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03-15-2007, 12:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 484
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Recovering from surgery....
Here I am 8 days post surgery to remove the lesion in my cerebellum. Yesterday I took my first trip out of the house, to have lunch with a friend at an outdoor cafe. The weather was lovely, and I had a great time.
I feel stronger and better everyday, walking and moving around feels good and I can feel the improvement.
I go in tomorrow morning for PT eval, I will do a short course of 6 weeks of PT. It certainly can't hurt and may help alot. There is a good chance my balance will just come back completely all on on it's own, but a little help will likely speed that along.
I really dreaded this surgery, but to my surprise it has not been the ordeal I had anticipated. At this point I am glad it is behind me and I can continue on my way.
I am anticipating the Tykerb, and hope that it will be of benefit to me, as I qualify for it, my brain lesion qualifies as a progression while on herceptin, so there should be no problems with insurance covering it for me. I am so hopeful that it may help prevent future lesions for me, in combination with the herceptin.
Thank you everyone for all your kind words and support. They have really meant the world to me at this time.
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03-15-2007, 12:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 582
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It's great to hear such good news, Esther! Let us know how the tykerb goes. I fully expect to hear about your ski trips again next winter! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Tricia
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03-15-2007, 01:06 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Great to hear you're doing so well Esther. Here's hoping that Tykerb will be what you need. I'll keep you in my prayers.
__________________
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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03-15-2007, 02:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Hi Esther! I'm excited for you that your surgery went better than expected! And I'm believing with you that your balance is on it's way back soon! ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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03-15-2007, 03:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 90
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I am glad everything went well and you seem to be in great spirits!
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03-15-2007, 07:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Esther,
So happy to hear your fast progress! The P/T will be a great benefit and before
you know it you will be running about.
You have such a beautiful positive attitude. I am keeping you in my prayers.
hugs,
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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03-15-2007, 07:59 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Esther keep up the good work and continued positive progress to you.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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03-15-2007, 08:12 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Glad to hear treatment was better than you expected. I hope you get the Tykerb and it does all that we hope to get you NED. Keep us posted. Bev
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03-15-2007, 09:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Esther, This is wonderful. I am so happy for you. Maybe by the time it snows next fall you will be on the slopes again. You are a true inspiration to all of us.
Love & prayers,
Marlys
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03-15-2007, 09:26 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Esther...
More warm wishes for a swift recovery!
Happy for you!,Marcia
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03-16-2007, 06:00 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 312
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Dear Esther:
You have been such an inspiration to me. When I first joined the group, I so enjoyed knowing you were going out and living a big life. You certainly prodded me into doing activities that I might have skipped had I not read of your exploits.
Sending healing vibes for your continued recovery. If you have the time, could you please post some of the exercises your therapist advisees to improve your balance?
Hugs
__________________
Janet
Endometrial Cancer 2002
Mammogram 11/2004
Lumpectomy 12/2004
Stage 1, 9mm DCIS, grade 2, Her2+++, ER/PR negative
Refused A/C as recommened by two oncs.
35 treatments of radiation that ended March 4, 2005
Changed oncologists and began
Taxotere/Herceptin August 2005. Finished Herceptin July 2006
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03-16-2007, 08:25 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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I am happy for you too. Enjoy spring .... if it ever gets here, I think, as I watch the sleet outside my window! (Oops. I remember now that you are the skier who loves snow.) EnJOY.
__________________
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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03-16-2007, 10:41 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Keep looking forward -
- that is the way I have found to deal with brain mets. Those devilish spots can keep needling us knowing they are there, but we just have to try to keep our lives going and then see what the next scan says. You have been good at that so far.
My brain MRI last week was NEGATIVE for any new spots, and the old ones - one is stable (very small and was Gamma Knifed 2 years agao) and the other place where the surgeon removed the necrosis is shrinking nicely. I am SO thankful for that news as I have my hands FULL with my parents right now.
Also glad that you mentioned that the whole surgery was not as bad as you imagined. Barbara H, Jojo and I all felt the same way. Hope this news will encourage others facing brain surgery for mets to charge ahead with confidence after having found a really good specialist.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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03-16-2007, 01:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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It is good to hear that you are feeling well Esther! And enjoying that beautiful weather too! Waiting for some warm sun here in the Pacific NW... Keep it up, you are an inspiration!
__________________
 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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03-16-2007, 01:37 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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I am so happy ...
that your recovery is going well Esther.
I did not realize that you were having issues again but good to hear that it has been taken care of.
Praying for a speeding comeback for you so you can continue on with active life.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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03-16-2007, 01:51 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Hi Esther,
I am glad that your surgery went well and I hope that it won't be long before you feel comfortable skiing. The Decradon was the most difficult part of the recovery for me. I had some problems with balance, but that cleared up on its own without physical therapy.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
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