***What was your date of dx, stage, treatment and current status...???***

[tweet7805]

Hi this is smart idea. My info with signature still struggling with side effects. MUGA scan due 12/20/06 & next Herceptin & Onc visit 12/29/06/

[gin-tx]

This is my second episode of bc, I had bc in 1995, had lumpectamy followed by radiation, no chemo. Then in Feb of this yr discovered a problem with other breast, went to gyn, who sent me to a breast surgeon. Had biopsy in late April, he thought everything looked good, called me 3 days later it was malignant, had sentinel node procedure and wider margins, first lymph node removed was malignant, other tissue clean. During course of tests had bone scan, something showed up, had MRI, had tumor on spine that was malignant, changed status to metistatic grade IV. When I saw onc he called radiation oncologist who was on vacation but due back that week-end. He called me to come in on Mon to start treatment, had 18 radiation treatments to spine, lungs (tumor pressing on lungs) esyphogus affected, could not eat well, spicy foods hurt, not fun. Am doing herceptin and aridia treatments every 3 weeks. Still having lots of problem with back, cancer ate thru tissue at T3, only solution is spinal fusion and not recommended with chemo, healing a problem, infection high risk. So I just live with it, take pain meds when I need them, and hope it will get some better in time. Thanks for your concern and keep me informed of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com

[tousled1]

Gin-TX,

Sorry to hear that your cancer has metastisized. Just when you think you're out of the woods - WHAM! The spine is a fragile piece of equipment as well I know. I had lower back problems for years and finally in Dec 2004 it got so bad that my only option was surgery. I had a spinal fusion T3 through S1. It's a really rough surgery and I still have problems. A year after that I was diagnosed with cancer. I'm speaking from experience and if there is any way to avoid spinal fusion I would do it. I have been on pain meds so many years I've lost track. The only time I was off pain meds was right after my mastectomy. After that surgery my back felt great. Guess it was from carrying around those heavy D cups! Well, it was short lived. I started Herceptin and along with that my back pain returned, worse than ever. In addition, all the bones/muscles/joints in my body hurt. After reading a post from Lani, I asked my oncologist to reconstitute my Herceptin with saline water instead of benzyl alcohol. What a difference! Now the only pain I have is the lumbar spine. I'm sending you nothing but good wishes and hopes that you can get the spine mets under control with chemo. I'll keep you in my prayers.