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01-11-2008, 09:53 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Seattle
Posts: 11
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1st chemo today
Hello all,
Well here goes. I am drinking a little juice this morning. NPO after 9 am. I am getting a port around noon, then first tx about 2:30. I am a little nervous. I have been trying to do things one day at a time and now this today has an ending that is unclear. I know that I will be okay but just trying not to think the worst leaves me avoiding all the possibilities.
I will stay in touch.
Thanks for everything you all share here. Although I may not respond much, I appreciate reading and learning from you. I will share more as this goes along in an effort to help others.
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01-11-2008, 10:01 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 208
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Hi Shadowpilot, I don't know which chemo you are starting, and I imagine you are very nervous. Know I was. I'm not going to tell you it was easy but it is as they say very doable. There are many different responses to chemo and it's hard to say what yours will be. Remember all the great new medications available to you for side effects, if one doesn't work another will. I did not have a bad time with the first treatment and snapped back pretty quick. Sending you a huge hug, you're ARE going to be okay.
Hugs, Diane
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01-11-2008, 10:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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I remember being told that after the first treatment I would feel like a big balloon of anxiety had been punctured. And it is true. The relief of having it behind me! I also recall that they took the first treatment very slowly and it involved drugs that afforded relaxation. It was a LONG day but not a bad one. The anticipation was worse than the event.
For me, the side effects got progressivly worse in later sessions. But, also, I was better equipted to deal with them as I went along. Maybe an example of "God doesn't give us more than we can handle" at any given time.
ETA: I see that you are having your port installed today also. I expect you will already be drowsy from that proceedure when you have treament. And it will be a long day indeed.
Keep us posted.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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01-11-2008, 01:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hello Shadow,
Oh, the 1st treatment. I remember it well. I'm sure all will go well for you as mostly chemo is pretty doable. I will pray "doable" is what you get. I, too, just felt better knowing we were finally DOING something.
LOL, as I scroll and read what others have written, I see Diane used the word "doable" too. Yep, that word describes it well. It just becomes your new way of life, for a time, and you "do" the best you can and life goes on.
So, here's asking God for protection of your body from the drugs. May they do for you what they are intended to do and may the rest of you be protected.
With love and sincere care,
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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01-11-2008, 01:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Hi Shadow
I'm glad you will have the first treatment "under your belt".
The waiting, anticipation and "not knowing" were the worst
parts for me. I was relieved to get my first treatment, for
lots of reasons. I wanted to start the fight and I wanted to
prove to myself that I could do it. I breezed through it, laughing
at myself for having been so scared.
I'm sure you will feel both relieved and proud of yourself
when that first one is over with. I'm happy for you.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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01-11-2008, 01:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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It's normal not to feel well. It's normal to be tired. Some people feel sicker than others. However your body reacts, please go easy on yourself.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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01-11-2008, 04:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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When I first started chemo I did the same as you -- had my port inserted and then went immediately for chemo. The first treatment is always the worst as you have no idea what to expect. You can read and ask questions but it does nothing to reduce your anxiety. By now your first treatment is completed. I don't know what chemo regime you're on but do remember that everyone has different side effects. Hang in there it does get easier.
__________________
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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01-11-2008, 05:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Hi Shadow! Praying that your first treatment went well. As said, the worry and fear leading up to the first treatment is ususally the worst. Once you get into the "routine" of going to the treatments, it seems to get a little better. A natural fear of the unknown, I guess. Please stay strong and hands on and aggresive in your treatments and like the ladies say, take care of yourself and take the time you need for rest and healing. Thoughts and prayers to you. Love, Bill
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01-11-2008, 05:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Shadowpilot,
So good to hear from you! Okay you are officially in battle! The first
treatment is hardest - the unknown is the worst. Now you can start
the countdown of your treatments. You already have one behind you.
Drink water and flush your system...and rest...we are all here for you.
Sending you a big hug!
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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01-11-2008, 05:52 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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Hi ShadowPilot; what an interesting "handle"! I hope your first treatment went smoothly. It's always the unknown that's the worst part, once you know what to expect that's at least half the battle. Let us know how it went, when you feel up to it.
<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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01-11-2008, 06:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Shingle Springs, CA - near Sacramento
Posts: 295
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Good Luck....
God Bless and Welcome to the Club! Hope all goes well for you!
Donna
__________________
Donna in the Sierra Foothills of California
Diagnosed 6/7/06 invasive ductal carcinoma/ductal carcinoma in situ
Lumpectomy 6/21/06
Pathology: Er 99% Pr 10% Her2/neu 3+
DNA Index 1.0
S-Phase 3/High
Primary Tumor 2.4 cm Sentinel Node Tumor 2.1cm
A/C/T+ Herceptin + rads + Arimidex
stopped Herceptin after 7 mos. due to low MUGA
Surgery for thickened uterine tissue May 2008 - conclusion: side effect of Arimidex
Switched from Arimidex to Femara - joint/tendon problems significantly better!
2 year mark Pet scan and Echo shows all clear!
5 year mammogram with ultrasound shows no sign of cancer - yay!
11 years, 11 months new breast cancer - found lump
Mastectomy 4/30/2018
Pathology: Er99%, PR 28%, Her2 negative! (new type)
Faslodex
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01-11-2008, 10:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I hope your first chemo went well with few side effects. I remember being so scared the first time I had treatment. I think the word doable describes treatment well. I hope everything goes well and I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
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01-11-2008, 10:53 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 96
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Hi Shadowpilot,
I hope you are doing ok after your 1st treatment and if you are having side effects, just remember it will get better. One day at a time is a great way to go right now. Think of this, you now have one treatment behind you and you now at least can put a thought on what treatment means for you personally - the scary unknown is gone. You are in my thoughts tonight and I wish you well and a good weekend.
Hugs,
Patricia
__________________
age 37 @ dx 7/21/05: IDC 1.5cm, grade III, Stage 1c, ER /PR+, HER2+,
7/29/05: Partial Mastectomy
dx 8/15/05: Papillary Thyroid Cancer
9/15/05: Total Thyroidectomy
A/C X 4 DD, 11 weekly Taxol + Herceptin, + 9 mos Herceptin Alone, 36x Rads, Lupron, Aromasin
7/29/07: 2 years NED :)
8/6/07 Oopherectomy (Lupron no more! :-)
Aromasin & Estring plus Synthroid and supplements
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01-12-2008, 07:16 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Hey Shadow!
Hope that today your anxiety has lessened with your first treatment behind you. Your apprehension will decrease as you progress thru this journey, which, although not fun by any means, "doable" as many have said.
I always had several things with me like knitting, embroidery, reading, and also something to drink and even snacks during treatment. It kept my mind occupied. I usually ended up napping about halfway thru--good idea as you need all the rest you can get.
Come here often for support, and just reassurance that you are not alone, and there are many who understand exactly what you are going thru.
My best,
__________________
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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01-12-2008, 07:44 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Shadowpilot
Hope today you are feeling good, you got alot of good advice from seasoned veterans here....the unknown is always the scariest....hope it goes easy from here out....you are already one step closer to being done with the chemo. Now take it easy today...we are here for you/
__________________
"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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01-12-2008, 10:28 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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Hi Shadow, hope all went well with your first chemo. Where are you getting your treatments? Check in and let us know how things are going for you. YOu are doing the right thing by fighting with everything available!!!
__________________
 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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01-12-2008, 12:07 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Gentle hugs to you as you go through your txs. You are well on your way to kicking this cancer to the curb!
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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02-08-2008, 03:52 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 7
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How are you? Are you proceeding with treatment? I've been thinking of you often and have been surprised not to see any postings from you.since your first treatment. Hope to hear from you soon.Hugs....Lynne
__________________
DX 12/04/07 via mammogram(calcifications)-age 54-right breast
Biopsy revealed DCIS with 2mm of IDC-3 cores out of 5
HER2+ High Level Amplication per FISH(9.30 ratio)
Histologic Grade 2/3
architectural pattern: mostly cribriform with lobular cancerization
ER-(0)PR-(0)
12/20/07 Bilateral mastectomy. 2.5cm of DCIS plus Paget's disease of nipple (no additioanl IDC)
Node Negative-3 nodes per sentinel
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