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01-13-2007, 07:55 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
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Message from Lisa pt. 1
Hello Angels -
I have had the mournful duty of finalizing things around the house, including going through Lisa's notes. What I came across today was a note she wanted posted for all of you. I will not editorialize, just post.
"Last year I attended a conference on angels. Listening to the lecture ramble on and on, I fell asleep. To my surprise, when I awoke, seated all around me were angels of different shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. Through this chance encounter I came to realize: angels, in reality, are us! And like the patient angels who lived before us, we can pull up a chair, take a seat, and truly listen to what one another is saying. The chair is my invitation to you to become part of the expectant miracles we all seek."
Lisa then wrote a special request to me to ensure each of you loving angels on HER2Support read the lyrics to a song. The song is titled "The Best of Times" by a little known singer named Sara Hickman. What follows are the words to this song - blessed to you from Lisa.
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
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01-13-2007, 08:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
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Message from Lisa, pt.2
This is the best of times
Some say the worst of times
I guess it all depends
Which glass your drinking from
This is our only chance
To reserve a dance
That was started long ago
This is the best of times
Look beyond the signs
Don't let yourself be scared
Don't let them make you numb
This is the final day
Each and every day
We can return to love
That we keep running from
I see only beautiful faces
Hands eager to hold
Chorus: So when I see you down
I want to pick you up
I want to make you laugh
And remind you of the best of times
Living right before your eyes
So when I see you down
I'm gonna to pick you up
I'm gonna give you hope
And remind you of the best of times
We're living in the best of times
These are the best of times
Yours and Mine
We must never forget
How blessed we are
And though the sun must set
When we least expect it to
Remember all the times
Life was so sweet to you
And in the end it will seem
Life rolled by like a dream
Chorus: So when I see you down
I want to pick you up
I want to make you laugh
And remind you of the best of times
Living right before your eyes
So when I see you down
I'm gonna to pick you up
I'm gonna give you hope
And remind you of the best of times
We're living in the best of times
These are the daily trials
Yet, every once in a while
The clouds will disappear
Making everything else clear
When our emotions grow cold
The tide of winter takes hold
Don't give in to sorrow so soon
When spring could arrive this afternoon
Chorus: So when I see you down
I want to pick you up
I want to make you laugh
And remind you of the best of times
Living right before your eyes
So when I see you down
I'm gonna to pick you up
I'm gonna give you hope
And remind you of the best of times
We're living in the best of times
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
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01-13-2007, 08:08 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
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Message from Lisa, pt 3
The lyrics alone do not do this song justice. If you can find this song online PLEASE listen to it. I wish I could play it for all of you, but please know these were Lisa's thoughts of Love and Light for all of you! "I'm gonna pick you up, I'm gonna give you hope" is what she thought almost every time she sat her tiny little butt with her bald little head in her office chair and logged onto HER2!
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
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01-13-2007, 08:15 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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Lisa's soul
Dear Mel, I don't think I've ever felt closer to Lisa or felt her loving smile more.
AlaskaAngel
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01-13-2007, 08:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 131
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Message from Lisa, Pt. 4
Found this performance on YouTube hope you can enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y74yzMJPwLc
Not the best sound quality but the thought and spirit are all there!
__________________
Mel Gordon, Husband of Lisa Lowe - Queen of Love and Light and the bravest person I know!
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01-13-2007, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 589
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Mel, through you Lisa continues to amaze! What a special woman.
How are you doing?
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01-13-2007, 09:28 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Thanks Mel, Did the video. It helps us. Hope you are recovering as well. Bev
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01-13-2007, 09:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Dear Mel, thank you for the words from Lisa, and the song...although I can't seem to get my computer to cooperate to play the video, but will keep working on it. Anyway, the lyrics are beautiful and so so true.
<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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01-13-2007, 10:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26
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lisa
lisa was a angel....her caring and strength and hope was a example for us all...she was a blessing...
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01-13-2007, 11:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Mel, I played the video while I read the words to the song. That song really hit a soft spot in me tonight...I sat with tears running down my face through the whole thing. It brought on a whole range of emotion for me personally. (Happy & sad...its been a rough year.) Thanks for finding that video as it made alot of difference to hear Sara sing this song. What a perfect song Lisa wanted you to share with us. I plan on saving this. I love the words.
Thanks so much Mel.
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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01-14-2007, 02:57 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 279
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Thanks!
I really loved that - I sang the song to myself just making up the notes.. then played the video. I had to laugh the notes in the chorus were like the ones i made up. Thanks for posting that and bringing us some more of our love and light sweetie.
__________________
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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01-14-2007, 03:59 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Wonderful
Thank you mel from me too and I hope you also are doing okay.I loved the song and the words and will try to get a copy.
Thank you again
Tricia
__________________
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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01-14-2007, 05:17 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
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Dear Mel,
thank you for posting Lisa's message. She was a great inspiration to all of us.
Your love,kindness, goodness and courage shine through your posting.
I can only offer you a cyber hug and to say how lucky Lisa was to have you by her side. Her love and light will shine on as will yours.
love and hugs
sarah
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01-14-2007, 07:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Mel
Thank you so much for posting this song...it really hit home for so many of us...like others, I had tears running down my face. Lisa truly is an angel with you as her medium, still helping all of us. I went to Amazon and ordered this CD....Lisa will be with me whenever I hear this song.
__________________
"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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01-14-2007, 08:01 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Thank you Mel for helping keep Lisa in touch with us. Through you Lisa is still helping so many of us. What an incredible soul she is and always will be. Hope you are doing as well as can be expected.
__________________
~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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01-14-2007, 10:22 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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Thank You
Everyone else has said what I feel too. Wow, I don't know if you have any idea how very, very therapeutic these posts are. I felt my shoulders drop about 5 inches (a few tears dropped too). What gifts you and Lisa are, have always been and we are all so lucky to know you both.
__________________
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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01-14-2007, 12:45 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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thank you...and thank you Lisa...for thinking of all of us...you are both very special people.
__________________
 Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
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01-14-2007, 02:13 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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Thank you Mel for the song, plus the link to the video. I watched it, and it touched my heart. Bless you.
Linda
__________________
Diagnosed 12/23/04
Biopsy 12/28/04
Lumpectomy 1/04/05
IDC, ER-PR-, HER2Neu+++
7mm tumor, Stage 1, Grade 3
6 CAF's
38 Rads
Finished 10/05
"Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up."
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01-14-2007, 02:33 PM
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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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Dear Mel,
Thanks so much for the song. I've been feeling a bit down lately myself (had to put down one of our horses we've had for 20 years) also just stuff going on that we all have to deal with at times. Anyway, just wanted to say that I am inspired by your strength and commitment to this site on behalf of our sister Lisa. Thank you for helping me to keep things in perspective.
Kim in CA
__________________
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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01-14-2007, 03:37 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Thank You!!
Thank you, Mel, for sharing Lisa's post and this song. I will also order a copy of the song. Lisa has given us here a true gift, and she was certainly full of love and light to save her angel story for us. You continue to also be in my thoughts and my heart goes out to you.
Barbara H.
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