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10-08-2007, 09:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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Update
I have never felt so blessed than to see all of your posts with concerns and prayers for me. Thank you so much. I do not have good news to report as far as the test results. I do have several small mets to the brain. I spent all day starting at my doctor's office this morning and then to visit the radiology department and have a consult with their doctor. I start wbr tomorrow for 10 days. When I am through with that, my oncologist will start me on tykerb and zeloda. I still have a petscan scheduled for the 17th of this month to see if the mets in my lymph nodes are completely gone. My tumour markers did shrink from 34 to 8.8, so not all the news was bad. I cannot drive for 2 weeks or keep my grandchildren by myself. My family has also really pulled through for me, by chipping in to drive me to radiation, to my classes and to stay with me on MWF to help me sit with my granddaughter. I am feeling really loved right now. I cannot reiterate enough how wonderful it felt to see all of your posts. I will be joining a few of you in the tykerb tiger club and will be a diarrhea diva. Thanks for being so wonderful. The reason I did not post any sooner, is because I had class tonight, my daughter picked me and then her husband brought over dinner and we all ate together. It was nice.
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10-08-2007, 09:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Vanessa,
So good to hear from you. I'm sure they will have those brain mets under control in no time. What a wonderful family you have.
Sending you more hugs and prayers.
__________________
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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10-08-2007, 10:01 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 38
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Vanessa,
I thought about you all day today. I am sorry to hear about your mets. You sound like you are so well loved and cared for. Keep us posted on how you do the next 10 days.
Susan C
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10-08-2007, 10:12 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 198
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Vanessa, I have been thinking of you as well today, CRAP...well it does feel good to have a treatment plan in place though and it looks like you with your docs are going to give these mets little chance of sticking around. I am sorry that you have to go through this...Glad to hear that the family is rallying around you!
Take care,
Tammy
__________________
Dx'd Dec'01 while 6mos preg. with #4. child (30yrsold)Mastectomy/AC chemo/radiation/ Recur:Mar'04 liver mets: 3 taxol/herceptin /liver resection/3 taxol/herceptin. Cured?
Recur: May'05 spine & Hip. New onc
treatment in Mexico Feb'06-Mar-06
back to Mexico June/July '06
Currently on herceptin/Zometa/Femara-recently added navelbine
Switched to arimidex Nov'06
ovaries removed June '07
ca15-3 in May'06 was 102
ca15-3 summer of '07 holding steady at 23!
ca15-3 slowly rising Dec & Jan 36, 38, 41 and Feb was 36
Feb '08 Liver, lung & Brain scan NED... bones are stable with even a couple spots gone. as compared with '06 scans
May '08 ca 15-3 is 55. Treatment is zometa, vinorelbine, herceptin and aromasin.
No signifcant changes.
Feb'09 Started Xeloda with herceptin..no more hormonals
Feb'09-June'09 tumor markers coming down again from 155 to 84
May'09 blood clots in lungs vena cava filter put in..Heparin shots daily for now.
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10-09-2007, 12:21 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
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Vanessa,
Thank you for letting us all know how you are. I am sorry that you got bad news, but it sounds like there is a definite plan of action, and I think you will be feeling better in no time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so glad that you have such a supportive family and are getting so much help. Hang in there.
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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10-09-2007, 12:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Well, Vanessa, I'm going to believe that the next 10 days will be hell for those mets and a blessing to you. May you continue to feel the love from all of us as you do your "zapping" of brain mets with the support of your family. You have some mighty smart, courageous warriors here who have "walked the walk" to help you through day by day! I'll sure be praying for you and believing in only the Best Results for you! Lots of love, 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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10-09-2007, 01:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Norway
Posts: 58
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Dear Vanessa!
I am sorry to hear your news, but I am very glad to learn about the support you have from your family.
I had WBR for my brainmets spring 2006. I am feeling very well now.
Wish you good luck!
Love, Toril
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10-09-2007, 02:45 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Vanessa...
Sorry to hear your news, but it sounds like they are working pretty straight forward on it. Will continue to keep you (and all) in prayers. 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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10-09-2007, 03:33 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: virginia
Posts: 99
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A Team
OK...now is the time....got the A Team, got the Plan, got that wonderful Family.....got power from all here.....go get 'em ! ZAP away at the beasties! Positive image.....the beasties are fried!! Many prayers coming your way.
Hugs, Bonnie
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10-09-2007, 04:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Vanessa
Not the news any of us wanted to hear, but sounds like the attack plan is already in gear...hope all this resolves quickly and life with the grandchildren will get back to normal....you are in my prayers dear Vanessa.
__________________
"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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10-09-2007, 06:28 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Hit 'em with everything you got, honey. I know your doctors will destroy the brain mets and you'll feel healthy again. God bless.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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10-09-2007, 07:07 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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just bumping this up.......
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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10-09-2007, 08:07 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Vanessa,
I'm sorry to hear the news that you have brain mets. At least your doctor has a treatment plan in place and it sounds like your family is being extremely supportive. I hope the 10 days of WBR go by quickly and with minimal side effects. Soon you'll be back to your normal routine. You are in my prayers.
__________________
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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10-09-2007, 08:19 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CHARLOTTE NC USA
Home town (ECUADOR) South America
Posts: 542
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Vanessa ..I'm more relief just to find out that you got all that good beat attitude , strengh so glad that the tumors markets are low ..that is great ..only apply some magic radiation on your brain ....and keep it up
__________________
Lily Diag April/06 5 months after give birth my son Max stage IV mets on liver (5 tumors) 38 year old, her2+++ and ER+PR+ from32 nodes 4 positives mastectomy right breast chemo before surgery herceptin/carboplatin/taxotere ,clear and surgery have radiation 20, `& then herceptin and tamoxifen NED until Aug/07 body only then 'n June 04-06-07 .1 lesion of 1.6 cm on cerebellum ...novalis ,open sugery 5m.m brain met again novalis, 4mm.In the liver. Waiting 2 months now 3 tumors enroll on T-MCC trial start first infusion Nov 5/07 at Dec 17 scan show one tumor despair the 2nd and 3th diminish Doc said great results until March/08 ct scan show progression 03-05-08 start tykerb & xeloda
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10-09-2007, 08:40 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES!
w/home in Boca Raton, Florida
Orig from L.I., N.Y.
Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
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You Are Stunning, Vanessa, Positively Stunning...
You are positively amazing, Vanessa! I am struck my your Spirit.
You had a day from hell yesterday, onc, radiol, and all, and then went to class? And posted to all us who kept checking the board ALL DAY LONG for word from you, in the midst of yet another bc ordeal!! How incredibly compassionate you are. How steadfast and strong you are. How sweet you are. We love you.
Anyone remember where Joe tucked all those INITIALS AND THEIR MEANINGS. Where are they when you need them...? WBR. Sorry. I knew. Oh -- brain just kicked in. Whole brain radiation! Dear God. You seem to be taking this in your stride with amazing grace, Vanessa. Good for you! You are a role model for every one of us! I'm blown away by you, and so many of the lovely ladies I've come to know on this board!
Truly!
I still want to know where the INITIALS AND THEIR MEANINGS are, for future reference.
I honed right in on your TMs! Yes, more than a shred of good news to hold to.
I feel confident you will get through this crappy and undeserved bump or blip on the screen and will be good to go, to enjoy your life and be well and healthy!
Andi
Thanks so very much, Vanessa for sharing w/us.
__________________
Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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10-09-2007, 08:52 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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abbrev.
Andi,
The list is on the Newcomers/Welcome board. It is right above the first thread. I use it all the time 
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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10-09-2007, 08:52 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
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thank you for the update
Dear Vanessa,
With so much going on your life, thanks for posting the update. We were (are) all deeply concerned. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I am a native Texan, are you?
Karen
__________________
Karen Raines Hunt
Dx April 2005 at age 46
stage 3A, very large (12cm) tumor
2 positive axillary lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, Her 2 +++
Bilateral mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, A/C, Taxol, Herceptin, Tamoxifen, Aromasin
5 yrs since diagnosis and NED
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10-09-2007, 08:57 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Dear Vanessa,
Such a wonderful team you have working with you. And when I say "team" I mean your medical team AND your family. I'm happy they are so supportive and loving toward's you as well. It makes life easier, doesn't it? Love covers a multitude of things in our life.
Anyway, I pray as I type that the WBR will be a success. I ask it in Jesus' Name. I also ask Him to give you His peace.
Love you Vanessa,
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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10-09-2007, 09:00 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 368
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Vanessa you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am also amazed that you could attend a class after visiting your Onc yesterday.
Sometimes the strength that BC survivors have is just beyond amazing.
I think that after dealing with BC for awhile, most of us take news like that in stride (even if we are falling apart inside) and go forward to the next step in treatment.
What choice do we really have?
I wish the best for you and your family.
__________________
12/12/06- IDC Stage III, 4x A/C, 35 rads, Herceptin 1 year
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10-09-2007, 09:17 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WHITESTOWN IN
Posts: 148
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Vanessa, You are very blessed to have an amazing family by your side. Make sure to let them continue to help you as you start this new treatment plan. It sucks that you have to deal with yet another thing but like you said some good news came out of it so hold on to that for the moment and push forward. We are all thinking of you and praying.
__________________
DX IDC AT 42 12/7/06
2.2CM STAGE I GRADE 2
NODE NEG
PARTIAL 12/18/06
HER2+ /ER+(75%) PR+(5%)
4 DD AC CHEMO STARTING 1/10/07
4 DD Taxol Starting 3/5/07
1year weekly Herceptin starting 3/5/07
finished 2/18/08
changed to every 3 weeks 4/23/07
completed 33 radiation treatments 7/6/07
TAH and BSO 9/24/07
start Femarra 10/8/07
Started Neritinib trial 12/14/09
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