| Keeping Your Mind Off of BC Fun things and posts that do not apply to BC |
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08-26-2007, 06:51 PM
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#61
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Today's joy.........................................There were many!
1. A beautiful sunny day.
2. A beautiful sunny day to enjoy our church worship service and picnic at a local park.
3. A beautiful sunny day to worship our awesome God with our church family but also with husband, son, daughter in law and 2 precious grandchildren.
4. A beautiful sunny day to take a Harley ride with hubby along Lake Michigan and then stopping off for ice cream (caramel collision was the flavor I chose)
5. Ending this beautiful day with a nice walk/run - me, my ipod and a happy heart.
Mary Jo
__________________
"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
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08-26-2007, 07:04 PM
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#62
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Synchronicity
I had an interesting day. It started because I found a quote from a Buddhist nun on a cancer blog today. It was about accepting bad feelings and moving on, a simplified version of the quote.
http://blog.healthtalk.com/breast-ca...#comment-11471
I have been interested in Buddhism for many years and this really touched me so I did a search for this Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron. This led me to a website with information about her books. It also had a map of Buddhist meditation centers.
http://www.shambhala.org/centers/
Now I live in Northern Mississippi which is not ordinarily a place that you associate with Buddhism. But there was a link to a site in Memphis. So I went there.
http://www.dharmamemphis.com/index2.htm
While I was browsing this site I found a link to a meditation center not very far from where I live. Very rural. Not Memphis. Now I would have been less surprised if it had been near Oxford, since it is more of what you associate with a university town. But I called the number that was listed. I was promptly invited to visit. They were having a festival today. I haven't been out much since my surgery but I put on my breast and got my husband to drive me there. It was beautiful and almost completely Vietnamese. It was like a large family reunion. There was one women there who was not Vietnamese and she explained what was going on and introduced me to several people. I was made to feel very comfortable and had a really good time even though I am still very tired and sore from my surgery. We had missed part of the festival and I couldn't stay long but I did learn more and have found out that there are some people in Oxford who are also interested in learning more and that get together for meditation. So that was my joy for today, and also, seeing the lotus blossoms blooming in the beautiful pool. Now I am almost too sore to move but it was worth it.
Leslie
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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08-26-2007, 07:20 PM
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#63
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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I just wanted to add something here. This forum is something that I look forward to. I have roamed the web since I was diagnosed and this is the one that touched my heart. This is the one that I compare all the others to. It is so full of loving, caring, thinking people who are talented writers and creative people. I almost said women, but I know there are men here as well. I enjoy the opinions, I am glad of the information, and the support lifts me up when I am having a bad day. I wish I could meet all of you personally. I just want everyone to know that I appreciate the effort that has made this possible and the time that everyone puts in to answer questions and calm fears. I know that I would feel very isolated without it. Thank you all.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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08-26-2007, 10:26 PM
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#64
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Shingle Springs, CA - near Sacramento
Posts: 295
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Pema Chodron! Yeah!
Hi Leslie,
I LOVE Pema Chodron! Her works are simple, but not easy. Reading her books and listening to her CD's have been such a huge help to me with this cancer stuff! I would personally recommend "Confortable with Uncertainty" as a great book for our circumstances.
Happy you found her, she is amazing!
Love to you,
Donna
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08-26-2007, 11:20 PM
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#65
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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My joy today was being able to take Eli my grandson to the swimming pool for a few hours. His father had to go to work for a few hours and his mother had shopping and housework to get done. So Eli and I went to the pool. It was a beautiful day and even though there were no other children at the pool Eli and I manged to have a good time just playing catch with a ball in the water. He is the light of my life and every minute with him brings me such joy.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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08-27-2007, 05:14 AM
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#66
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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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Believe Me...
Today's Joy: Remembering that I asked my husband if he was hungry last night and the cat answered!! That really started my morning off right and I am even chuckling now. Of course I knew what the cat was going to say!!>>Believe51
__________________
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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08-27-2007, 07:31 AM
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#67
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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my cat always answers, even when I'm not talking! LOL... My first joy is always the cats, and then other things just fill in over the rest of the day!
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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08-27-2007, 07:40 AM
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#68
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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One of my greatest joys everyday is this forum. I don't know where I would be everyday without the support of all of the folks here. You are the pillars that help keep me supported and moving forward everyday. When I was little, whenever I was sick or hurt I would ask my mom "have you ever had this or felt like this?" and she always answered "yes - honey, I know what you are feeling" - I needed to know that I was not the only one to have ever felt that way or hurt like that... and that is what this site is for me, the support and reassurance that I am not going through this journey alone. Thanks everyone!
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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08-27-2007, 08:56 PM
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#69
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bedford, Virginia
Posts: 134
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Joy today was watching my 5-year old grandson, who lives with me, board his first-ever school bus without any trepidation. This is the same kid who accompanied me in Sept 06 when I had my hair practically shaved off. He wasn't suppose to be there, but his Mother did not come home from a night out in time for me to leave for the hair appointment. He was my pillar of strength on that day as he laughed and giggled. He continues to give me the strength to fight this disease, and he showers his Grandma with love. I am blessed and joyful.
Louise
__________________
- Diagnosis 06/06 - Stage II-A BC; BC was 2.5 cm, grade 2; ER/PR negative & HER-2/neu positive;
- Mastectomy w/ reconstruction (implant) in 09/06;lymph nodes - negative;
- AC/Cytoxin combo - 4 treatments (dose dense);
- Taxol/Herceptin combo- 12 weekly treatments;
- Completed chemo - 2/07; completed restruction 02/07; reduction of left breast.
- BRCA 1 and 2 negative - 6/15/07;DX high risk for distant recurrence
- MRI, 08/02/07 - NED
- 1 year Anniversary - 09/07; completed Herceptin 11/07.
- Mammo 02/14/08 - NED; MRI - 08/2008 - NED
- 2 year Anniversary - 09/08
- Mammo 02/09 - NED; MRI - 08/09 - NED
- 3rd year Anniversary - 09/09
- 5th Annivery - 09/2011 - NED
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08-27-2007, 09:56 PM
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#70
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I loved Andi's dog rescue story from a few posts back. I rescued a 3lb, flea bitten chihuahua from my mother-in-laws farm back in 2000 on Mother's Day. Everyone said he would probably die on the trip home, but I was determined to nurse him back to health. He now weighs 7lbs. and I am rewarded daily for rescuing him. He is my soul dog. He cuddles with me every night. He is my daily joy.
Another joy I received yesterday was both of my daughters calling me to see how I am feeling. Both of them remembered that I have been feeling a little more fatigued lately.
I really get a joy reading about everyone else's joy and sometimes it can be the smallest things. Seeing my 2 grandbabies smile is one of my greatest joys.
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08-28-2007, 06:44 AM
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#71
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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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It's meeeee!!!
Today's Joy: I stood in the kitchen and just held my husband tight. I hugged him, smiled, we did not say a word. In those 5 minutes we needed no words because it felt like we said a million already. I love the conversations that we have without even speaking, they remain our best ones ever. I am blessed to have found my true love and will cherish the time we have together an eternity!!
Hugs, Prayers and Big Love going out to 'ya all!!>>Believe51
__________________
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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08-28-2007, 06:54 AM
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#72
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Today's Joy -
Going to the park with daughter in law and granddaughter Jennah ( age 7) and grandson Isaiah (age 18 months) then taking granddaughter for a special grandma/granddaughter lunch before our school year begins. We're going to Wendy's where grandma can have a healthier lunch and granddaughter likes it.
And breakfast today .................... hang on to your hats.............can you believe it..............................Cocoa Puffs for this grandma. Hahahahahha! We bought some little boxes for a trip we were going on and one of the cereals was Cocoa Puffs. No one ate it yet BUT I did today. Just finished it and drank the cold chocolate milk out of the bowl YUM! Not the most nutritious breakfast BUT I enjoyed every crunch of it.
Happy day all,
Mary Jo
__________________
"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
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08-28-2007, 08:12 AM
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#73
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 660
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Yesterday, I sent my son off to college. He passed his road test on Friday and drove off by himself. It was a big day for both of us. I never thought I'd make it this far. Then my friends and I drove out east on Long Island, and I walked in to a field of sunflowers to cut a huge bunch to share. I never did that before. Bumble bees flying all around me. It was beautiful! This morning, I got up at 5 am to watch the lunar eclipse on my birthday. Never did that either. I saw a shooting star and some bats as well as the sun rise. Then I went back to sleep. Life is good.
__________________
Maryann
Stage IV Inflammatory BC 1/00
Mod Rad Mastectomy 24nod/5+
Adriomycin Cytoxin Taxol
Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs
Radiation - 32 x
Metastatic BC lung/liver 10/04
thorocentesis 2x - pleurodesis
Herceptin Taxatiere Carbo
Femera/Lupron
BC NED 4/05
chemo induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia 5/06
Induction/consolidation chemo
bone marrow transplant - 11/3/06
Severe Host vs Graft Disease of liver
BC mets to lung 11/07
Fasoladex Herceptin Zometa Xeloda
GVHD/Iron overload to liver
Avascular Necrosis/morphine pump 10/10
metastatic brain tumor
steriotactic radiosurgery
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08-28-2007, 09:22 AM
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#74
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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My joy today is that my twin girls are 32.....oh wait a minute, that means I am getting really old...so is that a joy? Yes it is...it means I am still surviving and enjoying each and every beautiful day I'm given.
__________________
"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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08-28-2007, 01:23 PM
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#75
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I agree Sheila getting older is looking better all the time. Congratulations on having 32 year old twins. You did good. And here's to old age.
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08-28-2007, 01:51 PM
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#76
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES!
w/home in Boca Raton, Florida
Orig from L.I., N.Y.
Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
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Just Sit Back And Soak In The *joy*...!
GOSH THIS JOY THREAD IS FABULOUS. What a great idea, Brenda! It's a beautiful gift you gave each of us, that keeps on giving, day after day... Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
Whenever Andrea Bocelli's Romanza CD plays, wherever I am, I drift into reverie. Also when Savage Garden's Truly, Madly, Deeply is on, I become transported to a cloud midst the heavenly blue sky and take a perch, observing the world. It is magical. The percussion, the words make my heart quiver. I WANT TO STAND WITH YOU ON A MOUNTAIN. (Can you see yourself atop one?) I WANT TO BATHE WITH YOU IN THE SEA. Dreamy. I WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER UNTIL THE SKY FALLS DOWN ON ME... It just fills me with this overpowering feeling of LOVE for every one and every thing that Is! Today, as I was jotting something down, over my computer, my wrist accidentally hit the CD Play button and my song of Love came on.
It reminded me of THE MOMENT. Years ago. I was driving west in the late afternoon in Boca, going to my daughter Ali's house, to visit my then tiny granddaughter. Josie is now about to turn 11. The song came on and all I could think was LIFE IS SO WONDERFUL. AND JOYFUL. IT IS SO GOOD TO BE ALIVE. THANK YOU GOD. I looked up and the sun was getting ready to set. The sky was incredible. Giant brush strokes of vivid neon orange and splatters of hot pink stretched out above me as far as I could see. I was listening to my song of passion and became aware of the magical sight as my ears were soaking in the bliss of the vibe coming from the car radio. I bent my head down to get an even fuller view then reminded myself that I was driving and needed to look at the road. So I managed to look up and around at the same time, taking it all in. IT WAS A WOW NOW MOMENT I still carry with me and replicate every time I hear Truly, Madly, Deeply.
It's now an old song but I still catch it from time to time in the car. I have sat in parking lots, waiting for it to end, never wanting to stop in the middle, wanting every last drop of joy from it that I can reap. And the blue sky in Florida is bluer than any where else on earth, I swear. I can recall the buckets full of spilt paint painted by a master covering the blueness with coral and fuchsia and I feel utterly blessed. Nothing has changed, but suddenly I feel touched by something quite sacred and wondrous. JOY. SERENITY. BELIEF. LOVE. May they be yours as well...
Andi  Thank you God for the gift of this glorious day!
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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08-28-2007, 04:14 PM
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#77
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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Today...hmmm...
-No more chemo, for now, and HOPEFULLY (I will myself to think), never again!
-I saw little, tiny eyelashes coming in.
-My 7-year old told me he was the "laughingstock" of the school because I sent a little drawing of a cat in his lunch--it was the sight of him using such a word!
-I got 10 new things put on my store's website.
I love this! I hope to do it every day! It really puts things in perspective!!!
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Krista
Diagnosed 3/29/2007 @ age 34
Stage 1, Node Neg. (SNB), Grade 2, 1.4 cm. IDC
ER/PR 90%+ HER2 +
6 TCH started 5/25/2007, ended after #5 due to steroid "reactions" and neuropathy in feet and hands
BUT--#6 CH w/o Taxotere
Begin Herceptin alone 9/28/2007
30 rads completed 12/19/2007
Finish Herceptin 5/9/2008
Stopped Tamoxifen early--HATED it.
Married 17 years
13-year old son
3 embies on ice (from 1999)
GA, USA
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08-28-2007, 05:22 PM
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#78
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Another artist friend came to help unpack my studio. I may soon have my art table cleared off enough to actually paint on it!!! AND she brought a homemade chocolate cake with blissful frosting ......
PS: Kerchub, I laughed out loud at the "laughingstock" remark!!
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Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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08-28-2007, 05:35 PM
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#79
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Sheila
The whole idea is to get REALLY REALLY OLD!
my joy was waking up in the middle of the night and going outside in my robe to see the lunar eclipse - although it wasn't my birthday, It was still pretty neat. Mary ann, nice new picture - glad to hear from you.
Can work be joy?
I have been going 150 miles an hour at work, but it is good stuff!
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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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08-28-2007, 11:29 PM
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#80
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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Ahhh - today's joy was hearing my favorite Elton John song on the radio in the car and singing it at the top of my voice!! Yeah - that was fun... always is.
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Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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