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Old 03-24-2010, 08:09 PM   #1
vlcarr
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Eyelashes--Need Some!

Has anyone tried the new stuff they are advertising to help grow eyelashes? I think it's called Latrisse (not sure of the spelling).

If so, did it work or did you have any problems with using it? I had very few before chemo so as you can imagine I really don't have any now.

My hair and eyebrows are growing well, along with my facial hair I could do without, but my eyelashes don't seem to be getting any better.
__________________
Vicky
Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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Old 03-24-2010, 10:01 PM   #2
StephN
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Hello -
We had a conversation about the earlier "lash boosters" a while back and I ended up getting RevitaLash and used it the end of 2009.
That product did help my lashes thicken up, but over time it seems they have gone back to about the way they were.

I was thinking of using it again as I have some left.

Don't know about the Latisse and no one has reported on it that I saw.

Good luck!
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.

MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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Old 03-25-2010, 08:10 AM   #3
Shobha
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

I used Revitalash too and it helped mine grow longer and a bit thicker. Revitalash does not require prescription but Latisse does require it.

I have not used Latisse.
__________________
DX: 06-30-2007 - left breast -stage IIIB, Her2/Neu 3+++, ER weakly positive, PR-
Taxol+herceptin weekly for 3 months
FEC+herceptin every 3 weeks for 3 months
BRCA 1 and 2 - Negative
Jan 2008 - Bilateral mastectomy, prophylactic Rt. side.
Radiation for 5 weeks
Completed my yr of herceptin on 07-14-2008
Brain MRI - 3/2/09 Clean
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Old 03-25-2010, 08:42 AM   #4
v-ness
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

i used a lash conditioner since november and never lost all my lashes. i'd say i have about half my upper lashes and i hope that since it's been 2 mos since chemo no more will fall out (knock wood). it just so happens that i read up on eyelash regrowth products the other day and i found this site to be the most helpful and seemingly unbiased: http://truthinaging.com/eyes/eyelash...are-they-safe/
based on the fact that Latisse is so bloody expensive and you have to get a prescription and probably pay 100% of the doctor's visit, not to mention questionable possible side effects, i chose Folligen. the price is right, and it got good reviews on the site. i might have opted for Revitalash but one woman had a bad allergic reaction and i am not into paying over a hundred bucks for something that might give me eye problems (same goes for Latisse). so for $17.99 on amazon i am giving Folligen a go. valerie
__________________
8/09 - IDC 1.8 cm triple positive, lumpectomy left breast
10/09 began chemo (taxotere & carboplatin) and weekly herceptin.
1/21/10 finished chemo, continued on herceptin every 3 weeks until 10/2010.
2/10 began 7 wks of radiation
6/10 mom dies of primary peritoneal ovarian cancer
8/10 got my last remaining ovary out
10/10 mammogram all clear
3/11 MRI shows 5 'spots' in right breast, largest 1 cm unidentifiable on US
needle biopsy proved the largest to be old inflamed cyst -phew!
7/10 switched to Arimidex
8/9 switched to Femara - allergic to arimidex
Femara made me lose hair quickly so switched to Aromasin
Aromasin made my hair fall out too and the bone pain was too much.
back on Tamoxifen 1/2013.
blood clot from trains and planes 5/2014 so on coumadin per onco for as long as i am on tamoxifen
tamoxifen was supposed to be up with my 5 yrs in may but my boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer so i am staying on tamoxifen indefinitely because i want some ammo against BC, given the stress. lost my husband in only 10 wks in 2007 to stage 4 esophageal cancer.
cancer's screwing with another man i love
2/2016 - 6yrs in remission, off tamoxifen and off coumadin - yay!
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Old 03-25-2010, 11:21 AM   #5
vlcarr
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Thanks Valerie. I figured it was expensive and I sure don't want to pay that much for something that could cause problems. The Folligen is very reasonable so I think I will give it a try, especially at the price. Let me know how it works for you.
__________________
Vicky
Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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Old 03-25-2010, 11:53 AM   #6
ymryan
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Hi Vicky,

I attended a "Look Good, Feel Better" program a few months ago and ladies talked about Latrisse (including the cosmetology professional). The discussion was to make the attendees aware and cautious of reported eye problems that occurred in some women as a result of Latrisse. Not sure how credible that is because I have not personally done research on it, but perhaps something you might want to consider looking into.

Best.
__________________
Yvonne

Nov 09 - Grade 3 IDC + Grade 3 DCIS, ER/PR-, HER2+++, KI-67 91%; BRAC 1 and 2 negative
Dec 09 - Mastectomy LB, 2.4 cm, 1/27 nodes, Stage IIB
Jan 10 - Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin (TCH) for 18 weeks (1X every 3 weeks); Herceptin every week for 18 weeks then every 3 weeks 'til week 51
Apr 10 - Blood transfusion to increase red blood cells
Apr 10 - Change regimen to Taxotere/Cisplatin/Herceptin
May 10 - Chemo done!
Jul 10 - Brain MRI normal
Dec 10 - PET scan NED
Dec 30 10 - Last Herceptin
Feb 11 - Port removed
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Old 03-25-2010, 07:59 PM   #7
CoolBreeze
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

I know a lot about this subject, did a bunch of research a while back.

A couple of years ago, Revitalash contained the same prostoglandin agonist that is in Latisse, called bimatoprost. It has been used as eye drops safely for many, many years to treat glaucoma.

The story goes that an eye doctor noticed that when he gave his glaucoma patients the eyedrops with bimataprost, that their eyelashes grew. When his wife got breast cancer and her eyelashes fell out, he came up with the formulation for her, and eventually marketed it as Revitalash.

I used it and it did work.

However, Allergen owns the molocule in the glaucoma drug and sued Revitalash to market their own product, now known as latisse. Revitalash had to change their formulation and it no longer contains the eyelash growing component.

Latisse will grow your lashes. But, it takes faithful use, it doesn't happen quickly. The average is two months before you start to see results. Some people have reported problems with irritation along the lash line but it's anecdotal. You do not have to use the applicators they give you -- a small lipliner brush will work just as well, make your product last twice as long and probably cut down on any irritation you experience. Remember, they want you to use it up but it lasts and you don't need that much.

There are no studies that used as an eyelash enhancer, it will change iris color. When used as daily eye drops, in a very small percentage of people, light eyes got darker. However, that hasn't happened when used as an eyelash enhancer - you can't get enough in your eye to make that happen.

When shopping, unless your product contains and prostoglandin agonist, it will not grow eyelashes. Don't be fooled by all the products out there, because they don't work. Even Revitalash doesn't contain one, at least in their last formulation.

One other product that does contain one, although it is not bimataprost, is Phillip Thomas Roth's Lashes to Die For. That also will work to grow lashes. But, it's about the same price as getting Latisse. And,the FDA is getting nervous about companies selling "drugs" as eyelash enhancers. I tried the Lashes to Die for and it also worked but not as well as the Revitalash. It might be because I wasn't as faithful with it.

I got a prescription from Latisse from my plastic surgeon and my last chemo is next week. I'll be trying it soon after.

My plastic surgeon's office called the Latisse rep, and she said not to take it during chemo. It's unlikely to interfere with my chemo drugs but they don't recommend it as there have been no studies on it.

So, I'll probably start a week or so after chemo.

Good luck growing eyelashes!
__________________
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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Old 03-26-2010, 12:28 AM   #8
harrie
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Cool Breeze, thank you for the comprehensive explanations. I was also interested in the Latisse.
I had used Revitalash in the past and it did work well when I was using it. But then I discovered the gluacoma med in the ingredients and the possible side effects and it scared me off the product and my lashes later became sparse again.
__________________
*** 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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Old 03-26-2010, 05:02 AM   #9
Lori R
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

OK...OK...I confess....I am a current Latisse user.

The taxotere did quite a number on all things "hairy". Patchy hair, no eyebrows and no eyelashes. After 2 years I just couldn't take it. I wanted to look more "normal"

I've been using Latisse since January and actually have some eyelashes now. They are very thin but it is an improvement over essentially nothing.

To obtain the Latisse you can go to most plastic surgeons offices, dermatologists. I didn't have to see a Dr. (hence no $150 office visit) Just to the front desk and ask to purchase the product. It is pricey..$120. But using it every day it has lasted for over 2 months.

I have noticed that on occasion my eyes appear red but honestly not certain if it is from the Latisse or the herceptin.

For now....I think I'll keep using it.
__________________
2007
Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV
5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++
Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met
Double Mastectomy
Nov - Begin T+H
2008
Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED
March - Continue - Herceptin Only
April - Rads for 6 weeks
2009
Continue Herceptin - Continue NED
April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met
May - Cryosurgery
June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin
Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED
2010
January - Continue NED
July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1
August - Cryosurgery #2
August - November Navelbine
November - Back to NED - End Navelbine
2011
Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe
March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin
July - Confirmed continued liver involvement
August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb
October - Mixed results from H+T
Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April
2012
January PET Scan - It's working!!
April - Back to NED
July - Recurrance
August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)
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Old 03-26-2010, 08:51 AM   #10
v-ness
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

yeah, i figure that a product may not work, so spending $17.99 is reasonable. if it doesn't work, so what? it's not like throwing $120 out the window. i don't know if any hair growth products work. the Folligen is meant for head hair as well. i am not sure i'd use any product called "To Die For", haha. um, yeah, had cancer... not sure i want to die for lashes. valerie
__________________
8/09 - IDC 1.8 cm triple positive, lumpectomy left breast
10/09 began chemo (taxotere & carboplatin) and weekly herceptin.
1/21/10 finished chemo, continued on herceptin every 3 weeks until 10/2010.
2/10 began 7 wks of radiation
6/10 mom dies of primary peritoneal ovarian cancer
8/10 got my last remaining ovary out
10/10 mammogram all clear
3/11 MRI shows 5 'spots' in right breast, largest 1 cm unidentifiable on US
needle biopsy proved the largest to be old inflamed cyst -phew!
7/10 switched to Arimidex
8/9 switched to Femara - allergic to arimidex
Femara made me lose hair quickly so switched to Aromasin
Aromasin made my hair fall out too and the bone pain was too much.
back on Tamoxifen 1/2013.
blood clot from trains and planes 5/2014 so on coumadin per onco for as long as i am on tamoxifen
tamoxifen was supposed to be up with my 5 yrs in may but my boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer so i am staying on tamoxifen indefinitely because i want some ammo against BC, given the stress. lost my husband in only 10 wks in 2007 to stage 4 esophageal cancer.
cancer's screwing with another man i love
2/2016 - 6yrs in remission, off tamoxifen and off coumadin - yay!
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Old 03-26-2010, 07:35 PM   #11
vlcarr
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Thank you all for sharing. CoolBreeze, it is obvious you did a lot of research!

I will definitely try something. Valerie, I would still like to know how the product you are going to try works.
__________________
Vicky
Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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Old 03-26-2010, 08:00 PM   #12
Soccermom
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

A friend of mine is a beauty blogger as as well as a BC survivor she used Latisse and some other products to grow lashes, here is her take...
http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2009/07/miracle-gro.html

http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2009/1...eterrents.html

Hope this is helpful!
Marcia
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Old 04-05-2010, 11:21 AM   #13
WolverineFan
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Vicky,

Sorry, I am just now chiming in. I have been off the board here for a while due to some deadlines at work. I, too, tried Latisse, and had great results, but all of a sudden, my lashes fell out again. My onc said it may be due to the fact that I am still on Herceptin. So, since it was working, as soon as I am off the Herceptin (last treatment May 4th...just in time for Cinco De Mayo!!), I am planning on using it again.
__________________
Hayley
Oklahoma

3/35/2009 - Diagnosed, age 39
5/7/09 - Mastectomy and reconstruction started. Two tumors found. Tumors were side by side. DCIS tumor was 2.8 cm, ER-, PR-, grade 2. Invasive tumor was 1.1 cm, poorly differentiated, grade 3, ER+90%, PR+95%, HER2+3. Thankfully, no node involvement.
5/29/09 - Second surgery resulting from difficulty healing from mastectomy.
6/2/09 - Began Herceptin treatments
6/23/09 - Began Taxotere and Carboplatin treatments along with Herception every 3 weeks.
10/06/09 - Completed Taxotere and Carboplatin - Yeah!!!
10/27/2009 - Herceptin maintenance and began Femara
12/10/2009 - 2nd stage reconstruction surgery
2/2010 - Body rejected saline implant
3/18/2010 - Second stage reconstruction using silicone implant
5/4/10 - Completed Herceptin - YEE-HAA!
May '10 - Body rejects silicone implant...taking a break.
11/29/10 - Hysterectomy
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Old 04-05-2010, 12:58 PM   #14
CoolBreeze
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Posts: 562
Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Another thought: eyelashes grow in regular cycles. When they all fall out from chemo, they start to grow in at once. And, that means they all fall out again at about the same time. It may have nothing to do with herceptin. As times goes by they will begin to normalize and get on different growth/lose cycles but for the first few rounds you might grow them, lose them, grow them....I still have some lashes so I might escape this.
__________________
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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Old 04-05-2010, 06:26 PM   #15
v-ness
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Posts: 280
Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

update: using Folligen since 3/26 and both of my eyebrows are filling back in with baby hairs. baby lashes are also coming in on my top lash line (not using it on my bottom because it can get in the eyes too easily). could just be that i am 2 months out from chemo and it's time for them to come in, but i must say there was no sign of them at all when i started using Folligen and the daily growth has been remarkable since i began.

aside: hair on upper lip has needed no help growing (unbelievable!), no armpit hair, random long delicate leg hairs (guess i gotta shave), and hair ONLY coming in at the bikini line I WOULD NORMALLY HAVE SHAVED, not in the middle. what the hell???
__________________
8/09 - IDC 1.8 cm triple positive, lumpectomy left breast
10/09 began chemo (taxotere & carboplatin) and weekly herceptin.
1/21/10 finished chemo, continued on herceptin every 3 weeks until 10/2010.
2/10 began 7 wks of radiation
6/10 mom dies of primary peritoneal ovarian cancer
8/10 got my last remaining ovary out
10/10 mammogram all clear
3/11 MRI shows 5 'spots' in right breast, largest 1 cm unidentifiable on US
needle biopsy proved the largest to be old inflamed cyst -phew!
7/10 switched to Arimidex
8/9 switched to Femara - allergic to arimidex
Femara made me lose hair quickly so switched to Aromasin
Aromasin made my hair fall out too and the bone pain was too much.
back on Tamoxifen 1/2013.
blood clot from trains and planes 5/2014 so on coumadin per onco for as long as i am on tamoxifen
tamoxifen was supposed to be up with my 5 yrs in may but my boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer so i am staying on tamoxifen indefinitely because i want some ammo against BC, given the stress. lost my husband in only 10 wks in 2007 to stage 4 esophageal cancer.
cancer's screwing with another man i love
2/2016 - 6yrs in remission, off tamoxifen and off coumadin - yay!
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Old 04-05-2010, 08:05 PM   #16
vlcarr
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Posts: 343
Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Thanks to all again for the info. I had to shave my legs and left underarm this week and like I said, the darn facial hair is growing like weeds!

I still see no eyelash growth. I think I will wait until I finish rads (only 7 more to go!) and get my last Herceptin in June then will dive into the eyelash treatment.

Marcia, I loved the blog from your friend. It contained some really good info on products.
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Age 47, TN, Diagnosed 05/09
Her2+, ER/PR-, Stage III, 2 tumors = 1 8cm tumor
Grade 3
Sentinel Node Biopsy-speck present in 1 node
Completed 3 month clinical trial of weekly Herceptin and 1000mg Tykerb daily
Tumor no longer present
Right mastectomy and lymph node removal 09/25/09
No cancer present at time of surgery, none in lymph nodes
Start TCH 10/15, every 3 weeks for 4 months followed by radiation
Finished chemo 01/28/10-YEAH!
Herceptin every 3 wks until end of June
Radiation begins 03/01, 6 1/2 weeks
Radiation complete--Yeah!!
Developed lymphedema after radiation
In hospital for 4 days with pneumonia:(
Herceptin done! 06/24/10
Port Removed 07/08/10
Still in PT for lymphedema and mobility issues
DIEP Reconstruction 05/11
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it~~Maya Angelou
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Old 04-06-2010, 06:11 AM   #17
Marilyn
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

I have been using Latisse for a few weeks now and I can see little eyelashes starting to grow. I checked around for the cost and it was the least expensive ordering through Medco. My opthamologist suggested it and gave me the prescription at my annual visit. I'm hopeful that it will bring my eyelashes back. Now if we could just figure out something for my hair! I'm like you Lori....patchy hair. So annoying.
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Old 04-06-2010, 06:55 PM   #18
Cal-Gal
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

I met a fellow cancer patient-(non-hodgkins lymphoma) at the treatment center last week and she is taking Latisse and loves the results---
__________________
DX: 11/08 Age: 53
Surgery: 1/09
Bilat Mastectomy, no reconstruction
ILC-4 tumors-1.7 cm,1.5 cm (2).8 cm
DCIS-11 cm
All tumors Grade 3
All tumors ER-0%/PR-0%
All tumors HER2+
IHC-all tumors Overexpression/borderline
FISH 2 tumors Her2-Negative
FISH 2 tumors Her2+ Equivocal
Stage I, 0/1 nodes
LVI-Indeterminate(treated as positive)
SPR Score 8/9
Ki-67 20%
BRCA genetic test 1/2=negative
Chemo: 6 rounds TAC Feb-June 2009 w/Neulasta
Herceptin: 6/12/09-6/4/10 52weeks
HNPCC genetic test: negative
Port Placement-9/23/09 Port Removal 6/25/10
Echo's every 3 months-All normal
2/09 Staging PET/CT showed 0.2 micronodule upper R lobe-lung-Onc does not think this is mets--
6/5/09 AND 10/09 CT scan 0.2 micronodule unchanged
1/10-PET/CT-uptake in nasopharynx-
1/10-MRI All normal
6/10-Bone Scan-clear
12/10-PET/CT-All Clear-NED
12/11-PET-All Clear-NED

12/12-PET-All Clear-NED
12/13-CT w/contrast Head, Torso-All Clear
12/14-CT w/contrast Head-All Clear
2/15-Core needle biopsy-R scar line

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Old 04-07-2010, 07:54 PM   #19
Soccermom
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

Happy to be of help,Vicky!
Marcia
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Old 04-11-2010, 09:45 PM   #20
Sherryg683
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Re: Eyelashes--Need Some!

I have been using Latisse for over a year now and LOVE it. My lashes were so puny from chemo. And now they are longer than they have ever been. I have people commenting on how great my eyes look now. I use it on my brows also and now I actually have them.. It takes around 12 weeks to see the full benefit but usually around 3 weeks you can see a difference. I have had no bad effects. Cost is 120.00 which lasts me around 4 months. I get mine from my dermatologist office..they have a skin care clinic attached. I don't need a prescription, nor pay for office visit. I just tell them who my dermatologist is and they sell me the product. I haven't tried the other products available but this stuff WORKS. Only bad thing is that if you ever discontinue use, your lashes will go back to the way they were. I don't plan on stopping using this.
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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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