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03-27-2007, 01:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Italy
Posts: 32
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I need your support!
Dear friends, I need your support today!
On friday I'll go with my mom to the onc. She unfortunatly has a big cervix tumor. We really had a terrible year: first my cancer,chemos,etc. When I was quite good, we discovered my mom's problem. It was more than terrible for me, It was worse this then to know about my own cancer.
On friday mom is going to see the surgeon to decide about the kind of surgery. I'm afeared.
I hope to have good news, we need them!
Sorry to be so sad today!
__________________
September 2005: Diagnosed of breast cancer at age of 35
October 2006: port a cath
4 chemos (epirubicin + taxotere) before surgery
February 2006: mastectomy + 10 nodes
4 cm tumor, 1 node micromets , ER-PR-, Her2 3+
June 2006: started Herceptin
July 2006: stopped Herceptin for high heart toxicity
January 2007: reconstruction
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03-27-2007, 02:06 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 50
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Malena:
I'm so sorry to hear that your Mom has cancer. I will be praying for you and your Mom and for GOOD NEWS on Friday. You have come a long way on your own journey and I'm sure you will be of great help as your Mom goes through hers.
Take care and trust the Lord.
__________________
Susan in VA
Determined to be a VICTOR not VICTIM - by the grace of God!
DX 2/8/07 at 48
1.75 cm IDC in left breast, Stage 1
Grade 3, ER-/PR-/HER 3+
Lumpectomy 3/7/07, 5/5 nodes clear, clear margins
Starting TCH on 4/9/07, every 3 weeks X 4 treatments - Completed on 6/12/2007
33 rads to began 7/2/07 and completed on 8/22/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until April '08
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03-27-2007, 02:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 144
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Good luck Malena - I occasionally tell myself that it's easier to go through this than to see my Mum or daughter go through it - so I can only imagine the anguish of finding this out with your Mom - good luck today, I hope that the solution is simple and straightforward. Belinda
__________________
Belinda
- Diagnosed 3 Jan 2007, Stage IIb, Mastectomy and axillary clearance 10 Jan 07, 6 of 19 nodes affected, multi-focal cancer, HER2 positive. Second mastectomy (prophylactic). Chemo - AC 3 months, Taxol 3 months - then radiation 5 weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Diagnosed with Stage IV mets to lung, sternum and 12 or so thoracic nodes - Rads to Sternum, then weekly abraxane and herceptin for 12 weeks.
- May 2012- good scans - all nodes still about normal size, hole in sternum repairing, lung tumour 'obliterated'.
Ongoing herceptin every 3 weeks. Bloods still all good! Life good!
- March 2013 - recurrence - tumours in lungs and mediastinum (coughing up blood) - immediate radiation treatment to right lung and mediastinum, still on Herceptin, and 3 months of Vinoralbine - stable for a little while!
- Coughing and breathlessness started again September 2013, treated as radiation-induced fibrosis (which can be seen on scans - albeit stable). ie puffers, steroids
- January 2014 - cough becomes bloody again, scans show big mediastinal tumour wrapped around and choking the life out of my right main bronchus, radiation deemed off limits as my lungs are hypersensitive to radiation (measured by existing damage from 2013) .....................- ie I am in the 5% of people likely to suffer severe radiation damage to the lungs that they warn you about before starting treatment! (so special! :) )
- Started chemo Feb 2014 - continuing Herceptin (continuous since Aug 2011), with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Discontinued Gemcitabine because of se's. Starting cycle 5 Herc/Carbo 5 May 2014.
- Meantime.....coughing and breathlessness increased to SCARY levels with racing heartbeat that won't slow down, breath that won't come back, even just walking to the bathroom or up 3 or 4 steps.
- ICU from May 5 2014, collapsed right lung due to tumour, small pulmonary embolism (left), tumours growing in mediastinum left and right, dvt lower right leg
- Plan seems to be bronchoscope next week to see if tumour can be lasered and stent inserted in right bronchus to reopen air access to lower parts of right lung. If that is successful might be able to have brachytherapy to worst tumour, otherwise no more options for external radiotherapy.
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03-27-2007, 02:41 PM
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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 Malena! I know that this is the worst news. You know so much about the battle against cancer and you don't want your mom to go thru what you have. But remember she will have you. She will have your knowledge, your courage, your wisdom, and most of all your love to prop her up when she needs it. And you will be giving to the one who means so much to you. It's not the thing you would pick to share together, but it's so important that you will have each other. No one else can understand her needs more or anticipate what would make her smile. You my girl are "just what the doctor ordered" for your mom! Wish you didn't have to, but surely am glad she has you and your love to walk her thru the storm. God bless you both. Hope the news for her surgery is good and the treatment is brief and so very successful. I predict some very precious moments coming up! mary anne
__________________
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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03-27-2007, 02:55 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Malena,
I'm sorry you and your mom have to walk this road. I pray that surgery goes well and good news is heard.
God Bless you with His peace,
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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03-27-2007, 03:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Malena,
I am holding you and your mom in my prayers. I am happy that you are doing well. I know that you will be a great support to your mom.
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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03-27-2007, 03:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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I am so sorry about your mom
Malena
I am so sorry to hear the news about your mother. when I emailed you I did had not read your post so did not know about your mother.
I will keep her in my prayers my new friend and trust that everything will go well for her as for you.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"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."
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03-27-2007, 05:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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just more support
You have had a heck of a hard year and I am sorry. Ihope when you have more information and a plan that you and your mom can take it on and do great things. take care of yourself too and please keep us posted.
__________________
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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03-27-2007, 05:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Malena
You and your Mom are in my prayers...you need to be her strength right now, and she will be in my thoughts that everything will be fine with her and her surgery.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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03-27-2007, 05:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Dear Malena,
I'm sorry you have to worry about your mom, but you have been through this for yourself and that's the blessing, you'll be able to guide her through since you're an "old hand" now.
Wish it wasn't so, but she will have the comfort of knowing YOU KNOW what she's feeling as she goes along, and can be her support.
Don't forget to take care of yourself, you will need to take time for just you so you aren't too tired and emotionally worn out to help your mom.
Thinking of you both, sending big hugs.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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03-27-2007, 05:37 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 80
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I would like to echo what Mary Ann said. Be her support walk with her as she would/and I am sure has/ you. I am so sorry that you are going through this yet again and yes, as I know from personal experience, it is worse to have it be your mom than you.
Bobbi
__________________
Diagnosed 10-18-05 found during annual mamogram
Left mastectomy 10-27-05.
Sentinal node biopsy-node negative
IDC Grade 3 of 3
Tumor 2 cm margins clear
HER-2/neu 3+++
Er Pr +
Began chemo/AC every 3 weeks 12-6-05 followed by Taxol and weekly Hercpetin (Herceptin through June 2007)
Right prophlyactic mastectomy June 2006 with expanders. Due to have exchange surgery sometime end of May 2007.
Exchange surgery completed June 2007 with saline implants and nipples. Darned left implant is lopsided to the left due to the wrongly formed pocket and my wrongly formed chest wall!
Switched from Tamoxifen to Armidex in May due to menopause.
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03-27-2007, 07:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Dear Malena,
What a beautiful photo you posted and your precious pet.
I am so sorry that your Mom has been dx. Hopefully all
will be right for your Mom as she has treatment and she
will re-bound just like you. You are so very lucky to have
each other.
I send you many prayers....Mom has buono fortuna to have you.
hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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03-27-2007, 08:32 PM
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#13
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Guest
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Dear Malena,
I'm really sorry to hear about your mother. I'll send up some prayers to St. Rita for her. Much love to you both.
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03-28-2007, 10:56 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Malena,
You are the perfect example of why daughters are God's gift to women! I am so sorry that your Mom has to go thru this experience, but as the other ladies have said, you can be there for her to help and support her in every way. That in itself, is such a comfort. My daughters are my best support group!
You both are in my prayers, and I love the picture of you and your dog.
Stay strong, and you two will move thru this journey together.
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03-29-2007, 02:43 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Italy
Posts: 32
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Thank you girls, you are angels!
We have the visit tomorrow! I'll pray all the night.......
__________________
September 2005: Diagnosed of breast cancer at age of 35
October 2006: port a cath
4 chemos (epirubicin + taxotere) before surgery
February 2006: mastectomy + 10 nodes
4 cm tumor, 1 node micromets , ER-PR-, Her2 3+
June 2006: started Herceptin
July 2006: stopped Herceptin for high heart toxicity
January 2007: reconstruction
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03-30-2007, 08:41 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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Malena, I just want to voice what everyone else has said. You've been through it and now you will have to be strong for your mom and help her on her journey. I will keep you and your mother 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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