Update on the Journey for NED

[Sheila]

Havent posted in some time...seems that once again i am in a tight spot, where the treatment is no longer working...I am having alot of pain and numbness in my neck , shoulder and collarbone area. My CEA is on the rise, scans next week....don't know what the next option will be, but hoping it will be easier on my counts than the Gemzar has been. My husband has been a big help with the Christmas decorations this year...I can see he has potential with the right guidance!

On the bright side, next week is my youngest sisters last chemo, then it is on to finishing the one year of herceptin....we have gotten to travel together for about half of her treatments, so we get extra sister time when its needed most! She also found out that she is BRCA 1 & 2 negative, as I was...but still questioning as I have a cousin just diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at age 53...also 2 different subtypes.

Hoping that the Christmas season and New Year brings hope, peace and health to all who are struggling...I try to remain positive, although that is sometimes a challange. Would a cure be too big of gift to ask for???

[Pam P]

Sheila - So sorry to learn you are having these symptoms. Maybe it's time to switch from gemzar; hard to think of changing but hopefully a different chemo will kick back the neck issues and pain. You are always in my thought and prayers. Wishing you a peaceful and hope-filled Christmas. Pam

[hestko76]

I feel inspired after reading your post, Sheila. You certainly have been on quite a ride since 2002. I hope you soon find a combination of meds that rid you of the pain and numbness, but attack those nodes with a vengeance!

[NEDenise]

Sheila,
No! A cure is not too big a gift to ask for! I pray for it everyday, for all of us. And rest assured...I'll be mentioning you by name!

I'm so sorry that you're having pain. I hope your docs come up with the perfect treatment in the new year.

Your comment about your husband's potential cracked me up! And, it tells me that your spirit is still strong, in spite of this latest trouble. I know it must be discouraging, but clearly you are a fighter. Please try to enjoy your holidays, relax a little if you can, and then go at the beast again in January. I know I speak for many, many women here when I say...you've supported us when we needed you...now we're here with prayers, good karma, positive energy...whatever will help.

Merry Christmas, Sheila! And tons and tons of wishes for a happy New Year!!
Denise

[Ellie F]

Sheila
Keep on asking and don't stop!! Someone out there, God, the Universe or any other divine intelligence must be listening by now.
As Denise has said you have cared for so many I pray that you will receive special help in your quest for NED.
Ellie

[ElaineM]

I am so sorry you have been having problems in your neck and collarbone. Hopefully your upcoming scan will give some insight into the problem.
It sounds like it is time for a change in your treatment plan. I wonder if using some of the drugs you used before in different combinations might help? There might also be a different clinical trial available to you other than T DM1. Don't leave any stone uncovered.
Check out every possibility.
I also wonder if acupuncture might help some of the numbness and discomfort. I have had acupuncture fairly regularly for many years and find it very helpful. Recently one of the local acupuncturists got a grant from Susan Komen to provide free acupuncture to breast cancer patients and survivors in Hawaii, so I expect to be getting it more regularly every week starting in Janaury. She called my naturopathic physician for recommendations about my needs and he provided that to her.
You, your sister and your cousin may not be BRCA positive, but perhaps there is a common element like environment that is affecting all three of you.
All the best to you, your sister and your cousin. Blessings of good health and peace to all of you in 2012 and for many years.

[StephN]

Well, well - that neck area just won't give up, will it?

I am wondering if you might be able to get a biopsy to check the pathology of what is going on? Hormone status, etc.

Your doctor was probably at San Antonio and knows all the latest and greatest possibilities for you. Nice to hear your sister is getting to end of her chemo and will be able to "recover" on Herceptin. I hope they will keep a close watch on her for any sign of mets.

Yes, "let hubby do it" should be the order of the day - you have put in your time, and deserve to do only what you feel able to. This is not the time to push your energy, but conserve some for the next go round.

Lots of love and healing thoughts directed right at that stubborn neck area!

[chrisy]

Sheila, you know how I feel about that...and about you! Stay strong my friend, and enjoy the holidays. And HECK NO, that's not to much to ask. Christmas is all about the miracles, why not include this tiny one for us?

Note on your hubby's potential - I found that extra motivation (in the form of hot mulled wine) was all that John needed to become king of the christmas tree lights! He only "whines" a little bit now (just till the "wine" kicks in!)

Sheila, holding you in BOLD loving prayers this Christmas...
Much love,
Chris

[Jean]

Sheila,
Most definitely not too much to ask for!!!
Always thinking of you and missed seeing you on the board.
I wish your news was better but i know that between you and your dr. you will have a new treatment ready to go forward.

Keeping you in my prayers...
Big Hugs,
Jean

[Laurel]

You ask away and I'll chime in along with you. The bible says to keep asking!

I will pray your scans are far better then expected. You know how I feel about you, Kiddo! May you have a blessed, pain-free, and joyous Christmas. I hope your 2012 is the year for your long dance with NED!

[Elizabethtx]

I think a cure is exactly what we should hope and pray for in 2012! I have no doubt another option is right around the corner for you! Don't be afraid to switch and move on, the crazy cancer cells just love to thing they are smarter than we are. May you find peace and health soon!

[Patb]

Wishing the best for you in 2012. There are more
drugs in the pipeline for Her2, keep up the good
work to find the best. You deserve a break and
I pray you get one.
patb

[karen z]

I am sorry to hear you have been in pain and hoping you can get a new plan very very soon- and go with it. I am thinking of you and sending strong wishes and prayers your way. A cure is not too much to ask for and we need to keep pushing every day. One of the major docs at San Antonio told the patients/patient advocates to keep pushing to be heard- and keep pushing for more research. He said that we would be the most effective at making things happen. So we will continue to do that. And I agree with Steph- let hubby help (it is good for him) and rest up and gain as much strength as you can.

[chrisy]

Sheila, remember, Pertuzumab is right around the corner.1

[LoisLane]

Dear Sheila wishing you a peaceful Christmas. I have always been inspired by you since coming on this site in 2009. You are such a fighter and always care so much about all the women on this board. I am sending you prayers, I hope you get relief soon from this pain and a cure is hopefully on the horizon for us all. May 2012 bring you renewed strength and health.

[Paula O]

We're rooting for ya, Sheila!
(((Hugs))),

Paula

[Lani]

At SABCS there was lots of good news on new targeted combos, so I hope the future involves a lot better control and less side effects for you. They keep getting closer and closer to a cure, or at least a manageable chronic cocktail.

Could you post the information on the cancers you and your sister and cousin have? Is your cousin a maternal cousin or a paternal cousin?

Obviously your tumor at least one or one part of your sister's was her2+. Is that also true of your cousin..

I have been trying to read up on a possible rare hereditary her2+ breast cancer (more likely er+ than not they think) related to Fox P 3 and X-linked

I remember you are a nurse so hopefully these terms aren't "greek" to your ears. If there is such a thing, I would think this website would be the perfect place to discover it!

Best of luck to you, your sister and your cousin--and happy holidays!!

[tricia keegan]

Sheila I'm so sorry you're having these issue's and do hope your onc can come up with the perfect combo for you in the New Year, and good wishes to your sis too!

[Joan M]

Sheila,

Pertuzumab has your name written on it! Keeping fingers crossed that it will be available in about 6 months. Glad to hear that your sister will be finishing up chemo soon!

Have a happy holiday!

Love ya,

Joan

[Soccermom]

Just wanted to wish you happy holidays , Sheila and to let you know you're always in my prayers..
So you're family seems to be like mine where there are more questions than answers regarding our genetics..darn!!

I'm voting for the darned cure .. It's wayyy past due !
{{{{ Sheila}}}}