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08-12-2007, 02:40 PM
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#1
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Webmaster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home of the "Flying Tomato"
Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 2,036
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Linda W - Sad News
Dear HER2 support group,
I am very sad to say Linda Ward passed away quietly at 4am on Saturday 11 August (Australian EST), the day before her 50th birthday.
She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends in Australia and
around the world.
I trully thank all of you on the HER 2 support list for the compassion,
support and friendship you have shown Linda over the past five years. At
times she really looked forward to getting on the net the research the
latest, especially when she had received some bad news. You are an
inspirational group - more power to you all.
Good luck to you in the coming times - may we make all those small steps
towards a cure for this disease sooner rather than later, and I hope you can all play a part in reaching this goal. By taking part in trials and keeping our medical professionls "on their toes", I know Linda played her part.
thank you all again. If you see fit, please post this on the site.
Wes, partner of Linda Ward
----- Original Message -----
From: "HER2 Support Group Forums" < contact_us@her2support.org>
To: < wlward@optusnet.com.au>
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 1:15 AM
Subject: Happy Birthday from HER2 Support Group Forums
She will be missed by all.
Joe
__________________
A Proud webmaster to the internet's most informed, educated, COMPASSIONATE and caring group of breast cancer survivors.
Illegitimi non carborundum
My Album
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08-12-2007, 06:01 PM
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#2
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Founder - HER2 Support Group
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 361
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Lindaw had been with this group ever since being diagnosed and was an active participant.
She leaves her husband and four children.
I will certainly miss her and say a special prayer for her tonight.
Hugs
Christine
__________________
1990, July DX 1.1cm er-, pr-
Lumpectomy, 5U4, radiation
1999, June mets to chest and brain
HER2 3+++, er- pr-
AC, Taxol, Herceptin, Gamma Knife (3 treatments) WBR
NED July 2001
December 2001 - Founded HER2 Support Group
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08-12-2007, 06:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 105
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Wes,
Like linda, I spend alot of time on this site when I need to research bad news or a new development. The worst days are the ones when I log in to find one of us has passed away. It physically hurts my heart that I cannot change it or make things better for those she has left behind.
I am deeply sorry for your loss and the loss to Lindas family and friends. I will light a candle and say a prayer for her and also a prayer that you may find some small comfort in knowing she is not alone, but in the company of many other strong, beautiful women from this board who have also lost their long hard battle with this horrible disease. We will all miss her.
Peace be with you,
Steph C
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08-12-2007, 06:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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I offer you heartfelt condolences in your loss of Linda. This site is such a Godsend for us all. We ask questions, encourage one another and also cry with each other. This is one of those times the tears flow.
May God's Peace surround you today,
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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08-12-2007, 07:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Please accept my sympathy. It makes my heart ache to read this. Please know that I am thinking and praying for you and Linda's family.
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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08-12-2007, 09:22 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Sincere sympathy to you and your family. It's very difficult when we lose someone to this disease.
__________________
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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08-12-2007, 09:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Wes, how kind and generous of you to offer us words of support in your time of loss. It sounds like Linda was blessed to have you in her life.
__________________
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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08-13-2007, 12:14 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Wes, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I love this board but It sure upsets me when I come here to find we lost another one of our much loved bc sisters. I remember reading many of Linda's posts...I'm so glad she found some comfort here. My condolences...she will be missed.
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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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08-13-2007, 11:03 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Very sorry
We knew Linda was having trouble with spreading skin mets but I was hoping she could get relief with her new treatent.
LindaW may have been here when I found this web site, or came shortly thereafter. Anyway, she posted often and being half a world away her posts would be here in our morning. Sort of like a pleasant "greeter."
We also chatted a couple of times during the Sunday evening chats when Lisa was moderating. Now those two are chatting in person with no huge ocean in between. There is a great HER2support clubhouse filling with special souls.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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08-13-2007, 12:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 215
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My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family, Jeanette
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08-13-2007, 02:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Wes
Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your dear Linda...she was very dear to all of us on this board...and was always helping someone with a question or problem....we now have yet another angel watching over us...may her love and hope carry this burden for you.
__________________
"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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08-15-2007, 06:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 503
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Very sad
It saddens me that Linda is no longer going to be with us... a real loss for all of us.
Maria
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08-15-2007, 07:13 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ALEXANDRIA, VA
Posts: 40
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So sad to hear the news about Linda .... My prayers go out to her family... May her memories be cherished forever ....
God Bless,
Debbie S
__________________
dx stage 4 ... 11/04
3.2 cm mass breast & liver mets..
her2 +++ ; er- ; pr -;
11/04 treated with hercp, taxol & carboplatin - every 3 wks
3/05 ned - stopped chemo; hercp only
5/05 reoccurence left breast
6/05 added navelbiene w/ hercp every other wk
7/05 mascetomy
12/05 ned ; same regiment- every 3 wks
3/06 & 7/06 ned
9/06 stopped navelbiene.. hercp only.. every 3 wks;
10/06 pet scan shows positive lymph node in pec
12/06 PET no change;
4/07 scan showed 4 abnormal nodes in right pec area ... these have increased in activity since last scan... will start back on weekly navelbeine & hercp
7/07 PET done ..this time it showed new nodules in both right & left lung area as well as increased activity in pec area..
8/07 started Taxol & Carboplatin with Hercp every 3 wks
10/07 PET done ...Great Report ... NED ....
11/07 continue with Hercp every 3 wks & do Taxol & Carboplatin every 6 wks
4/09 still on same regiment; 1 positive node in left lung and right pec area
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08-15-2007, 09:16 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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My Heart Is Crying
To the family of my very dear friend, my heart cries but the tears are finally drying knowing the torment and pain is over and her work with God has begun. Of course she had her duties here on the sight and everywhere she went she brought energy. My husband is the person here with Stage IV Breast Cancer and Linda had been a special ANGEL whom always brought us smiles and peace. The posts were many and the encouragement was unbelieveable. You must know how very empty our hearts are and that I will always try to give back in the same way that she did. She was our fine example of what a warrior should be and through the time that I knew her I gathered strength and power to fight this fight with my dear husband. Linda helped me to become more knowledgeable about breast cancer, more demanding about what we needed, but most of all she empowered us. We are all better people for being able to know and love this spectacular woman.
To Linda: I promise not to cry too long but you must understand how alone I feel without you here. Please tell our many other Warrior Angels we mourn for you all. You are going to be working with God in a different realm now, your work here is done. Thank you for showing us all how to fight, thank you for teaching us the true meaning of the human spirit. When you look down from above and watch us, remember that there is a part of you in everyone you touched. We were blessed to meet you and we are fortunate that you were unselfishly sharing your journey with us for yourself as much as for us. In my heart you shall always remain and although we will never forget you, we too will unselfishly give back to the circle we call cancer. I will never forget the love and strength you had and I ask God to watch over you special!! I love you and always will!!
Crying but not too long because I know you do not want that, I will continue to pray for your family. As for you...you have just entered a special prayer list for My Special Warrior Angels, a tribute for my friends that will never be forgotten. And Linda, I promise I will never stop believing. I Love You!!
Believe51....Marie G
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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08-15-2007, 05:49 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 65
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Dear Wes,
The world is a better place for having had Linda with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and with Linda - for her spirit stays with all of us who have been privelaged enough to be touched by her notes.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Rentrac
__________________
Oct. 2003: Dx age 48, Stage IIIA Ductal Ca. dense dose neoadjuvent AC. BrCa 1&2 -, ER+, PR-, Her2+. 2004: R mastectomy, 3+ nodes, dense doseTaxotere ( allergic), total hysterectomy, radiationx36 . Tamoxifen x6 mo., Arimidex x9 mo. Jan. '06: Multi left metastatic nodes left neck. Stage IV. Taxol, Carboplatin (allergic to both), Herceptin, radiationx27. Herceptin cont'd. 1 mediastinal met in old rad field. April: 2 brain mets - Rcerebellar, Ltemporal lobe. Gammaknife. Stop Herceptin, Start Tykerb. May: CyberKnife-mediastinal node, Zometa restart. July: New RLung mets. Xeloda add. Jan. 2008: CT: Lung mets shrinking. Fatty liver w/increased liver function panel. Feb '08: MRI: brain mets back, 2nd GammaKnife. June: Migraine headaches from cerebellar tumor. Team for WBR - Choose Craniotomy on Cerebellum only. Aug: Crainiotomy successful. Sept: PET -right lung apex clean; left internal mammary artery appears malignant. Herceptin in future. Left mastectomy?
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08-15-2007, 06:31 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Wes, I'm so sorry to hear about Linda's passing. It becomes harder and harder to lose our precious friends here. Each adds that something special that makes this place so wonderful. Linda was no exception. I know your lose is so great. May God bless you throughout this upcoming year. Best wishes, 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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08-15-2007, 07:38 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Dear Wes,
Sending thoughtful prayers down under to you and your family. I am sure Linda felt blessed to have you by her side. We will all miss her.
Hugs, Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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08-16-2007, 09:01 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I agree, it is hard to lose one of our sisters. Wes, my condolences to you and your family. I know you will miss her. She is a beautiful soul. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
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08-17-2007, 04:22 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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I am very saddened by this news. Linda was very special to me, and I'm going to miss her.
Wes and family, I will keep you in my prayers.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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08-18-2007, 06:20 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: melbourne, australia
Posts: 267
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Wes, condolences to you and the family. I think as we Aussies are few, we do tend to notice posts by other Australians more. I will let our aussiebc website know too.
So sad.
Christine
__________________
Christine
DX Sept 03 age 40 Stage 2B Grade 3 mastectomy (after 2 prior breast conserving surgeries)
"at least" 2.3 cm 3/12 nodes ER+/PR+ Her2+++
8 FEC. Tamoxifen then Arimidex. Ovaries out.
"late" Herceptin for 2 years (18months after chemo) on HERA trial. finished Herceptin Nov 2007.
Multiple bone mets May 2012 and now liver August 2012.
Abraxne, Herceptin and Zometa.
June 2013 Tykerb, Xeloda and Xgeva
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