How about we all check-in: mini roll call

Dx'd in 3/01
--3 types of aggressive b.c. -- pleomorphic invasive lobular, IBC (separate tumor in nipple with extensive comedo necrosis, and high grade dcis with extensive comedo necrosis--9 mos. after supposed normal mammogram; 9/12 pos. nodes, extracapsular spread, extensive lymphovascular invasion
--TX bilateral mastectomy, 4 AC, 5 weeks radiation, 2 Taxol, 2 Taxotere along with weekly Herceptin for a year. Then 2 mos. after last taxane, started on Arimidex. 18 mos. after mastectomy had complete abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo oopherectomy. One month later started on 100 mg/Celebrex--twice/day. 2 mos. later started on 200 mg/Celebrex twice/day. One month later started on prophylacitc Doxycycline twice/day. One month later had first Zometa for osteoporosis prevention. 6 mos. later had 2nd Zometa. Then I also began Lovastatin a month after that. 2 mos. later I began having Zometa every 3 mos. and also doubled Celebrex to 800 mg./day

Diagnosed 2/04 (41) Stage I no nodes ER/PR+ HER 2+ 2.7 Chemo, 33 rads, Herceptin for a year. Finished Herceptin 03/05. Tamoxifen for 5 years.
Cancer has changed my life...for the better most days. I gain strength on down days from the women and men on this board. Thank you!

Great idea, Al. Thanks for thinking of it.

I have had to wait for a bit to give my latest "status". My NED status lastest about 3 months (it was WONDERFUL!)

Right now I am on Cytoxan (pill form) and Xeloda for recurrence of skin mets. I take one week of Cytoxan, then one week with Xeloda and Cytoxan and then the third week just Xeloda. Then I start all over with Cytoxan. My Onc. is hoping to get the skin mets under control again.

I was 40 years old at dx. Stage 2A, one node pos, Her2+++, ER-PR-. Did ACT and 30 rads, then 1 year of Herceptin with trial. Completed in 11/03. Recurrence to ancillary lymphs in 5/04. Surgery to remove the 3 addl lymphs. Then 3 months of Navelbine and Herceptin. Skin Mets confirmed in October 2004. 10 weeks of daily Hyperthermia radiation and 1000mg of Xeloda for skin mets. Dec and Feb. 2005 Pet scans clear, NED. New rash appeared in late March and confirmed by biopsy. Another PET scan on 4/11/05 and luckily ca is in skin only (no lymphs or other organs).

Just started my new treatment plan last week. Hoping that like every chemo I try, this one will do the trick and get it in remission. If so, Onc is looking into Vaccine trial. First have to get to NED again.

Busy working and being a Mom of 3 teenage boys and of course, must remember, busy FIGHTING cancer - like many on this web site.

God Bless everyone at this site. So many of the women here have been my inspiration, so many times. Thank you all for the tremendous amount of information and wisdom that is shared.

Cindi.

It has been a while since I have posted anything. This is a great idea Al to try to get to know our fellow members.

I live in Georgia, have 3 kids and a wonderful husband who is very supportive.

I have always been involved with charity work and after diagnosis became very involved in my area with breast cancer concerns. I felt that I personally needed a support group with younger women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer (and felt maybe other ladies needed it too) so we got one started; co-wrote a play about dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the many aspects of how cancer changes your life into a more meaningful one (the play has been performed in local towns and will go national this year!). I also went to Washington DC to lobby congress on payment reform (insurance concerns) for the underprivedged and now am training for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in DC in 2 weeks. OK, I sound crazy don't I? I am still involved with speaking about BC but mainly my passion is for the underprivedged who don't get screened early and don't have insurance.

I was diagnosed in 6/03 while nursing my daughter; 3 cm IDC, 10+/16 nodes, ER/PR-; HER2 3+; 36 years old. My treatment included dose dense A/C; then modified radical mast. on right; then 12 weekly taxol/herceptin combos followed by 28 rads and 40 more weeks of herceptin. Took Herceptin off-label and ended year in 8/04. I looked into clinical trials with vaccines then backed off the further out I got from treatments. I am thinking about reconstruction now but am still undecided if I want to feel bad even for a day if I don't have to! My Dr recently put me on 6 month visits and I truly feel that the Herceptin helped do the trick. I changed my eating habits and am a firm believer in yoga, taking supplements and juicing. I know that my risk of recurrence is high but I also feel that I have got to live every moment that I am here. I've done things I always wanted to do and music to my ears is when one of the boys says to me "Mommy, you are SO MUCH FUN!" My daughter is now 2 1/2 and I can't think of a better time to be alive. Whether your living with cancer or with the fear of a recurrance it is still great to be here and enjoying what you have.

This site is a great place. I have sent many women here to take a look. When I was going through those hard days & nights you all gave me so much hope. Thank you.

Hi, I am Barbara H. from Newton, MA. I was diagnosed in May, 1998 at age 50 with 9 pos. lymph nodes, ER-,PR-, HER2 pos. Mast. with 4 rounds of CA followed by 4X Taxol. Then radiation. NED until May, 2004. In May of last year stage 4 with a three cm brain tumor, skin, liver, and lung mets, and cancer through out lymph nodes. Surgery for brain met followed by sterotactic clean up surgery. Opted not to have whole brain radiation. Started on herceptin only. Skin mets have disappeared, all tumor markers are normal. Went back to teaching third grade in September. Teaching for me is therapeutic. Since last summer I have tried to stick to eating organic foods as much as possible. Just had my herceptin today (get it every 3 weeks) and my three month MRI. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the MRI will be OK. I feel fine, but know that is not the determining factor with this disease.
This website gives me super support and my thanks go to all of you who have the courage and take the time to post. I especially thank Joe and Christine for making this website possible.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

Rose from PA, thanks for all the great information. this helps in sorting out
info that is appropriate for each individual. thanks. again.

Soccermom1955, Ocean Springs Mississippi, DX December 13 2004,Bilateral mast. Stage IIB, 1 node positive ,ER/PR+, Her Neu2 3+,finished AC X4 dose dense , currently on Taxol 4X dose dense. Looking at Herceptin after. Newbie to this Board..Thanks for the bulletins!

Thanks Al. Joy checking in. Dxed 2000 (32 yrs nursing mama) stage 1 er+/pr+ Her 2 neg per IHC, but very angry cells. Had bad "incompletely excised" biopsy. Lumpectomey clean margins, no nodes, no vascular involvement. Redxed in 2002 and given a few months as had a 7x9cm tumor in liver and too many more to count plus some spots in lungs and medistinal nodes. Almost a year of xeloda/ taxotere. Added Herceptin after a couple of months after consulting a specialist who suggested we run FISH on tissue-strongly Her +++. Responded well began Femara with herceptin went off taxotere/xeloda. Continued improvement with hormonals (zolodex/Femara/Aromasin) and herceptin. Now trying to out smart the cancer with my own estrogen as I had a surprise in progression recently(Nov '04-VLED and Feb'05 some liver spots up to cms).

I love this site and all of you.

My ex and I divorced right before stage IV dx and our girls are now almost 9 (WOW) and 6. My prayer is to be an OLD grandma. I am the Complementary Care Program Coordinator for the Lydia Dody Breast Cancer Foundation in Ft. Collins CO. We pay for women in medical tx in Larimer County to receive complementary care treatments e.g. massage, acupuncture, reiki, exercise, yoga, housecleaning, music therapy, counseling etc. We do this during treament and for 6 months after. I also do Cancer Patient Navigation in our county. This is one on one connecting with patients and their families to help guide them to the resources they need most as individuals (financial, complementary care, medical education, research). It is a free service and quite rewarding. We just received a big Komen grant to help the underinsured and underserved population.

I volunteer at my kid's Waldorf school and have a lot of fun.

It's so good to know all of your stories and thank you for being here for me and my family!

With love and gratitude,
Joy

Annemarie,
Great to have you on board. We will get through this. I just heard the news about herceptin, and this is the drug my doctor has been holding out for. I hope this will be an answer for us. Please stay in touch. Love, Hollis

You have been through so much and are doing so well. What a wonderful attitude and so kind of you to share this with all of us. Hollis

You are fighting girl and doing awesome. we must find a cure. I will stay in touch. Hollis

hang in there.. we must find a cure. love , Hollis