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04-11-2008, 11:40 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Good News and Advice
I got the results of my brain MRI and PET scan yesterday. There was no sign of cancer in my brain. YEA! Around 3 the oncologist called me. He wanted me to hear some more positive news. My PET scan did not show any sign of active cancer anywhere in my body. I had a a multifocal tumor in my right breast, two lymph nodes, and a spot on my L4 on my spine. Praise God! He and the radiologist could not believe the results. He was not able to tell me my SUVs yesterday because they had not been typed up yet. I have had four taxol/Herceptin treatments since the AC did not work. I developed skin nodes taking the AC. I took Taxol/Herceptin on a Thursday, and by Saturday the skin nodes had almost disappeared except for the redness left from where they were. The redness is hardly noticeable now.
I have my mastectomy next Wednesday. The oncologist still wants to take most of my lymph nodes. The surgeon is going to do a sentinel node biopsy before the surgery. My mom does not understand why I still have to have the mastectomy if there is not any sign of cancer showing up in my breast now. I tried explaining to her about small cancer cells.
Before the results of the PET scan, the doctor was talking to me about doing more treatment with Taxotere/Carboplantin/ Herceptin after my body is healed up. I am worried about not getting my Herceptin on Thursday. I have had 9 Herceptin treatments so far. I believe the Herceptin is what caused my tumors to shrink. I asked him if I could have the infusion before I leave the hospital on Thursday morning. He said, "If it would ease my mind I could." What do some of you think about this?"
He also discussed with me not have radiation to my chest after having the mastectomy. From reading on this board and articles, I know a lot of you have had the radiation after the mastectomy. Will some of you please post a response, so I can gain knowledge about what to do concerning the radiation? The knowledge I have gained on this board has been very valuable to me throughout my treatment.
I would also like to send part of what is left of the tumor in my breast to a site that was mentioned at the first of the year. If any of you know the name of the site, please let me know, so I can get the pathologist to send it where it needs to go.
I hope all you Ladies, Bill and Joe have a blessing for helping me through this journey in my life. Many of you will never know the encouragement and knowledge I have gained from reading the post on this board.
Please keep me in your prayers next Wednesday when I will be having my mastectomy.
Amelia
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04-11-2008, 12:12 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 9
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Amelia, congrats on your wonderful news!! I had my mast. a little over 2 weeks ago. My onc said if I chose to do a mast that I would not need to do radiation...my case is different from yours since I had no node involvement but just wanted to post....best of luck on your surgery and a speedy recovery!
__________________
Diagnosed 9/14/07 core needle Age 39
Lumpectomy 9/18/07 Stage Ia ER/PR+ Her2+, 4mm tumor/4cm DCIS, clean margins but other areas of possible DCIS show up on MRI -
Oncotype results in Oct show results of 80, questionable ER/PR+...ends up that DCIS is ER/PR-
BRCA1 & 2 Negative - waiting on results for BART and Cowden's Syndrome
Bi-lat was sched. for 11/6
Onc. changed plans based on Oncotype results
4 AC , 4 TX, 1 yr. Herceptin, 5 yr. Tamox AC started 11/01/07 DONE!
Taxol started 12/27/07 - 2/7/08 DONE YEAH!!
Bi-lat mast. with expanders March 25th - no new cancer found...YEAH
Married 15 years
Two great kids 13 yr. old son, 4 yr. old daughter
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04-11-2008, 12:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Wonderful News
Ameila,
This is wonderful news and I am thirlled for you. I have a huge smile
on my face!
Will continue to keep you in my prayers.
Keep the faith,
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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04-11-2008, 12:36 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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I would get the Herceptin treatment Thursday and continue to at least get the Herceptin on schedule until you've healed enough to finish up the chemo.
I know for rads after masectomy, it is standard of care if 4+ nodes were involved so you might need to push for that or get other radiation oncology opinions elsewhere to know what you should really do.
__________________
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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04-11-2008, 01:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Amelia,
Oh, you sweet lady, I'm so so happy for you. What wonderful news you have recieved. I can only imagine how elated you must feel.
I, too, would advise you to get your herceptin treatment and to keep it on schedule.
Amelia, may God's Hand continue to rest on you and may His peace hold you close.
Wrapping you in prayer my friend,
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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04-11-2008, 02:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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You must be jumping up and down!!!!! What great news for you! Congratulations! ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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04-11-2008, 03:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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What awesome news!!!!!!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers always.
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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04-11-2008, 06:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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I'm glad you got good news. You'll continue to be in my prayers.
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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04-11-2008, 09:28 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Amelia, what great news! We can just feel your energy bubbling through your post! You've got the right "can do" attitude. You are in my thoughts and prayers, especially next Wednesday. As to your comments regarding donating tissue samples to a "repository?", I think, of tissue samples for further study, Nicola and I were approached by the director of our facility and asked if she would care to donate, and she agreed. If that's what you're talking about, I'm sure one of these wonderful people on this site can give you the details to do so. Amelia, you are in my thoughts and prayers, Love, Bill
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04-12-2008, 01:09 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Amelia.....WONDERFUL, GREAT NEWS!!! I am so happy for you. what a load lifted off your shoulders.
Now you can go to sleep that much more peacefully at night...sweet dreams!!!
maryanne
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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04-12-2008, 05:11 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Amelia
That sounds like good news, and I agree with Becky about getting the Herceptin...that is the magical potion of your treatment that should help you for many years....you are in my thoughts and prayers.
__________________
"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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04-14-2008, 08:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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What wonderful news!! It is always so thrilling to see this happen. I remember when my doctor told me I was NED. I had on these big furry black slippers because my feet were so blistered from Xeloda, I could hardly walk. I practically went dancing into the waiting room afterwards. May God give you many, many healthy years and the strength to get through what awaits you...sherryg683
__________________
Sherry
Diagnosed: December , 2005 at age 44
13+ positive lymph nodes
Stage IV , Her2+, 2 small mets to lungsChemo Started: Jan, 2006
4 months Taxotere, Xeloda, Hercepin
NED since April 2006!!
36 Rads to follow with weekly Herceptin indefinately
8 years NED now
Scans every year
Life is not about avoiding the thunderstorms, it's about learning to dance in the rain!
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