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08-13-2010, 10:53 PM
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#61
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
This is such heart wrenching news. I had no idea Joe was ill, but am not surprised that he wished to spare others any concern.
I never had a chance to meet Joe in person, but worked with him over the last year developing the new website. I know he was very proud to go live with the site in January. It is his legacy.
The work that Joe and Christine have poured into this site has grown into a source of knowledge, support, friendship, love and sometimes refuge for so many of us.
My thoughts and prayers are with Christine and the girls and all who were enriched by Joe's outreach.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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08-13-2010, 10:59 PM
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#62
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 198
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I am soooooo sorry, the world is less bright without Joe....I am just stunned..Christine and girls..I can only imagine what a loss this great man will be to your lives...What a sad ..sad time!!
__________________
Dx'd Dec'01 while 6mos preg. with #4. child (30yrsold)Mastectomy/AC chemo/radiation/ Recur:Mar'04 liver mets: 3 taxol/herceptin /liver resection/3 taxol/herceptin. Cured?
Recur: May'05 spine & Hip. New onc
treatment in Mexico Feb'06-Mar-06
back to Mexico June/July '06
Currently on herceptin/Zometa/Femara-recently added navelbine
Switched to arimidex Nov'06
ovaries removed June '07
ca15-3 in May'06 was 102
ca15-3 summer of '07 holding steady at 23!
ca15-3 slowly rising Dec & Jan 36, 38, 41 and Feb was 36
Feb '08 Liver, lung & Brain scan NED... bones are stable with even a couple spots gone. as compared with '06 scans
May '08 ca 15-3 is 55. Treatment is zometa, vinorelbine, herceptin and aromasin.
No signifcant changes.
Feb'09 Started Xeloda with herceptin..no more hormonals
Feb'09-June'09 tumor markers coming down again from 155 to 84
May'09 blood clots in lungs vena cava filter put in..Heparin shots daily for now.
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08-14-2010, 04:11 AM
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#63
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 46
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Like for all the HER2 sisters, it's a loss of a man I've never met and known personally, but always felt close and connected to. He has touched so many lives with the way he was. The very first time I posted on this site, Joe emailed me right away asking where we are receving treatment. He wanted to talk to Roche representatives about programs to finance my mom's treatment. Mom's Drs here also talked to Roche and we eventually ended up receiving 4 Herceptin infusions free of charge.
I've always reminded myself of Joe's signature "Advocacy is a passion". Joe is a person I want to be like. He will be sorely missed!
Sending warm hugs and prayers to Christine and all the family.
P.S. I curse this damn disease!
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08-14-2010, 06:58 AM
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#64
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I consider myself one of the lucky ones from this site who had the privilege of meeting Joe. Loren (my husband) and I attended ASCO this year because of Joe’s treatment. He did not tell many about his fight because he did not want to burden anyone. He was so sure he was going to beat lung cancer and did everything he could to do just that.
I remember talking with him going to ASCO the first part of June. His voice was raw and he was coughing but this attitude was so positive. Just two weeks ago he sounded so much better, stronger and (as always) planning for our sites future. We will never understand all the connections he made in our behalf. He knew everyone in the breast cancer world and they knew him by name. He is irreplaceable.
My heart is so sad for Christine, Danielle, and Debra. He was an amazing man, father and loving husband. I am sure he is wearing his Hawaiian shirts & eating Bavarian Cream Dunkin Donuts while advocating for us on high. His dedication to Christine and to this website they founded - UNFORGETABLE.
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
Last edited by DonnaD; 08-14-2010 at 08:24 AM..
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08-14-2010, 07:21 AM
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#65
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Posts: 454
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Christine, Danielle and Debra,
I am so sorry for the your loss of a wonderful husband and father.
There are very few people that have so positively touched the lives of so many. A word of heartfelt appreciation to both Christine and Joe for all of their years of work in support of the HER2 cause.
I am confident that upon Joe's arrival to heaven that he was greated and embraced by all of the HER2 angels that proceeded him. Hoping that thinking about the scene makes you feel the warmth and love. I also know, that have one more advocate up there and am encouraged more than ever that our prayers will be heard.
Love and Appreciation ....Lori
__________________
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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08-14-2010, 08:47 AM
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#66
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
May I add my sorrow for the loss of a wonderful
man, father, husband and leader to us. I am
heartbroken and in shock. Today is a sad day for
a lot of us. Some knew, some did not know about
Joes illness but we all grieve. My prayers to the
family.
patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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08-14-2010, 09:54 AM
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#67
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I am absolutely devastated by this news and can only imagine how much more painful it must be for those of you in his family. Through my tears I want you to know how loved he was by many of us who never met him other than here. I will pray that not only Belle but God will hold you in His arms through this time of sorrow and know that surely you will meet him again in heaven.
Love & hugs,
Marlys
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08-14-2010, 12:10 PM
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#68
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
What a loss. I was always amazed at the loving gesture Joe made to Christine by setting up this website. I have learned so much...and have even found myself thinking how blessed I am that my cancer was HER2+. That blessed feeling came from all the knowledge I have gained through this website. Christine and family - my thoughts go out to each and every one of you.
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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08-14-2010, 03:32 PM
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#69
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 90
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Dear Christine, Danielle and Debra,
I add my tears and appreciation to those already expressed. We will miss Joe terribly, as of course you will. He was a wonderful, giving person, who made a huge difference to many, many of us. I hope he knew how much he meant to us, and how much we miss him. Peace to you.
- Carol
__________________
Carol
Lyons, CO
dx June '05 at age 55
Stage 1, 1.5cm
ER+++, PR--, HER2+++
Lumpectomy, A/C, T/H
Herceptin stopped due to low LVEF (35%)
2010: NED, but continuing major chemo brain injury
www.BeyondChemoBrain.com
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08-14-2010, 04:49 PM
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#70
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Dear Danielle:
I am sending my sympathies as well. I never met your dad and yet he did such a generous service to me and to so many of us. I am very grateful to him.
Love to Christine and the rest of your family.
Linda
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08-14-2010, 06:51 PM
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#71
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
such a shock...what a special man to have touched our lives. Peace to your family at this difficult time. XO Suzan
__________________
 Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
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08-14-2010, 07:18 PM
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#72
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Guest
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I had the privilege of meeting Joe,Christine and, I believe it was Danielle, at ASCO 2009 and I was so happy to finally meet the amazing Druthers.
I am heartbroken for Christine and her family and for this community which he fashioned with his own hands
Eternally grateful to have met you Joe and for all you have done to keep people like myself alive. I wish we could have returned that favor.
My sincere condolences to all who knew and loved him,
Marcia
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08-14-2010, 07:20 PM
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#73
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Dear Christine, Dannielle and Debra,
Such sad news. You already know how much Joe meant to so many. How proud you can be of him, a man who gave his entire heart and soul to many.
Truly an angel to all of us.
So like him to keep his own illness quiet so as not to upset others. We do not get to meet many amazing
people, I am honored to have met him.
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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08-14-2010, 07:21 PM
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#74
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Guest
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
For Joe...
"
"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of ones self; to leave the world a bit better,whether by a healthy child,a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exaltation; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded." -RALPH WALDO EMERSON "
Marcia (Soccermom)
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08-14-2010, 07:43 PM
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#75
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Christine and Daughters, I am so very sorry to have heard this news. Pink Girl just informed me. My heart is so sad and am at a loss for words at the moment. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ceesun
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08-14-2010, 08:04 PM
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#76
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I had an urge to put some feelings aside and log into Her2 tonight. I am at a loss for words seeing that one of my favorite Angels has passed. I guess there are no words to describe what he meant to Ed and I. So as I sit here with tears in my eyes and I hope that you can fathom the sincere sympathy I express for a man who saved so many of our lives. So sorry to have us all mourn a man who brought us all together. Hugs to us all as we heal from this monumental loss.
My heartfelt sympathy to you Christine and the family he loved more than life itself....Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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08-14-2010, 08:27 PM
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#77
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
I am in total shock. I did not even know he was sick. He was the rock of this board and did so much to reach out and help us when we needed him. I am so sorry for your family..sherry
__________________
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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08-14-2010, 10:25 PM
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#78
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Oh my goodness, what sad news. Joe, you were the best and I can not believe that you are not out there watching over us. You will always be with us. You are the "Leader of the Pack." It is hard to say goodbye to a hero and friend. Christine and girls, I am truly sorry for your loss. Sending you all the hugs I can at this very sad time.
With love, admiration and appreciation,
Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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08-14-2010, 11:39 PM
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#79
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 208
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Dear Christine and Danielle, my prayers and heart go out to you. He is a wonderful presence in the world, and will always be remembered with great love.
Bless you all
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08-15-2010, 06:27 AM
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#80
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Re: Joe passed on this evening
Oh NOOOOOOO, I'm so very shocked and heart broken to read this new's. Christine, Dannielle, Debra & Belle please know that my prayers are with you thru this most difficult time.
This is just so unfair.
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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