he could likely go in a few weeks with organ failure. He has been battling melanoma. We were expecting this but it is so awful to hear it. He told his doctor that he had tried his best and of course we cried (not the doctor, he was pretty cheery). Actually, he was trying to get my brother to see there was a better place waiting him, but that's a hard thing to believe sometimes. I went this week and took care of all the funeral plans, my husband and I bought plots right next to my brothers, under a big oak tree. My brother was worried about being buried by himself, that made him smile when I told him. He was a bachelor and had no children...just crazy mom. He is now sleeping almost all the time, maybe up an hour or two a day. Please pray that God sends him an angel of reassurance. He said that he had been having awful dreams...something was coming to get him and he had been fighting them with all he had, he said he wasn't ready to go with them. This broke my heart. I pray God sends him something positive so he won't feel afraid and alone, please pray with me. ..tks..sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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04-19-2008, 10:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Oh, Sherry.........
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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04-19-2008, 11:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Sherry, I will be praying for your family. I would like to know your brother's first name, if that's ok. I, too, am a bass fisherman, and as I catch, and release them, I would like like to say "this one is for____" please tell him, for what it's worth, that I will do that with every bass I catch, for the rest of my life. I'm praying for you. I know how hard that news is.
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04-20-2008, 12:21 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Sherry, My heart goes out to you. I went through this eight months ago with my Mother. Passed away from advanced lung cancer. Towards the end it was very difficult to watch so I can only imagine how hard this is on you right now. (I am so sorry to hear your brothers onc seemed so cheery.) These onc's/doctors have to be detached at some level...but some times I say its a bit too much. My Mothers onc wasn't very warm either when giving her the news. He was darned right cruel. Your post really hit home with me...I just can't stress how sorry I am to hear your dealing with all this right now.
Your post brings tears to my eyes because I know how hard this is on you. Its just awful that your brother is having such terrible dreams...I know my Mother was having nightmares too. They terrified her. Sometimes I wonder if the pain meds they have to take make the dreams worse? Either way its just so difficult.
I just want to let you know how my heart breaks for you Sherry. But it is nice to hear your brother got some comfort out of knowing you all have plots together. He knows he will be with family that loves him and I'm sure that means alot to your brother. He's been so blessed to have such a terrific sister by his side. I'm just so very sorry you are having to go through all this. I will certainly be keeping your brother and the entire family 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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04-20-2008, 06:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Sherry...
my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care and God bless.
Rhonda
__________________
Rhonda
Dx 2/1/05, Stage 1, 0 nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER2+ (3.16 Fish)
2/7/05, Partial Mastectomy
5/18/05 Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan)
8/1/05 Finished 33 rads
8/18/05 Started Herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year (last one 8/10/06)
2/1/13...8 year Cancerversary and I am "perfect" (at least where cancer is concerned;)
" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
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04-20-2008, 06:53 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
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Dear Sherry,
I will pray for reassurance and peace. You are a good and kind sister.
I am thinking of you guys.
Best,
Karen
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04-20-2008, 06:57 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Bill, your gesture is so moving. It will be meaningful to both Sherry and her brother.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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04-20-2008, 07:46 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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I am so sorry
Sherry - your brother and your family are in my prayers.
__________________
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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04-20-2008, 08:05 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Sherry
My heart goes out to you...this a a very difficult time for you and your brother....may you both sustain peace throughout this time...you are both in my prayers.
__________________
"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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04-20-2008, 08:27 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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Sherry, my heart goes out to you. When my grandmother was dying of cancer, her parents and husband appeared to her and let her know they were waiting for her. Two days before she died she saw a hand come down from the heavens. These things helped her know there was a better place waiting for her.
I will pray for strength (as well as health) for you and comfort for your brother.
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04-20-2008, 08:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 232
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Sherry,
I am so sorry. Prayers being sent to you and your brother.
Karen
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04-20-2008, 08:54 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Deeply Sorry
Oh Sherry,
I am so deeply sorry to hear your news. Hospice is a wonderful group and they do offer counseling to patients and the family. Maybe you could inquire with Hospice. I know when I lived through this with both my parents, I found our Pastor was a wonderful Influence in helping all of us cope. He would come to the house and visit, sit and talk with my mother and the rest of the family, it was a huge comfort.
<O  </O
Please know I will keep you and your family in my prayer during this difficult time.
<O </O
Kindest Regards,
jean
<O ></O >
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
Last edited by Jean; 04-20-2008 at 03:38 PM..
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04-20-2008, 10:00 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Sherry,
I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I understand how you feel, I lost my sister to MS in 2000. It's very difficult to accept that nothing else can be done. God was merciful with my sister. She slipped into a coma and went peacefully. My heart goes out to you and your family.
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!!
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04-20-2008, 10:53 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Dear Sherry,
I'm so sorry for all the pain you and your family are going through. Life, this side of Heaven, can be so, so, so hard.
I ask our Lord to send an angel of comfort and Peace, to be felt by your brother and you, and that the bad dreams may cease. I ask with a believing heart Sherry.
What a wonderful, caring sister you are. He is blessed to have you as you are to have him.
Wrapping you and your brother in prayer.
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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04-20-2008, 11:10 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Sherry,
Sending prayers of comfort and peace to you and your brother.
God Bless,
Tonya
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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04-20-2008, 11:17 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Sherry,
I'm praying right now that God sends angels to both of you and wraps you in love. This is so hard...
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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04-20-2008, 11:32 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Nothing is harder
Sherry, when my mother died it was very painful and difficult. Her body shut down because she could not swallow(PSP). The last night I don't know who was in more pain, her or me. I just about lost it. The nurse asked me if I had prayed, which made me really mad cause I'd been praying, but when I thought about the fact that there was nothing else, I grabbed her hand and my husband's hand while he grabbed mom's other hand and we prayed and prayed. I prayed til I had relief and once more had trust in God's goodness and wisdom. Boy, had I lost track of my faith! After praying, I just opened the bible and began to read to mom. Her labored breathing eased and my heart returned to a place of staying in the moment and being there for her. It wasn't easy, but when I cried out to God, He heard and comforted us all. I'll pray for you and your brother and for God to send some angels to surround him and keep him safe from nighmares and fears. And for you to find a place of acceptance and peace and trust. Pour out your love to him Sherry, it's hard for fear and love to abide together. Read to him, sing to him, just love him openly and with all that's in you. You need peace as much as he does. God bless you and keep you strong. Much love and prayers, ma
__________________
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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04-20-2008, 03:09 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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Oh Sherry - I'll be praying for your brother - and for you to find strength!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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04-20-2008, 03:39 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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Thank you all. My brothers name is Pierson. ...sherry
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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04-20-2008, 03:49 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Thanks, Sherry, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and so is Pierson. Hugs, Bill
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