***What was your date of dx, stage, treatment and current status...???***

[DeeUK]

Diagnosed at 29 years old, in July 2005, with stage 1, grade 3, Er- Pr- HER2+++ IDC (18mm tumour). Lymph node negative, extensive vascular invasion. Bone, lung, and liver scans clear at time of surgery.

Lumpectomy, followed by 6 rounds of FEC chemo, followed by 30 sessions of radiotherapy, followed by what was intended to be 12 months of 3-weekly Herceptin.


November 22nd 2006, now 30 years old, and just after Herceptin number 10, diagnosed with mets to liver (after having a stitch-like pain in my right side). One 'small' one, and a 10cm one. Awaiting results of chest x-ray and bone scan, to check for further spread.


Continuing with 3-weekly Herceptin, along with Taxotere, which began on 6th December 2006. Hoping and praying that this might shrink things. I'm 30, I have a fantastic boyfriend and amazing family. I'm not ready to go yet.

[Vanessa]

I was first diagnosed in April, 2006, had a partial masectomy on April 21, 2006. Before surgery I had a catscan that was considered good. After surgery had a petscan that showed metastasis to the liver, chest wall and lining of the stomach. I began weekly taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin on June 15, 2006. In August, I had an anaphalactic(sp?) reaction to the carboplatin and had to hospitalized overnight. The carboplatin was discontinued and I am now the proud owner of an epi-pen. Around September 14, 2006 I had a repeat petscan which was clear. My onc. was very excited, but wanted me to continue chemo for 2 more months and then have another scan. I had a repeat petscan and an MRI of the brain on around November 14, 2006 and they were both clear. My doctor allowed me to discontinue the taxotere. I will continue herceptin for at least the full 52 weeks, so until June or possibly longer. The doctor is excited that I am resonding well to the herceptin, but reminds me that there is no cure.


After the first petscan and I was told I am stage 4, the doctor told me I had about 2-3 years. When I had the 2nd petscan that was clear, she told me that those stats were pre-herceptin.

I am going to be a grandmother 2x in June and I am looking forward to that. This website has definately given me hope and I think having grandchildren in addition to my 2 daughters will also give me hope.

[Patty H]

That is great news.
This is PattyHs husband. Patty is in mine and hospice care now.
Her fight was 6and a half years long. She got a lot of good information off this sight and made some long distance friends along the way.
Goog luck to all of the girls on the sight and God be with you all
BudH

[gin-tx]

Dear Bud,

So sorry you are having to deal with all of this at holiday time. BC is not nice, my surgeon who is a breast surgeon only, said it is rampant. I guess you saw my post and know I had this 10 yrs ago. I'm definitely not cured but am still working part time, take treatment every 3 weeks and try to have a positive outlook and get up with a smile on my face thankful to be here. I too don't know what lies ahead, things could change rapidly as I think I had the cancer a yr ago when I had a bone scan done and something showed up, radiologist said it was arthritis. After I was diagnosed in April of this yr it was quickly discovered it was in my spine. I don't expect to ever be totally well but try to be thankful for whatever time I am here, no one knows. My thought to you and your family, you are in my prayers.

ginkott1@aol.com

[tweet7805]

Hi this is smart idea. My info with signature still struggling with side effects. MUGA scan due 12/20/06 & next Herceptin & Onc visit 12/29/06/

[gin-tx]

This is my second episode of bc, I had bc in 1995, had lumpectamy followed by radiation, no chemo. Then in Feb of this yr discovered a problem with other breast, went to gyn, who sent me to a breast surgeon. Had biopsy in late April, he thought everything looked good, called me 3 days later it was malignant, had sentinel node procedure and wider margins, first lymph node removed was malignant, other tissue clean. During course of tests had bone scan, something showed up, had MRI, had tumor on spine that was malignant, changed status to metistatic grade IV. When I saw onc he called radiation oncologist who was on vacation but due back that week-end. He called me to come in on Mon to start treatment, had 18 radiation treatments to spine, lungs (tumor pressing on lungs) esyphogus affected, could not eat well, spicy foods hurt, not fun. Am doing herceptin and aridia treatments every 3 weeks. Still having lots of problem with back, cancer ate thru tissue at T3, only solution is spinal fusion and not recommended with chemo, healing a problem, infection high risk. So I just live with it, take pain meds when I need them, and hope it will get some better in time. Thanks for your concern and keep me informed of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com

[tousled1]

Gin-TX,

Sorry to hear that your cancer has metastisized. Just when you think you're out of the woods - WHAM! The spine is a fragile piece of equipment as well I know. I had lower back problems for years and finally in Dec 2004 it got so bad that my only option was surgery. I had a spinal fusion T3 through S1. It's a really rough surgery and I still have problems. A year after that I was diagnosed with cancer. I'm speaking from experience and if there is any way to avoid spinal fusion I would do it. I have been on pain meds so many years I've lost track. The only time I was off pain meds was right after my mastectomy. After that surgery my back felt great. Guess it was from carrying around those heavy D cups! Well, it was short lived. I started Herceptin and along with that my back pain returned, worse than ever. In addition, all the bones/muscles/joints in my body hurt. After reading a post from Lani, I asked my oncologist to reconstitute my Herceptin with saline water instead of benzyl alcohol. What a difference! Now the only pain I have is the lumbar spine. I'm sending you nothing but good wishes and hopes that you can get the spine mets under control with chemo. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[LAURIE]

Diagonsed 8/06 (found own lump)at 35 years old
Her 2 +++, er-/pr-
4 A/C 9/06
Lumpectomy, node dissection- 11/30/06
Pathology report stage IIIC
1 tumor 3 cm
10 of 15 nodes +
Start 12 weeks Taxol/ Herception 12/19/06
Rads x33 ended 5/07
Herceptin until 12/16/07

[RhondaH]

Bump this up.

Rhonda

[caya]

Thanks for bumping this up Rhonda.

My info is in my signature.
Good luck to all
Caya

[SusieQ]

I was Diagnosed at Age 41 on 10/6/06 with a 3cm Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my left breast Stage II.

ER+ 45% Moderate and PR+ 62% Strong; HER2/neu +++
Sentinel Node Biopsy - Negative Four Nodes; ~BRAC1/BRAC2 Negative

Neo-adjuvant Chemo:6 rounds-every Three Weeks of Taxotere &
Carboplatin & Herceptin Weekly Completed on 2/7/2007.

Lumpectomy 3/12/2007 Post-op Pathology: The neo-adjuvant Chemo and
Herceptin slowed the tumor growth down, shrunk it ---- AND ---changed it
from an infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma, poorly-differentiated to a
"residual" high grade ductal carcinoma "in situ" or "contained." Great
treatment result!!!!

Switched to every 3-week Herceptin infusion beginning on March 21, 2007
for nine more months. Radiation possibly to begin April 2007.

Receiving MUGA Scans every 2-3 months and more scans six months from
now. Bloodwork tested each time I receive infusion. Keeping an eye on a
right lung nodule that is not lighting up with PET. Maybe scar tissue or ????

Hormonal Therapy TBD -- may go the inhibitor route based on early studies
and their results. Pre-menopausal prior to cancer diagnoses. Period stopped
during chemotherapy and has not returned.

[gin-tx]

Dear Rhonda,

It amazes me the details that people know about their diagnosis to the most finite items. I understand what drs are talking about but can't remember all of it. But here goes, I have printed report from him. First diagnosis in 1995, only received radiation, 2nd diagnosis April 2006, surgeon said I should have had chemo, tumor was large. No one mentioned that.
Here goes: Ductal cardinoma in situ, involve large ducts and intraductal papilloma. Her 2/neu grade. One Sentinel node involved, others clean.

Hope this finds you doing well. I also had malig tumor on spine that showed up in bone scan and mri. So that had to be dealt with first, 18 radiation treatments. Also changed chemo treatments, doing herceptin and aridia, for how long I don't know.

Keep in touch, I care about people who have sent e mails and am interested in their recovery.

ginkott1@aol.com

[BethSh]

Mine are below..just finished radiation. Starting Arimidex tomorrow.

[vickie h]

Diagnosed with IBC stage IIIB 2/04, 5 of 19 nodes positive, her2 +++, er/pr-, 13cm tumor left breast (diffused), 4 rounds of Taxotere/Carbo/Herceptin, Mastectomy 7/04, new tumor at incision site 6 weeks later, 33 rads finished Oct 04, skin mets 11/04, 33x more rads 12/04, Taxol/Herceptin weekly until 10/05, new lymph involvement 10/05, start Avastin/Herceptin for one year weekly, more node involvement, switched Oncs 9/06 and started Navelbine/Herceptin. Over a six month period 2 PET/CAT scans clear. Will start Tykerb/Xeloda next week.
I am in my 4th year, and unbelievably doing great after a poor prognosis. I will probably be in some form of treatment for the rest of my life. I also exercise, eat well, and pray, and have the love of my husband. There is so much hope for all of us. Love, Vickie

[Melinda]

DX in signature........

[mslinda]

Diagnosis in signature. Current status is NED!! Yea!!

Linda

[mcgle]

Your dx seems pretty close to mine, though my cancer was grade 2.

Never had the Oncotype test, neither do I know the proliferation rate - they don't do these tests in the UK.

Just interested to know what your FISH score was, given that you were IHC2+ (like me). My FISH score was 2.71 (weakly positive), though I received neither chemo nor herceptin - onc said prognostic indicators didn't warrant these.

I am 53 and had my last period 5 years ago. How old are you? Apparently, age comes into the equation.

Mcgle (UK)

[Lori]

History in signature.
Just had right breast reduction and removal of medi port.

[gin-tx]

Dear Lori,

HOpe this finds you doing well. My first diagnosis was in 1995, was cancer free for almost 11 yrs, then it reappeared in other side, more aggresive, etc. I only had radiation the first time, all that was recommended. This is a bigger issue to deal with. So far I'm doing okay on Herceptin and Aridia, but they could change treatment at any time. All the ladies on this site are such a wonderful support for each other. Yes I'm scared and don't know what future holds for me. But I continue to work part time and hope I will be cured.

Keep in touch and let me know of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com

[Catherine]

Age 58 at DX April 06
11 months prior no tumor shown on mamogram, I found in shower by accident
Stage II, ER- PR- HER2+++
Invasive/high proliferation rate
Multifocal tumors (2-3) largest 3.2cm per ultrasound
3 lymph nodes positive, 14 removed
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral Mast Sep 06,33rads over Dec 06
Started Herceptin Dec 06, every 3weeks for 1yr
Feel very good and I am active