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02-10-2007, 08:36 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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3rd year anniversary of mets diagnosis
My third year anniversary of being diagnosed with bone and liver mets was this past January. Since I was given such a poor prognosis when I was first diagnosed, due to the poor condition of my liver ( it was covered in tumors and shutting down ) I have made it a point to celebrate each anniversary in a special way.
This year we went to Steamboat CO for a 10 day ski trip again. I faced the day at the top of Steamboat mountain, getting ready to ski down, thinking of all the things I have been able to live and do since my initial diagnosis.
I am now starting my 4th year of living with mets, and continue to snow ski 30-40 days a year, water-ski in the summer, rock climb, golf, travel, scuba dive, and enjoy life.
Life is sure changing for a bc mets patient today, QOL of life means alot to me and thanks to Herceptin and other new treatments our life expectancy has now become ???? possibly inching up into the double digits or beyond.
May we all continue to do well in 2007!!!!
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02-10-2007, 10:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Esther, you give us all hope and INSPIRATION. My QOL is excellent, but somehow I don't seem to be living quite as large as you do, LOL!!! May we all live each day to the fullest extent of our capacity for joy and zest!
<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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02-11-2007, 03:38 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: melbourne, australia
Posts: 267
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Congrats Esther. Here's to it continuing.
Take care
Christine
__________________
Christine
DX Sept 03 age 40 Stage 2B Grade 3 mastectomy (after 2 prior breast conserving surgeries)
"at least" 2.3 cm 3/12 nodes ER+/PR+ Her2+++
8 FEC. Tamoxifen then Arimidex. Ovaries out.
"late" Herceptin for 2 years (18months after chemo) on HERA trial. finished Herceptin Nov 2007.
Multiple bone mets May 2012 and now liver August 2012.
Abraxne, Herceptin and Zometa.
June 2013 Tykerb, Xeloda and Xgeva
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02-11-2007, 08:35 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria
Australia
Posts: 330
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Congrats!
Hi Esther
Well done.......I have been NED for 16 months and hope to have many years of life left. I am also a keen outdoor person particularly canoeing and xc skiing.
keep smiling!
jackie
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02-12-2007, 09:06 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 144
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Congratulations, Esther!
Women like you are my shining examples of how we can live (and live well) whatever our stage is. I'm just starting life after treatment, and I hope to have some of your great attitude!
I'm glad you had a great time in Steamboat. I will go there next week, to finally see some snow which has elluded us this winter in Mass.
take care, Anna
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- Anna
Stage I - DX 9/2005 ER/PR-, HER2+, grade 3, DCIS, IDC multi-focal (1.05cm)
DD 4 A/C finished Jan 31, 2006
Herceptin weekly finished Jan 31, 2007
recurrence to chest wall on last month of Herceptin
Stage 3B - 3/15/07 - 2 carcinomas in dermal lymphatic
Rads finished 6/5/07
12x TH finished 9/10/07
12/07 - Clear scan!
3/08 - 4 month Melatonin trial
1/09 - osteoperosis - start Alendronate
2/09 - 4-month Simivastin trial
3/13 - take drug holiday after 5 years of Alendronate
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02-13-2007, 11:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,150
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living with mets
Thanks for the inspiring story. You made my day! We all need to be reminded of how precious each day is. And a big congratulations on living your life so fully and sharing it with us.
Love and hugs, Vickie
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02-13-2007, 06:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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What a story!
Dear Esther: I'm so happy to hear you are living large and experiencing all the things you like to do in life. You and others who have had this "break" are the reason for us to never give up the fight against this disease. Might God keep you healthy, In Prayer....Adriana
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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02-13-2007, 07:04 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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A wonderful way to share!
So glad you are enjoying life and living on the edge! Most of the things you do would be me living on the edge. People are amazed at the things I do and if I did what you do they would really freak out!! I am sure we all do things these days we didn't do before. Wishing you another great year and thanks for sharing, it gives the rest of us inspiration to do our research and be pro active. hugs, Sandy
__________________
Dx. 03/01, Rt. IBC
AC/Taxatere
Rt. MRM-with graft Lt. simple
5 rads-skin mets
Herceptin, taxol, carboplatin (taxol seem to be the magic drug)
Navelbine & xeloda (did not work)
topical miltex for skin mets
Tykerb/xeloda
thoracentesis x 2 left lung fluid shows cancer cells
Port removal (4 years) with power port replacement
Doxil
Updated 05-07 Scans show no bone or organ involvement we shall see!
I shall not pass this way again. Any good I can do or any kindness that I can show let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.
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02-13-2007, 07:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 476
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Dear Esther,
To your well-deserved vacation, Have A Good Time.
You perhaps can help others to describe your daily life, such as your diets, your items to avoid and any of your worthy life styles. We all want to hear what factors that contribute to your success.
Wish you continued health.
__________________
Ann
Stage 1 dx Sept 05
ER/PR positive HER2 +++ Grade 3
Invasive carcinoma 1 cm, no node involvement
Mastec Sept 05
Annual scans all negative, Oct 06
Postmenopause. Arimidex only since Sept 06, bone or muscle ache after 3 month
Off Arimidex, change to Femara 1/12-07, ache stopped
Sept 07 all tests negative, pass 2 year mark
Feb 08 continue doing well.
Sep 09 four year NED still on Femara.
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02-13-2007, 08:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Living Large is a good way to describe your lifestyle. You are such an inspiration and source of hope. I am going to book that cruise I've been investigating.
__________________
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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02-14-2007, 03:21 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Having just been diagnosed with mets myself, it is examples like you that give me such great hope. Thanks for sharing your success and may you live 2007 as fully as you have the last 3 years!
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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02-14-2007, 11:29 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Oh Esther.................I couldn't be happier for you. How wonderful and what an incredible and amazing blessing. You have latched on to life and are enjoying it to the fullest and that dear one, is the biggest blessing of all. None of us knows the days we will be given but, gosh darnit, we should all step out and enjoy each one while we can.
Continued Blessings I pray for you,
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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02-14-2007, 01:23 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 90
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What a terrific spirit!
I love to here great stories! You are an inspiration to everyone on this board. Cancer changes our lives and makes us live differently and in many cases better because you value each and everyday. I live my life measured in days not years. But in many ways that has been a blessing not a curse. Hats off to you and I wish you many more years!
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02-14-2007, 03:15 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Dear Ester,
It is so good that you are celebrating "LIFE" your strenth and positive attitude
is beautiful. God Bless...
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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02-19-2007, 12:00 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posts: 365
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Me Too!!!!
Dear Esther,
I am also in my 4th year. I never expected to live more then 6 months. I'm not as active as you, but I am living a good quality of life.
Last night I went to see the show "Beehive" with 5 of my past school mates. This was a dinner and a show from the 1960's. We had a wonderfull time. After the show we had a pajama party with alot of laughs and shots of tequilla rose.
All of us graduated in 1974 and celebrated our 50th Birthdays last year.
We manage to get together with and without our husbands 4-6 times a year. It's what makes life special. We laugh and cry together, but mostly laugh. We watched "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" DVD's this morning, with more laughter.
Life is Good.
Love, Lu Ann
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02-19-2007, 07:36 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 477
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Dear Ester,
Thanks for sharing your story. My 1 year anniversary with mets is in March...I think that I will follow in your foot steps and celebrate the anniversary. It is a great idea. I am taking my 8-year old skiing this week on bunny hills...perhaps we will graduate to the big slopes next year!
Congrats and many more years of livin large to ya...cheers!
Carolyns
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02-19-2007, 07:51 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Esther,
You're a true inspiration!
__________________
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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02-22-2007, 07:29 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: n.c.
Posts: 9
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Esther,
You are my hero right now. I am new to this support group and the people on here have been such an encouragement to me. I was diagnosed in 2002 with BC and multiple liver mets Oct 2006. I am on Herceptin and Taxotere. I am still working and trying to keep life as normal as possible. Back in the fall I did not think I would live to see Christmas I was in a lot of pain and the doctor was not very optimistic but by the grace of God I am still here. I love to ski as you do. We have gone skiing 3 times this year and I will be going to Colorado March 2 2007 for the first time. I am so excited to to be alive, and to have the stamina to still do a lot of the things I enjoy. You have given me hope for the future where there was none. Thank you so much for sharing your life with others. take care Tonya
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02-22-2007, 09:27 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Thank you for sharing your story, Ester. You give us all hope and inspiration!!
Congratulations.
Hugs,
Karen
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02-23-2007, 07:26 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Esther
You are amazing, and give me hope everytime I hear of your skiing adventure...i only went skiing on snow 1x...I broke my ankle...I was pointing my toes in to slow the speed and snap.....and that was BEFORE, breast cancer....I was much better in the water on water skis, I remember the first time I went water skiing after my mastectomy....everyone on the boat was telling me not to, I could hurt my arm/chest....I just had to prove them wrong....I got up first try, and although I didn't ski long, it was enough to know that I still could. Keep On doing whatever you are doing...it shows in how well you've done!
__________________
"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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