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Old 05-05-2015, 10:33 PM   #1
IrvineFriend
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When work really hits home

I visit this site to provide support to those reaching out and to remember how hard my battle was so I don't sweat the small stuff. I work in pharmaceuticals, specifically oncology drugs. Our company recently acquired a drug for salvage therapy for HER2+ breast cancer. Needless to say, I am getting on a 16 hour non-stop flight to visit the suppliers and hopefully get the product into a clinical trial as soon as possible. Early trial results are fantastic and I'm hopeful. I bring everyone on this site with me to work, and keep you in my heart when I'm working long days and weekends.
-Julie
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA

Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012

Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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Old 05-06-2015, 08:56 AM   #2
annettchen
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Re: When work really hits home

Hi Julie,

how do you mean "salvage"? As in: when HER targeted stops working?

Thanks,

Annette
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Annette
----------------------------------------
03/2014: Diagnosed with ER/PR-, HER2+++ MBC (bone mets, oligometastatic)
04/2014: Started 6 cycles of "PHD" (Perjeta, Herceptin, Docetaxol)
07/2014: Finished 6 cycles of PHD; restaging; 2 bone mets are sclerotic - looks like Herceptin and Perjeta is working
10/2014: STABLE!
01/2015: STABLE!
04/2015: STABLE!
08/2015: STABLE!
12/2015: BRAIN METS. BODY STABLE.
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:02 AM   #3
thinkpositive
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Re: When work really hits home

Julie,

Thanks so much for the work that you are doing! I can imagine how motivating it is to work knowing that what you are doing could increase your survival as well as that of all other HER2 folks. It is so important to have people like you fighting for us!

Thanks

Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:47 AM   #4
Rolepaul
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Re: When work really hits home

Like you, I work in the industry, but as a consultant. Every day is something different for me. But at night, I get to focus on HER+ issues. Hopefully the monster can be helped by people like you and your co-workers. I think I know who you are working with, and it would be worth explaining to others your meaning of salvage therapy drug.
Paul
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:48 AM   #5
Rolepaul
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Re: When work really hits home

Like you, I work in the industry, but as a consultant. Every day is something different for me. But at night, I get to focus on HER+ issues. Hopefully the monster can be helped by people like you and your co-workers. I think I know who you are working with, and it would be worth explaining to others your meaning of salvage therapy drug.
Paul
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Old 05-06-2015, 11:39 AM   #6
annettchen
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Re: When work really hits home

This intrigued me, so I turned to Mr. Google (not the best source, I know, but when in a pinch...). Wikipedia tells me I was at least somewhat right with my guess regarding what "salvage" means in the context:

Salvage therapy, also known as rescue therapy, is therapy given to save or rescue a patient when other therapy has not worked, usually when time is short to avert death. Salvage therapy is given after an ailment does not respond to standard treatment. The word is not clearly defined; it is used both to mean a second attempt and a final attempt. The distinction from emergency medicine is that the latter involves intake of new emergencies (acute care for newly emerged situations), whereas salvage therapy involves last-chance efforts to save patients with any level of acute, subacute, or chronic conditions (not solely newly emergent ones). For example, chronic or subacute diseases that tend to require salvage therapy are HIV/AIDS, various late-stage cancers, and chronic cardiovascular disease deteriorating to life-threatening levels of cardiac arrhythmia or myocardial infarction. Salvage therapy drugs or drug combinations have, in general, much more severe side effects than the standard lines of therapy.


I do perfer to believe that what you're looking at is not a final attempt, but rather a second attempt. ;-) I.e. when the cancer acquires resistance to existing treatments (such as Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab for HER2+++), this medication would reverse that process. Intriguing. Thanks for all the work you do!
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Annette
----------------------------------------
03/2014: Diagnosed with ER/PR-, HER2+++ MBC (bone mets, oligometastatic)
04/2014: Started 6 cycles of "PHD" (Perjeta, Herceptin, Docetaxol)
07/2014: Finished 6 cycles of PHD; restaging; 2 bone mets are sclerotic - looks like Herceptin and Perjeta is working
10/2014: STABLE!
01/2015: STABLE!
04/2015: STABLE!
08/2015: STABLE!
12/2015: BRAIN METS. BODY STABLE.
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Old 05-06-2015, 02:09 PM   #7
Carol Ann
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Re: When work really hits home

Julie, thank you so much for posting about this. You have supported me through so much and you still are. This is wonderful news.

Carol Ann
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July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts.

Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies".

Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow.

Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed.

Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed.

Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH.

March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY!

March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks.

March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :)

April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm

May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :)

June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia

Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin!

Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy.

Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend.

Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT!

January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)
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Old 05-06-2015, 07:44 PM   #8
IrvineFriend
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Re: When work really hits home

Dr. Google did a good job. As we all know, Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab can stop working for HER2+ cancer. So this is a completely different mechanism that will be another choice for patients who have failed on the current standard of care. I'll be in S. Korea the week of June 1st. And I don't consider this is a last ditch effort, it's just easier to get a product approved or a trial approved when you're not proving superiority to existing products. It's just going to be another option. I can't disclose any details until results are published but hoping to start a Phase 2 trial in the US before end of the year. Other companies are doing great work too.
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA

Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012

Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:11 PM   #9
SoCalGal
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Re: When work really hits home

Nice to hear good things are in the works thanks for sharing what you can.

Sorry but I gotta say - I hate the term SALVAGE THERAPY and hate the reference "patients who have failed on the current standard of care".

While I realize this is medical jargon, it still makes me sick every time I read these words from the medical community. No offense to you, personally!!

I just can't keep quiet on this language...
__________________
1996 cancer WTF?! 1.3 cm lumpectomy Er/Pr neg. Her2+ (20nodes NEGATIVE) did CMF + rads. NED.
2002 recurrence. Bilateral mastectomy w/TFL autologous recon. Then ACx2. Skin lymphatic rash. Taxotere w/Herceptin x4. Herceptin/Xeloda. Finally stops spreading.
2003 - Back to surgery, remove skin mets, and will have surgery one week later when pathology can confirm margins.
‘03 latisimus dorsi flap to remove skin mets. CLEAN MARGINS. Continue single agent Herceptin thru 4/04. NED.
‘04 '05 & 06 tiny recurrences - scar line. surgery to cut out. NED each time.
1/2006 Rads again, to scar line. NED.

3/07 Heartbreaking news - mets! lungs.sternum. Try Tykerb/Xeloda. Tykerb/Carbo/Gemzar. Switch Oncs.
12/07 Herceptin.Tykerb. Markers go stable.
2/8/08 gamma knife 13mm stupid brain met.
3/08 Herceptin/tykerb/avastin/zometa.
3/09 brain NED. Lungs STABLE.
4/09 attack sternum (10 daysPHOTONS.5 days ELECTRONS)
9/09 MARKERS normal!
3/10 PET/CT=manubrium intensely metabolically active but stable. NEDhead.
Wash out 5/10 for tdm1 but 6/10 CT STABLE, PET improving. Markers normal. Brain NED. Resume just Herceptin plus ZOMETA
Dec 2010 Brain NED, lungs/sternum stable. markers normal.
MAR 2011 stop Herceptin/allergy! Go back on Tykerb and switch to Xgeva.
May-Aug 2011 Tykerb Herceptin Xgeva.
Sept 2011 Tykerb, Herceptin, Zometa, Avastin.
April 2012 sketchy drug trial in NYC. 6 weeks later I’m NED!
OCT 2012 PET/CT shows a bunch of freakin’ progression. Back to LA and Herceptin.avastin.zometa.
12/20/12 add in PERJETA!
March 2013 – 5 YEARS POST continue HAPZ
APRIL 2013 - 6 yrs stage 4. "FAILED" PETscan on 4/2/13
May 2013: rePetted - improvement in lungs, left adrenal stable, right 6th rib inactive, (must be PERJETA avastin) sternum and L1 fruckin'worsen. Drop zometa. ADD Xgeva. Doc says get rads consultant for L1 and possible biopsy of L1. I say, no thanks, doc. Lets see what xgeva brings to the table first. It's summer.
June-August 2013HAPX Herceptin Avastin Perjeta xgeva.
Sept - now - on chemo hold for calming tummy we hope. Markers stable for 2 months.
Nov 2013 - Herceptin-Perjeta-Avastin-Xgeva (collageneous colitis, which explains tummy probs, added Entocort)
December '13 BRAIN MRI ned in da head.
Jan 2014: CONTINUING on HAPX…
FEB 2014 PetCT clinical “impression”: 1. newbie nodule - SUV 1.5 right apical nodule, mildly hypermetabolic “suggestive” of worsening neoplastic lesion. 2. moderate worsening of the sternum – SUV 5.6 from 3.8
3. increasing sclerosis & decreasing activity of L1 met “suggests” mild healing. (SUV 9.4 v 12.1 in May ‘13)
4. scattered lung nodules, up to 5mm in size = stable, no increased activity
5. other small scattered sclerotic lesions, one in right iliac and one in thoracic vertebral body similar in appearance to L1 without PET activity and not clearly pathologic
APRIL 2014 - 6 YRS POST GAMMA ZAP, 7 YRS MBC & 18 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DX!
October 2014: hold avastin, continue HPX
Feb 2015 Cancer you lost. NEDHEAD 7 years post gamma zap miracle, 8 years ST4, +19 yrs original diagnosis.
Continue HPX. Adding back Avastin
Nov 2015 pet/ct is mixed result. L1 SUV is worse. Continue Herceptin/avastin/xgeva. Might revisit Perjeta for L1. Meantime going for rads consult for L1
December 2015 - brain stable. Continue Herceptin, Perjeta, Avastin and xgeva.
Jan 2016: 5 days, 20 grays, Rads to L1 and continue on HAPX. I’m trying to "save" TDM1 for next line. Hope the rads work to quiet L1. Sciatic pain extraordinaire :((
Markers drop post rads.
2/24/16 HAP plus X - markers are down
SCIATIC PAIN DEAL BREAKER.
3/23/16 Laminectomy w/coflex implant L4/5. NO MORE SCIATIC PAIN!!! Healing.
APRIL 2016 - 9 YRS MBC
July 2016 - continue HAP plus Xgeva.
DEC 2016 - PETCT: mets to sternum, lungs, L1 still about the same in size and PET activity. Markers not bad. Not making changes if I don't need to. Herceptin/Perjeta/Avastin/Xgeva
APRIL 2017 10 YEARS MBC
December 2017 - Progression - gonna switch it up
FEB 2018 - Kadcyla 3 cycles ---->progression :(
MAY30th - bronchoscopy, w/foundation1 - her2 enriched
Aug 27, 2018 - start clinical trial ZW25
JAN 2019 - ZW25 seems to be keeping me stable
APRIL 2019 - ONE DOZEN YEARS LIVING METASTATIC
MAY 2019 - progression back on herceptin add xeloda
JUNE 2019 - "6 mos average survival" LMD & CNS new single brain met - one zap during 5 days true beam SBRT to cord met
10/30/19 - stable brain and cord. progression lungs and bones. washing out. applying for ds8201a w nivolumab. hope they take me.
12/27/19 - begin ds8401a w nivolumab. after 2nd cycle nodes melt away. after 3rd cycle chest scan shows Improvement, brain MRI shows improvement, resolved areas & nothing new. switch to plain ENHERTU. after 4th cycle, PETscan shows mostly resolved or improved results. Markers near normal. I'm stunned but grateful.
10/26/20 - June 2021 Tucatinib/xeloda/herceptin - stable ish.
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:30 PM   #10
BonnieR
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Re: When work really hits home

What a blessing to hear from an "insider" that there are new developments on the horizon
To me it gives credence to my mantra " keep the faith" Just today I read an article that referenced what a game changer Herceptin was
So, keep the faith
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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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Old 05-06-2015, 10:45 PM   #11
Pamelamary
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Re: When work really hits home

Great news from Julie - thank you! However I think I share Socalgal's dislike of the language.
Best wishes.... Pam
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Diagnosed 2004: Lumpectomy - 2 tumours, both grade 1 infiltrating duct carcinoma, about 12mm. ER+,
C-erbB-2 status 3+.
Clear margins, no nodal involvement.
Radiotherapy, i year Tamoxifen, 4 years Arimidex.
Rediagnosed 2012: Multiple bone metastases.
3/12: began on Marianne trial - T-DM1 + Pertuzamab/Placebo.
5/12:Unexpected development of numerous bilateral liver mets. Came off trial.
Started Docetaxol/ Herceptin + Zometa.
8/12:Bones stable +major regression in liver (!)
9/12:Can't take any more Docetaxol! Start on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. Cross fingers!
Changed to Denosumab.
11/12: Scan shows stable - yay!
11/13: Still stable :-) !!!
1/16: All stable, but lowered calcium, so switched to Zometa 3 monthly.
2/19: Happily still stable on Herceptin, Letrozole and 3 monthly Zometa.
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Old 05-06-2015, 10:57 PM   #12
BonnieR
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Re: When work really hits home

I didn't mean to disregard Flori's feelings. I agree there is some unfortunate language in the medical field. And in the recovery community too. I personally don't like the implication of "warrior" or "battle with cancer" references
Probably some people don't like to hear " keep the faith"!
At any rate, I'm still pleased to think there are more treatment choices on the horizon
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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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Old 05-07-2015, 07:05 PM   #13
IrvineFriend
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Re: When work really hits home

Sorry to offend anyone. It's frustrating for us in the field of wanting to save lives (I've been doing this for 25+ years before my diagnosis). Language is dictated by FDA and associated announcements. If any of this were sugar coated, we in the industry could not move forward so aggressively. It's a hideously slow process but recently has made significant gains. Never in our history has a drug been approved after phase 2 results but it's a milestone that has been reached.

Again, sorry if I offended anyone, I just can't speak outside of public information. But I feel honored that I'm championing two drugs that are going to help us and will continue to do so.

-Julie
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA

Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012

Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:58 PM   #14
BonnieR
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Re: When work really hits home

Julie, we love you and would never "shoot the messenger". You brought us good news that someone else labeled badly!
Keep the faith
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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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Old 05-07-2015, 08:19 PM   #15
IrvineFriend
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Re: When work really hits home

Thanks Bonnie but have decided to leave the HER group as of now. I live and work in horrible diseases and actually broke down at work because of frustrations. It's almost impossible for me to hear of how horrible my industry is when I know we fight so hard for patients. I was hospitalized with fever during an inspection as I put my work before my health.

Yes, the CEOs of most pharma companies are like any CEO's. I just haven't seen other's post information directly from companies websites so personally confronted and I'm just too sick and too dedicated to deal with it.

Maybe when I lost Adriana and another person on this site stopped talking to me I lost the connection, but this is too much. I have cried too many tears tonight to stay connected.

XO
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Julie
Live in Orange County, CA

Diagnosed with DCIS Oct. 2012

Bilateral Dec. 19, 2012
IDC, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Grade 3
Stage IIIa
15.6 cm
4/14 nodes + macrometastases
First thing each morning, I try on my bathing suit. Then, nothing worse can happen the rest of the day.
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Old 05-07-2015, 11:06 PM   #16
BonnieR
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Re: When work really hits home

I'm sorry to hear that. But you need to do what feels right for you and to preserve your equanimity
A few years ago I had a terrible incident on this board. It was horrible and I cried for days
But eventually the good outweighed the bad and I stayed. I hope that happens for you too
That you'll know that what you are doing for all of us really matters
Keep the faith
__________________
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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Old 05-08-2015, 11:45 AM   #17
Andrea Barnett Budin
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Re: When work really hits home

Hi Julie. You go girl. I haven't been on the board for a while, and the loss of Adriana kind of solidified it for me.

I too have had some nasty collisions on this site (when Joe came to my rescue) that cut deep. Some were banned from the site, as well they should have been.

We all stand in support of one another, or should. We can differ, but with kindness and caring.

So sorry for your incident from the bottom of my heart. I think of you, and all here, even when I don't post. And you Julie were always a special lady to me. Grateful for your good works and for your sharing of good news.

The 'last ditch effort' phraseology is unfortunate indeed, Flori. Sucks actually. But -- get 'er done! I still recall a friend asking me what stage I was. I couldn't answer. Paul stepped in and said, solemnly, 4th. She is 4th stage. The friend asked how many stages there were....................

I thought, there are no more stages. I guess death is the last stage. But I said nothing. Couldn't salvage that bleak vision. EVERY THOUGHT IS LIKE A PRAYER. EVERY THOUGHT IS A POTENTIAL MIRACLE. WE ARE ALL A POTENTIAL MIRACLE, against all odds. The impossible happens all the time!

Sending Love and Light,
Andi
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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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Old 05-08-2015, 11:59 AM   #18
tricia keegan
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Re: When work really hits home

Julie I'm coming in late and just seeing this now and wanted to thank you for the information you provided and to echo the other comments and hope you'll decide to stay with us and not leave. xx
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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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Old 05-08-2015, 05:10 PM   #19
Kkmom
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 'Burbs of Atlanta, GA
Posts: 172
Re: When work really hits home

Julie,
I feel priviledged to have found this group and to be a part of it. Having breast cancer is not a club any of us ever wanted to be a member of - much less, throw in the Her2+ component. We are all from different parts of the world, different backgrounds and experiences, yet out link is the Her2. I thank you for your service giving and advocating for treatment. Please know that it is appreciated.
@Bonnie - I like "keep the faith". Sometimes I like to use it also, but I always give you credit.
Pam
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[FONT=Tahoma]Dx 12/14/2012, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 4/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+[SIZE=2][COLOR=Blue]
Surgery 12/28/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)
Chemotherapy 02/06/2013
Herceptin, Carboplatin, Taxotere Started 6 rounds on 02/06/2013 Herceptin
Finished chemo - May 22, 2013
Radiation Therapy 06/12/2013 - 36X External
TM Marker - 13 October, 2013
TM Marker - 15 November, 2013
Annual Mammagram - 3D - Both Breast - CLEAR!!!
Colonscopy - 1st-Clear - November 18, 2013
CT Scan-Results-Clear - November 27, 2013
BC Diagnosis-1 Year - December 14, 2013
TM - holding steady at 15 - December 24, 2014
TM - 24.2 - January 12
Herceptin Treatment - Last One-February 4, 2014!!!
TM - 3.7 - February 4, 2014
MRI & CT - February 21, 2014 - All Clear
NED - and my doctor said - "well, it looks like you are NED - your MRI and CT are clear - Febuary 25, 2014
TM - 18.2 - February 21, 2014
Port Removed - Scheduled for Wed, March 19, 2014
Port Removed - Yeah!!! I feel lighter already!!!
TM - 15.3 - March 25, 2014
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram - Rt Breast - All Clear!!! - Tuesday, May 13, 2014
TM-15.5 - June 25, 2014
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram - Nov. 2014 All Clear!!!
Diagnostic 3D Mammogram-Rt Only-May,2015-All Clear!!!
Diagnostic 3D Mammo-Annual-Nov 2015-Right Clear!!! - Left Breast-found 5 mm CYST. Aspirated - all clear!!
TM - Nov 2015 - 18.2
NED-December, 2015 - 3 Years NED!!!
TM-Feb 2016 - 13.7
TM-June 2016 - 13.3
TM-Oct 2016-10.0
Annual 3D Mammo-Nov, 2016-All Clear!!!

Annual Mammogram - November 2017 - ALL CLEAR. i AM 5 (YES) YEARS OUT!!!

NED - 10 Years Out!! - December, 2022
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Old 05-08-2015, 05:36 PM   #20
BonnieR
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Posts: 2,210
Re: When work really hits home

Pam, that's so sweet of you. But I resurrected "keep the faith" from a 60's politician Adam Clayton Powell! So it's hardly original
__________________
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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