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05-10-2007, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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A Very Sad Time For Me
I have spent 3 days this week with my best friend for the last 40 years...we met the first day of high school and have been very close since.she was diagnosed 1/07 with lung cancer with mets to the brain. She went through 2 rounds of chemo, gamma knife, and just finished radiation...she was looking forward to getting some normalcy back in her life. She went in for repeat scans a week ago and found out that she now has mets to the kidney, spine, colon, liver....just everywhere. She has gone downhill so fast since then, and is now in the hospital on O2, Morphine and Zofran as she keeps throwing up...can't eat, her body is shutting down. I hugged her, spent time with her and fought back tears all 3 times....she told me "we must have done something really bad when we were in high school for both of us to end up with cancer!" She was there for me when I was diagnosed and has been there for me even when she was first diagnosed. I am just having a hard time dealing with the fact that 5 mos. ago, she seemed fine, and now they are saying she will be lucky to last a couple weeks....I have cried so many times the past week....I am not ready to lose my best friend! Please say a prayer for her that if she can't get well, at least she won't suffer. She seemed in so much pain ....this is just tearing me apart.
__________________
"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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05-10-2007, 07:06 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
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Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds very special and you are very lucky to have someone like her in your life. She is very blessed to have you as well. I can't imagine what it would feel like to see someone that close to me suffer so- She is definitely in my prayers tonight-that she will respond to some sort of treatment, be sent many angels from above (she already has you), and that she will not suffer. You are in my prayers as well- that you are comforted in this sad and stressful time, that you share precious moments with your lifelong friend, and that you are given strength to stand tall.
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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05-10-2007, 07:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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oh Sheila
I have big tears and true heart ache for you and your wonderful friend. I have very long term friends and I know just how much they mean. I'm so so so very sorry that this is happening. I want to fly to Illinois and be with you. Not sure I can really do that, but I AM HERE and I LOVE YOU and who didn't do bad stuff in high school?
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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05-10-2007, 07:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 279
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sorry Sheila - I know how painful it is to see someone you love die of lung cancer. Praying for you - don't know what else I can do. She is really fortunate to have you!
__________________
Kim
Diagnosed 7/05
Stage 3a er+(45%) pr+(68%) Her2+ (40%)
3.8 cm + .8cm multi focal - pleomorphic lobular tumors
high grade DCIS
7/20 nodes
BRCA 2 positive as of 5/07
surgeries: double mastectomy, hysterectomy (LAVH)
A/C,Herceptin for 1 year completed 11/06
femara
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05-10-2007, 07:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 236
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Mom I am very sorry about your friend as I know how much she means to you. I pray ALL the time that they find a cure for cancer because I cannot bear the thought of losing you.
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05-10-2007, 07:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Dear Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I will pray for peace and strength for both of you.
Karen
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05-10-2007, 07:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Shelia, My heart breaks for you. I am going through almost the exact same thing except its my Mother that has went down hill what seems like overnight. (Lung cancer) I certainly have a good idea of how difficult this is for you. Your friend is so blessed to have you by her side...that truly is a blessing although I know that doesn't take away the pain of seeing your friend so ill. I know your heart is breaking. I wish there were something I could do for you. But the one thing I can do is pray for your friend.
Sending warm healing thoughts and "prayers" to both of you.
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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05-10-2007, 07:56 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Oh Sheila
I am so sorry about your friend. You told me all about her when we were in San Antonio together. Cancer is a nasty, nasty disease but it will never take away the love in your heart for your friend.
I am thinking of you and sending a big hug.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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05-10-2007, 07:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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This sounds so terrible, Shiela. I can't even imagine how awful you must feel to lose your best friend, and a friend who has also been such a support for you. My thoughts are with you and with her, and I do hope her caretakers can control her pain and nausea.
Best regards,
Barbara H.
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05-10-2007, 08:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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Hard times
Sheila, as hard as it is, no one could mean as much to her in the same way as you are doing, and that may have to be the only thing to hang onto as you both go through this. I'm so sorry. You are one of the most caring people here, and it is very hard to have someone that close to you go through so much. I hope that her medical providers will find ways to help her to be more comfortable.
AlaskaAngel
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05-11-2007, 08:04 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 127
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Sheila - With tears I write this. I HATE CANCER!!!!! I just received news yesterday from my friend that her cancer is back. In the spine and pelvis. WHY, WHY, WHY, I just want to scream.
I am praying that your friend is able to cross over without anymore suffering. I am praying that you will find yet some more strength to find your smile again. I know that you will never be able to make sense of this horribly ridiculous senseless crap called cancer. So I just send you my love and prayers.
-kim
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05-11-2007, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Sheila,
My heart goes out to you. I too have gone through losing a good friend to cancer just last year (Dec). She had been diagnosed with cervical cancer and within a matter of months she had mets to lungs. Within 3 months of that she passed away. I was extremely upset about it as I had been diagnosed before her. I don't think we have cancer because we did something wrong is our past. We just happened to get dealt a bad gene. Hang in there. Be there for your friend as I'm sure she sure needs your comfort now. I will keep her and you 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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05-11-2007, 12:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Sheila I am so sorry
You have to know that you are so lucky to have each other at a time like this.
Your being there for each other through your cancer fight , and you for your friend right now, must mean the world to her. I know this does not ease your pain of preparing to lose her any easier.
Keep your memories of her strong in your heart and know you made a difference to her.
You take care of yourself and I will keep your friend in my prayers.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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05-11-2007, 01:14 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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I'm sorry. I know your friend is thankful to have you.
__________________
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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05-11-2007, 01:59 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Sheila
My prayers are with you and your friend. Such sad days we go through.
Take care
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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05-11-2007, 02:35 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Dear Sheila,
I am so sad to read your post. My heart breaks for both of you.
I will keep both of you in my prayers. It is so difficult to understand
and accept this loss. We are after all so fragle.
Fondly,
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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05-11-2007, 06:03 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Oh Sheila,
What can I say that hasn't already been said. All I can say is I'm so so sorry your friend and you have to go through this. I too pray that she doesn't have to suffer and I also say a prayer of thanks that your friend has a friend like you to stand beside her on her journey.
God Bless you and her with His peace!!!!
Hugs,
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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05-11-2007, 07:17 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Live in New York Monday through Thursday.Friday,Saturday,&Sunday Live in Cape May,New Jersey.
Posts: 36
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Dear Shelia,
I am so sorry that you have to go through this I wish I was there to hold you and your friend. I will say a prayer for your friend that she does not suffer and one for you to stay strong.
God Bless you BOTH,
LindaC
__________________
DX October 18,2006
Changed doctor for second opion
Dx November 2,2006
three tumors left breast,lymph nodes involed don't
know how many.Kidney failure postponed my surgery
which gave the doctors the opportunity to run test.
FishTest showed that I have her2 positive, mets to liver and bones.
Dx December 14,2006
one dose carboplatin
now once a week herceptin,taxol
once a month zometa
February 5,2007 pet scan showed everything good except bones
5-16-07 muga scan
5-17-07 pet scan
Everythig was clear taken off of zometa,chemo
herceptin every three weeks
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05-11-2007, 07:46 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Sheila - You have shared a kind of special relationship with each other that is very special, my prayers are with you and your friend.
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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05-11-2007, 07:45 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Darn Cancer! It has taken so many of our loved ones. I feel your pain and hurt and I will pray for your friend...that at least she be spared suffering. My heart goes out to you.
__________________
~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
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