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Old 05-25-2013, 10:04 PM   #1
StephN
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Exclamation Remembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Seemed like a good idea to start a thread where we can post our memories and thoughts as a memorial to a most amazing and foresighted woman.

I have a few photos from breast cancer meetings. Here are a couple from San Antonio, December 2005.

First is our group. Sadly over half of this group has left us here on earth. Christine is in the center (Joe behind and slightly left) and is flanked by Linda from Canada (her hubby Al is right behind her) and on the left by Sandy Henry. Linda passed in April of 2006 and Sandy followed her in June of 2007.

Second is Christine with Ginger Empy (still living from early Herceptin trials) holding foam stress relievers in the shape of brains. This was the kick off of the effort to alert the oncology community to the increasing incidence of brain mets in Her2 positive patients. The "brains" were imprinted : "The HER2 Support Group advocates routine brain MRI's for all HER2 positive patients." She did not let people just walk up and take one, she stopped the visitors to our table and made them read it. She explained that she had been treated for brain mets and was doing well, and this was important for doctors and nurses to have their awareness raised.
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__________________
"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.

Last edited by StephN; 04-02-2015 at 09:59 PM..
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Old 05-27-2013, 07:52 AM   #2
karen z
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thanks Steph,
All of my memories of Christine are fond and make me smile. They are mostly from SABCS but I also have some from a conference I attended in San Diego. From SABCS my clearest memories are eating at the Italian restaurant we always eat at on the day before the conference, taking Christine shopping for a new coat at Macy's, advice from Christine on what to eat and how to lose weight (she was a firm believer in the benefits of celery and sweet potatoes), being at the booth and strolling the convention center and streets, taking pictures and C's insightful, sharp and funny comments (almost non-stop). In CA I have a very fond memory of Christine and Joe meeting up with me and my sister-in-law and Christine commenting on how beautiful my niece looked (she was so little then and sleeping soundly on a bed in a hotel room). I will cherish my memories of Christine as I do those of Joe. They were the best people and it was my pleasure to get to know them and spend some time with them. They will remain in my heart and head always.
K
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Old 05-27-2013, 08:33 AM   #3
RhondaH
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thank you Stephanie, these pictures leave me speechless...God give the girls strength during this time of loss..
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Dx 2/1/05, Stage 1, 0 nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER2+ (3.16 Fish)
2/7/05, Partial Mastectomy
5/18/05 Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan)
8/1/05 Finished 33 rads
8/18/05 Started Herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year (last one 8/10/06)

2/1/13...8 year Cancerversary and I am "perfect" (at least where cancer is concerned;)


" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
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Old 05-27-2013, 03:54 PM   #4
norkdo
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

StephN, You are an angel to post these pictures and say these words.
A righteous tribute to the best of the best.
The world is so much better because Christine was here.

As a side note, a smile is across my lips as I read your own heroic story in your signature details with your battle. Denise......are you reading this? Steph's signature details will be yours a decade from now when you are NED everywhere....
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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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Old 05-28-2013, 01:45 AM   #5
Jackie07
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

I've never met Christine and Joe personally. But I feel I know them very well from everything I've read on the Her2support site.

Through pictures and reports, they had taken all of us to all the ASCO meetings and met all the wonderful doctors/specialists of the breast cancer field - especially Her2 breast cancer.

I was surprised/delighted to have received a beautiful memento and a card from Christine after making a small donation. That was so unexpected! Re-reading the hand-written cards and admiring the small angel and a Precious Moment figurine box, I can't help but appreciate their thoughtfulness.

Debra and Danille's names were next to Christine's on the note I received after Joe's passing. And now the two young women are carrying the torch! What better way to honer their parents/two very beautiful souls!
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Last edited by Jackie07; 05-28-2013 at 01:57 AM..
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Old 05-28-2013, 05:41 PM   #6
Jean
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Christine was Amazing - and so kind, truly a caring lady.
It is a sad day for us.

I will never forget I had heard about Christine (I was not yet a member on the site.) I reached out and called her at home. I was newly dx. & Christine was the very first one to encourage me to fight for herceptin. Not to take no for an answer.

As many of you know Christine had lived in New Jersey prior to moving to Ca. She insisted I contact her dr. who may be able to help me.

Christine made a strong first impression for me. She had plenty of conviction to fight this disease. Always confident and positive. For a newly dx. person it was wonderful to receive her encouragement.

Joe & Christine made a miracle occur with this site.
They left a special legacy. God Bless them.

Jean

I
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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
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Stopped Arimidex 5/06
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Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
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Old 05-28-2013, 07:27 PM   #7
mamacze
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thank you StephN for starting this thread.

I was warmly embraced by Christine's enthusiasm when I attended an ASCO meeting in Atlanta with Christine, Joe...I remember that Becky was there too. We handed out the stress relieving brains and Christine had us reach out to all the doctors passing by to remind them of the need to scan for brain mets.

Christine and Joe were warm and welcoming to this relatively newly diagnosed Her2 gal with mets. I felt empowered after hearing Christine's amazing story. I felt even more empowered hearing the results of research that year.

I later had the joy of meeting Christine and Joe for dinner at a restaurant by the sea near Carlsbad. We had a few glasses of wine and lots of laughs. Who could even think of "mets" on a beautiful breezy warm night by the sea? We talked about life, and our love for our children. Oh how she loved her girls.

Yes, we are all more empowered and see the possibilities in the impossible thanks to Christine. How privileged I feel to be able to keep passing it forward.
Love Kim (from CT)
__________________
2001 - Stage 0, lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen

2004 - Stage 4, mets to 4 lobes of lungs and liver, lumpectomy, er/pr -, her2 neu+++, Herceptin and Navelbine then Herceptin only.

2005 - Breast Ca vaccinations with the Tumor Vaccine Group in Seattle

2011 - Still Herceptin only and NED


2011, June - STOPPED Herceptin and kicked up my heels!

2012, February - 1 small tumor came back to haunt me in my lungs - back on Herceptin only, tumor stable.


2015, November - tumor on lungs removed (Segmentectomy), back on Herceptin only
Received U of W vaccine clinical "booster" Vaccine


2022 On Herceptin and NED continues - WOOT WOOT!
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Old 05-28-2013, 10:34 PM   #8
StephN
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Joe sent me an article about Christine from Vision Magazine in 2004. I did not find it, but found a link to a very complete article with Christine's story on another breast cancer website.
http://www.youngsurvival.org/breast-...iagnosed-at-40

It is well worth the time to take a look. and tells of the family move from New Jersey to San Diego area. An internet search will bring up several other mentions of Christine.

A sad point in the above story concerns Christine's promise to her dying mother that she would live to 75 and beyond. Christine mentioned this more than once and I am sorry she had to break that promise, but I am sure her mother understands and greeted her with wide open arms.
__________________
"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 05-29-2013, 08:43 AM   #9
Debra Druther
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thank you everyone for sharing your memories of my parents. I do encourage anyone who cares to participate to continue to share a special memory about my mom or a message to her as I will be compiling them for guests to read at her visitation on Sunday. Also, please please do post any pictures of my mom that you may have as I am also putting together a slideshow DVD to play as well. Thank you SO MUCH !!!!
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Old 05-29-2013, 12:17 PM   #10
phil
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

She and Joe were such Pioneers in the fight. I never met them in person , but I did have some great phone conversations with Christine early on in our fight for T DM-1. She gave great advice and encouragement in Our Fight For Stage IV Rights. Their Legacy lives on in so many ways !
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Old 05-29-2013, 12:28 PM   #11
phil
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

" You see things ; and you say, " Why " ? But I dream things that never were ; and I say " Why not ? " - G.B. Shaw
That to me epitomizes Joe and Christines' Vision, and Hope , so we Press On , to Save Lives, and to the Cure !
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Old 05-29-2013, 02:29 PM   #12
StephN
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Dear Debra -
Your request for photos is great. I know some of the members who attended the cancer meetings have passed on and their photos are unavailable. However, your dad took quite a few and some of us can produce some.

I have swiped this photo from Joe's album on this site. Hope you don't mind. He posted it May 19, 2009.

__________________
"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 05-29-2013, 02:38 PM   #13
StephN
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Here is a photo from the AACR (American Association of Cancer Researchers) meeting that took place in San Diego in April of 2008. This is after the close of the conference and Joe wanted to have fish and chips at a place he liked. Note Joe in one of his famous tropical print shirts - his usual attire!

Maryann Dubois is on the left. She passed away a couple of years later from side effects of fending off chemo-induced leukemia. I had a great time rooming with and getting to know her better. This was her first trip to California - she lived all her life on Long Island.
Two women here with more True Grit than John Wayne could ever muster.
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__________________
"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.

Last edited by StephN; 05-29-2013 at 02:43 PM..
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Old 05-29-2013, 03:30 PM   #14
StephN
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Still culling through some of my memory sticks, and really like this group shot from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December of 2010. We are having our traditional "Welcome Dinner" at Luciano's the night before the opening of the symposium.

This was the last time we had such a large group going to a conference.

Left to right, going around the table: Chrisy, BrendaH, Sassy, Laurel, StephN, Paty, JoanM, Christine Druther, Veronica (partial face), and Sheila.

Even those of the group in treatment looked healthy - more like a reunion of some college friends!
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__________________
"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.

Last edited by StephN; 05-29-2013 at 03:36 PM..
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Old 05-29-2013, 05:17 PM   #15
caya
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thanks so much for posting these many pictures Steph. Great to see so many of our dear sisters, present and departed. - never forgotten.

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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Old 05-29-2013, 05:27 PM   #16
fauxgypsy
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

I am so glad I had the chance to spend time with both of them They were both amazing people and I am so sorry to hear this.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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Old 06-01-2013, 05:18 PM   #17
tricia keegan
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thanks Steph, you brought up more than a few memories and some tears with those pic's but I'm so honoured to say I knew all these ladies and miss them so much and of course Christine and Joe too! May they RIP and I'm glad they're together again. xx
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Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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Old 06-02-2013, 10:37 PM   #18
CarolineC
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thank you StephN for sharing the pictures and the link to Christine's story-she's truly an amazing and inspiring woman. I am envious of those of you who had the pleasure to meet or talk with her.

I wish I had met Christine, her wonderful and supportive husband Joe, and her beautiful daughters. I admire her indomitable spirit, respect her wisdom and tenacity, and am grateful for her forming this website. This site has helped me to become an informed patient and find the support of people all over the world who know what I am going through and reach out their hand when I am in a downward spiral. If I have a question someone is always there to give me the answer, whether they know it or not.

In Christine's words "an informed patient is the best survivor".

I like the following quote-
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-this is to have succeeded.

Thank you to Christine and your family.
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Dx Age 47 July/09 Stage 2B/3
Left Mast. Aug 09- 1 of 3 positive nodes in axillary dissection (yes only 3)
ER+ 90%, PR+ 20%, HER2+++
4 x AC, 4 x Paclitaxol and H (Neupogen for 7 cycles), Herceptin complete Nov 10
Mar–Apr 2010 25 Rads
Apr 10-Oct 11- Tamoxifen
Oct 11 – 3 cm met to sternum
Oct 11-Letrozole for 3 mths, start Clasteon-bone remodeller
Nov-Dec 11 - Happy 50th Birthday -20 rads to sternum
Jan-April 2012 Taxotere/Herceptin-6 cycles (Neupogen for 5)
Herceptin every 3 weeks-Letrozole added Nov 2012
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Old 06-03-2013, 10:38 AM   #19
sarah
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

Thanks Stephanie for posting these lovely and touching photos. Joe and Christine created a safe, warm, caring place for all of us to come together. Thank you, you live in our hearts always.
love sarah
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Old 06-05-2013, 03:22 PM   #20
StephN
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Re: Rembering our amazing Christine ~ web site founder

I found that I still had one of those "brainy" stress relievers. Now I have it right on my computer desk - to use and remember.
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"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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