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04-05-2009, 07:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Next surgery coming up!
I'll be going under the knife the day after Easter.
This time gang - it is the good surgery. My favorite surgeon is going to revise my reconstructed breast.
This is the upside of breast cancer, I'm going to look like a teenager ago.
WooHoo!
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-05-2009, 07:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Oops - was the a slip of the tongue.
I mean I'll look like a teenager again, not ago.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-05-2009, 07:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Shoot, I give up on the English tonight.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-06-2009, 08:22 AM
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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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I'm happy for you 'lizbeth......and it's awesome that you are able to be happy and find the silver lining in your situation.
I, too, am a reconstruction girl. I had delayed bilateral DIEP almost 3 years after my initial diagnosis and mastecetomies. So, the "new girls" were definitely a present to myself. I, too, am coming up on the phase II surgery. Not much to "correct" - just a few little things. I wasn't even going to go ahead with it but figured - hey, I went through the initial 10 hour surgery, why not finish it up.
So, good luck to you....prayers for awesome results and healing I send to God.
Love and Peace,
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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04-06-2009, 09:11 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bayarea,CA
Posts: 679
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Hi 'lizabeth,
Have a wonderful surgery with perky results! Sending lots of positive vibes and prayers your way.
shobha
__________________
DX: 06-30-2007 - left breast -stage IIIB, Her2/Neu 3+++, ER weakly positive, PR-
Taxol+herceptin weekly for 3 months
FEC+herceptin every 3 weeks for 3 months
BRCA 1 and 2 - Negative
Jan 2008 - Bilateral mastectomy, prophylactic Rt. side.
Radiation for 5 weeks
Completed my yr of herceptin on 07-14-2008
Brain MRI - 3/2/09 Clean
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04-07-2009, 12:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Lizbeth
You will be in my thoughts as you undergo this step towards perkiness....please let us know that all is OK with you....I had surgery the day after Easter 29 years ago....a hysterectomy...seems like yesterday...where does time go?
__________________
"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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04-08-2009, 04:47 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 889
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Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted.
__________________
dx aug 03 invasive dcis 1 cm
er/pr/her2+
bcs 8/4/03
bcs 8/21/03 0/16 nodes
tx 4x ca 36 rad tam
postmenopausal 06 aromasin
sept 07 biopsy node in neck
muga/pet/cat/bone mets to lungs nodes and liver stage iv
tx hki-272
tx not working switched to taxol herceptin
Taxol not working switched to navelbine
navelbine is causing bad neuropathy
starting gemzar
gemzar quit on me now on Ixempra due to increasing number and size of liver mets
another progression starting tykerb/xeloda
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04-08-2009, 11:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: I live in Christmas, MI - located on the shores of Lake Superior.
Posts: 606
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Good luck with your surgery!
__________________
Barb
10/03 Radical Mastectomy 3 cm tumor - 1/17 Nodes Stage II B, Her 2 +++ ER-/PR- 11/03 4 AC 4 Taxol 12/05 Stage IV - Lung met , Bone mets - Carbo, Taxotere, Herceptin 9/06 - 2 cm brain tumor 10/06 - Tumor removal surgery - Herceptin Halted 12/06 gamma knife tumor base.1/07 Navelbine/Herceptin 4/07 Rads to R femur 5/07 Stereotactic - new 2 cm brain tumor 4/07 Start Xeloda 5/07 Tykerb added 7/07 Brain MRI clean 10/07 .055 cm brain met found. 12/07 Stereotactic -1 cm brain tumor Start Tykerb 11/07 Abraxane/Herceptin 5/08 Cisplatin, Gemcitabine/Herceptin 6/08 Stereotactic to 1cm 9/08 Stereotactic repeat (growth). 11/08 Pet Scan Good but new tiny met on L lung/dead Brain surgery (no cancer cells found/scar tissue) 1/09 Chemo restarted 2/09 Pet Scan Bad - R larger very active/active L active lymph nodes both sides of chest MRI- mets slight increase 2/09 Start Doxil/Tykerb Treatment
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04-08-2009, 02:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
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Well just to join the crowd...
You're right - it is the "good part" of surgery. I had the Diep flap last November - and just last week I went through Part Two - reduction on the good side and a minor correction on the reconstructed breast.
That was day surgery - and I was home before 1 p.m.
I'm six days out from that operation and feeling fine. I just had the stitches out today - and the doctors are really pleased.
I was struck by the results immediately last week as I dressed to return home.
I put on a sweater that I was embarassed to wear in the past because my silhouette was so uneven.
Not any more. I was balanced and I was perky! I have several sweaters waiting in my drawer that I can now wear without having to "artfully" arrange a scarf around them.
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04-08-2009, 03:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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Good luck 'Lizbeth - let us know how it all turns out! I'll be getting my foob fixed on May 6th with my new PS - outpatient surgery too, so I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll have a normal looking breast again and then can start wearing regular bras. Louise I'm so happy you had good results! I'm planning on taking a week off from work - so I'm happy to hear that after 6 days you're feeling so well!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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04-08-2009, 04:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Good luck 'Lisbeth for results you'll be happy with and a quick recovery.
Louise good to see you posting and glad all went well with your surgery too 
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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04-08-2009, 04:17 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Lizbeth,
Good luck with the surgery!
Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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04-09-2009, 09:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 75
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Lizbeth, Swimangel - I don't know if you have the same instructions I did - to bring a bra to hospital because you'll be wearing it out. It's used mainly to hold in the dressings and to give you some support and they want you to wear it while you sleep as well.
That was a milestone for me and I'm not sure my husband understood it. I was elated that I was finally able to go into a store and buy a normal bra - all those wonderful choices. Just don't get underwire.
I would suggest a larger cup size. I'm glad I did because the dressings take up room. You'll be wearing some versions of them for about three weeks. But this was mainly because I was undergoing reduction surgery so maybe it won't apply in your case.
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04-09-2009, 10:22 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Louise,
I'll take a bra, but I couldn't find a sports bra that fastened in the front. That is a good idea because I don't do so well with tape - causes rashes.
I'll be calling my breast "The Twins" one will be Danny DeVito and the other Arnie Schwarzennegar. As the right breast will be about a C cup and the left breast is larger than DD.
This revision will just be on the side I had the TRAM reconstruction. In 6 months I will have a reduction and lift on the other side.
Wow, only a few more days.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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04-09-2009, 01:47 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Lizbeth,
Happy you are getting the to the good side of this journey.
Amelia
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04-09-2009, 06:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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'Lizbeth I found front-closing sports bras in Target and K-Mart. My PS hasn't told me anything yet about what to expect so thanks for the suggestion Louise! I'll be calling his secretary to get more information in another few weeks. Good luck with your surgery Liz..........hope "The Twins" behave themselves!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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