HonCode

Go Back   HER2 Support Group Forums > her2group
Register Gallery FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-29-2013, 08:46 AM   #1
NEDenise
Senior Member
 
NEDenise's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
Remembering Chrisy

Already, I feel the gaping hole left by Chris.
Her humor, wisdom, kindness, advocacy...but mostly the loving spirit.

Some things I plan to remember...

Right after my brain mets were found, Chris's reaction was almost as angry and filled with profanity as mine! Her response made me feel justified I guess...but it also cracked me up!

Once, during another 'rough time' for me...I posted about checking in here "with my peeps". Chris's response was, "Denise, I will always be proud to count myself among your peeps". Now, instead of my pounding on heaven's gates for her...I picture her whispering in the Lord's ear...on MY behalf. And...she will always be one of my peeps too!

Another time...I started a thread called "You Know You're a Breast Cancer Survivor When..."
Chris, always up for a good giggle...was following the thread...and then she came up with the funniest post of all:

You Know You're a Breast Cancer Survivor When...

Your Her2buddy tells you to take ammonia daily to help with drug side effects and your only question is "How much and do I drink it or put my feet in it?"
(Then you find out her phone spell-checker changed "immodium" to "ammonium")


I laughed so hard...the tears were rolling down my cheeks!

Our Chrisy...
Always willing to provide encouragement.
Full to the brim with knowlege about treatment options and how to access them.
And, thoroughly devoted to this board, and her HER2 brothers and sisters.

I know the joy was great when she crossed over. Her friends and loved ones were as excited to see her arrive as we all are devastated to let her go.

In my small way (I'm certainly no Chris) I'll try to carry on her work...and toward that end...I've made a memorial donation to our beloved HER2 site, in her name. What better way to honor and remember her...so there will always be a place for people like her...to meet people like us.

Love you Chris! And miss you so much already.
Denise
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Chrisy.jpg
Views:	150
Size:	12.7 KB
ID:	1060   Click image for larger version

Name:	Chris 4.jpg
Views:	137
Size:	17.6 KB
ID:	1061   Click image for larger version

Name:	Chris 3.jpg
Views:	158
Size:	13.5 KB
ID:	1062   Click image for larger version

Name:	Chris 2.jpg
Views:	160
Size:	14.0 KB
ID:	1063  
NEDenise is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 11:11 AM   #2
caya
Senior Member
 
caya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,320
Re: Remembering Chrisy

I will never forget dear Chrisy. So sad to hear the news of her passing, she was such a Warrior Woman. Full of optimism, and hope.

May her family know how much she was loved by many of us here on this board.

Rest in peace, sweet Chrisy.

all the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08

Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!

Last edited by caya; 04-29-2013 at 05:04 PM..
caya is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 12:15 PM   #3
sarah
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
Re: Remembering Chrisy

sad news indeed. my condolences to her family and friends.
__________________
sarah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 12:50 PM   #4
jra40
Senior Member
 
jra40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
Posts: 260
Re: Remembering Chrisy

What a nice post Denise. I did not know Chrisy but loved reading her posts - she was full of life and humor. I cried last night when I saw she passed away. I do not post much and have become a lurker but seeing another loss of a beautiful woman just really devestated me. I thought about all the others we have lost and it just shakes me to the core.

I remember when I got first diagnosed and all my medical team put a positive spin on it by saying we had these amazing drugs. Yes we do, but reality is that cancer knows no boundaries and still robs us of so much.

Praying everyday for a cure to cancer so we do not have to lose anymore. Chrisy will be with all our other angels helping us in the fight!

All my condolensces to Chrisy's family - a huge loss for everyone.
__________________
11/17/10 - Diagnosed with 4.5cm tumor in right breast, IDC, Stage 2, Nuclear grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER2+
12/13/10 - Lymph node biopsy - negative
12/28/10 - Started neo-adjuvant treatment along with clinical trial with 4 rounds of AC chemo every 3 weeks
3/15/11 - Began weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions along with 750mg of Tykerb taken by mouth daily
6/28/11 - Finished last cycle of Taxol
7/27/11 - Breast MRI shows tumor has dissolved, remarkable reaction to chemo
8/31/11 - Lumpectomy, Sentinel Node biopsy. Node negative, clear margins, 7mm of cancer left over from chemo.
10/05/11 - Started radiation, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.
11/8/11 - Finished radiation
3/21/12 - Last Herceptin!
3/26/12 - Port removed!
Tamoxifen for 5 years
8/4/15 - Hysterectomy & bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Due to large fibroids. No cancer!
8/8/15 - Started Arimidex
jra40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 02:50 PM   #5
jaykay
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 645
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Oh Denise - really nice post in memory of Chris.

Although I've been a lurker way longer than a card carrying member of this board, I remember reading her posts for years and marveling at the kindness and strength of Chris and everyone else on this board (you included Denise!).

Cancer sucks

Best,
Janis
__________________
March, 2000: 48, Post menopausal (5 yrs HRT) Left breast, IDC 3mm/DCIS 1.6cm, ER+/PR-/Her2+++, mod differentiated, MIB low, lumpectomy, node neg via SNB, rads=33 Stage 1a
June, 2000: Tamox 4.5 years,Femara for 5 years (end in Jan. 2010)
Sept, 2012: 61, Via mamm, ultrasound, biopsy, right breast, 2.3cm tumor, ER+/PR-/Her2+++, poorly diff, KI67 60-70%
BRCA 1 and 2 negative
October, 2012: Bi Mast with tissue expanders, port placement
Final Path: IDC 2.8cm, DCIS, 1/4 sentinal nodes positive (@#$%). Stage IIB
Nov 29, 2012: Begin TCH/6x/every 3 wks, H for 1 year/every 3 weeks.
March 14, 2013: Finished chemo
April 9, 2013: Begin radiation 28x
May 22, 2013: Finished rads
June 1st, 2013: Started Aromasin for 5 yrs.
July 15, 2013: Switched to Letrozole (Femara). Probably for the rest of my life
October 16, 2013: Exchange surgery
October 31, 2013: Finished Herceptin
December 5, 2013: Port removed
Glad this year is over!
jaykay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 03:15 PM   #6
StephN
Senior Member
 
StephN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
Wink Re: Remembering Chrisy

Thanks, Denise -
There is just NO softening the blow.

I was trying to find a photo from our January 2008 trip to Miraval Spa near Tucson.

Chris and I shared a casita for 4 nights, so I had a chance to get to know her better. Yes, we had just a FEW laughs! She had an MRI on the way to the airport, and was quite nervous about waiting for results into the next week. Her liver was already acting up, she had met NED for a time and was wanting to hold that status with all her might!

The lady in red on the left is Karen (StillHere) who organized the group. Chrisy is next in white, and Sherri (from Vancouver, B.C.) and I are to the right. Chrisy was gesturing how much she enjoyed the wonderful dinner we had just eaten. Food was one of Chrisy's favorite things. I was trying to think where I could get a decent slice of Chicago style pizza around here!


__________________
"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.

Last edited by StephN; 04-29-2013 at 05:34 PM..
StephN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 03:24 PM   #7
Barbara H.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
Re: Remembering Chrisy

My thoughts go out to Chrisy's family. I was just heartbroken to hear this news. We were pioneers of the The TDM-1 trail, and when she continued on the trial into the third year, I just expected her to live for many years. Chrisy was so supportive of all of us; her loss must be devastating to those who knew her personally. She is one of those unforgettable angels, both here and beyond.
Barbara H.
Barbara H. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 03:59 PM   #8
ElaineM
Senior Member
 
ElaineM's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
Wink Re: Remembering Chrisy

Thanks for remembering Chrisy with memories, and photos. I will miss her too. I like to think she is having a reunion with our other her2 angels where they are organizing a branch somewhere in the ever after.
My sympathies to Chrisy's family.
__________________
Peace,
ElaineM
12 years and counting
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48247
Lucky 13 !! I hope so !!!!!!
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52807
14 Year Survivor
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57053
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." author unknown
Shared by a multiple myeloma survivor.
ElaineM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 04:57 PM   #9
chekmark
Senior Member
 
chekmark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Doylestown, ohio
Posts: 334
Re: Remembering Chrisy

I didn't know Chrisy, wish I had she sounds amazing but I am still so sad about this. I don't even know what to say, she touched so many hearts. May she rest in peace and may the grace of god help her family thru this tragic loss of their sweet angel.
__________________
DX Sept 30 2010 at the age of 49. Oh crap! 1.5 cm idc, stage 1 grade 3 er/pr+, her2+ no lymph nodes, mastectomy Oct/10. Started 6 rounds of TCH Dec/10 and will continue herceptin until Nov /11 and just started femara.
Stray kitten found my lump while I was playing with it. It is now my pet and my dog is not real happy about that.
Mammo good
last herceptin 11/21/11 YAY
reconstruction 12/09/11
Chapter closed 12/10/11, hopefully, fingers crossed
Bone scan, chest xray, clear
04/27/12 Expander removed, implant put in, ahh sigh of relief, much more comfortable
Sept 30, 2014, 4 years NED
chekmark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 05:32 PM   #10
europa
Senior Member
 
europa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 362
Re: Remembering Chrisy

I have been off of the board for a while and just read this devastating news. I was left speechless and now I am overcome with sadness. But I am happy for Chrisy as she is now in Heaven making everyone laugh.
__________________
DX 10/2011
PET Scan + MRI 10/2011
Lumpectomy 11/11/11
Stage 2B +++ ER+(10%), PR+(5%), HER2+++(1 positive node, 1 micromets to second node)
AC started 12/2011 ended 1/2012
Taxol + Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks ended 4/2012
30 zaps of radiation done 6/2012
Tamoxifen 6/2012
every 3 weeks of Herceptin for another year.
Metformin Trial 8/12
10/12 MRI- CLEAR
01/13 BRAIN MRI- CLEAR!
01/13 Neck MRI- CLEAR!
FINISHED HERCEPTIN 1/9/2013...Woot Woot
Starting Walter Reed Vaccine Trial 2/13
CT Scans + ultrasound of abdomen CLEAR-5/13
02/2015 through 11/2015 emergency D&Cs for Tamoxifen induced uterine polyps which caused uncontrollable hemorrhaging
12/2015 blood clot to left leg caused by Tamoxifen. No longer taking it. On Xarelto, a blood thinner
12/2015 Ablation to prevent hemorrhaging from potential issues with Tamoxifen residue in my system
1/2016 continuing journey without hormonal therapy. Reevaluating the option of a hysterectomy and oopherectomy.
4/1/2018 2mm stroke. Yes, stroke! No cause ever found but they believe it was a migraine that went bonkers and created a tiny clot. No deficits. I was back to normal with 24hrs. Now on baby aspirin for life.
7/27/2018 hysterectomy and oopherectomy
01/07/2019 Mastectomy and expanders put in
3/22/2019 Vtach, almost died. Cause unknown.
7/22/2019 New perky boobs put in
7/21/2020 Off of all drugs but a baby aspirin because of the stroke in 2018.


www.mychemobag.org
www.facebook.com/mychemobag

8 YEARS NED
europa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 05:47 PM   #11
Mary Jo
Senior Member
 
Mary Jo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Thank you for that, Denise. That was beautiful. Chrissy would have loved it!
__________________
"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
Mary Jo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 07:04 PM   #12
karen z
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Thanks so much Denise. I have been thinking a lot about Chrissy, who was an amazing, tough, bright and funny woman. So many of these pictures bring up very specific memories and it is wonderful to see pictures I have not seen (thanks Steph). Please everyone...........keep posting pictures and memories. One of my favorite pics here is the one in which Chrissy appeared on stage for the panel discussion. Boy, I remember her working on what she was going to say (we tried to leave her alone for awhile) and our discussions of where to get good "tops" for under jackets (the Macy's mall). Chrissy was so proud to be up on that panel and represented all of us well. We were so excited to see her up there- it was a big deal. Again, please keep posting pictures and share memories----------it helps a lot. All of C's pictures bring a smile to me as I remember her strength and bravery......and wit.
karen z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 07:53 PM   #13
suzan w
Senior Member
 
suzan w's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
Re: Remembering Chrisy

So sad to lose my birthday twin...7-11
__________________
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!!
suzan w is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2013, 10:24 PM   #14
KsGal
Senior Member
 
KsGal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 585
Re: Remembering Chrisy

That's a lovely tribute to Chrisy, Denise. Thank you for posting it.
__________________
Diagnosed in October 2011 Stage IV with metastasis to liver.
January 2012 after double mastectomy, started taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin.
Clear.
December 2012 was diagnosed with five brain mets, and had whole brain radiation.
Around July 2014 two mets in brain, one a residual spot and one new one growing in size. Received Cyberknife on both areas
Clear/NED
April 2015 remain NED
KsGal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 05:16 AM   #15
Redwolf8812
Senior Member
 
Redwolf8812's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 516
Re: Remembering Chrisy

She always said the exact thing I needed to hear to feel better. Always.

- Penny
__________________
...but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Penny

July 2010 IDC grade 3 stage 3 er-/pr-/her2+++, BRCA2
Skin mets 11/10
1/12/11 Surgery path - complete response
Rads 2/11-4/11
Liver mets 11/11 now stage IV
Xeloda & Tykerb 12/11
Allergic reaction to Tykerb 12/11
Xeloda only 12/11
Added herceptin January 2012
Progression February 2012.
Started Veliparib (parp inhibitor) trial 3/5/12.
4/30/12 Liver met shrunk in half! Praise Jesus!
6/18/12 another 25% shrinkage, down to @3x3. Thank you, God!
8/8/12 Brain MRI - clear! Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!
8/27/12 Thank You, God - another 20% decrease in liver met! Now @ 3.2x1.9.
10/5/12 stable-ish
11/21/12 allergic reaction to carboplatin
12/10/12 stable & progression
12/31/12 liver ablation
2/6/13 ablation successful but new tiny mets in liver. May or not be cancer.
Another ablation scheduled 2/28/13. Cancelled.
2/20/13 started taxotere & herceptin. Pretty toxic. Oncologist says start tdm1 4/3/13. From her lips to God's ears. Praying for no allergic reactions/adverse side effects.
3/28/13 increase in liver mets - number & size
4/3/13 started TDM1
6/25/13 Praise God! Scan shows only one viable lesion and it's smaller.
10/8/13 MRI shows 1 large and two small tumors.
10/11/13 Ablation of tumors. It's in God's Hands.
10/23/13 Jesus and TDM1
12/19/13 Started trial of palbociclib & herceptin after scan showed growth of liver tumor and a questionable spot on rib.
2/6/14 CT scan - previous suspicious spot on rib probably damage from radiation - Praise God! MRI - over 200% growth in cancer in liver.
2/19/14 started Navelbine, Perjeta, & Herceptin combo.
5/2-5/4/14 hospitalized with very high liver function numbers, plus skin and eyes are yellow, plus urine is orange. Feel ok, so doctor not sure if liver failing due to cancer, chemo, or infection. Hospital gets numbers to go down and sends me home. MRI done in hospital reveals cancer shrinking - praise God!
5/6/14 - 5/8/14 hospitalized with no white blood cell count. Released when they go back up, @ 6 days after doctor gave me a neulasta shot.
5/16/14 - informed blood cultures done in hospital are back and that I contracted hepatitis e. Have to take ribavirin (anti-hep med) until liver function numbers are back to "normal" before re-starting chemo. Will probably go on veliparib and temodar this time.
5/26/14 - my birthday - GI doctor informed me that the hepatitis e was completely gone - I didn't even need the anti-viral meds! This is a miracle from God!
5/28/14 - started veliparib and temodar (compassionate use)
8/18/14 MRI shows 90% growth in liver tumors
8/20/14 start Perjeta, Herceptin, & Navelbine. Thanking & giving Glory to God for each moment.
9/22/14 - 9/24/14 Hospitalized with 102.2 fever and neutropenia
11/13/14 ER for high fever and fast heart rate. Got both down with IV antibiotic and fluids. Sent home same night. Thank You, Lord!
12/2/14 MRI shows progression in liver. Grateful to God that I still feel good.
12/11/14 Simulated SIR-spheres. Successful. Real thing (1st lobe) scheduled for the 23rd. Also starting Xeloda on 22nd for 2 weeks because it's synergistic with the spheres.
12/23/14 SIR-spheres in left lobe of liver. On Xeloda 12/22/14 - 1/4/15.
1/7/15 Receiving Perjeta & Herceptin while awaiting next course of action.
2/9/15 SIR-spheres in right lobe of liver. On Xeloda for 2 weeks (started 2/8). Still on Perjeta & Herceptin. Don't know what's next for me. :-)
3/25/15 Final read on MRI report - there are new and multiple lesions in both lobes of liver. Sigh. Praise God I've made it this far!
4/1/15 Started Gemzar & Herceptin. 1st week G&H, 2nd week G only, 3rd week off. Thank You, Lord, for this option.
4/15/15 Labcorp - liver enzymes in 200's. Appointment 4/22 with oncologist to discuss. Also, "radiation recall" in previously treated area? Very itchy. Need to discuss.
4/22/15 Enzymes came down. Received reduced dose of Gemzar only. No herceptin. Will get labs at lapcorp next two weeks since taking break for vacation purposes. Treat radiation area.
5/9/15 ER for severe abdominal pain. Constipation. Sent home with meds and advice to follow up with oncologist regarding jaundice and bilirubin.
5/11/15 Hospitalized for rising bilirubin and jaundice. CT scan reveals larger and more constricting tumors in liver.
5/13/15 Met with my oncologist. Bilirubin came down. If still down by Monday, I'll get chemo. If not, than I guess I'll see you all in Heaven. Praise God. Please pray, pray, pray.
5/18/15 Bilirubin jumped up. Trying lowered dose of Ixempra, with Herceptin. Oncologist is surprised that I'm functioning so well, given the high bilirubin. I have anywhere from 2 weeks - 2 months to live.
Redwolf8812 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 12:11 PM   #16
StephN
Senior Member
 
StephN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Another pic of Chrisy prior to going "on stage" at the Genentech Advocates Briefing, as mentioned by karenZ. This is San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium December 2011.

Chris on left with Debra Druther (Joe & Christine's oldest daughter) listening closely to someone at the end of the exhibit hours.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	ChrisyDebDruther.jpg
Views:	146
Size:	137.7 KB
ID:	1064  
__________________
"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.
StephN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 01:33 PM   #17
Adriana Mangus
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Love your post Denise!

I, too miss Chrissy's humor and determination to not let this beast take over her beautiful spirit. I'm sad for Chrissy, her husband, sister and her entire family, also sad for us; until there is a cure we must continue the fight against this dreadful disease. There is so much being done but it hurts to see thousands of lives being lost to not just breast cancer, but other types of cancer.

Our government should set aside not millions, but billions of dollars to fund research and work side by side with pharmaceutical companies to find a cure for cancer, period!

Love to all my sisters,

Adriana
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--
NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.

2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.

2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
Adriana Mangus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 02:35 PM   #18
Cat
Senior Member
 
Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 184
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Beautiful tribute Denise.
I haven't been around much but I have read many posts by Chrisy and it is so sad to lose her and her funny but informative information. She will truly be missed.
Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 02:46 PM   #19
karen z
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
Re: Remembering Chrisy

Steph,
Great picture of Chrissy and Debra! I remember that day so well and also our excitement at seeing and hearing Chris on stage............like it was yesterday. Very nice close up shot of both Chris and Deb........seriously listening.
karen z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2013, 07:12 PM   #20
Becky
Senior Member
 
Becky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
Re: Remembering Chrisy

I am in disbelief that Chrisy is gone. I have been off the board for several days and I am heartbroken. She and Sheila are looking down over us now while having some chocolate martinis. What a blast I had with those two buzzing around with our Her2Support group booth and our brain shaped stress "squeeze" balls. Good times but I am still so sad that there will not be new memories with them. We have to also remember that Chrisy was a real pioneer. She tried so many trial drugs and was in so many studies. She did these not only for herself but for all Her2+ women. Trials, IMHO, are heroic work. I am very sad tonight and I am thinking about Chrisy and all of you.
__________________
Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
Becky is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
chrisy, remembering

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright HER2 Support Group 2007 - 2021
free webpage hit counter