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Old 02-13-2020, 05:28 PM   #1
Pamelamary
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 494
8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Just checking in... Given Doctor Google gave me 8 months in 2012, I feel profoundly grateful for the fact that I am still here. That first year was awful, but I have been lucky to have continued stable since.
There are times that I feel absolutely sick of myself and matters medical, where my life is measured out in cycles of treatment and scans. However, by and large I have been able to pursue my interests in books, film and exercise without any limitations. I have managed to have a couple of overseas trips every year, which have been wonderful.
Getting older is proving to be a bit of a pain, quite apart from the cancer. Never imagined seeing 2020! Another thing is survivor guilt - I still volunteer at a Melbourne peer support network and have seen the loss of many beautiful women. The very young are particularly heart breaking.
There is a growing number of us, the long term survivors. Surely somewhere there are clues leading to a cure?
Best wishes to all on this site, which has been a valuable source of information and support.
__________________
Diagnosed 2004: Lumpectomy - 2 tumours, both grade 1 infiltrating duct carcinoma, about 12mm. ER+,
C-erbB-2 status 3+.
Clear margins, no nodal involvement.
Radiotherapy, i year Tamoxifen, 4 years Arimidex.
Rediagnosed 2012: Multiple bone metastases.
3/12: began on Marianne trial - T-DM1 + Pertuzamab/Placebo.
5/12:Unexpected development of numerous bilateral liver mets. Came off trial.
Started Docetaxol/ Herceptin + Zometa.
8/12:Bones stable +major regression in liver (!)
9/12:Can't take any more Docetaxol! Start on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. Cross fingers!
Changed to Denosumab.
11/12: Scan shows stable - yay!
11/13: Still stable :-) !!!
1/16: All stable, but lowered calcium, so switched to Zometa 3 monthly.
2/19: Happily still stable on Herceptin, Letrozole and 3 monthly Zometa.
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Old 02-13-2020, 08:45 PM   #2
caya
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,320
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Big Congrats to you, Pamelamary.


I say that every day is a gift for us BC survivors.


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 02-14-2020, 03:19 PM   #3
jacqueline1102
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 183
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Hello Pam,

Wonderful news for you and your loved ones. Living with mets is not an easy thing. Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the weekend.

Cheers,

Jackie
__________________
10/11 IBC Stage IV; 1 liver met 4.6 cm.
10/11-2/12 TCH for 6 rounds
3/12 Right MRM
5/12-7/12 33 Radiation treatments
8/1/12 Started Perjeta along with the Herceptin
10/12 Scans said NED for first time
5/15 UWSeattle Vaccine Trial 3 months
12/16 Scans still show NED. Herceptin and Perjeta continue indef.
8/17 Taken off Perjeta;staying on Herceptin. Still NEAD.
3/18 Still NEAD
8/19 Now on Subcutaneous Herceptin
10/21 Remain on Subcutaneous Herceptin (Hylecta)
11/21 CT showed possible lung mets. Was told to wait and see until scan
1/22 CT shows continued growth
03/22 Lung Biopsy said sample was too small but nodules keep growing and IR is convinced that it is indeed cancer
04/22 Oncologist referred for consult for a transbronchial biopsy. This does not sound pleasant
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:13 PM   #4
Becky
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Congratulations. You have great spirit - always have even in the beginning when you first joined. One day, there will be a cure. But surely you have greatly benefited from the gold standard therapy and protocol. Carry on! Happy Valentine's day
__________________
Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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Old 02-18-2020, 07:49 PM   #5
Bunty
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 473
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Woohoo Pam! A wonderful milestone to reach, and may there be many more milestones t celebrate, and more answers revealed about this disease.

Best wishes, Marie
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Old 02-18-2020, 11:59 PM   #6
Pamelamary
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 494
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Hey Marie,
How are you going? You are way ahead of me in the survival stakes and of course, in the same country. Hope all is well.
Regards.... Pam
(By the way, you might be interested in looking at the website of the organisation I volunteer with: Counterpart.org.au There are some interesting podcasts available.....
Regards.... Pam
__________________
Diagnosed 2004: Lumpectomy - 2 tumours, both grade 1 infiltrating duct carcinoma, about 12mm. ER+,
C-erbB-2 status 3+.
Clear margins, no nodal involvement.
Radiotherapy, i year Tamoxifen, 4 years Arimidex.
Rediagnosed 2012: Multiple bone metastases.
3/12: began on Marianne trial - T-DM1 + Pertuzamab/Placebo.
5/12:Unexpected development of numerous bilateral liver mets. Came off trial.
Started Docetaxol/ Herceptin + Zometa.
8/12:Bones stable +major regression in liver (!)
9/12:Can't take any more Docetaxol! Start on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. Cross fingers!
Changed to Denosumab.
11/12: Scan shows stable - yay!
11/13: Still stable :-) !!!
1/16: All stable, but lowered calcium, so switched to Zometa 3 monthly.
2/19: Happily still stable on Herceptin, Letrozole and 3 monthly Zometa.
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Old 02-27-2020, 03:33 PM   #7
tricia keegan
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
Re: 8 year stage 4 cancerversary.

Many congratulations Pam, very happy for you!
__________________
Tricia
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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