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10-26-2009, 10:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 582
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Here's the latest on TriciaK
As many of you know, I have been fighting BC since 1985, starting with cancer in the right breast and suspicious tissue in the left. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, did fine for 5 years, then it returned in t9 and t10 vertebras in 1990. A variety of treatments including tamoxifen led to a diagnosis 5 years later of "Healed metastatic breast cancer." I went on with my life and career, all but forgetting about BC, until a heart attack in 2004 and a triple bypass. I credit the heart attack with saving my life, for because of it we disovered BC was back, this time her2. Fifteen months on herceptin, including 6 on navelbine, and femara ever since has kept me NED up to 2009. My 6-months checkup and scan this July showed my tumor markers starting to rise again and a nodule was growing. My oncologist suggested monthly marker checks and another scan in 3 months, which was October 14. The good news is that although the markers are still rising, the latest scan showed that the lung nodule looks cancer-free and hasn't grown more. That is really good news and I am grateful!
Since I will turn 80 on December 9, I have a few other health challenges , but I am feeling positive and doctors have suggested some treatments. I had another mild heart attack in January, with pulmonary and heart blood clots. I've just been diagnosed with polymyalgia which causes weakness, pain and dizziness. I will probably have to go on prednisone and maybe start using a wheel chair or scooter. I've also developed gall bladder problems that require immediate surgery. At the moment I can't walk, eat, or see very well but I am hanging in there. I'm thinking I may die of old age at 102, like my Swedish great grandmother! I'm the girl who used to dance 4 nights a week, so I'm not ready to give up yet. I have a wonderful husband and about 75 descendents +4 new great grandbabies due next year I can't wait to meet! I'm teaching a couple of classes and writing another book. Whatever happens it's been a fun ride and knowing you all has been very special. Thank you for your love and prayers and support. I hold you all in my heart and I have special appreciation to Joe and Christine for all they have done for us. God bless each of you! Love, prayers and hugs, TriciaK
Last edited by TriciaK; 10-26-2009 at 10:25 PM..
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10-26-2009, 10:48 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DFW area (TX)
Posts: 431
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia,
Such a special soul you are. I've been keeping track of you since the 1st day I was on this board. (Maybe it's my Swedish roots!)
I wish you the very, very best.
Hugs
Terri
__________________
Terri, spouse of Ruth, Dallas/Ft. Worth area
Ruth dx 05/01/07 (age 50) Filipino
multifocal, several tumors .5 -2.5 cm, large area
Breast MRI showed 2 enlarged nodes, not palpable
100%ER+, 95%PR+, HER2+++
6x pre-surgery TCH chemo finished 9/15/7 Dramatic tumor shrinkage
1 year Herceptin till 6/08
MRM 10/11/07, SNB: 0/4 nodes + Path: tumors reduced to only a few "scattered cells"
now 50% ER+, PR- ???
Rads finished 1/16/08
Added Tamoxifen,
Finished Herceptin 05/08
NOW is the time to appreciate life to the fullest.
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10-26-2009, 11:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Wow! Did the scan pick up the great attitude?  |
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10-27-2009, 03:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 731
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia - You are a beautiful woman. Have a joyous 80th birthday party, squeeze those grandbabies when they are born. Thank you for all the encouragement and support over the years and are such an inspiration. Pam
__________________
Pam
6/01 IBC er+ her2+stage IIIb; mastecomy
7/01 AC, taxol; radiation
2/02 tamoxifen
9/02 stage IV bone mets femara
1/03 taxotere/herceptin/aredia
6/03 herceptin, aredia & faslodex
1/04 navelbine, herceptin, aredia
2/05 herceptin/aredia
7/05 xeloda/herceptin/aredia
3/07 xeloda/tykerb/aredia
5/08 taxol/avastin/aredia
2/09 gemzar/herceptin/zometa
7/09 Taxol/Carbo/Herceptin, zometa
10/09 navelbine/herceptin & zometa
2/10 herceptin & tykerb & zometa
4/10 add xeloda &aromasin
10/10 dx with dermatomyiositis triggered by cancer
11/10 restart herceptin, tykerb, zometa
12/10 surgery-place rod in R femur to stabilize bone
1/11 radiation to R femur - 20 tx
2/11 2nd surgery - rod in Left femur
2/11 tx eribulen -- suspended dx brain mets
3/11 brain mets wbr 20 tx
4/11 halaven; discontine 8/11 not working
8/11 radiation to left femur 20 tx'
8-9/11 rad to lower spine
9/11 abraxane/herceptin/zometa
9/12 xeloda/herceptin/zometa
12/12 ablation of liver
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10-27-2009, 04:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Right, Rich....bet that scan missed a lot of other wonderful things besides that terrific attitude. Tricia, I wish I could "snap" those problems away for you. I just smile thinking of your 4 nights of dancing! Maybe that is the secret to a great life...exercise with joy and laughter! Tricia, you are one of the bestest medicines on this site and I am so grateful that I get to know you! Good luck on that gall bladder surgery and all the other "little things" that need adjustment! Love and prayers for you always, 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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10-27-2009, 06:18 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Poland Ohio just a little south of Youngstown.
Posts: 473
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Hi Tricia, you are one of my very favorite people! I just can't get over the wonderful attitude that you have, I pray that God blesses you with another 22 years, 102 is a lovely number. We share the same birthday so let's see.....when you are 102, I will be 80, that's a lovely number as well.
You are one beautiful, classy lady and I'm proud to be your birthday buddy.
I always have you in my prayers and I will certainly double up on them, with all this new information.
Wish I knew your secret for looking so good and keeping such a great outlook.
You take care and if you have to have the surgery for the gallbladder, I hear it's a lot easier than it used to be.
Be sure to keep us updated, I always look for your posts.
Love and big hugs to you
__________________
Susan
Age: 61
dx: 5/25/06
2 cm/ 0 nodes
Lumpectomy rt breast on 7/26/06
ER/PR- / Her2+++
A/C x 4
finished taxotere 2/07
finished 33 rads
Herceptin finished 12/07/07 Yippee!
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10-27-2009, 08:35 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
What a trooper, God bless you and give you many
healthy happy days.
patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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10-27-2009, 08:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia,
You are my hero. I hope you have a happy birthday. Thanks for posting with the good news about your scans. Let us know what happens. God Bless You.
Amelia
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10-27-2009, 08:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia, if it's any consolation, not that you seem to need
consoling(!), GB surgery is pretty "easy" today compared to past years. They can do the proceedure laproscopicly, if that is a word. I had it several years ago and my recovery was uneventful.
Keep the faith. I know you will
__________________
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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10-27-2009, 08:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia,
Thanks for the update - take care of yourself, and let your 75 person strong village wrap you in 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
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10-27-2009, 10:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
What a wonderful message. May God bless you, Tricia, as you have blessed us with kindness. xo Ceesun
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10-27-2009, 03:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia, great to have an update from you...you'll live forever my friend 
__________________
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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10-27-2009, 04:58 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 309
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
God Bless you TriciaK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
DX: 11/08 Age: 53
Surgery: 1/09
Bilat Mastectomy, no reconstruction
ILC-4 tumors-1.7 cm,1.5 cm (2).8 cm
DCIS-11 cm
All tumors Grade 3
All tumors ER-0%/PR-0%
All tumors HER2+
IHC-all tumors Overexpression/borderline
FISH 2 tumors Her2-Negative
FISH 2 tumors Her2+ Equivocal
Stage I, 0/1 nodes
LVI-Indeterminate(treated as positive)
SPR Score 8/9
Ki-67 20%
BRCA genetic test 1/2=negative
Chemo: 6 rounds TAC Feb-June 2009 w/Neulasta
Herceptin: 6/12/09-6/4/10 52weeks
HNPCC genetic test: negative
Port Placement-9/23/09 Port Removal 6/25/10
Echo's every 3 months-All normal
2/09 Staging PET/CT showed 0.2 micronodule upper R lobe-lung-Onc does not think this is mets--
6/5/09 AND 10/09 CT scan 0.2 micronodule unchanged
1/10-PET/CT-uptake in nasopharynx-
1/10-MRI All normal
6/10-Bone Scan-clear
12/10-PET/CT-All Clear-NED
12/11-PET-All Clear-NED
12/12-PET-All Clear-NED
12/13-CT w/contrast Head, Torso-All Clear
12/14-CT w/contrast Head-All Clear
2/15-Core needle biopsy-R scar line
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10-27-2009, 05:58 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 510
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
What an inspiration, you are! Thank you so much for posting your story!
__________________
ER+ (30%)/PR-/HER-2+, stage 3
Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding.
March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin
08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy)
08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best!
September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda
02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy
05/27/10 - Bone scan clear
06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found
07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin!
02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial
03/15/11 - First CA 15-3: 12.7 and normal, yay!
10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found
now on Tamoxifen and Aspirin
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10-27-2009, 06:12 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Watkinsville, Georgia
Posts: 356
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia ~ thank you so much for posting this update and your story for the newbies. You are such a positive role model for all of us. I want to come to your 100 year old birthday celebration...by then you may have 100 decendents!! They are all so blessed to have you.
Sending lots of hugs ~ Ruth
__________________
[/SIGPIC]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diagnosed 6/03 nursing daughter
Dose dense A/C 4x
Modified rad mast 8/03
IDC; 3 cm; 10+/16 nodes; ER/PR-; Her2+++
Weekly taxol w/Herceptin (off label) 12x's
40 weeks Herceptin
Radiation 33x
Reconstruction w/ implants 05 & 07
NED
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10-27-2009, 06:13 PM
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#16
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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: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Ah, Tricia, that was lovely and so is the wonderful lady who posted it! I wish you as many years as you hope to have. Thank you for inspiring and blessing all of us. All my best...
__________________
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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10-27-2009, 06:20 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cordoba, Mexico
Posts: 672
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Tricia,
It's been an inspiration to me reading your post. I wish you feel better soon and hang in there!! I am sure you will reach to be 102. Will keep you in my prayers, and whether you believe it or not , I was thinking of you this morning while at work. God bless you.
Paty
__________________
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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10-27-2009, 09:25 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Dear Tricia,
You are one special beautiful lady. How dare that silly gall bladder get in your way  sending you healing wishes for that surgery.
Thank you for putting brightness into my day!
Hugs,
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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10-27-2009, 11:22 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Re: Here's the latest on TriciaK
Hi Tricia, From the time I found this Her2 support board & read the 1st post from you I was just amazed, encouraged, & had hope. You are just so inspirational & I am so glad your part of this family. I've told so many people I know about you & their faces always light up. What a truly beautiful person you are inside and out.
Despite these challeges you always seem to keep pushing forward with such a positive attitude. I am so sorry to hear your having a rough time right now with your eyesight, walking and eating...I hope your medical team can get you feeling a bit better & soon. I want you to know you are always in my thoughts and prayers. You take good care of yourself and enjoy that large family of yours. (I know you will!) Sending my love. (Big Hug!)
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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10-28-2009, 12:31 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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Hi from Adriana
Dear Tricia;
Ever since I came to this site, I have looked up to you for strenght and determination. You have inspired me so much -and the fight goes on....
I'm also a long term cancer survivor, 1994.
Happy 80th B-Day!
Love,
Adriana
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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