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06-17-2009, 07:36 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
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New n Atlanta
HI Everyone, just found out about this cancer 2.5 weeks ago and having a double mast, tomorrow. I'm poss. in 3 areas HER2 er pr. I found 1st lump they found 3 more on L breast!!! All under 2cm, I'm 46 and I have a adorable 5 year old son named Justin. Wow, I feel like i've been hit with a ton of bricks, This HER2 is scary stuff, I'm trying to be as aggressive as poss. as I've heard it can be too. I want to be here a long time I've got a little boy to raise. I'm worried what they might find in the nodes tomorrow but so far see nothing on ultra-sounds and MRIs .Send your prayers ,love luck anything welcome I'm just a mess right now.
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06-17-2009, 07:52 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Angela,
Welcome to Georgia. I was wondering if you are being treated at Northside Hospital? I know right now is a trying time for you. I will be thinking about you tomorrow and sending positive vibes your way.
Amelia
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06-17-2009, 08:01 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
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YES breast care center all women drs
great group and my plastic surg.
DR Wang female too shes doing recon. w/ implants, then again after, but all immed.All to be at Northside downtown,this is the first medical prob. I've ever had! Can you believe it.
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06-17-2009, 08:12 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Yes, I can believe it. Like you when I found my IDC in December 2007, I felt like I was very healthy. I did well on chemo and did not get sick. In fact, I have not been sick except for having IDC. I have been NED since my masectomy on April 16, 2007.
Herceptin is a wonderful drug. I have had great results with taking it.
Northside Hospital is one of the top hospitals and Breast Cancer Centers in Georgia.
I will be praying for you tomorrow. Please let us know how you are doing.
Amelia
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06-17-2009, 08:22 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
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Thank You so much
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06-17-2009, 08:37 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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On one hand I am sorry to have to welcome you to this group but on the other, you couldn't have found a better place. Please be aware that you are now in the prayers of many of us who are survivors. Spend as much time here reading our stories, our hopes, and our lives as possible. However, probably give most of it to your little guy. You will find strength, encouragement and hope from our experiences.
Remember, we will praying for you tomorrow.
Love & hugs,
Marlys
P.S. I am grateful for the Her2 because there is Herceptin for us plus new ones coming out all the time.
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06-17-2009, 09:28 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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Angela
Welcome:
This is a great place to come for support and questions. We've all been where you are now. Her2 bc is scary, but the prognosis has really changed since herceptin. Much info is really outdated. I was dx stage 3A four years ago and am completely recovered.
Take care
Linda
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06-17-2009, 09:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Angela, welcome and I am so sorry that we have to meet this way. I am also sorry that you have had so much to digest in the short time since getting diagnosed. Please feel free to express yourself and share your journey with us all. Not many people can understand how you feel like us. This family and the support and knowledge they supply has kept my husband (bio below) and me sane, protected and loved through it all. They have also play a role in the fact that he is still here, along with the other obvious factors for survival.
You will not be alone during this all so please come here to ammo up for your fight. We will walk besides you during this awful time in one's life. Breathe Sweetie, it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Take care and please keep us updated on when things are happening for you, we will send out positive thoughts and good vibrations when you need it the most.>>Believe51
PS: Yes I can believe it, my husband never so much as had a cold or broke a bone or even had stitches. Stage IV from diagnosis!!
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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06-17-2009, 12:52 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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New n Atlanta
First of all, I am sending positive vibes for success in your future treatments.
A cancer diagnosis is a big shock, but you have come to the right place for information and friendships with other people in the same boat.
Hang in there and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
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06-17-2009, 01:52 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
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Thanks 2 U All
Thank you for your support , You are a great group of people to spend your time helping others. You don't know what it means to me to not be in the boat alone.Thanks for your time, it's greatly appreciated.
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06-17-2009, 02:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Stay strong Angela. We are here to answer all your questions and ask questions (or pose them) that you might want to ask your medical team.
You WILL make it through this big bump in the road but you will come out stronger and better than you ever thought possible. It's real scary when it all hits you like a ton of bricks but you will get through all the treatments your medical team has you go through.
Then, you might stick around here to help others through. When I first joined (which was actually in Oct 2004 but a new server and website design made some of us have to re-register (like me)), I marveled that there was even light at the end of the tunnel but here I am and here is everybody else - many years out from treatment and diagnosis. I can hardly believe that in August it will be 5 years since I heard those dreadful words you heard just over 2 weeks ago. There is light - at the end of the tunnel and all around you now.
Remember, you become a survivor the first moment you are diagnosed and you are a survivor right now.
Big hugs to 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"
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06-17-2009, 05:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Hi Angela,
Yes, Her2 is aggressive...but in recent years it has changed from being a "poor prognosis" to being a more favorable one than Her2 negative - because it is such a good target for therapy and there are many good weapons to attack it with.
Good luck!
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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06-17-2009, 06:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Best of luck tomorrow with your surgery. When
you can post and let us know how you are doing.
I will be sending healing thoughts and prayers your
way.
patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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06-17-2009, 07:10 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Angela,
Welcome to one of the most wonderful groups nobody wants to join! None of us would have chosen to have a reason to join this group, but we are all thankful to have found each other now.
If I read correctly, you are a triple positive, as am I. I am a survivor of over 4 years. I was 45 at dx with two middle school boys. We are all fine now, and I can say without a doubt that my entire family has grown and known new blessings because of this journey.
There may be some rough times ahead, but just remember......it's all DOABLE. Soon you will be on the other side of treatment, able to offer support and advice to others who follow.
Jump in, ask questions, and seek support anytime you need it. We're all here for you and each other.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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06-17-2009, 07:54 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Yes, Angela, welcome to the club that no one wants to join... We were all in a state of shock when first diagnosed, I'm sure. It's all so daunting and scary - anxiety could be your middle name. But you will get through it, be strong, you are a triple positive (that's the lingo for ER+PR+Her2+) like me - you have a great arsenal of treatment ahead of you - chemo, Herceptin(our magic drug) and the anti-estrogen drugs like Tamoxifen and the AIs., possibly radiation.
Take it one day at a time. Chemo is doable, and you WILL get through it. I'm nearly 3 years out from diagnosis, doing great. You will too.
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!!
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06-17-2009, 08:25 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Hello Angela,
Welcome you have found a second home.
Come often we are all here to support you.
Of course you feel overwhelmed, the early days of dx.
are not easy. But believe me you will grow stronger and take those bricks and build with them. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself time. Know we are here for you.
Sending you prayers, good wishes, and hugs for a smooth surgery.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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06-17-2009, 08:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
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Hi Angela,
My good wishes, thoughts, and prayers are with you. There are many here who can answer any and all of your questions. I am in Atlanta too- a Piedmont gal who was diagnosed in 2005. Please let us all know what we can do to help.
Best,
Karen
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06-18-2009, 03:13 AM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 10
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D-day
well its here, I go this am to get my double mast. wishing, hoping praying for the best. Yes I'm 3+ which I hear is a good thing due to meds avail. for treatment.I feel like I caught this soon I had a mam. last year that was clean, now 4 small tumors, who knows, I'll know more after the nodes are cked. I have a great group of women DRs all w/ Northside. I'll keep u posted Thanks Everyone
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06-18-2009, 06:22 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Angela,
Welcome to our support group. We will all be waiting to hear how your surgery went today. Keep us updated and come here with your questions once you start treatment. You will find a lot of knowledge and support from the members here.
Your journey has just begun; we are here to help you through.
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault
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06-18-2009, 06:29 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Angela
You are in our thoughts and prayers today as you start this journey that none of us asked for....we are here for you as you walk this new path, and please know that you will be stronger after all of this...you have come to the best place for information, help and genuine caring....please let us know how you are doing....tomorrow will be one day closer to being through with all of this....you are strong, you are a survivor!
__________________
"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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