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12-29-2007, 01:46 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 107
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Joanne "Jojo" d'almeida (1968 - 2007)
Dear friends of Jojo…..I hate to bring this news, but I received this email from Jojo’s husband this morning:
Joanne "JoJo" d'Almeida was suffering with Breast Cancer for 4 and half years. She passed away on Dec 28th, 2007 around 3:40pm. We miss her.
Jo's Husband, David
I don’t have any other details than that. I was blessed to “know” Jojo. I first met her on this message board, in June 2004. I remember we started emailing immediately, both stage IIIC and on herceptin. Then, within 2 weeks of me “knowing” her – she recurred, to a neck node and to her brain. I thought often of how lonely it must be to be both living with metastatic cancer and to be deaf. I know it brought her a level of peace and understanding I’ll never know….but I also know it was very isolating for her. She was in so much pain over the past several years….in and out of the hospital….so God has finally freed her from her pain.
My girls have a whole set of Jojo’s Circus toys thanks to her J . I remember how excited she was to go to the Summer 2004 Olympics in Greece. She was always asking about other people on the boards and praying for them. And she was using a pager and small technical gadgets WAY before me!!
I’m going to miss Jo. I wanted to share some excerpts from emails over the years. God bless all of you – Rose
When asked how she responds to people saying she’s brave (7/07):
But while at it, I actually become rather speechless, or just mumble a response in modesty, whenever people tell me that I am being strong for dealing with such an ordeal. Honestly, I don't really know if I DO have that kind of strength. I guess I just can't see myself, not a good & clear way... maybe I show a stoic personality?? Just guessing!
Thoughts of Survival and God (8/05):
Remember I told you a while ago about my so-called mantra? Well, I was watching a TV documentary on cancer patients. Some people don't make it, others do. I only remember the lucky guy in the show. He was actually an atheist & like Lance Armstrong, he refused to credit his survivorship to God or anything else beyond "earth life". I forgot which cancer he had, but it was pretty advanced. I think his sheer willpower made a difference, just like Lance's. Anyway, the guy said in the show that he did see some survival data, but he arbitrarily decided that numbers don't matter at all and that we could survive.
That was his own mantra. So, this show kinda got me thinking about my own persective on survival data.... Just ignore it & really believe that I could survive. Of course, with my faith, I ask God to agree with me. :-) Like I said, God is the big boss here!
I know this has been said over & over & over all the time, but truly "time does pass & things get easier." It's always the hardest at newly diagnosed, but we eventually get used to it. I'm feeling a bit more 'normal' now than before. Oh, of course I have my 'scared' days every now & then, BUT I do also have 'best' days!!!
After I had a clean PET scan (summer 05):
I just stopped, then praised God on your scan. Whenever I feel anything negative about my cancer (sad, pessimistic, etc), I would try to catch myself in time & remind myself that it ALREADY happened & there is NO way for me to turn back the clock & I gotta DEAL with it NOW, but just hope for anything better in the near future.
Of course, every now & then I would whine to God that I was not brave enough & how I could do about it? I'm only human....
I probably would have felt more jealous [of being cancer-free], if I were hearing, only because I would be so used to taking everything for granted. So, if I wanted to have a better perspective, I could just say that that's one advantage of being deaf. :-)
A Prayer Jojo wrote (10/04):
Dear God,
Cancer is unbelievably hard on us ladies, but it must be 200 times harder on husbands/wives, partners, boy/girlfriends, parents and children as they witness us ladies fight against cancer. May our Dear Lord give them the strength, peace, bravery, grace, mercy and the light (understanding) as they watch our continuous fight. Help them have an easier time to remain on our sidelines and be strong enough to
stand by us consistently, as we ladies need to rely on their love.
Please God, try to cease their guilt "what can I do? I feel so helpless for them" because that can be an unhealthy consumption of their mind & soul. Cancer or not, we still adore them. Cancer just happened & we can't turn back time, but gently lead our loved ones get closer us throughout our difficult ordeal. In the name of our Father, of our Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
__________________
Rose
Dx'd 1/04 at 33, while 33 weeks pregnant
Dx: Stage IIIC IDC, ER-, PR+ (23%), Her2=2.7 (IDC)/7.6 (FSH), 2.5cm primary tumor, grade III, 11/18+ nodes (largest 3.8 cm)
Treatment: A/C *4, T *4, 1 year of herceptin (BCIRG 006), mastectomy, rads (7 weeks), zoladex (5 years) with tamoxifen (2 years)/aromisin (3 years), bilateral SGAP summer 05 at NOLA
Oops, retested tumor and I guess I'm er/pr- after all.
Stopped all hormonal tx 10/07. Periods resumed 6/08. Bye bye hot flashes!!!!
http://www.edrie.com/kopecky
*~VISIT OUR FAMILY!~*
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12-29-2007, 02:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Teary-eyed ...
Dear Rose -
As you know I have been missing her here lately. So sorry to end the year with this awful news.
Jojo was so sweet and supportive of me when my brain mets were discovered. She had one 3 cm right behind her left ear and my larger of two was the same size in the same spot. We then each had open surgery and supported each other through that.
She had such a "never give up" attitude. Thanks for culling out and sharing the Jojo quotes. I know her family feels the loss badly.
__________________
"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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12-29-2007, 02:43 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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My condolences
Dear Rose, I'm so sorry for your loss and her family's loss. I know how you feel. I will pray for your comforting and strength. I did not know her, but through your sharing of the e-mails, especially the awesome, awesome prayer, I saw her light shining through. Peace and Love, Bill
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12-29-2007, 02:44 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Rosebud
Thank you for sharing pieces of JoJo with us and letting us know...how sad that yet another is taken from us...JoJo was always there to answer and help whenever she could...I will miss her joy of life and love in her posts. I am saddened to get this news/
__________________
"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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12-29-2007, 03:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 212
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I'm so sorry to hear of JoJo's passing. I remember how excited we all were for her to go to the Olympics in Greece. She had such kind words for me and others on this board throughout the years...Was she really only in her thirties? Much too young! Thanks for sharing this news, I will say a prayer for her family...
__________________
Audrey
diagnosed July 2001, at age 36
large tumor, 11+ nodes
Stage IIIb, er/pr-, Her2+
treated with A/C, weekly Taxol
radiation, + year of Herceptin
on clinical trial. double mastectomy
followed by reconstruction
NED!!
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12-29-2007, 03:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Bless you, Rose for taking the time to allow us into the heart and mind of JoJo through her emails. That was so kind and thoughtful of you. What a well grounded "girl"! Way too young to join our heavenly warriors (I think 99 is too young too)! I'll add JoJo's name to our prayer/candle list so that we can remember her next time around. God bless us and care for us as we enter the new year. May our loss list be VERY SHORT (0 would be appropriate) and the victories many in the New Year! 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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12-29-2007, 03:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Rose...
thank you for sharing that...so sad that this happened. I TOO remember JoJo as being so sweet and kind. Heaven has been blessed with another angel.
Rhonda
__________________
Rhonda
Dx 2/1/05, Stage 1, 0 nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER2+ (3.16 Fish)
2/7/05, Partial Mastectomy
5/18/05 Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan)
8/1/05 Finished 33 rads
8/18/05 Started Herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year (last one 8/10/06)
2/1/13...8 year Cancerversary and I am "perfect" (at least where cancer is concerned;)
" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
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12-29-2007, 03:50 PM
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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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Rose, Thanks so much for letting us know about JoJo. Its so sad when we lose yet another sister to this darned disease. JoJo was such a kind, caring and compassionate person. She was always there to try to help and encourage others when she had more then enough on her own plate to deal with. This really saddens me.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share parts of her emails with us. She was such a beautiful person and one that will surely be missed.
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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12-29-2007, 05:11 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 329
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Very sad news. She will be missed like other angels.
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12-29-2007, 05:17 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Dear Roze,
Thank you for sharing the "specialness" of JoJo with us. So sad to lose yet another one of our Sisters.
Big hug for you and my sincerest sympathies to Jo Jo's family.
Marcia
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12-29-2007, 06:01 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 232
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Dear Rose,
Thank you for the information about Jojo. I will miss her.
I am sending hugs, prayers and strength to her family.
Karen
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12-29-2007, 06:12 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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This makes me so sad. While I know that she is free from the pain she has been in for years, she was far too young to be taken. Jo was very kind to me after my diagnosis. We pm'd back and forth and hoped to meet up one day. I hadn't heard from her in some time and was hoping that she was okay. JoJo will be sorely missed. My prayers for her family.
Lexi
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12-29-2007, 07:55 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
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So sorry to hear the news about Jojo. I surely miss her. She is an amazing person. My heartfelt condelenses to her family.
Julie
__________________
Diagnosed in Sept 2004 while pregnant with the second child. Stage 3b, tumor 4.5cm, 4 auxillary and supraclav node positive. Her2+++ FISH 9.4 and er-,pr-.
Had dose dense neoadjuvant AC,Taxol then mastectomy,radiation+xeloda+Herceptin.
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12-29-2007, 07:58 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan
Posts: 592
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Rose,
Although I didn't know Jojo, I can clearly see what a special lady she was. I read her writings that you posted, and was so truly touched by her prayer, I broke down in tears.
In sympathy,
__________________
Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+
Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4
Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin
Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders
Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp
Jun07...Start Tamoxifen
Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25
Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin
Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture
Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly.
Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :(
Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex.
Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks
Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C
Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+).
Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin.
Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction
Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin.
Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin.
Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston.
Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable.
May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up.
May14...PET scan = uterine progression :(
May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.
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12-29-2007, 08:32 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Rose thank your sharing this with us.
Thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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12-29-2007, 09:19 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 Rose,
How sad to hear this news....your post and tribute to Jojo is so beautiful
and bitter sweet.
It is so sad to add yet another of our dear sisters to the list.
Kind Regards,
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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12-29-2007, 09:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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I Am So Sorry To Hear About Jojo
This is another sad day for me. I am really glad to see 2007 come to and end. It has been a very sad year for this board. We have lost alot of our sisters and it has saddened me to no end.
Let's pray that 2008 will be a better year for all.
__________________
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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12-30-2007, 03:51 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 309
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This is so very sad. What a beautiful woman.
Blessings
Hermiracles
__________________
2003 L/DCIS –> LWE: High G./Comedo - 6 nodes clear 6 wks Rx
04/07 2 miracles born ~ very grateful
06/07 Susp areas L/b
09/07 Stage 2 bilat. mastectomy R/ b. clear extens DCIS/IDC Paget’s 8 nodes clear ER(<5%) HER2+++ CT clear
11/07 Portacath - FEC
15/11/07 Stage 4 Emerg op - hip replacemt #NOF bone mets H/Taxotere
12/07 Rx to 'spots' on spine/R/hip/femur 3wkly H
2008 H+T mets to rib/sternum? Aredia CT clear! Cont. H + Aredia 07/08 1 wk Palliative Care - mets to lungs + ?1 to brain
09/08 Stop H complete Epirubicin 1wk PC new brain mets
10/08 2wks WBR 1wk PC 22/10/08 Tykerb/Xeloda 12/08 6 CEREBRAL METS COMPLETELY GONE! Rib mets down to <1cm.
01/09 Tumour markers normal! Rx to L/arm
03/09 LUNGS CLEAR (ALL NODULES GONE!), brain clear, liver clear. Bones stable! ~ THANK YOU GOD
07/09 Repeat CT Scan ~ ALL organs clear apart from bones which remain stable. I walk in gratitude.
***************
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12-30-2007, 11:48 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: California's Gold Country
Posts: 404
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Thank You Rose for posting such difficult news. I was afraid that things might not be going well for her by her absence on the board.
She was so upbeat and supportive of me when I was fretting about my brain tumor. I will never forget her kindness. God bless you JoJo, I will remember you always....Kim
__________________
Diag. Feb 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes +. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin.
5/1997 Hi Dose Chemo w/ Stem cell rescue. Spent 4 weeks in isolation ward. Then 6 weeks radiation.
9/2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 mos Taxotere/Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stop Taxotere & add Femara .
11/2002 liver resection to remove spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED!
7/2003 Tumor markers rising add Xeloda Disastrous reaction, 8 days hospital, but tumor markers came back to normal!
June -Dec 2004 UW Vaccine Trial.
7/2005 MRI single 11mm brain met
8/2005 Gamma Knife.
Brain MRI @3 months NED!
2006-2011 brain/body still NED
8/04/11 Taking Herceptin break, will monitor with tumor markers.
6/20/12 Tumor markers begin to rise. CA15-3 is 31.3 and Her2 Serum is at 17.1 Decide to repeat in one month.
7/23/12 CA15-3 now 49.3
Her2 Serum 26.8
8/6/12 Back on Herceptin
CA15-3 now 76
Her2 Serum now 49
11/7/12 Add weekly Taxotere for 4 cycles
2/2013 Stopped Taxotere added Perjeta. MRI shows approx. 50% reduction liver mets. CA15-3 still elevated @ 55. Will continue on just Herceptin & Perjeta.
November 2014 Continuing on Herceptin, Perjeta, and
Femara indefinitely. Guess I'm NED again, but watching those tumor markers carefully!
Dec. 2015 PET scan reveals mass in perirectal area of abdomen.biopsy confirms. Still Her2+, but no longer ER+. Bye bye Femara
Jan 2016 Begin Kadcyla
March 2016 PET scan shows tumor now barely visible, still NED everywhere else.
2016/2017 continue Kadcyla
November 2017 brain MRI reveals small focus of T2 hyperintensity with possible 4mm enhancing nodule. Short term follow up MRI suggested. Stay tuned...
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12-30-2007, 06:09 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Watkinsville, Georgia
Posts: 356
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Oh Rose....I remember her so fondly. We were all diagnosed around the same time and shared many emails and letters. I had not heard from her in so long and was hoping she was OK. Thank you for letting us know. I remember her excitement over Greece and her dream to have children. I am so sad.....
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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