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Old 08-25-2009, 10:06 PM   #1
Jackie07
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Location: "Love never fails."
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Radiation + Hyperthermia - from a friend in New Jersey

My journey with breast cancer started from Apr. of 1993 when I was 31 years old. As most of you know that I went through surgery, chemo, autologus bone marrow transplant, radiation treatment, hormonal therapy. During the process I have had 4 times local recurrences. My 4th recurrence was from Sep. of 1996, since then I have kept my tumor on my chest wall. I won't encourage anyone to do what I choose to do. However, I do this as a reminder to myself that I need to always do the "right thing" for myself.

Since Sep. of 1996, I practically refused to do any more traditional treatment, one exception was I received 23 weekly treatment of Herceptin (targeted therapy) from June - Nov. of 2004. The treatment failed me, tumor on my chest wall hadn't change in size.

I have tried herbs, diets, juicing, supplements/vitamins, 氣功, went to Mexico for Gerson Therapy...Something I did alone the way helped me tremendously, thus I am able to always keep my health in a relatively healthy state. Even my oncologist admits begrudgingly that whatever I did help me greatly.

Since I came back to NJ in May. I went for a series of tests. Chest MRI showed that my tumor was 3.7 x 0.8 x 2 cm. Also I had my tumor biopsied & confirmed that it's breast cancer. Even though I still hesitate to receive any traditional treatment, I know that it's time to do a rethinking. After consulting with a few doctors, discussing with my husband Steve, we've come to a conclusion that it's time for me to do the radiation + hyperthermia treatment.

From June 1 to July 17, I received a total of 5 weeks radiation + hyperthermia treatment. Even though the dosage this time plus the dosage from 1994 had exceed the maximum dose of 10,000 units (of lifetime dosage). Up to now, it's been a smooth recovery.
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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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Old 09-07-2009, 03:47 PM   #2
Leslie304
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Re: Radiation + Hyperthermia - from a friend in New Jersey

Hi Jackie,
I just read your post above and wondered what it was you 'did along the way' that kept you healthy? It wasn't clear to me.

Also, did you feel the hyperthermia did you any good? What was your experience at Gerson? Do you still practice a 'healthier diet?" ie. vegetarian and do you use supplements still or did you give up on them because you didn't see any result?

I'm newly diagnosed 4/15/09 and still working all this out too. I seem to be resistant to treatment as well. Ugh ....need to find something and I believe in nutrition.
Thanks for any info you care to share. You can send me a personal message if you prefer.
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2009
3-15 Age 48 -found lump
Dx 4/15/09: IBC Stage III w/extensive lymph node involvement HER2+++
5/1/09: Adria/Cytoxan for x 3-no response
6/12/09: Taxol/Herceptin for 1 tx -no response
6/24/09: added Carboplatin to T/H x 3 - no response
7/09 -added F5U -no response
7/29/09: Herceptin/Xeloda/Tykerb no response
8-18-09: 2nd opinion at MDA - IDC not IBC! First Onc disagrees,
BRCA 1/2 Neg
8-19-09: continue on Herceptin/Xeloda/Tykerb-slight response
9-24-09 MRM right breast 10x10 cm tumor! (Huge!) no necrosis - Got clear margins! A miracle!
13 of 18 nodes positive
11-2-09 -12/10 started radiation
12-10-2009 - Finished with radiation!!
2010
1/13/2010-Back on Xeloda x six cycles (have been on Tykerb/Herceptin all along)
4/4/14 - stopped Xeloda/Tykerb one cycle early. Liver enzymes high!
4/20/2010 Clear PET Scan!! NED
6/10/2010 - Finished Herceptin11/8 - Brain METS! CRAP! WBRT only option given. Four mets, separate locations in brain, no SRS
12/10 - Herceptin/Tykerb/Xeloda
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Old 09-07-2009, 04:34 PM   #3
Jackie07
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
Re: Radiation + Hyperthermia - from a friend in New Jersey

Leslie,

I'll private message you her e-mail address. She is active in the American Cancer Society in New Jersey.
__________________
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
Jackie07 is offline   Reply With Quote
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