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05-08-2007, 08:22 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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Chemo Again
My petscan revealed 3 small spots in my lymph nodes, so I will restart chemo on Friday. I will begin with taxotere again along with my Herceptin. I am really bummed out right now. At least the spots are small.
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05-08-2007, 08:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Vanessa -- I am so sorry to hear that you have to start chemo again. I know what a disappointment it is when the cancer rears it's ugly head again. I pray that your chemo regimine will knock back the cancer asap.
__________________
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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05-08-2007, 08:42 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 477
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Vanessa,
I am sorry to hear about your need to resume chemo. I am sending you more prayers, positive vibes, and hugs.
Love, Peace, and Hope,
Carolyns
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05-08-2007, 09:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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My thoughts are with you Vanessa. Taxotere is a good drug, especially when combined with Herceptin. It will give those nodes a one-two punch.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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05-08-2007, 10:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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I hope that the chemo toasts those cells in your lymph nodes. Are those the only spots left in your body?
__________________
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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05-08-2007, 01:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Vanessa,
Bummer. I know that was not the news you wanted to hear. But as you know, adding back chemo to the Herceptin can be very effective and is synergystic. You'll slap those pesky little nodes down in no time.
Sorry you have to saddle up again.
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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05-08-2007, 01:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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That just stinks! I'm sorry as I know how disappointing this is. I will be thinking of you. Taxotere is very effective and you are a fighter so I know you can do this!
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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05-08-2007, 02:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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I'm sorry Vanessa. Can I ask what original diagnosis was? What stage? How long have has it been since you were on chemo and herceptin? Are the lymph nodes where the spots are showing up on your breast cancer side under your arm or in your neck.
Huge hugs and I wish I could take it all away from 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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05-08-2007, 05:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Vanessa, just think how horribly miserable those cancer cells will be drinking that T and H day by day! Ugh! Shrink you rascals! Best wishes to you in accepting the next battle with determination and courage. 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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05-08-2007, 08:57 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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Vanessa, I know how discouraging this news must be for you. Not what you wanted to hear, and knowing you have to "start over" is a hard pill to swallow. But you're starting with a great drug which as Becky and Chris say has synergy with Herceptin, so you've got some good stuff to hit it with.
Chin up friend, it'll be ok.
<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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05-09-2007, 04:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Vanessa
I am so sorry you are having this setback, just when you are preparing for "grandmotherhood." I am sure this combo will kick the poop out of those stubborn mets and get you back on track to the energetic and happy Grandma you are going to be. Seding a big "grannie" hug to 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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05-09-2007, 09:28 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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Thanks for all of your encouragement. The doctor thinks that 3 months should do it. My original diagnosis was Stage 4. I had liver mets and they disappeared, these 3 small spots are my only problem. The spots are on my left side where I had my surgery. One is right under my neck and the other 2 are right above the stomach. Thanks again for all of your support.
Vanessa
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05-09-2007, 11:26 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Vanessa,
You kicked it down before and for sure the T and H will stomp it down.
As Becky said, this is a very good treatment. Wishing you all the best.
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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05-09-2007, 12:17 PM
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#14
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Deceased
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 113
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Vanessa,
Sending you lots of hugs as I know how much of a disappointment this is. I am so glad that they found it while it is small. I will pray that the three months goes quickly for you and that the treatments are 100% successful in getting rid of those nasty spots. Like the ladies have said this is a very good treatment and should do the trick. You stay strong and know that we all are here rooting for you.
Love & Big Hugs,
Nicola
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05-09-2007, 04:44 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 84
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{{{HUGS}}}
I know exactly how you're feeling! You can do this, though! Grandmotherhood is the best and you will love it!!!!!!!!
__________________
3/2003-Dx'd Stage 4 Her 2+++
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Dum spiro spero (Latin: while I breathe I hope)
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