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Old 05-25-2011, 06:13 PM   #1
TriciaK
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Update from TriciaK

I have not been feeling too well for awhile so haven't been online much, but I do think of all of you every day. It has been a year since the diagnosis of my 4th cancer battle, and finding the right chemo has been a struggle. I feel good about the halavan we are trying now. I had one full round of halavan (infusion on two consecutive weeks, then one week off) and started the second round a week ago Tuesday. I was supposed to have it again on Tuesday of this week, but the oncologist decided I need to skip a couple of weeks because I developed a UTI and was prescribed 1000 mgs of cipro a day. I felt fine after the halavan, but after starting the cipro 3 days later I became very weak and dizzy, so much so that I couldn't walk. I saw the doctor Tuesday of this week, expecting to do the halavan again, but the oncologist decided I need to get off both the cipro and the halavan until I could get stronger. I am disappointed to miss the chemo, but hopefully will get strong enough to start it again in two weeks.
I am doing fairly well on the halavan I've taken so far. I have had an appetite and been able to keep food down. I am rapidly losing my hair but I can live with that, since I have several nice wigs. I think being able to eat is better than hair loss! I think I am feeling a little stronger after being off the cipro for a couple of days and hope we can get back on the halavan track in two weeks. If the uti is a problem I will try levaquin. My blood tests have looked very good and the ca 27/29 dropped in half after the first halavan, so I am feeling quite hopeful! An echocardiogram two weeks ago showed that my ejection fraction has dropped to 45, so I am not able to take herceptin, which makes me a little uneasy. My cardiologist wants me to have another echo next week. Do any of you on halavan take herceptin with it?
I was blessed with a new great-grandbaby last week, and have 4 more due this summer. I think that will make 46 great grands! I am so thankful for a wonderful family support group which really keeps me going. I have to stay around to meet all these new babies!
I try to catch up with this website at least once a week, and even if I don't post I am thinking of you and praying for each one of you. This site has meant so much to me and I thank each of you for all you contribute. Hugs, TriciaK
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Old 05-25-2011, 07:20 PM   #2
CindyE
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia -- So good to hear from you and how you are doing. You will be in my prayers and thoughts in the days to come. Take care and get stronger. God is in charge and He is there for you as you move forward in your treatment.
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L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008

Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!



I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here

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Old 05-25-2011, 07:57 PM   #3
caya
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia - sorry you are not feeling well. I am the queen of UTIs ( a title I could do without) - here are a couple of tips:

1. Take 1/2 cup of pure cranberry juice (not cocktail) and mix it with 1.5 litres of water, you can add sweetener ( I use Stevia) to taste. Drink this all day long. Of course you may want to check with your docs/pharmacist to see if this will have any interactions to any meds you are taking.

2. Use 100% organic virgin coconut oil "down there". I apply it morning and night. You can buy it at a health food store - it comes in a jar, and is solid, but it warms in your fingers. I do this everyday, whether I have a UTI or not.

I hope your UTI clears up and you feel stronger ASAP so you can get back on chemo etc.

Congrats on your new grandbaby, you are an amazing woman and fighter.

all the best
caya
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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
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Old 05-25-2011, 08:14 PM   #4
Elizabethtx
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Hang in there, Tricia, you just need to get past this bump in the road. Take care of yourself with natural remedies. The cranberry juice really works! I'll be praying you are on the mend and back to full treatment in no time!
Elizabeth
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Diagnosed: Feb 2010 @ 46 yrs old
Invasive Ductual Carcinoma, left
2/28/10 Bilateral Mastectomy (tissue saving for future reconstruction)
3.2 cm 2/18 +lymph nodes
Stage 2b; E+/P+/Her2 +++
Nottingham score grade 2
Ki67 30%
3/2010 A/C 4 DD/2wks
5/2010 Herceptin/Taxotere 4D/3wks
8/2010 Herceptin until May 2011
Tamoxifin 20mg
9/2010 RAD 34 treatments
Pet scan Aug 2010 clear
Port removed July 2011
Bone scan, chest MRI 12/11 clear
Vaccine trial began Oct 2011








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Old 05-25-2011, 09:00 PM   #5
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Update from TriciaK

Congratulations on the new great grandbaby !!!!!!! 46 Wow !!!!!!!! You have quite a clan !!
I am sorry to hear about the uti. Cipro (antibiotics) can be quite challenging. Go for cranberry juice or cranberries in any form for the uti. You can get cranberry supplements at a health food store if you can't get any cranberries or cranberry juice at your local market. You might also want to add some yoghurt or friendly bacteria (like acidophalus) since antibiotics wipe out good bacteria.
I would call the doc in the few days and ask if I could get some Halaven in one week instead of two, but then again I am pretty aggressive with the docs.
All in all I am very happy the Halaven seems to be working for you and your tumor markers are down.
Great job !!!!!!!! Keep up the good work.
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Old 05-25-2011, 10:20 PM   #6
Chelee
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia,
It's so nice to hear from you. I have been wondering how you were doing and was hoping you would post soon. I'm sorry to hear about that darned UTI and having to stop your chemo for now...but this too shall pass as they say. What a trooper you have been...you just keep pushing forward and I know it hasn't been easy.

That is great news to hear your CA27.29 dropped in half after just the 1st dose of Halavan. I'm sure it dropped double or more with the 2nd dose. That will teach those buggers to mess around with you! Sorry to hear you had to temporarily stop your chemo, but it won't be long before you get your strength back. If you were that weak your body was screaming for a break...so hang in there.

Are you in the Guinness book of world records for having 46 grandkids?! lol My goodness Tricia...that makes me smile AND tired at the same time. HA. By the way...BIG Congratulations on your new grand baby. I'll be keeping positive thoughts for you...big hug coming your way.

Chelee
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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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Old 05-25-2011, 10:53 PM   #7
Jackie07
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Thanks for the update, Tricia. Cipro is a powerful drug (just finished my 10-day prescription) and you should be able to get back to the treatment soon. We'll continue to remember you in our prayers.
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Old 05-26-2011, 03:35 AM   #8
michka
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia, just to say I am thinking of you and hoping you can get back on Halaven in the coming days. The first results are very encouraging. Hugs. Michka
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Old 05-26-2011, 04:26 AM   #9
mamacze
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Dear Sweet Tricia - you are a familiar face and one of the "ol' Timers" on this site. I often think of you and wonder how you are doing. I love seeing your face next to a new thread. Thank you for this update.
Halaven is a relatively new med, and I was wondering who might be on it and now here you are. It sounds like your response was good but then....ugh, a UTI. I did a quick med check on Halaven and see that UTI is a side effect that occurs with 10% of folk that are taking it.
http://breast-cancer.emedtv.com/hala...e-effects.html
So there you are. It sounds like the recommendations from our "UTI Queens" might be a long term regimen for you, at least while you are on halaven. And I understand your worry about a low ejection fraction keeping you off our beloved Vitamin H. Are you staying on top of your Omega 3's (salmon, fish oil) ...maybe that will help your ejection fraction a smidge?
In spite of all this constant hummmm of worry you have blessings that abound....46 great gran's.....wow! Blessings abound...spring has sprung....you have a daily reason to smile. I can't think of a better reason to shift my thoughts away from my worries and onto joy than a beautiful, energy filled, love runneth over, gran baby. Thank you for your prayers TriciaK; and know we are all praying for you.
Love Kim from CT
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2001 - Stage 0, lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen

2004 - Stage 4, mets to 4 lobes of lungs and liver, lumpectomy, er/pr -, her2 neu+++, Herceptin and Navelbine then Herceptin only.

2005 - Breast Ca vaccinations with the Tumor Vaccine Group in Seattle

2011 - Still Herceptin only and NED


2011, June - STOPPED Herceptin and kicked up my heels!

2012, February - 1 small tumor came back to haunt me in my lungs - back on Herceptin only, tumor stable.


2015, November - tumor on lungs removed (Segmentectomy), back on Herceptin only
Received U of W vaccine clinical "booster" Vaccine


2022 On Herceptin and NED continues - WOOT WOOT!
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Old 05-26-2011, 04:41 AM   #10
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia - So good to see your post you strong and kind woman. Congrats on the new grand baby & those to come soon. I'm thrilled that halaven is working so well for you - hope you can get back to it soon. Hugs Pam
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6/01 IBC er+ her2+stage IIIb; mastecomy
7/01 AC, taxol; radiation
2/02 tamoxifen
9/02 stage IV bone mets femara
1/03 taxotere/herceptin/aredia
6/03 herceptin, aredia & faslodex
1/04 navelbine, herceptin, aredia
2/05 herceptin/aredia
7/05 xeloda/herceptin/aredia
3/07 xeloda/tykerb/aredia
5/08 taxol/avastin/aredia
2/09 gemzar/herceptin/zometa
7/09 Taxol/Carbo/Herceptin, zometa
10/09 navelbine/herceptin & zometa
2/10 herceptin & tykerb & zometa
4/10 add xeloda &aromasin
10/10 dx with dermatomyiositis triggered by cancer
11/10 restart herceptin, tykerb, zometa
12/10 surgery-place rod in R femur to stabilize bone
1/11 radiation to R femur - 20 tx
2/11 2nd surgery - rod in Left femur
2/11 tx eribulen -- suspended dx brain mets
3/11 brain mets wbr 20 tx
4/11 halaven; discontine 8/11 not working
8/11 radiation to left femur 20 tx'
8-9/11 rad to lower spine
9/11 abraxane/herceptin/zometa
9/12 xeloda/herceptin/zometa
12/12 ablation of liver
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Old 05-26-2011, 04:52 AM   #11
adelay
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Re: Update from TriciaK

I've been hoping you would post soon to keep us updated. Know you are in my prayers as long with all my HER2 friends. Enjoy those babies...they are a blessing from above. Take care.
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DX April 2009 age 40
IDC Triple Positive
7 of 14 nodes positive
Lumpectomy May 2009
Port May 2009
AC done in Sept 2009
T done Dec. 2009
Herceptin (should finish Oct. 2010)
Mastectomy January 2010
Radiaition x 33 done April 2010
Tamoxafin for five years
Herceptin done!
Still clear May 2011
3 years out May 2012, all good!
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Old 05-26-2011, 05:10 AM   #12
Joanna J
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia,I am so glad to hear from you....Sorry to hear abt all the bumps in the road,I am sure you will overcome....I love to read your posts on here....You Truly Inspire!!!!.....Prayers are going up for you. Joanna J
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found susp.lump Feb 2009
DX Feb 2009 ...Her2+ stage IIa ER/PR- grade 3
partial mast. Right breast,clear margins
chemo (2) carboplatin & Taxotere
could not finish chemo (hospitalized because of infection)
37 rounds radiation
Herceptin (1 yr.)
No clinical trials
Jan.2011 BRAC 1/BRAC 2 Neg
Aug.2011 clear bone/catscan NED
Apr.2012 clear digital mammo
& ultra sound of breasts
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Old 05-26-2011, 03:20 PM   #13
tricia keegan
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Its so good to have an update from you Tricia, I too would call and see if the chemo can be done sooner, and agree with drinking the cranberry juice!

Know we're all thinking of you and wishing you well, you're an inspiration to all of us and we're right there holding your hand as you go through all this! x
__________________
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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Old 05-26-2011, 03:48 PM   #14
krisvell
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Hi Tricia;
I hope get thru the UTI real soon so you can be back on the Halaven real soon. Wow! you have so many great=grand children. You are truly blessed.
Healing wishes and prayers to you. We are waiting for your manuscript.
Hugs and Love,
Kris....
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06/08/09 - 55, IDC, IIIA, ER+/PR-/HER+++
Nottingham 6/9 - Grade 2 5.2cm, several nodes
06/23/09 - Neoadjuvant - TCH Herceptin til June
10/07/09 - Finished Chemo
10/27/09 - Mastectomy RB
Path Report: RB No residual tumor pCR,
2 of 15 pos - .5mm largest micromets
12/18/09 - Radiation started (28)
02/05/10 - Finished Radiation
01/11/10 - Started Femara
06/22/10 - Finished Herceptin.. My son's 22nd BD. Hope it's a sign! Hoping for the best.
11/15/10 - Started Walter Reed BC Vaccine trial at
1/04/11 - Sibley Mem. Had to withdraw due to met
01/23/11 - Stage IV - Brain Met 1.6cm 1.7cm
02/03/11 - Gamma Knife (2 fracts to minmize necrosis)
03/01/11 - Gamma Knife
6/11 - Necrosis
7/11 - Necrosis stopped & Tumor progression
8/11 = Now think it's really necrosis
9/11 - Avastin every two weeks -- It's working!! Necrosis is shrinking.
12/11 - Necrosis gone AVASTIN worked.
12/11 - Bone &CT found


Oct '10 - Ran Hartford 1/2 Marathon to Thank Dr. Slamon for Herceptin!
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Old 05-27-2011, 05:01 AM   #15
Delaney
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia, hope you feel a lot better soon. You really have been through a lot. Enjoy all your new babies, I would love a visit to your house when you all get together, it must be just great! Heres hoping you'll bounce back to health very soon.
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Delaney, dx 2008 lumpectomy,mastectomy,a/c,paxitaxol, tyverb 1 yr.
dx 2010 mets lymph nodes, skin, lung. start taxotere/herceptin.
Stopped taxtere/herceptin, now on tyverb/xeloda.
Lung mets shrinking.
Back on Herceptin with T/X. Partial response.
Skin mets progressing. Radiation scheduled mid february 2011.
Spot found on hip - radiation to hip beginning mid February 2011.
Now trying Gemzar/Tyverb/Herceptin and Zometa.
CT scan Feb 2011 - lung clear!
Brain mets (specks) - radiation mid Feb.
Brain Scan June'11 - Clear
CT Scan June'11 - Good - skin met active - watch and wait.
Surgery to remove skin met. Surgery to back 2012, four titanium rods inserted. Skin mets reappear. On Navelbine, not working. 4 week washout, start Myocet for skin and lung mets August 2012. Brain scan clear despte intermittent blurry vision (something hiding? Am suspicious but hopeful. )On we go, glad to be here.
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Old 05-28-2011, 05:40 AM   #16
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia, so glad to read that the Halaven is doing good for you, other than the UTI....when I get sick on Halaven, probably due to low whitwe counts, they always give em Levaquin....it seems to knock anything. I just started round 9 I beleive, and my CEA has gone from 16.4 to 2.1...that is the marker my Dr uses on me that is reliable. I am also on Herceptin every 3 weeks with the Halaven, although I have to remain on Carvedilol and Lisinopril to keep my LVEF above 50....Keeping you in my prayers Tricia,,,you are amazing, Congrats on the great grandchild and the ones to come!
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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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Old 05-28-2011, 05:47 AM   #17
Joan M
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Tricia,

Praying that the infection will clear up and you'll be able to start your treatment again.

Joan
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Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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Old 05-28-2011, 06:26 PM   #18
CoolBreeze
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Re: Update from TriciaK

Hi Tricia,

I haven't been on your chemo but have had UTIs and can attest to the cranberry juice. Worth a shot anyway! And, congratulations on such a large family! I am horrible but when I told my oldest son about my liver lesions, I told him he had to make a baby now. He's been with the same girl five years. You are blessed to have those wonderful babies!
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http://butdoctorihatepink.com

08/17/09 Dx'd.
Multifocal/multicentric IDC, largest 3.4 cm, associated ADH, LCIS, DCIS
HER2+ ER+/PR- Grade 3, Node Negative

10/20/2009: Right mastectomy, reconstruction with TE
12/02/2009: Six rounds TCH, switched to Taxol halfway through due to neuropathy
03/31/2010: Finished chemo
05/01/2010: Began tamoxifen, the worst drug ever
11/18/2010: Reconstruction completed
12/02/2010: Finished herceptin
05/21/2011: Liver Mets. Quit Tamoxifen
06/22/2011: Navelbine/Zometa/Herceptin
10/03/2011: Liver Resection, left lobe. Microwave ablation, right lobe - going for cure!
11/26/2011: C-Diff Superbug Infection, "worst case doctor had seen in 20 years"
03/28/2012: Progression in ablated section of the liver - no more cure. Started Abraxane, continue herceptin/zometa
10/10/2012: Progression continues, started Halaven, along with herceptin and zometa.
01/15/2013: Progression continues, started Gemzar and Perjeta, an unusual combo, continuing with herceptin and zometa
03/13/2013: Quit Gemzar, body just won't handle it. Staying on herceptin, zometa and perjeta.
04/03/2013: CT shows 50% regression in tumor, so am starting back on Gemzar with dose reduction, staying with perjeta/herceptin/zometa. Can't argue with success!
05/09/2013: Discussing SBRT with Radiology due to inability of bone marrow to recover from chemo.
06/07/2013: Fiducial placement for SBRT
07/03/2013: Chemo discontinued, on Perjeta, Herceptin and Zometa alone
07/25/2013: SBRT (gamma knife) begins
08/01/2013: SBRT completed
08/15/2013: STABLE! continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa
06/18/2014: ***** NED!!!!***** continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa
01/29/2014: Still NED. continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin. Zometa lowered to every 3 months instead of monthly.
11/08/2015: Progression throughout abdomen and lungs. Started TDM-1, aka Kadcyla. Other meds discontinued. Remission was nice while it lasted.

5/27/18: Stable. Kadcyla put me right back in the barn. I have two teeny spots on my lungs that are metabolically inactive, and liver is clean.

I’m beating this MFer. I was 51 when this started and had two kids, 22 and 12. Now I’m 60. My oldest got married and trying to start s family. My youngesg graduates from Caltech this June. My stepdaughter gave me grandkids. Life is fantastic.
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Old 05-29-2011, 11:57 PM   #19
MCS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 430
Re: Update from TriciaK

It is good to hear from you Tricia, you have given me very good advice in the past.

So here's my advice to you. Fight on. Keep thinking about those 46 grandkids and even 50 of them that you will see. You have serious problems like a lot of us but you are blessed.

Love you Tricia. Keep fighting for you and us

Maria
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Old 05-30-2011, 11:54 AM   #20
Kim in CA
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: California's Gold Country
Posts: 404
Re: Update from TriciaK

Dearest Tricia,

Sorry to hear you're going through a rough patch right now. You have always been such an inspiration to me. Hoping you get back on track soon, so you can continue your treatments and welcome many more grandbabies!

Love & hugs to you,
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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