 |
03-16-2007, 07:45 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 148
|
Rough Couple Of Months
JUST NEED TO VENT. MY FATHER DIED THE END OF JANUARY AFTER A MONTH OF HOSPICE CARE, I WAS PREPARED BUT IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT. THEN I STARTED THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME, I FELT BLOATED AND COULD SIMPLY NOT LOSE ANY WEIGHT. A MONTH BEFORE I TOLD MY DOCTOR I HAD BEEN COUGHING A-LOT AND GAGING. HE PRESCRIBED SOMETHING AND IT HELPED BUT NEVER WENT AWAY. I THOUGHT MAYBE I'M JUST NOT WELL FROM ALL THE STRESS OF MY FATHER PASSING. I WENT IN WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT AND TOLD HIM I FEEL STUFFED & BLOATED. BY THIS TIME MY STOMACH WAS DISTENDED AND I WAS REALLY STARTING TO PANIC. THEY SENT ME FOR AN ULTRASOUND & CT AND DON'T YOU JUST KNOW I HAD AN OVARIAN TUMOR. I HAD SURGERY A WEEK AGO AND THEY DID A HYSTERECTOMY AND OPENED MY ABDOMEN UP, I HAD 2 TUMORS, ONE ON EACH OVARY. THEY HAD TO PUT A CHEST TUBE IN ME BECAUSE I HAD FLUID IN MY CHEST AS WELL AS THE ABDOMEN. I HAD TUBES EVERYWHERE AND SPENT 5 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. I WILL SEE MY ONCOLOGISTS IN 2 WEEKS. NOT SURE WHATS NEXT. I THINK I'M KINDA IN SHOCK. I FEEL LIKE I'M WATCHING IT HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE.
__________________
SHEILA (45)
09/2005--BREAST CANCER/8 POS NODES --A/C, MASTECTOMY,TAXOTERE, RADS, TAMOXIFEN,HERCEPTIN
02/2007--B/C METS TO OVARIES--HYSTERECTOMY, FASLODEX
12/2007--ENLARGING LYMPH NODES IN ABDOMEN--IXEMPRA, THEN TYKERB
08/2008--COLON TUMOR--A/C AGAIN,
12/2008--ABDOMEN TUMOR--AVASTIN/NAVELBINE FEMARA
05/2009--MET TO SPINE (L2) RADS
CURRENT TREATMENT
07/2009- START ZOMETA MONTHLY, XELODA & ABRAXANE......SURVIVING THE BEST I CAN
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 07:50 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
|
Sheila, I'm sorry you are having to go thru this and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on how things are going--hope things get better for you soon.
________
SexxAffair cam
Last edited by sassy; 08-22-2011 at 09:11 AM..
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 08:04 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 105
|
Sheila,
I imagine being told about the new tumors would make you feel much like you did when you were diagnosed with breast cancer. It must be frustrating and absolutely draining to contemplate another round of treatments, not to mention all the old fears creeping back in. Sometimes, I think the mind will protect you from some of those feelings by giving you this "on the outside looking in" perspective until you can gather your strength to hit it head-on and I know that strength will come to you. Just remember, you made it through the first time and no matter how bad it may have been, it has made you a stronger person. I will be praying for you tonight and giving you a big healthy hug from my heart.
Stephanie
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 08:18 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
|
Dear Sheila,
Oh my dear, what a lot to deal with. No wonder you feel like you're in shock! Any one of these things would be enough to push anyone over the edge. I can't offer anything but cyberhugs and prayers that things will settle down for you soon. Glad you came here to vent.
Much love
Chris
__________________
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
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 08:22 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
|
So sorry Sheila. What was your original ER/PR? Do post the new pathology and suggested treatment. I'm hoping these tumors are easily treatable and someone who knows something about this particular type can give you advice. I would guess there is also an ovarian cancer support group.
Not fair, but praying you can kick this as well. Hang in there. We're here for you. Bev
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 08:23 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
|
Sheila,
First of all I'm sorry to hear that your father passed away. Secondly, it's a good thing you did go to the doctor when you did. It's amazing what are bodies will do. I'm praying that when you get the results of the tumors everything will be benign so that you will not have to go through anymore treatments. Sending you a big hug!
__________________
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
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 09:31 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: .
Posts: 211
|
Dear Sheila
That is so much to do through.I am sorry it has been such a hard time for you. Keep letting us know how you feel and drawing strength from other lovely women on this forum.
love
linda
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2007, 09:46 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
|
Shiela,
Sorry to hear about your Father. No matter how ill our parents become we are
never prepared to let them go. You have been through a lot.
I am thinking positive thoughts for you and sending you a big
hug. Take care and please keep us posted on your progress.
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
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 05:11 AM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
|
Sheila
So sorry about all you are going through topped by the loss of your Father....we are never ready to say goodbye to those that gave us life, a home and made us what we are today. I am praying your reports will be clean and this hurdle behind you in not time, with renewed strength and many more years to come.
__________________
"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
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 08:10 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
|
Sheila, please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your father. I was also so sorry to read all you have been going through. Please stay strong, (believe me, I know that isn't an easy task), and stay positive because it makes such a difference in your overall recovery and health in general. Good luck with your visit to your onc and hopefully you will hear nothing too terrible at all. Let's pray things get better from this day forth.
__________________
~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
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 10:27 AM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
|
You had the classic symptoms -
-- of ovarian tumor. Really sorry it had to happen to YOU, one of our HER2 warriors who have it hard enough as it is! And loss of a cherished parent at the same time is a double whammy.
Please check with your docs for signs of Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome - times like you are enduring will bring this on. And depression, etc. will not add to your life.
I know two women in my activity group who have ovarian and have done well on Doxil for treatment. One lady is 5 years out and the other is 4 years.
My GP always is screening me for other cancers as he says we are at a ONE-THIRD greater risk for a second cancer. I don't like those odds!
Fight on, Sheila and we are here to help any time.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 01:19 PM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
|
Hi Sheila!
I'm so sorry to hear of your father's death. No matter how prepared we try to be, losing a parent just isn't anything but very hard. They are the "rock solid" part of our life for so long and then they are gone. And then you get socked in the face with more tumors and more unknowns. Wish is could vanish for you. But instead, I'll just pray for your strength, wisdom, and courage to return just in time for the news from your onc. Lots of love to you. 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!
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 05:31 PM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
|
Sheila I'm so sorry you're having to face all this so soon after losing your Father.
I was dx only a couple of months before you in '05 and can only imagine how shocked you must be feeling right now to have heard this new dx.
Hang in there and stay strong,you can get through this and I'm sending lots of cyber hugs your way and hope for some good news from your onc appt.
Please keep us posted.
__________________
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!
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2007, 10:41 PM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
|
Man o Man o Man...
I cannot "feel" more for you right now. I know that for me to say "I know where you are coming from" seems like such a platitiude - but IT IS'NT! Let me know what I can do - research (got it down) - prayer (God and I and are a first name basis) - positive energy (feel it now)!
If you've followed my posts, I've lost my father-in-law, my wife, and now my mother-in-law is now sick - ALL since October. I KNOW 85% of your pain, and I pray I can help.
Mel Gordon
695 N. Gooseberry Ct.
Lafayette, Colorado 80026
303-604.6922
Love and Light
Mel
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
|
|
|
|
|
03-18-2007, 08:36 AM
|
#15
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
|
Hi Sheila,
When I read your story I just had to wonder how you could handle so much at once. I could relate to your comment about how you felt like an observer. Three years ago when I developed mets to the liver, lung, skin, lymph nodes, I was so calm when I had my appointment with my brain surgeon that he stopped the discussion for a moment and said, "This is serious." Somehow I must have been in some sort of calming stage that our body or mind places us when things really are, or seem out of control.
These are two huge bumps in the road for you. Although you will find a way to get through them, I'm glad that you have come here again for support.
Just know that you continue to be in my thoughts.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
|
|
|
|
|
03-18-2007, 10:46 AM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
|
Sheila, I am just so sorry you're going through so much in such a short time. I'm sending you big hugs right now, hoping you are getting through this and just know, you are not alone. BIG HUGS,
<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.
|
|
|
|
|
03-18-2007, 11:31 AM
|
#17
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suwanee, Georgia.
Posts: 56
|
((((((( Hugs )))))))
Sheila, I am so sorry you're going through so much in such a short time. I will keep you in my prayers. Just remember, you are not alone. Keep us posted on your progress.
((((((( HUGS )))))))
Betty
__________________
1/2002 DX stage IIa IDC er/pr+ her2 3+ positive: insitu ductal carcinoma right breast, 3cm 8 node removal all neg;lumpectomy;4 rounds A/C; 33 rads
tamoxifen
4/2004 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; nodes 9 of 12 positive largest 1.5 cm; 28 rads;stopped tamoxifen;went on Femara/lupron
8/2004 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; dbl mas reconstructive surgery w/tran flap; no chemo or drugs
11/2005 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; Taxol/Herceptin 1x weekly for 12 weeks; Herceptin for 9 months 1x 21 days
12/2006 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr- her2 3+ positive; Her 2 rechecked with FISH her2+++ er/pr-
3/9/07 Started Tykerb (Lapatinib) 1250 mg/once daily
Xeloda (Capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/daily 1-14 every 21 days
|
|
|
|
|
03-18-2007, 03:28 PM
|
#18
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 77
|
Sheila,
Please know that you are in my prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about the passing
of your father.
In regard to your latest medical news......hang in there and believe in the power of prayer.
Take care .... you have lots of support right here.
Carol
|
|
|
|
|
03-18-2007, 05:37 PM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,150
|
The Road Ahead
Dearest Sheila,
My heart goes out to you. The loss of your father and now this diagnosis! Please stay strong and know we are all here to support you. I lost my Mother, sister, father-in-law and nephew all within 9 months back in 1985. I never thought I would make it through all those tragedies, and many days I never saw the light of day from my bedroom as I took refuge there, but somehow I kept on walking and praying and crying through it all and today it is those experiences that are carrying me through this journey. I can imagine the pain you are feeling right
now and how hard it is to keep going. I pray the strength and courage that you need right now will come swiftly. You are in my prayers. Love, Vickie
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:58 PM.
|
Linear Mode
