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04-14-2013, 06:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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number 8
Hi dear sisters,
Well, I have reached the 8th year. It seemed like yesterday in some ways and in others a blur. For the newer members, I post in the hopes that it will encourage you and offer support and strength while you are going through your treatments. It may seem as if there is no end to the treatments and the effects, etc. but I will share that time will help bring your confidence back and the worry & fearful emotions will become less and less.
To my older sisters members, thank you for your loving support, kindness, humor & wit. You never stop amazing me.
Hugs,
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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04-14-2013, 06:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Thornhill Ontario
Canada
Posts: 266
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Re: number 8
Congratulations Jean! Thanks for your words of wisdom
__________________
August 2008
Lumpectomy left breast
1 tumour 0.9 cm
Her2 negative
lymph nodes negative
venous/lymphatic invasion absent
ER+PR-
Stage I Grade 2
Radiation and Femara
November 2008
Lumpectomy right breast
2 tumours .03 cm and .05 cm and extensive DCIS
.05 tumour Her2+
lymph node negative
venous/lymphatic invasion "indeterminate"
ER+PR low postive
Stage 1 Grade 2
January 2009
bilateral mastectomy
chemotherapy taxotere
Herceptin one year
Femara
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04-14-2013, 07:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 954
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Re: number 8
Congrats on this wonderful milestone!!!!!
paula
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04-14-2013, 08:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 129
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Re: number 8
Congratulations!!
__________________
Age 54, married farm wife/school nurse/mom of 5 adult children...March 2012- found 2.5cm hard, non-painful mass on bse. It was not there, and then it was. Yikes.
Biopsy- DCIS, IDC, er-/pr-/her2+++, grade3. 1 node suspicious on us. Biopsy +.
Plan was for Neoadjuvant TCH x6, Herceptin q3w x a year.
May1- first chemo.
May 5- I could no longer feel the mass. Really. Neither could my oncologist.
July 2- 4th TCH- Oncologist cancels last 2 tx due to "complete response"
August6- lumpectomy with axillary node dissection. No disease present in breast. 1 out of 14 nodes + (4mm)
MUGA #2- 72%
Finished 30 rads Oct '12. Mild lymphedema noticed when I had 2 rads left.
Continue Herceptin q3w until next May
April '13- first mammo since surgery- calcium deposits that are " not concerning." Well, they are concerning to ME! Turned loose from surgeon for 6 months! One more Vit H, will make plans then for port removal.
Oct '13- no change in calcium deposits. "See ya in 6 months!" Keeping port for now.
March '14- oncologist says return in 6 mo.
April '14- mammo unchanged. Surgeon will see me in 6 months but no mammo for a year unless something changes. Its getting easier, but oh, boydo i hate that scanxiety! Keeping port until 2 year anniversary of last Herceptin.
Sept'14- bloodwork good, return to onco in 8 months.
Oct'14- surgeon will see me in April '15. Moving on.
May '15- mammo unchanged, keeping same schedule. Tumor markers soon and if all is well port comes out.
July '15-tumor markers normal. See onco in a year. Appt. for port end of month. First grandchild born July 1st- for today, life is good.
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04-14-2013, 08:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Re: number 8
Big congrats Jean! # 8 and doing great!
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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04-14-2013, 09:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 72
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Re: number 8
Congratulations, Jean
Its always good for long time conquerors to check back in and encourage others!
__________________
Estelle
DX 1/09
two tumors; .7 cm and 1.0 cm, same duct
lumpectomy 2/09
10 positive nodes; scans show no further metastasis, Stage IIIc
AC completed 5/09
Tykerb/Taxol (trial) 6/09, terminated from trial (due to bad reaction to Tykerb) 8/09; switched to Herceptin/Taxol
Taxol finished 10/09
Bilateral mastectomy 11/09
Radiation 12/09 to 1/10
Herceptin finished 7/10
NED
Start Vaccine Trial at Hopkins 2/11
Finished Vaccine Trial 11/11
Continue NED
Port Out 11/11
DEIP Flap 4/17)
8 Years NED 2/17
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04-14-2013, 10:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 62
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Re: number 8
Jean, Thank you so much for you words of encouragement. I have a few questions if you don't mind. I see that your chemo was 10 months after dx, was that because of the onco test? And I'm not sure what the TOPO means.
__________________
**********************************
05/2011 Mammogram - Clear
3/12/12 Found Lump Lt Breast (BSE).
3/13/12 44th Birthday, Mammogram, Ultrasound.
3/15/12 Needle Biopsy on Lump and Suspicious Node.
3/20/12 Dreadful "C" Word.
ER90% PR90% Her2+
1 cm, IDC, Stage 1, Grade 2
4/19/12 Portecath, Lumpectomy & Sentinel Node Removal. 0/4 Node Involvement...Yea!!
Margins Clear......Yea!!
5/17/12 Chemo Begins. TCH x 4.
Herceptin Weekly x 4, every 3 wks thereafter for 1 yr. Muga Scans every 3 mos.
8/13/12 Rads x 30
9/24/12 Start Tamoxifen
10/22/12 CT/Whole Body Bone Scan. No Cancer Detected......Yea!
1/31/13 Annual Mammogram and Ultrasound....NED....:)
5/23/13 Final Herceptin Appt
6/25/13 Port Removal
5/2017 Stop Tamoxifen (Thickening of Uterine Walls)
5/2017 Start Arimadex
6/2018 Start Lupron Shot
9/2019 Stop Arimidex and Lupron Shot
6/2020 Last Oncology Appt
4/2024 NED (No Evidence of Disease)
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04-15-2013, 12:37 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 49
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Re: number 8
Congratulations, Jean. I am glad that you and other old timers make time to visit the board and encourage others.
Very best wishes, Nancy
__________________
Found lump myself 8 months after routine mammogram.
29/11/06-WLE and then re-excision to get clear margins.
Tumour was 1.2cms; Grade3; Er+ Pr+ HER2 3+++; SNB negative out of 9 nodes.
Chemo was Epirubicin every 3wks x4 then Xeloda (2wks on, 1wk off) for 4 cycles. ( I am part of the TACT2 trial.)
Rads x25
Arimidex for 5 yrs.
Hoping to start Herceptin within the next 2 weeks (we have to follow the HERA protocol to qualify for Herceptin in the U.K.) I worry about the delay in starting Herceptin!! Started 8/10/07
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04-15-2013, 02:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: number 8
Congratulations!
[Don't forget to answer the question about TOPO and your delayed TCH/Herceptin treatment]
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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04-15-2013, 07:04 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 645
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Re: number 8
Congrats, Jean. And thank you for advice and support you provide to newbies and everyone else
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!
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04-15-2013, 07:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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Re: number 8
A milestone, indeed! I feel like we were early stage herceptin pioneers. You had to get it by coming in through the "back door" so to speak. I got it "off label" ! The important thing is that we fought for it and got it, before it was protocol. We are going to be around for many many years, celebrating!!! Hope you do something special to mark this momentous day!!! XO Suzan
__________________
 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!!
Last edited by suzan w; 04-15-2013 at 07:14 AM..
Reason: spelling
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04-15-2013, 07:20 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 508
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Re: number 8
Congratulations, Jean! As my oncologist used to say, "Keep up the good work!"
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04-15-2013, 08:29 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Re: number 8
So happy that you are at the 8 year mark and NED. Such a wonderful post to read!
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-15-2013, 08:38 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: number 8
Yay, Jean!
I want to be YOU when I grow up!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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04-15-2013, 12:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mt. Prospect, IL
Posts: 177
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Re: number 8
yay!! I love hearing good news 
__________________
10/01/10 - Dx at age 44. Found lump after miscarrying & was told it was "probably a clogged milk duct" not so much:
stage II - invasive ductal carcinoma ER/PR+ HER2+
10/01/10 - BRCA test - Negative
11/3/10 -2.5cm tumor removed via lumpectomy, clear margins. sentinal node biopsy - nodes clear!
12/2/10 - port placement
12/2/10 to 3/17/11 - 6 rounds of taxotere, carboplatin & herceptin every 3rd week.
04/20/11 - 6/6/11 - 33 rounds of radiation
4/6/11 to 11/2/11 - 11 additional rounds of herceptin every 3rd week
7/15/11 - port removal
7/5/11 started my 5 year journey on Tamoxifen
9/4/11 -1 yr Chest MRI - CLEAN!!!!
9/5/12 -2 yr Chest MRI - CLEAN!!!!
8/29/12 - Started spotting after being in chemopause 1.5 years. Ultra sound detected 6cm ovary mass & very thick lining. YIKES! Taken off Tamoxifen
9/6/12 - Full abdominal hysterectomy. Pathology report came back clean... thank you baby Jesus!!
9/28/12 - Started Anastrozole
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04-15-2013, 12:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
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Re: number 8
My how time flies when you're havin' fun, right Jean? I hit the 5 year mark in beginning of May. Hardly seems possible it was that long ago. Memory is still fresh but fading a bit with time. Newbies, there is life after BC.
__________________
Smile On!
Laurel
Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara
15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....
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04-15-2013, 02:34 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: number 8
Huge congrats from me Jean and I'm right behind you and hope to celebrate this summer and like you never thought I'd get here. I'm sure we have our Vit H to thank for that as Andi would say and wish you many many more healthy years!!!
__________________
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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04-15-2013, 06:47 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Re: number 8
Oh dear friend. It seems like only yesterday all this was happening but we got through it. I am so happy you have reached this milestone. I think about you everyday with love and affection.
__________________
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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04-15-2013, 08:15 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: number 8
Hi All,
Huge thank you for your so very kind posts.
All put a big smile on my face and some tears (happy)
also. I never forget for one moment how fortunate I am am and so glad that I fought hard to get herceptin.
lasarles: The reason for my delay in herceptin/chemo was that back in 2005 it was not standard of care or what we call protocol. I had decided to have the Onco DX test done because my instincts were shouting at me. Once I began to do my homework on Her2 I could not understand why an early stage patient was not permitted that treatment. So I went to 2nd, 3rd and yes even 4 opinions. All said that herceptin was only for later stage patients. I then thought the Onco test would be wise to glean more information on my tumor.
That test was also new at that time. The test came back with a high recurrence. With that knowledge I then called Dr. Slamon in Calif. and the wonderful man said he would see me. So I flew out to Santa Monica to his office and Dr. Slamon advised that he do a TOPO2 test, since he said that depending on that test A/C chemo
would not benefit me if I were TOPO 2. Also, at that time Dr. Salmon had just completed the trials for TCH treatment. The results had not been published and he explained to me how exciting this new and outstanding treatment would be for the patient and the treating dr. So, depending on my TOPO2 test that would be a deciding factor for my treatment. It turned out that TCH was the best treatment for me and today is for the most part the standard of care. Back then this was cutting edge. Dr. Salmon was way ahead at the time and his exact words, which I will never forget, were "the other doctors are wrong, you must have herceptin, I wish more women would question their dx." It was such a relief for me - because can you imagine what it was like then to continue to see top doctors and then continue to question them? I had one dr. say to me that I was not accepting my breast cancer dx. Well, yea in a way she was correct. I was not accepting that there was not more I could do to save my life. I even had close friends think I was losing my senses by not listening to the first 4 top dr. That I was obsessed with my breast cancer dx. I realized they did not understand the difference - that new cutting edge tests, treatments were out there and maybe I really needed them.
It took great strength and giving in to people saying negative things to me about my continuous searching. I had people tell me to stay off the internet, stop reading about breast cancer, sounds so silly doesn't it. But you have to realize so much has changed in just short 8 years in so many ways.
So yes, it took 10 months and flying out to Dr. Salmon to arrive where I needed to be. Of course I found this Her2 site and that only gave me more strength and knowledge. I will never forget Becky who was the first to reach out to me and our friendship began that moment. Dear sweet Sheila, who encouraged me to fight back (she was stage 1 and had progressed) who became my second new Her2 friend and sister. Our founder Christine even called me to say don't give up fight for herceptin. Susan
who like me, was an early stager and was also treated.
My heart breaks for those that are no longer with us. These past 8 years are bitter sweet.
I will share this also, at the time Onco DX was new as I mentioned. I had requested and told my breast surgeon to send a sample of my tumor out for the OncoDX test. Well, I called two weeks later only to be told by his nurse, oh the dr. decided not to send the sample as he does not believe in the test and besides your insurance will not pay for it. I was furious that a doctor would not follow his patients request. So it took another few weeks just to get that test done. When the results came back he was shocked it was so high.
Another point that I was trying to make at the time was that having a small tumor matters not when it comes to breast cancer...much like being a little pregnant. I had asked another dr. how many cells are there in a small tumor like mine. His answer was millions. When I heard that I knew while catching the cancer in the earliest stage is good, it is still a serious disease. The doctors were sort of blowing me off since my tumor was small. Her2 didn't seem to matter very much to them. Again, Dr. Salmon agreed that having Her2 in a small tumor was serious as it loves to travel. So, I am a strange one in that I had my treatment later and radiation first.
Susan, lol - you are not kidding when you said, "the back door ...you made me laugh so hard!"
Tricia - You keep bringing up the rear!!!
Laurel - 5 is a big milestone I will be cheering for you.
Nancy Dip - Big thanks for calling me OLD timer I love it.
Becky - you make me smile, thank you for your friendship and love all these years.
Dear newer members, it is a long and often scarey walk
on this breast cancer journey, just fight back hard and never give up. Come often to the site and you will always have your sister here to support you and give you the courage or just kindness when others just don't understand what you are feeling. We have all walked the journey so we "get it" and understand.
Love to all,
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
Last edited by Jean; 04-15-2013 at 08:36 PM..
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04-15-2013, 08:53 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
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Re: number 8
Jean,
Many congratulations and best wishes.
Karen Z
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