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06-06-2007, 09:38 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Update
Two weeks ago after considerable discussion with my onc I decided to discontinue treatment. In spite of the treatments I had been taking after my recurrence, my cancer continued to spread and grow in a major way. At Joe's suggestion, I did have him run my case by Dr Winer, who came back with pretty much the same thoughts. I am as at peace with this as I can be, but of course this is very hard for both me and my family. Yesterday I started oxygen 24/7 as my my lung capacity is reducing. At this time I have no pain. Then last evening I received a call from my sister in law who had been in remission from lung cancer and hers has come back to her brain. She plans to treat it, but like me, her recurrence has occured in less than 2 years from her diagnosis. This site has been such a blessing to me, I love and respect all of you for your spirit in your courages battles against this terrible disease, and I especially am thankful to Joe and Christine for making this available to us. Please keep my family in your prayers, God bless you all!
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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06-06-2007, 10:04 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 96
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Andi, I'm very sorry to read of your situation. I'm not sure I understand fully - do you mean that at the moment there aren't any other treatments to be tried? I'm glad that you say you're not in pain, and that the oxygen is helping. I don't know what else to say - I'm keeping you in my thoughts, sending you and your loved ones a hug, and hoping and praying for something spectacular to come along. And warmest wishes to your sister in law too. Your family has a lot on its plate right now.
Caroline
__________________
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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06-06-2007, 10:26 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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I'm sorry...
I feel so guilty complaining about a tooth when others are having real issues.
I apologize if I offended anyone with my posting......
Andi: I'm truly sorry for you, I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I'm sorry...
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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06-06-2007, 11:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Hi Andi!
I'm sending a hug and a prayer to you in Iowa, but it seems like so little to do for such a brave warrior like you. I hate your news and am so sad that the meds aren't doing what is needed for you. Please keep posting and I'll keep praying and believing for you. Love and prayers in giant size portions, 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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06-06-2007, 11:14 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 127
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Andi - I will not stop wishing for a miracle for you. Stay strong my friend. God bless to you and your family. - kim
__________________
dx 5-05 @42 years old
IDC stage IIA
ER+ (100%) ER+ (75%) HER2+
double mastectomy
4DD AC - 16 weekly Taxol
6 months Herceptin - stopped due to MUGA
35 chest wall rads
Tamoxifen
Lat flap with silicone implant reconstruction on left side due to radiation. "Normal" silicone on right. Finished all reconstruction 6-07!!!
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06-06-2007, 11:20 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 131
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Dear Andi,
My thoughts and Prayers are with you now. I am saddened as I read your post; it is never easy to acknowledge the pain in which this disease takes us. I realize you are a Brave Wonderful Lady, your wonderful and thoughtful words and posts here have helped so many. May you know you are cared for and loved by many that visit this website. I will pray for you and your family to have strenghth and peace.
I am sending you gentle hugs
__________________
Lala
DX Fall05 Stage 4 er+ pr+ her2+ liver and bone mets
DX Fall06 Brain mets, Brain mets gone Spring 2007
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06-06-2007, 11:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 37
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Dear Andi, I have so enjoyed your postings. You are a real warrior and wonderful friend to all on this forum. You are in my prayers as is you SIL. Still hope for new regime to come and a miracle. Glad you are not in pain.
Love ya, Kacey
__________________
dx 9-13-05 MRM (lt)on 9-19-05
IDC stage llb grade 2 3/24 nodes+
ER/PR- Her2+++
Groshong placed 10-13-05 and chemo started
TCH x6 and continue Herceptin for one year every 3 wks
Rads x 33 (at the end of chemo) finished 4-01-06
20 months NED
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06-06-2007, 12:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 215
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Andi
Oh Andi, I am so sad to hear your news. You hang in there, we are all praying for a miracle for you. Blessings are sent your way, Hugs, Jeanette
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06-06-2007, 12:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 183
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Andi,
There has to be another answer, another type of drug that will work for you. Please don't give up the fight. Is there another oncologist you can talk to for a second opinion? I can talk to my paradigm nurse and see if she knows of the best doctor for your situation. To find the best of the best would be well worth the drive.
I am praying for you for another drug to be found and for the cancer to start withering away.
God Bless you,
Anita
__________________
Anita
er, pr-, Her2+++
Stage 2b, grade 3
negative nodes
4 rounds AC
3 months of weekly taxol
1 yr of Herceptin
Finish Herceptin May 2007
35 rounds of Radiation
Reconstruction completed Dec 2007
Implant replaced due to infection Mar 2008
4 Years NED!!!
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06-06-2007, 12:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Adriana - no offense taken, no apology necessary.
Naturaleigh - I have checked with others, the answers are pretty much the same. Thanks for your thoughts.
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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06-06-2007, 12:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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You are always in my prayers
Andi, that wasn't the update I was hoping to hear. I just feel like there must be something else, but that is my own agenda for you. You have to be happy with what you are doing. I will still pray for a miracle and for time pain free. I love you and think of you a lot.
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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06-06-2007, 01:11 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Andi,
Awwwww, my heart is breaking for you. I wish I could give you a big old hug and sit and visit with you. If you'd like to e-mail me, please go right ahead. I thank you for your message to me the other day.
To comes to terms with our "life" is a journey we all are on. Often times I feel blessed to have had breast cancer and to be able to face the things we all need to face. To say the things we want or need to say. To live the life we want to live. Most importantly though, I've found it to be a time that I've HAD to trust and lean on our Lord and Savior and He is ultimately the one who holds our lives in His hands. The relationship He and I have is a special one. I thought it was special before breast cancer BUT (as I'm sure you all know) it is VERY special now. He is my ONLY constant. He is my ONLY source of Peace and Joy. True Peace and Joy. Life brings many joys - our families - our friends - our jobs BUT we all know that these things also bring heartache and troubles. Nothing in life is guaranteed.
So my dear friend...........may the true Peace and true joy surround you daily. I pray His healing Hand upon you ~ wether it be in this world or the next - none of us knows - but while we are all here may we grab each moment - cherish it - love and hang on to each other until the loving arms of Jesus hold each of us to Himself.
Much love,
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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06-06-2007, 01:12 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 138
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I'm sorry you are faced with making such a decision. My thoughts and prayers are very much with you and your family.
__________________
Janet in Rowlett Texas
Dx July 2006 IDC 1.8cm, ER-/PR- HER2+ (FISH 7), KI67 High (60%) grade 3, TOPO II neg
Aug2006: lumpectomy, SNB (4 nodes neg), Stage 1
Jan 2007: Finished 6 cycles of TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Her ceptin). Then Herceptin every 3 weeks.
Feb 2007: Completed Radiation
May 2007: Stopped Herceptin due to low LVEF (49%)
July 2007: LVEF now 44% -- starting Coreg
May 2008: Heart NORMAL! Yippee.
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06-06-2007, 01:20 PM
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#14
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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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My Dear Sweet Andi
My heart was full af sadness hearing the news today, I am so sorry. Please keep us posted with things, it will make us all feel better here knowing how you are doing and if we can help. Thank You so much for helping me to help my husband through his illness. It is people like you that have been such an asset to us. Although I am just a caregiver, you have helped me to feel like I have a purpose here. If there is anything I can do to give something back to you, please, you know where to find me. Before I go I want to say I am so glad that you have tried to do everything possible before making any decision. I am just so sorry that there are no more options for you Sweetie. How brave you are to talk so matter-of-factly,(I know that alot of time, thought & energy went into that decision) and that in itself is courageous. It will help us when the time comes to decide our options, and right now something has stopped working. We both need to know that everything has been done & all options have been explored. Thank you again for showing my husband & myself what bravery, courage, faith, and strength looks like!! You are our hero!!..>Waiting For A Miracle>Believe51...(Marie G)
Husband dx @ 50yrs 9-06 w/Stage IV Inflammatory HER2+Breast Cancer
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06-06-2007, 01:24 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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I'm so sorry
Andi,
Reading your post was so hard. I think these wonderful ladies have said it all. I will pray for a miracle for you. Nothing is impossible with our God. Please know that you have the wonderful women on this site pulling of you, praying for you. I HATE cancer.
__________________
Leslie's Sister (Lisa)
Diagnosed 5/17/06
Left breast Stage II
5 cm. Her2Neu+++, ER-, PR-
1 positive node out of six,
double mastectomy 6/9/06;
TCH started 7/12/06
last chemo 10/25/06
herceptin ended 6-11-07
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06-06-2007, 01:35 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Andi,
I'm at a loss for words. The only thing I can say is you are a very brave woman. Breast cancer is a dreadful disease and we never quite know what's in store for us. Even though we all have breast cancer, no one knows exactly what your are experiencing as we all are different. I guess the most important thing is that you are at peace with your decisison. A decision, I'm sure that took a lot of soul searching and was not easy to make. I just pray that somehow a miracle will happen. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
__________________
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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06-06-2007, 01:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Hi Andi,
You are certainly a role model for all of us because whether we have cancer or not, we all have to face this at some point in our lives. I can imagine it has been difficult for you these past few weeks and my thoughts and heart go out to you. Your bravery and willingness to share this experience with us is very admirable. I'm sure it will be helpful to me as well as others at some point.
I hope you continue to remain pain free and have some enjoyable times with your family. Again, as difficult as it is to hear this news, I thank you for keeping us informed.
Thinking of you!
Barbara H.
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06-06-2007, 02:36 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 312
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Andi
Thank you for being so brave to post to us at this time. That must be very hard to do, but thanks for remembering us. In the past your posts have given such good advice. I think you are a very special, wonderful woman and I wish you the best on your journey.
__________________
Janet
Endometrial Cancer 2002
Mammogram 11/2004
Lumpectomy 12/2004
Stage 1, 9mm DCIS, grade 2, Her2+++, ER/PR negative
Refused A/C as recommened by two oncs.
35 treatments of radiation that ended March 4, 2005
Changed oncologists and began
Taxotere/Herceptin August 2005. Finished Herceptin July 2006
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06-06-2007, 03:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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sending prayers and hope your way.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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06-06-2007, 03:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Prayers for you
I am so sorry to hear your news Andi. If there were anything I could say or do to help you I would. Miracles do happen and I will continue to pray and wish for one.
Peace be with you Andi.
Emelie
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