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01-11-2007, 11:17 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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A little down...
My friend and "adopted mom" passed yesterday from BC. Thora took me, a complete stranger, under her wing when I was first diagnosed, cried with me when I recurred, recommended me to my wonderful oncologist and was an inspiration to me in so many ways.
After surviving many many years after her own StageIII diagnosis, in November she learned the cancer had spread all over. After a cycle of Taxotere, she decided enough was enough and entered hospice care and died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
Thora was truly an angel among us...now she'll be watching over us.
I hate this disease.
__________________
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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01-12-2007, 12:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Chrisy,
You have my heart felt sympathy in the loss of someone who truly cared for you. This is an absolutely dreadful disease and all we can do is fight it the best we can. I lost a very good friend of mine over the Holiday. She was only 33 and had cervical cancer but by the time she went to the doctor she was already stage IV. It's always hard when we lose someone we care about to this disease. Again, you have my deepest sympathy.
__________________
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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01-12-2007, 12:00 AM
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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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Chrisy,
You have my heart felt sympathy in the loss of someone who truly cared for you. This is an absolutely dreadful disease and all we can do is fight it the best we can. I lost a very good friend of mine over the Holiday. She was only 33 and had cervical cancer but by the time she went to the doctor she was already stage IV. It's always hard when we lose someone we care about to this disease. Again, you have my deepest sympathy.
__________________
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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01-12-2007, 05:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 589
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Chrissy,
I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounded like a real angel and someone you were lucky to have known.
Eric
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01-12-2007, 06:23 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Chrissy
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your "special friend"....it seems there is no rhyme or reason to this disease...but it sure knows how to inflict pain on us....she is in a better place now, and you are both better for the time you shared with each other.....a big hug to you in this sad time.
__________________
"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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01-12-2007, 06:23 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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My condolences
Chrisy:
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I HATE this disease as well. I just keep praying.
__________________
Leslie's Sister (Lisa)
Diagnosed 5/17/06
Left breast Stage II
5 cm. Her2Neu+++, ER-, PR-
1 positive node out of six,
double mastectomy 6/9/06;
TCH started 7/12/06
last chemo 10/25/06
herceptin ended 6-11-07
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01-12-2007, 09:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Chrissy,
I just wanted to say I am soo sorry for the loss of this special person. I hope you find comfort in the days ahead.
Thinking of you
__________________
Susan V - Pittsburgh PA
DX Age 37 on August 3, 2006
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR + (Highly Positive)
Her 2 +++
1.3 & 1.2 tumors right breast
node negative
lumpectomy 8-15-06
A/C Began 9-5-06 Finished A/C 11/6/06
Port Placement 9-15-06
Negative Test for BRAC1 & BRAC2 10-25-06
Began Tamoxofin November 21, 2006
First Herceptin November 27, 2006 Continues every 3 Weeks
First Radiation Treatment December 11, 2006
35 Rads Completed
Final Herceptin Treatment November 12, 2007
Port Removal November 19, 2007
Living Life to the Fullest !!
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01-12-2007, 10:14 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Chrisy,
I am sorry that bc took your dear friend. She will be watching over you and give you strength when you are in need.
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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01-12-2007, 10:47 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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so sorry
Chrisy, i'm terribly saddened to hear of your loss. It is all so ugly, this disease. What a gift she is to you and I hope you receive her strength to keep up with your own fight-that's what she wants. So look to her for that when you get discouraged. I will be lighting a candle for the two of you today and know that you are loved and supported.
__________________
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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01-12-2007, 12:29 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
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Chrissy,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your "adopted mom"
love and hugs
sarah
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01-12-2007, 01:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Chrissy, please accept my most sincere condolences and this very special friend in your life. What a tragedy to lose someone so special and dear. I can understand you being down. You now have the same guardian angel watching over you she is just physically not here. Draw strength from the beautiful relationship you had with her as she would want you to be strong and to keep fighting.
__________________
~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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01-12-2007, 06:09 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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Chrisy, I know how you feel because I lost a dear friend who I met during BC. She survived two years and we shared the same kind of cancer but in so many different ways. She was in so much pain from the beginning I know she is in a better place but still can't believe she is gone and its been since Labor Day. She was such a sweet person the kind that you wish could live forever! It left her 84 year old Mom very angry. I sending you a big cyber hug and lots or prayers. We hold our memories dear to our hearts. 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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01-12-2007, 07:10 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 274
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Dear Chrisy,
My sincere condolences to you on the loss of your dear friend. I will say a prayer for both of you.
May God give you strength.
Liz J.
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01-12-2007, 07:18 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 Chrisy,
I am sorry to hear of your loss and I can understand your pain and loss.
This disease is so hateful. So many of us have lost beautiful friends and
loved ones. I will say a special prayer for her and for you.
Warmly,
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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01-12-2007, 08:36 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
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Dear Chrissy,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Karen
__________________
Karen Raines Hunt
Dx April 2005 at age 46
stage 3A, very large (12cm) tumor
2 positive axillary lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, Her 2 +++
Bilateral mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, A/C, Taxol, Herceptin, Tamoxifen, Aromasin
5 yrs since diagnosis and NED
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01-12-2007, 09:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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So sorry Chrissy. I lost my young BC mentor not too long ago. It hurts. The only thing we can do in their memory is to live well and keep up the fight. They would want nothing less. Hope you can find some comfort in your loss. Bev
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01-12-2007, 09:21 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Dear Chrissy,
I know how you feel. It's just so hard when someone we look up to is taken by this disease. I've had it happen too. I sympathize with you and the only advise I can offer is "hang in there". You can honor your friend's courage and strength by continuing to fight and survive. Of course, you know this, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone.
<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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01-12-2007, 10:23 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I am really sorry about the loss of your dear friend. I hate this disease, too. I will be thinking about you.
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01-12-2007, 10:52 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Christy, I am just so sorry to hear about your loss. What a true blessing to have had such a special person as your *adopted mom* to share your life with. I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for you. My deepest sympathy on your loss. Oh how I had this dreaded disease!
I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-13-2007, 03:13 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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So Sorry
Chrisy I too am so sorry for the pain you're feeling at your loss.
I just lost my own dear friend New years eve aged 40.
It's sad and makes me so angry.
I'll have you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Tricia
__________________
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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