Survivor Survey

[Ora]

I can't believe it's been almost 2 years.

[Andi]

My story is in my signature. I hope the Tykerb/Xeloda is finally something that will work for me.

[LindaC]

My story so far is in my signature

[bailey]

My story:

Diagnosed with BC in 2002 - lumpectomy, 6 rounds chemo then radiation - put on tamoxifen
2003 - 4 tumors found in my ovaries, hysterectomy all tumors benign, mets to the lung and liver - 2 liver operations - put on Arimidex
2003 - chemo - taxotere and herceptin - finished chemo end of 2003 but stayed on Herceptin every 3 weeks
2006 - 2 very small spots appeared on the lung from scans
April 2007 - last Herceptin treatment
May 2007 - will start on tykerb and xeloda
Have been stage 4 since 2003
I am 54 - exercise 5 days/week - 3 times/week spin classes for an hour, weights and eat healthy as I can
BC did not know who it was dealing with when it came to my body - I am a survivor!!

Hope this helps.
B

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Kudos to you. I stand in awe. What a great attitude. Hold on to it. Even on the days that feel a bit more challenging than others. Go within and make that connection with your beautiful Spirit. You surely will be a SURVIVOR. A miracle in the making. Good for you. I'm sending you hugs, prayers, love and healing energy. Not that you need it. But it couldn't hurt... ANDI

PS I'm a 4th stage BC survivor. Dx '95 at age 50. Multiple mets into liver in '98. Poor prognosis. I eat right and take multiple nutritional supplements recommended by my ONCOLOGICAL NUTRITIONAL SPECIALIST AND BC SPECALIST in Manhattan. What a find! With NY Presbyterian Hospital at Cornell. He's a true healer. Guided imagery. Meditation. Healing sounds. And brilliant. Plus nice and good-humored to boot. Wrote Healing Essence. Very spiritual. Which, since '95, I have embraced wholeheartedly. It has transformed my life. Stay strong, brave and determined...

[shaza]

diagnosed 2003 DCIS
lumpectomy , 3wks rads
no node involvement
not hormone deoendent
2006
mets to liver
6 cycles EC chemo
tumour markers down from 1200 to 28
classed as in remission , doing well

[shaza]

follow from my previous post
i am now 56
progression to stage 4 was a total shock but responded well to chemo
test for her2 status came back towards the end of chemo so herceptin will be an option for me , i feel i am winning this battle and i am surviving

[Petesmom]

Hi Ladies,

Here's my dx:

1998 diagnosed .8cm, node neg., grade 2, Her2-, ER+, lumpectomy,rads and Toremifine for 5 years
2005 diagnosed (same breast) .7cm, node neg., grade 2, Her2+++, ER+, mastectomy, oopharectomy, arimidex
NED since then.

Petesmom

[Catherine]

Details in my Signature. DX April 06. I think I am NED. Oncologist did not say that exactly. Just said we shrunk the tumors to nothing and then cleaned up with surgery Sep 06. My Oncologist said that he has not seen a recurrence while on herceptin. When I see him in June, I will ask if my status is NED. My steps were: chemo, surgery, radiation, herceptin.

I feel great, Catherine

[cmljungren]

My info is in my signature!

Hey! and my picture worked....thanks Joe!!!

Blessings!

[Rozebud]

This thread rocks!

Info below, just passsed third year NED.

[dede10]

Dx'd at 46 1/2...my info is in my sig
AND I HAVE SERVIVED 4 YRS 2 MOS!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Dede, I hope you've read my stats. July '95 Stage IV + 2 lymph nodes, mastec, tram flap reconstr + 4 Adria ?12 CMF (50 yrs old). (Aug. '94 Mammog was clean.) Borderline E so they put me on Tamoxifen. Aug. '98 multiple mets in liver. They told me to throw my Tamoxifen down the toilet! Her2+ 80%, as nomenclated back in the day. FDA fast-tracked Herceptin because of the great results. Women given 3 mnths to live couldn't get it. There was a lottery system. My incredible doc MJ (Dr. Mohammed Jahanzeb) was in Boca at the time. Got 5 opinions (mostly in NY where I then lived 6 mnths a yr). MJ suggested Taxotere -- the most aggressive tool in their arsenal at the time for a highly aggressive invasive lobular carcinoma (that was ME). I went on Taxotere in Sept '98 through May '99. Apr. 2 oncs suggested I bring my x-rays for their radiologist to read. First one said he wasn't sure what he was looking at were tumors. They appeared filled w/fluid, cyst-like. The dead remains of tumors. I continued on Taxotere. Another onc suggested I bring my x-rays for his radiologist to read. He knew nothing of any other radiologists' reports. He said the same thing -- cyst-like, necratic tissue, dead remains of tumors. At the end of May I just couldn't take any more. I had suffered every conceivable side effect bitterly and was crawling. MJ said no reason to believe the Herceptin can't keep me stable. Was on wkly till '02 then switched to triple dose every 3 wks. Have regular chest/abd/pel CTs. Went from ev 8 wks to ev 3 mnths. I begged for ev 4 mnths as the drink gave me diarrhea for 3 days. Last yr I graduated to ev 6 mnths. Am due in June. Have comprehensive bld tests ev 3 mnths w/tumor markers.

Dr. MJ is an incredible doc/human being. You call. He answers -- within the hr or def the same day. He is aggressive in treatment yet not over the top. He is kind, caring, giving. He listens. He lets you take your time. He waits to see if you have any more questions. He answers everything you ask w/considered thought and explains what he bases his opinion on. He cites studies and facts and figures. He is unique and I was blessed to have in my life when I needed him most. If -- God forbid a hundred million times -- I were to need him, I would be on the first plane to Tenn. He heads the oncol department at the Univ of Tenn. I believe he helped save my life.

He travels extensively around the country and the world, attending and/or giving lectures on breast cancer and lung cancer -- his specialties. He is brilliant and yet a sweetheart. A gentleman who I cannot say enough good things about.

I wanted you to hear all this. If there is any way in the world you can get to where he is -- my best advice would be to run there. If any one has answers for you -- MJ will. He will not give up on you. I WAS HIS FIRST PATIENT IN '95. I am NED (no evidence of disease), joyful, serene, in harmony and good health. I wish you the same! I wish that for all these exceptional ladies on this site. I admire their courage and determination, their proactive approach and their strength. Never give in. Never give up. I'm standing w/you. Please let me hear back from you. Sending loving, healing energy... ANDI
From Taxotere had pleural effusion (which went away after about 6 mnhs). Had small pericardial effusion that remains and they now believe will never go away and is not cancerous. I now get annual ECHOs to check my EF. Was ev 6 mnths. I go for transvaginal pelvic sonos to check my ovaries, etc. I go for bone density tests ev 2 yrs.

[bailey]

Andrea - you are so wonderful - a true miracle and full of life - I LOVE IT!! Dede, hang in there and do what you need to do. I was on Herceptin since 2003 with my second go around of chemo and then just herceptin till 3 weeks ago and am starting tykerb/xeloda on Wed. as there are spots on my lung - they say there are side effects but I always go into everything like that saying, they have to tell you all the side effects but that does not mean you will get them. I had none from Herceptin and if I did I dealt with them. I am stage 4 as well but I feel blessed and lucky that I am still here. I made my 54th birthday in Jan. and I'll make it for another 20 years. I met a wonderful man 5 months ago after my husband left me so I am truly blessed - there is a reason I'm still here - I know it and it makes me jump for joy. Dede, I am with Andrea and many other wonderful women on this - don't ever give up - believe!! I am sending you and all the women love, happiness, positive energy, everything in life that is great.
B

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I adore your attitude! Your husband left? I can only assume GOOD RIDDENS is in order. In the midst of all this?! HIS loss. You are remarkable. Your attitude is why I say you are one beautiful Spirit! Good for you! You sound so wonderfully together. You obviously know who you are and know how special you are, and so does this nice new guy! I'm truly impressed.

Every morning brings a new challenge w/another odd occurence w/our bodies, but we adapt and deal! We are each heroes. Or as Maya Angelou says -- SHEROES! A whole new way of looking at the idea of nobility, don't you think?! Be good to yourself. Stay strong. You are so full of grace, I am wowwed.

I think I LOVE YOU... ANDI

[bailey]

Thanks Andi - you are so kind. Yes, as I say the dumbass left although it's been 2 years now but he left after I had just been off chemo for the 2nd time - he left 6 months after my last chemo - had been screwing around since I first started chemo in 2002 but I did not know at the time - of course who would when you're so sick from that Adry. chemo. It is definately his loss. It took me a couple of years but through counselling I made it - feel good about myself again and adore my new man while still staying true to myself. My ex is so unhappy though and although I wish him nothing bad in his life it very sad for him - I feel sorry for him and happy happy for me.
My next step in life starts Wed. or Thurs. when I start tykerb/xeloda but I just know it will all be okay - I don't accept any less. Between working out each day, meditation and some yoga I will be around for a long time.
I wish you well also - stay in touch.
B

[cinnamon97]

What is NED?

[Marie G]

NED means "No Evidence of Disease" and it is something I hope we all get to experience at some point, whether it be ourselves or the persons we are caring for. Best of Luck.>>Waiting For A Miracle>>Marie G

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Bailey you are fantastic. You are wise not to wish bad things for anyone. Negativity has a way of rebounding and boomeranging back to us. Feel sad for him and happy happy for you, as you should. Smart lady! If you KNOW you are going to survive -- YOU WILL SURVIVE! It's a Universal Law! Whatever you KNOW will come to be. KNOW you will be okay. Do not accept anything less. You have the power to draw your dreams to you, with the power of the energy of your thoughts. Consciously choose to think of victory as much of the day, every single day!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's your new job. Draw it to you. Don't ever give your power away to negativity, fear, anger, grief, resentment, remorse, louses in the world or the inability to forgive. That would mess up your energy and your life. Refuse to give your power away to any one or any thing. Ever. Love that you work out, meditate and do some yoga. You are so on the right course! YOU WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME because you KNOW it and BELIEVE in yourself. That's the Lesson cancer taught me. I try to share it with everyone I meet. No matter what your adversity, and we all have a few, take that Lesson and that Message and live in joy and serenity, well and in harmony.

Keep us all posted on your experience w/tykerb/xeloda -- and stay as beautiful as you are. You are clearly a Winner.

I too wish you ALL well. Wishing you all reach NED status (no evidence of disease). STABLE! Magical words, music to the ears. You are all potential miracles. Don't ever stop having faith in your power to give that to yourself! Much love, ANDI<!-- / message -->

[Jackie]

You will see my details in my signature.

2 yrs. NED!!!!!!