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03-01-2007, 05:35 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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A bit crispy, but the radiation is done!
Wow, how excited I was to finish up my radiation today! It was simple and good, but just am so pleased to have it done. I got crispy is some places but have good stuff to put on it. I'm just so glad that they can raise our odds with the radiation. It felt like I was really doing something to fight this disease each day. I had such sweet care and will miss them. Now four more months of Herceptin and then ? whatever is next! I'm so glad you guys visit the board regularly. It just makes such a difference. 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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03-01-2007, 06:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,843
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You are all so brave about it all.
Crusty sunburn is bad enough and that's without everything else you go through.
I hope it is not too sore.
RB
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03-01-2007, 06:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 72
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Congrats, Mary Anne!
__________________
12/01/2006 Initial Dx via stereotactic biopsy - DCIS, grade 3
12/27/2006 Lumpectomy w/ SNB: 2 foci of IDC (largest .3 cm, Grade 2, Notthingham score 6) amid large area of DCIS: No clear margins on the DCIS; re-excision recommended
ER+(55%)/PR+(60+)/HER2+ (2.8+ via IHC?)
01/23/2007 Re-excision Lumpectomy: No clear margins on the DCIS; mastectomy recommended
03/02/2007 Bilateral mastectomy w/ expander implant insertion
03/19/2007 Emergency surgery to fix broken blood vessel in left breast
03/30/2007 Met w/ oncologist; oncologist checking on HER2 status with pathologist and doing some consulting on my case - no treatments for now!
05/02/2007 Next appointment w/ oncologist
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03-01-2007, 06:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Way to go Mary Anne! You will be surprised how quickly you heal up. My rad people gave me "Aquaphor" ointment last time, it was amazing stuff.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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03-01-2007, 06:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Shingle Springs, CA - near Sacramento
Posts: 295
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HI Mary Ann,
Just had my 1 month check up after radiation. My skin is still a little red and the Dr. said it was actually warm to the touch, too. Doesn't bother me at all now, I was unaware of the redness and warmth. He also said to wait another 2 mos. for my mammogram even though the oncologist ordered it just to make sure everything is good and healed before we go squishing everything!
Hope healing happens as fast for you as it did for me.
Best to You,
Donna
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03-01-2007, 07:12 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Mary Anne
Great news that the radiation hurdle is over...hope you will be feeling like a million in no time.
__________________
"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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03-01-2007, 07:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Happy Graduation !
Hi Mary Anne,
Another step forward in the treatment process! Best of luck and Congratulations.
Regards,
jean
__________________
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
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03-01-2007, 08:27 PM
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#8
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Guest
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Silver Sulfadiazine Cream
I had a very bad burn and rash during and after radiation. None of the creams they gave me at the radiation center worked, including biafine. I tried every cream, prescription and otherwise, and nothing worked. A good friend, a nurse, insisted that I push to get silver sulfadiazine cream. I did, and it worked amazingly well. I had instant relief for the pain and itching and within an hour the skin began to change color--red to white. It worked so quickly, it scared me silly. I thought I was losing my skin pigment. It continued to work and my skin looked wonderful in less than a week. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe sulfur because it's an antibiotic and there's the fear of building up an immnuity. If you can get some, try it! I recommend it highly.
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03-01-2007, 09:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Way to go Mary Anne. I found my 7 weeks of radiation flew by. Doesn't it feel great to not have to go there everyday anymore? Another chapter closed for you.
__________________
~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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03-01-2007, 11:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 144
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Good one! It's great to hear you are through it! B
__________________
Belinda
- Diagnosed 3 Jan 2007, Stage IIb, Mastectomy and axillary clearance 10 Jan 07, 6 of 19 nodes affected, multi-focal cancer, HER2 positive. Second mastectomy (prophylactic). Chemo - AC 3 months, Taxol 3 months - then radiation 5 weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Diagnosed with Stage IV mets to lung, sternum and 12 or so thoracic nodes - Rads to Sternum, then weekly abraxane and herceptin for 12 weeks.
- May 2012- good scans - all nodes still about normal size, hole in sternum repairing, lung tumour 'obliterated'.
Ongoing herceptin every 3 weeks. Bloods still all good! Life good!
- March 2013 - recurrence - tumours in lungs and mediastinum (coughing up blood) - immediate radiation treatment to right lung and mediastinum, still on Herceptin, and 3 months of Vinoralbine - stable for a little while!
- Coughing and breathlessness started again September 2013, treated as radiation-induced fibrosis (which can be seen on scans - albeit stable). ie puffers, steroids
- January 2014 - cough becomes bloody again, scans show big mediastinal tumour wrapped around and choking the life out of my right main bronchus, radiation deemed off limits as my lungs are hypersensitive to radiation (measured by existing damage from 2013) .....................- ie I am in the 5% of people likely to suffer severe radiation damage to the lungs that they warn you about before starting treatment! (so special! :) )
- Started chemo Feb 2014 - continuing Herceptin (continuous since Aug 2011), with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Discontinued Gemcitabine because of se's. Starting cycle 5 Herc/Carbo 5 May 2014.
- Meantime.....coughing and breathlessness increased to SCARY levels with racing heartbeat that won't slow down, breath that won't come back, even just walking to the bathroom or up 3 or 4 steps.
- ICU from May 5 2014, collapsed right lung due to tumour, small pulmonary embolism (left), tumours growing in mediastinum left and right, dvt lower right leg
- Plan seems to be bronchoscope next week to see if tumour can be lasered and stent inserted in right bronchus to reopen air access to lower parts of right lung. If that is successful might be able to have brachytherapy to worst tumour, otherwise no more options for external radiotherapy.
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03-01-2007, 11:37 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
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Congrats!
Love and Light
Mel
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
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03-02-2007, 05:04 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Thanks so very much everyone . . . and for the suggestions for what to put on it! I'm doing good so far, a bit itchy at times, but I have stuff for that. As I waked this morning, I was internally gearing up for getting to treatment until I realized I didn't have to go! You know, it's the strangest feeling about finishing each type of treatment. I count off the days, stay focused on getting to the end and when the end comes I'm so excited to be done, but also it becomes harder and harder to leave the people who give so much to take care of me. I got so many wonderful hugs yesterday from the three radiation nurses/technicians who had taken care of me all these weeks. They were so careful with me and blessed me with such kindness that it made things so much easier. I will miss them. And it makes me think that at the end of June I will be stopping my every 3 weeks trip for Herceptin. I so admire and appreciate all the people who are making this journey as easy as possible and filled with loving care. I want it over and I also dread the day I leave them all. Love & thanks to you all, 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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03-02-2007, 06:07 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
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Congratulations Mary Anne! What a great feeling! It's so funny- the crisper I got, the happier I was- I felt like I was doing that much more to kick the cancer. Fry baby fry!!!!!! :-)
Not what will you do with all of your extra time?! :-)
Love, Kelly
__________________
dx'd 05/06, 37 years old
er/pr-, Her2+, grade 3
double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction- implants
Stage 2b, 2 tumors- 2.2 cm and 0.6 cm, 3/5 + nodes
all scans clear
genetic testing- negative
06/06 began dd A/C x 4, 12 weekly Taxols w/ Herceptin
30 rads
Herceptin weekly x 1 year
Herceptin completed 08/07
Port removed 12/26/07 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
05/17/08 Two year anniversary NED
"We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... you must do the thing that you think you cannot do."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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03-02-2007, 12:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Hooray for you ! I was very surprised that the marks red, brown ,crispy etc, have all disappeared. I am hoping the same result for you !!
Happy for you
__________________
Susan V - Pittsburgh PA
DX Age 37 on August 3, 2006
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR + (Highly Positive)
Her 2 +++
1.3 & 1.2 tumors right breast
node negative
lumpectomy 8-15-06
A/C Began 9-5-06 Finished A/C 11/6/06
Port Placement 9-15-06
Negative Test for BRAC1 & BRAC2 10-25-06
Began Tamoxofin November 21, 2006
First Herceptin November 27, 2006 Continues every 3 Weeks
First Radiation Treatment December 11, 2006
35 Rads Completed
Final Herceptin Treatment November 12, 2007
Port Removal November 19, 2007
Living Life to the Fullest !!
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03-02-2007, 12:39 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 39
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Keep using the cream
It is wonderful to be finished with the radiation. I finished my rads last summer but still have some edema in my nipple area. I had a lumpectomy. My rad Dr. said to continue putting a good creamy lotIon on my breast every day, even now. So keep using the cream and it's also a good way to check for anything unusual.
__________________
Ora
_____________
DX 7-5-05, Age 54, Stage 1, Grade 2, ER+ (25%) PR- Her2 neu 3+
Lumpectomy 8-4-05, 2cm tumor, 3 nodes neg, Completed 4 A/C, 4 taxol, decadron (weekly due to steriod reaction) finished 4-17-06
Finished 33 rads 6-5-06, Femara, Started Herceptin 6-22-06
Effexor for hot flashes, Taken off Herceptin Feb 2007 due to low LVEF (44 by Echo) Coreg & Lisinopril replaced bp meds - April Echo back up to 55 Resumed Herceptin 5-21-07.
2010: almost 5 YRS NED!!! Still taking Femara & Coreg. Due to all the CT scans, abdominal aneurysm found & repaired. Something good came out of having cancer.
2013 7+ years NED. Still on Femara
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03-02-2007, 02:10 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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Congrats!
It is such a graduation of sorts, isn't it? I'm glad you are done and one step closer to finding a new normal. Every day we enjoy life-even the struggles-is a day we are doing something against this disease and I can tell by your smile that you do enjoy life.
I kinda missed the routine I got used to with radiation as weird as that sounds. The staff was so nice for me too. They gave me a cake at the end-it taste like a big Twinkie.
__________________
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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03-02-2007, 02:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Now you that have completed radiation the only hurdle left is to finish the Herceptin and remain NED.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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03-02-2007, 02:45 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 138
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Congratulations! I finished up one day before you and am red and sore in only one place (under my arm), so I feel I came out pretty good. Good luck on healing and being able to put rads in the PAST!
Janet
__________________
Janet in Rowlett Texas
Dx July 2006 IDC 1.8cm, ER-/PR- HER2+ (FISH 7), KI67 High (60%) grade 3, TOPO II neg
Aug2006: lumpectomy, SNB (4 nodes neg), Stage 1
Jan 2007: Finished 6 cycles of TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Her ceptin). Then Herceptin every 3 weeks.
Feb 2007: Completed Radiation
May 2007: Stopped Herceptin due to low LVEF (49%)
July 2007: LVEF now 44% -- starting Coreg
May 2008: Heart NORMAL! Yippee.
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03-06-2007, 02:54 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
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I had my last radiation treatment today!They were wonderful to me and will kinda miss them? For my burns they gave me Aquaphor( over the counter), Biafine (RX only) and a solution called Domeboro. They all worked pretty good until someone told me to put Aloe Vera from the plant on the burns. Take a stem from the plant, keep it in the refrigerator, slice thin layers and apply to the skin. It feels so wonderful, I could see the difference in my skin within the hour! CarolB
__________________
 Carol H., Florida
Right Breast 11-28-06
Lumpectomy
Infiltrating Carcinoma
Stage 1
Grade 11
1.5 cm
Sentinel Lymph Node Neg.
ER-
PR-
Her2+
Fish 2.5 Amplied
KI-67 20%
Radiation= 6 weeks
Refused Chemo & Herceptin
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03-06-2007, 03:45 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Carol, while it's true that aloe vera is very healing, my radition nurse recommended that I get some bottled gel (more sanitary) from the local health store, keep it in the fridge and apply as needed...
The fresh leaves could have bacteria on them, and if you have any raw or weepy places the bacteria could be problematic.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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