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11-26-2013, 06:52 PM
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#121
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Jill,
I love that song by Mercy Me! Absolutely beautiful!
__________________
Smile On!
Laurel
Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara
15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....
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11-27-2013, 01:54 AM
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#122
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 585
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Im sorry I waited so long to post. Im just so sad. I will so miss Denise. Even though she had been posting, I absolutely was not expecting this. I was under the impression that the scans did not show any mets, and she had something else going on that would be treated. Denise and I had our scans at the same times, and we both had had brain mets, so she was such an inspiration to me. Her positive attitude, her sense of humor, her skill in communicating with the written word, and the true beauty that radiated from her heart are just a few of the things that I will miss. My prayers to her family, especially her husband and children, and to all of us for peace and comfort. In a way I rejoice in the fact that it was not a prolonged period before she passed, because it kills me to think of her suffering and in pain, but for those of us left behind on this side of the great divide it is such a shock when things turn so quickly. Im just so sorry for everyone hurting, and I send big hugs and lots of prayers.
__________________
Diagnosed in October 2011 Stage IV with metastasis to liver.
January 2012 after double mastectomy, started taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin.
Clear.
December 2012 was diagnosed with five brain mets, and had whole brain radiation.
Around July 2014 two mets in brain, one a residual spot and one new one growing in size. Received Cyberknife on both areas
Clear/NED
April 2015 remain NED
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11-27-2013, 02:43 AM
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#123
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Dear Ted,
So sad to hear of Denise's passing. My heart goes out to you and your family. Denise will forever be in our hearts.
Love,
Adriana
__________________
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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11-27-2013, 05:15 AM
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#124
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 954
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Ted, I'm so very sorry about your immense loss with the passing of dear Denise. What a woman, huh?! You and the boys must be missing her terribly. Us too.
(((((((Consider yourself cyber hugged by everybody here)))))))
We're here for ya if/when you ever feel like talking.
Lifting your family in prayer right now,
Paula
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11-27-2013, 07:59 PM
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#125
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bethlehem PA
Posts: 395
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Friends I just had a thought I would like to share. You know how, when someone here was having a particularly difficult time, Denise would often say she was "pounding on heavens door with prayers"? Well, can you just imagine the earfull God is getting, dare I say tongue lashing God is getting, now that Denise is in his house and commanding his attention?
Denise my friend....if the cure is suddenly found....I will know it was your doing. I have missed your voice this past week.
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11-28-2013, 01:29 PM
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#126
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
So sorry to hear this news. Ted, thanks for sharing the details. I know how hard that must have been. Your wonderful wife was one of a kind and a true blessing to this site. She will be missed. You and yours will be in my thoughts and prayers.
__________________
For Nicola
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11-29-2013, 05:06 PM
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#127
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 562
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
I have not checked in in a couple weeks and am shocked and saddened to hear this news. Denise was a joy, and upbeat, wonderful spirit and she was the person whose posts I looked for on this board, the ones whose threads I never missed. I'm terribly, terribly sorry to hear of this loss. I had no idea she was so close - she seemed to be fine.
My heart goes out to her family.
__________________
 http://butdoctorihatepink.com
08/17/09 Dx'd.
Multifocal/multicentric IDC, largest 3.4 cm, associated ADH, LCIS, DCIS
HER2+ ER+/PR- Grade 3, Node Negative
10/20/2009: Right mastectomy, reconstruction with TE
12/02/2009: Six rounds TCH, switched to Taxol halfway through due to neuropathy
03/31/2010: Finished chemo
05/01/2010: Began tamoxifen, the worst drug ever
11/18/2010: Reconstruction completed
12/02/2010: Finished herceptin
05/21/2011: Liver Mets. Quit Tamoxifen
06/22/2011: Navelbine/Zometa/Herceptin
10/03/2011: Liver Resection, left lobe. Microwave ablation, right lobe - going for cure!
11/26/2011: C-Diff Superbug Infection, "worst case doctor had seen in 20 years"
03/28/2012: Progression in ablated section of the liver - no more cure. Started Abraxane, continue herceptin/zometa
10/10/2012: Progression continues, started Halaven, along with herceptin and zometa.
01/15/2013: Progression continues, started Gemzar and Perjeta, an unusual combo, continuing with herceptin and zometa
03/13/2013: Quit Gemzar, body just won't handle it. Staying on herceptin, zometa and perjeta.
04/03/2013: CT shows 50% regression in tumor, so am starting back on Gemzar with dose reduction, staying with perjeta/herceptin/zometa. Can't argue with success!
05/09/2013: Discussing SBRT with Radiology due to inability of bone marrow to recover from chemo.
06/07/2013: Fiducial placement for SBRT
07/03/2013: Chemo discontinued, on Perjeta, Herceptin and Zometa alone
07/25/2013: SBRT (gamma knife) begins
08/01/2013: SBRT completed
08/15/2013: STABLE! continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa
06/18/2014: ***** NED!!!!***** continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa
01/29/2014: Still NED. continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin. Zometa lowered to every 3 months instead of monthly.
11/08/2015: Progression throughout abdomen and lungs. Started TDM-1, aka Kadcyla. Other meds discontinued. Remission was nice while it lasted.
5/27/18: Stable. Kadcyla put me right back in the barn. I have two teeny spots on my lungs that are metabolically inactive, and liver is clean.
I’m beating this MFer. I was 51 when this started and had two kids, 22 and 12. Now I’m 60. My oldest got married and trying to start s family. My youngesg graduates from Caltech this June. My stepdaughter gave me grandkids. Life is fantastic.
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11-30-2013, 05:18 PM
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#128
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 437
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
I have been away and have just learned of Denise passing. I am shocked and saddened. I pray that Ted and her boys are comforted by the happy memories and the knowledge that she was much loved here and will be surely missed. so so sorry.
__________________
Linda
Dxed Stage IIIC May 05, 12 pos nodes
er/pr -neg,Her -pos
LVI
Right partial mast & partial axillary dissection-June14,2005
Right modified mast-no clear margins- June 30, 2005
DD AC x4
Taxotere X4 with Herceptin
Rads x 35( 5 fields )
Left prophylactive mast( atypia & hyperplasia found ),
put on Tamoxifen x 1 yr; D/ced due to endometrial thickening
bilateral recon (saline implants)May 06
Nipple recon July 06
metformin 2010
removal of implants due to severe encapsulation, insertion of gummies 2013
Reclast Q yr
NED!!!
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12-02-2013, 01:21 AM
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#129
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TN
Posts: 83
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
I don't check the threads often but when I do I always look for updates from Denise. I am in disbelief and so very sad to learn of her passing. She was one of the strongest, wittiest, most graceful warriors I've ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Denise, you are and will forever be missed very much.
__________________
DX 5/17/10 IDC & DCIS
BMX 6/3/10-Stage 1, 0/2 nodes
ER+/PR-, Her2+
Chemo 7/8/10-10/21/10
FEC X 3, T X 3, Herceptin weekly for 9wks
Start Arimidex for 5 yrs-11/22/10
12/16/10 NED!!!!!
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12-02-2013, 06:21 PM
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#130
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Katonah,New York
Posts: 228
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
LeahM love your thought , thanks for sharing. I have quite a visual of what you describe. It makes me smile. I hope your right about the sudden cure, if anyone could persuade our Lord to hurry it along! she could.
__________________
3/11/13- normal mammo and US
4/30/13 Found pea sized lump while showering
5/10/13 core bx
5/15/13 dx IDC 1CM,
5/20/13 BRAC 1&2 neg
5/28/13 lumpectomy and SNB, ER/PR/Her-2+, Nodes neg,positive margins
6/13/13 revision of margins . Now clear
6/26/13 first TCH
Chemo Ninja~kutaki Zika Zukuchiri
10/18/13-Bx of calcification-neg whew
11/7/13 Started Radiation.
01/2014- Started Tamoxifen
06/09/14-Steriotactic BX left breast calcification-Benign
06/18/2014-completed one year of Herceptin!
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12-05-2013, 08:26 AM
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#131
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ottawa canada
Posts: 367
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Dearest Ted, if you are rereading this, or your boys are....
I still hurt everyday about darling Denise. I still find it a bad dream, as I am sure you three do. Please know that I am there praying for your pain. It's the first few minutes upon waking that are the worst, I find. Please know that for so many of us on this website, we are STILL hurting and cannot just "unhurt." (I am sure you know what I mean.)
Nora
__________________
fall 2008: mammo of rt breast worrisome so am asked to redo mammo and have ultrasound of rt breast.I delay it til january 2009 and the results are "no cancer in rt breast. phew."
found plum sized lump in right breast the day before my dad died: April 17th 2011. saw it in mirror, while i was wearing a top, examining my figure after losing 10 lbs on dr. bernstein diet.
diagnosed may 10 2011
mast/lymphectomy: june 7 2011, 5/20 cancerous nodes. stage 3a before radiation oncologist during our first mtg on july 15th says he found cancer on the lymph node of my breast bone. Now stage 3b.
her2+++, EN-, PN-. Rt brst tumors:3 at onset, 4.5 cm was the big one
chemos: 3fec's followed by 3 taxotere, total of 18 wks chemo. sept: halfway thru chemo the mastectomy scar decides to open and ooze pus. (not healed before chemo) eventually with canasten powder sent by friend in ny (illegal in canada) it heals.
radiations:although scheduled to begin 25 january 2012, I am so terrified by it (rads cause other cancers) I don't start til february, miss a bunch, reschedule them all and finally finish 35 rads mid april. reason for 7 extra atop the 28 scheduled is that when i first met my rads oncologist he said he saw a tumor on the lymph node of my breastbone. extra 7 are special kind of beam used for that lymphnode. rads onc tells me nobody ever took so long to do rads so he cannot speak for effectiveness. trials had been done only on consecutive days so......we'll see.....
10 mos of herceptin started 6 wks into chemo. canadian onc says 10 mos is just as effective as the full yr recommended by dr. slamon......so we'll see..completed july 2012.
Sept 18 2012: reconstruction and 3 drains. fails. i wear antibiotic pouch on my job for two months and have 60 consecutive days visiting a nursing centre where they apply burn victims' silver paper and clean the oozing infection daily. silicone leaks out daily. plastic surgeon in caribbean. emergency dept wont remove "his" work. He finally appears and orders me in into an emergency removal of implant. I make him promise no drains and I get my way. No infection as a result. Chest looks like a map of Brazil. Had a perfectly good left breast on Sept 17th but surgeon wanted to "save another woman an operation" ? so he had crashed two operations together on my left breast, foregoing the intermediary operation where you install an expander. the first surgeon a year earlier had flat out refused to waste five hours on his feet taking both boobs. flat out refusal. between the canadian health system saving money and both these asses, I got screwed. who knows when i can next get enough time off work (i work for myself and have no substitute when my husband is on contract) to get boobs again. arrrgh.
I have a blog where I document this trip and vent.
www.nora'scancerblog.blogspot.com . I stopped the blog before radiation. I think the steroids made me more angry and depressed and i just hated reading it anymore
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12-05-2013, 04:22 PM
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#132
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Dear Ted,
Count me among the hurters. I think of your dear Denise every day... and pray that you and the boys are coping as best you can.
all the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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12-05-2013, 05:14 PM
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#133
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Boulder Colorado as of January 2013
Posts: 389
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
This is one of the hardest notes I have read. I had tried to provide support and some guidance on her treatment. It is frustrating that there was not an option for her to use to survive. I realize just how lucky Nina and I are to have a treatment team that was willing to go to compassionate care and treat the disease with something that was not well understood. I know there is a place in heaven for Denise. She was one of the most inspirational ones on the board.
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12-05-2013, 05:37 PM
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#134
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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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Re: NEDenise Has Died
I too remain in deep contact with Denise. I somehow half expect to see her post, and look for it. Then -- miss it, and her with all my heart.
Paul, please help us be informed. I don't know what Nina was given. Arm us, please. Knowledge is power. No doubt we each know or will come to know someone in a similar situation and we'll want to offer help...
__________________
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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12-06-2013, 12:38 AM
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#135
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 72
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
I too have not been on the board for a while and am very saddened to hear that Denise has passed away. Like so many others here, I enjoyed her optimism, compassion and especially her humor. She was a very special lady, who will be missed. . . a lot.
__________________
Estelle
DX 1/09
two tumors; .7 cm and 1.0 cm, same duct
lumpectomy 2/09
10 positive nodes; scans show no further metastasis, Stage IIIc
AC completed 5/09
Tykerb/Taxol (trial) 6/09, terminated from trial (due to bad reaction to Tykerb) 8/09; switched to Herceptin/Taxol
Taxol finished 10/09
Bilateral mastectomy 11/09
Radiation 12/09 to 1/10
Herceptin finished 7/10
NED
Start Vaccine Trial at Hopkins 2/11
Finished Vaccine Trial 11/11
Continue NED
Port Out 11/11
DEIP Flap 4/17)
8 Years NED 2/17
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12-09-2013, 07:52 PM
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#136
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gloucester City, NJ
Posts: 73
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Have not checked in lately but am totally shocked and saddened to hear of Denise's passing.
I always loved reading her upbeat messages to all of us even during her most difficult days.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family
Tracy
__________________
Baseline Mammogram November 2010, found 2 suspicious calcifications (right side).
Second Mammogram April 2011, found 2 masses in the right breast, 1 in the lymph node and 1 in the left breast.
3 Biopsies May 11, 2011
Diagnosed right Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer which spread to my lymph node 5-13-2011.
Between Stage 2 and 3 with tumors grade III. ER/PR- but Her2neu+++
PET Scan clear
Breast MRI showed 2 masses in left, 5 in the right and 2 in the lymph node.
Biopsy of left mass benign
Joined clinical trial which required second biopsy of one of the right masses
Port placed May 27, 2011
Began Chemo (Taxol, Herceptin and Tykerb) on June 1, 2011 - September 12, 2011
Bi-lateral Mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders) October 3, 2011
FEC 12 weeks
Radiation 6 weeks
Herceptin 8 months finish September 2012
Exchange surgery August 3, 2012
Been NED since October 2011
Lymphedema right arm since Nov 2013
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12-11-2013, 02:55 PM
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#137
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Boulder Colorado as of January 2013
Posts: 389
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
It is frustrating that Denise was not able to benefit from some of the new technology that seems to be ongoing. Nina just went to a two year followup with the disease in full remission in both the spine and brain (on the brain surface). Four years ago she had a 5 cm spot on the brain and was told to make plans. All I can say is work hard to get the best treatment you can. Denise fought for this for herself, but was stymied as to how to get IT Herceptin like Nina has had. I am hoping the medical community hears enough cases to look more fully at this possible treatment method. Denise provided inspiration for many. We stayed in contact for the last two years. It is truly hard to lose a hero like her.
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12-11-2013, 03:25 PM
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#138
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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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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Paul,
Please explain to me what IT Herceptin tx is about.
It is high dosages for brain mets, but I am missing something I know.
Hard to get into clinical trials???
Where did Nina go?
I know Denise did are damnedest to get into such a trial. No one could have fought more than she did!
Andi
__________________
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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12-11-2013, 03:44 PM
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#139
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Boulder Colorado as of January 2013
Posts: 389
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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Denise and I tried to get her in to see people for the past four months. That is why it is so frustrating to hear about her death.
Intrathecal Herceptin is the use of an Ommaya reservoir or spinal tap to introduce drugs into the central nervous system (CNS). Spinal fluid is the solution that is used to move food and remove waste in the spine and brain. The solution can have cancer cells in it and these then deposit throughout the brain and spine once they penetrate the blood brain barrier. This is a part of the body where no blood cells can go, only spinal fluid. Unfortunately, cancer cells can somehow make it through the barrier in some HER+ patients. Since Herceptin, Pertuzumab, and TDM-1 cannot make it through the barrier, they now are able to grow without worry. Putting these drugs on the other side of the barrier does the same thing as IV treatment does in the rest of the body! The problem is that the dose needed to be therapeutic was not well understood. The new knowledge is that doses five to ten times higher in spinal fluid concentration than blood are needed because the spinal fluid clears these drugs so much faster than the blood system does. Clinical trials at the higher dosage are being developed, but right now treatment at the higher dose is only available through compassionate use (or compassionate care) on an individual basis with the treating physician. I am trying to have all individuals contact MD Anderson as they have acted to assist doctors and patients at this point in time.
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12-11-2013, 05:18 PM
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#140
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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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Re: NEDenise Has Died
Thank you for all that, Paul! It's a fantastic discovery and your advocacy has helped Nina. We all appreciate what you tried to do for Denise. How heartbreaking that she could not find some "compassion" for herself. Heaven knows WE would have all signed a petition or done whatever to help.
They have to fix this problem!
Bless MD Anderson. Everywhere I turn I hear how wonderful they are at every turn. Good for them. Wish more hospitals could attain their level of "amazingness", if I may coin a term.
So appreciate you explaining this, as I keep seeing IV Herceptin and keep failing to grasp the concept.
__________________
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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