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06-22-2007, 12:23 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Sheila, I feel your loss, but also understand the comfort it brings to know that Mary Jo is no longer in pain. It really is bittersweet, but at least you made the time to be with her as much as you could. No regrets.
Big Hugs, Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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06-22-2007, 01:45 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Sheila I too want to pass on my condolences to you. It certainly was a bittersweet day and I know Mary jo would have been thrilled to hear your tx is working already. My best wishes to you and sympathy on the loss of such a good friend.
__________________
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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06-22-2007, 07:11 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Dear Shiels,
The news of your friend Mary Jo passing was very sad. I have kept her and you in my prayers. Both you and Mary Jo were so lucky to have each
other for so many wonderful years.
Prayers are being answered that your treatment is working!
So happy for you...
God Bless,
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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06-22-2007, 07:35 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Sheila
I am so sorry about the loss of your long time (high school - if I remember right) girlfriend. Your angel girl will watch over you now while the taxol continues to shrink your nodes into oblivion. I think of you every day.
Love and 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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06-22-2007, 10:09 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Sheila,
bittersweet indeed - your friend losing her long fight just as you are taking it up again yourself. I know she is smiling at your good news already (the shrinking nodes, not the tingling hair). I know you will miss her terribly, but she still lives in your memory.
Take care
Chris
__________________
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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06-22-2007, 11:12 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Dear Shelia,
I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend Mary Jo. This is the sad part of our disease. We have so many joys, when things go well and then the sadness when time comes to an end. I am attending a "celebration of life" party this Sunday. My friend, Emily, has been fighting pancreatic cancer for 18 months. She and her family sent out very sweet invitations. The last words on the invititation were "we think God has new plans for Emily's future." So I hope that God has a special plan and place for your dear friend Mary Jo.
Good news on the shrinking nodes.
All the best, Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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06-23-2007, 03:33 AM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 96
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Dear Sheila
I am so sorry for your loss. Isn't it funny how things work out, that you were well enough to spend those couple of days with her. How precious that time will be for you now, and how lovely that you have that to comfort you in these painful days.
I'm so thrilled that your treatment is having such a fast effect, you must be over the moon, and long may it continue.
You are very much in my thoughts.
Love to you at this sad time
__________________
Caroline
Diag. March 10th 2006, aged 46.
Invasive ductal carcinoma, 2cm + multifocal. Stage 2, Grade 3
HER2+++, ER+/PR+
Right mast. May 2006. 6 of 20 nodes positive
FEC x 4, taxotere x 4; port implanted after 6 cycles
Rads x 25
1 year of Herceptin ended Nov 07.
Arimidex 5 years
Considering reconstruction, maybe soon...
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06-26-2007, 01:36 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 50
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Hang in there!
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Sometimes God takes us from the disease, as He did with her. But you and she were blessed to have 40 years of wonderful friendship. I'm sure she is still in your corner, pulling for you and for the shrinking of those nodes. Stay strong and keep inspiring all of us with your strength, courage and wisdom.
__________________
Susan in VA
Determined to be a VICTOR not VICTIM - by the grace of God!
DX 2/8/07 at 48
1.75 cm IDC in left breast, Stage 1
Grade 3, ER-/PR-/HER 3+
Lumpectomy 3/7/07, 5/5 nodes clear, clear margins
Starting TCH on 4/9/07, every 3 weeks X 4 treatments - Completed on 6/12/2007
33 rads to began 7/2/07 and completed on 8/22/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until April '08
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06-26-2007, 02:03 PM
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#29
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 19
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Dear Sheila:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Mary Jo. I will be praying for you and her family.
I am so pleased that your nodes are already shrinking. Thank you for posting answers to my questions in the past, it is greatly appreciated.
Hugs to you,
Cheryl
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06-26-2007, 05:05 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
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Sheila, My sympathies to you for losing your pal for life. They are so special, I know. I wish I could offer more, I have tears in my eyes right now. You are quite a lady-I hope this treatment gives you NED. Fondly Cathy aka Ceesun
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06-26-2007, 05:05 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
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Sheila, My sympathies to you for losing your pal for life. They are so special, I know. I wish I could offer more, I have tears in my eyes right now. You are quite a lady-I hope this treatment gives you NED. Fondly Cathy aka Ceesun
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06-26-2007, 08:03 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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So sorry Sheila. Friends like that are irreplaceable. I'm so sorry for all who were lost and hope they can find something to prevent this death and sorrow from cancer.
I am very glad that it seems like your new tx is working. Hang in there. Bev
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06-28-2007, 07:21 AM
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#33
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
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sheila, you have the love and sympathy of all of us- who are dealing with issues which keep the importance of life,love and friends constantly at the forefront. i have for a while now thought of you as a friend because of the posts you share with us here. you have more friends than you know who are sad for your loss.
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06-28-2007, 08:16 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Sheila,
I am truly sorry for the loss of your dear friend Mary Jo.My heart goes out to you and her family.
Great news on the node shrinkage,its probably corny but I like to think that my friends who have passed to BC are looking out for me. Perhaps MJ is watching over you?
Many sincere hugs,Marcia
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06-28-2007, 09:02 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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so sorry to hear about your friend...I can just see the two of you and the teeth cleaning ritual! Oh, the things we do for those we love!!!
__________________
 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!!
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