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08-16-2010, 04:34 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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I think Joe would have liked this....
Attitude There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. 'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed
that she had only one hair on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.
 The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and
noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!' Attitude is everything.
__________________
"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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08-16-2010, 07:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Moultrie, GA
Posts: 431
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Shelia,
I loved this! It reminds me of the time I was going through chemo and had not a hair on my head. My husband was driving me down to Mayo in Jacksonville (about a three hour drive) for another treatment and I wasn't feeling well because my Hgb had dropped to 9. I had my seat reclined so I could doze and all of a sudden, I sat straight up and announced,"I'm glad I don't have any hair!" My husband looked at me with the strangest look on his face. It was a mixture of~should I look for the nearest mental hospital and disbelief. I told him, "I don't have the strength to fool with it right now." So thank you again for sharing this.
Sandra
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/25/08 ~ age 63, no family history
Surgery: 8/14/08 Bilateral mastectomy; tumor left breast, node dissection; right prophylactic with expanders: 1/12/10 latisimuss dorsi flap on left side: 9/22/10 implants in
Pathology Report: ER/PR-; HER2+ (3+); Grade 3, StageIII; 3cm tumor plus 21/21 lymph nodes positive; 5cm DCIS
Chemo: A/C; Taxol/Herceptin/Tykerb; phase II study at Mayo adding Tykerb for early stage
Radiation: 25 rads
Vaccine: Walter Reed GP2/AE37 vaccine study ~ last booster 9/17/2012
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08-16-2010, 09:49 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,526
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Just brilliant!
Ellie
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08-16-2010, 10:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
I think so Sheila 
I read this when going through my own chemo and it really made me smile as it did today!
__________________
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!
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08-16-2010, 05:47 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
You are so right, Sheila! Thanks so much for sharing this.
__________________
For Nicola
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08-16-2010, 06:48 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Sheila, I copied this over to a thread on the newcomers forum that had to do with hair loss. Perfect! Thanks!
__________________
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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08-16-2010, 07:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
There were no "bad hair" days then.
They were just "no hair" days!
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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08-16-2010, 08:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Thank you Sheila,
This should be posted on many sites...people who are not fighting this disease but complain over ordinary everyday things...hmmmm...makes one stop and appreciate the day no matter what the head looks like!
Yes, Joe would love this.
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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08-18-2010, 01:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cordoba, Mexico
Posts: 672
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Sheila,
Thanks for these words!!! Yes! attitude is everything. Thank you for reminding us that.
Sending you a BIG BIG HUG dear Sheila.
__________________
Dx. June 30th, 2006 at age 43
Lumpectomy rt breast
2.2 cm tumor, 13 nodes all negative
ER-PR+,her2+++
6 FAC
32 Rads
Dx. Lung fibrosis due to radiation
Ended 1 year herceptin in March, 2008
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08-18-2010, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Near Chicago
Posts: 196
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Sheila,
Sweet!
Melanie
__________________
Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07)
Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection
Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes
Portacath: 9/7/07
Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds
Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema)
Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol)
Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07)
Reconstruction (silicone implant)
Herceptin done (10/08)
Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08)
Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis)
Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10
Six years NED...7/7/2013!
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08-19-2010, 03:26 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Sheila,
Thanks for sharing this. I, too, have plagarized it and sent it to all my friends. I remember how grateful I was that I didn't look like a bald freak because I didn't have the energy to try and cover up the fact I was hairless. Thanks again for sharing.
Love & hugs,
Marlys
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08-19-2010, 06:03 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 205
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
That is awesome, Sheila. I agree. I think Joe would like it. And, frankly, it reminds me of you. Your attitude always seems so good!!! You are an inspiration!
Hugs,
Maureen
__________________
Maureen
My loves
IDC & DCIS, HER2+++ Diagnosis: October 1, 2008 - Tumor: 6.8 centimeters, never showed on mammograms
- ER-/PR-
- November 2008: Sentinal Lymph node surgery. 6 out of 9 lymph nodes with cancer
- Stage IIIc
- Lapatinib Clinical Trial start: November, 2008
- Surgery: May 5, 2009
- Started Herceptin: May 19, 2009
- Started Radiation (33 rounds): June 10, 2009
- September 2009: Moved to Michigan to be closer to family
- 12/09 - still on Herceptin until May 2010
- August 2010: Port out, port out, port out port out port port port out port ooooout...da da da dant! (to the music of the Pink Panther)
Blog: http://moonsfamily.blogspot.com
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08-19-2010, 07:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Sheila,
That was just wonderful! I know Joe would have loved it and I think more importantly he lived it just as you do.
I haven't been able to post my thoughts on our loss of dear Joe. The words just are not there quite yet. Oddly, the loss is so profound. He was our rock and to think he was suffering and I did not know.
Well, I can say this: heaven is a brighter place because Joe is shining there.
Tricia, I love your new Avatar with your super-sized Maine Coon Kitty! I think I may start a pet thread in Joe's honor where we post our furry children on it. What do you all think? He was proud of his Belle. I know my fluffy ones made those long, sleepless, post-chemo nights so much more bearable with their snuggles and presence. I nearly always had a kitty by my side, and Molly (my survivor kitty and on my signature) was fascinated by the lack of fur on my head! She would perch on the back of my recliner and place her paw on my bald pate. Her paw would slide over my head and then rest there. Once my hair returned she never parked herself on my recliner again. I think Molly preferred me bald!
__________________
Smile On!
Laurel
Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara
15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....
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08-28-2010, 09:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Re: I think Joe would have liked this....
Very nice Sheila!
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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