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07-14-2007, 09:49 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Kate,
I am sending you and your family strength, hugs and prayers. I know you will beat this.
Stay strong.
Karen
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07-14-2007, 10:19 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
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Kate,
I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this. I do feel the same way that you do- you've caught them early and you have many many options. You are a very strong person and I have no doubt that you will knock this down and be back to NED in no time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Kelly
__________________
dx'd 05/06, 37 years old
er/pr-, Her2+, grade 3
double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction- implants
Stage 2b, 2 tumors- 2.2 cm and 0.6 cm, 3/5 + nodes
all scans clear
genetic testing- negative
06/06 began dd A/C x 4, 12 weekly Taxols w/ Herceptin
30 rads
Herceptin weekly x 1 year
Herceptin completed 08/07
Port removed 12/26/07 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
05/17/08 Two year anniversary NED
"We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... you must do the thing that you think you cannot do."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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07-14-2007, 10:47 AM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Usefullness of HER2 serum test
Just thought I'd let everyone know that my baseline HER2 serum test was 10.1. So, when it went up to 9.5 something in my head told me something was wrong even though it was still within "normal"
I now am a firm believer in the usefullness of the HER2 serum test to monitor progression.
__________________
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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07-14-2007, 11:27 AM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 159
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hi Kate--
I'm really sorry to hear about this. Your situation isn't that different than mine was. PLEASE keep us posted.
I have a question--one of the things that I've never looked into is the serum tests--I don't have a baseline. Can you or anyone else tell me exactly what test your docs are running? Is the Bayer serum test that Walt Carney worked on? I really should check into that.
Hang in there, Kate...my thoughts are definitely with you :-)
Val
__________________
BLOG:
http://valleygirlvnp.blogspot.com/
Dx 11/04, Age 42, ER-/PR-, HER2+++
3 months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
Significant tumor shrinkage
Mastectomy 3/05; Stage 3b, 9 cm tumor, 5/8+ nodes
3 more months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
7/05 30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach
Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05
9/06 Began quarterly triple doses Herceptin. Brain & breast MRIs semi annually.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
6/08 Right breast, intraductal carcinoma, high nuclear grade associated with comedo necrosis; extensive diffusely involved the entire biopy specimen. ER+, PR-, Her2 unknown at this point, 07/08 mastectomy.
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07-14-2007, 12:04 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 159
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Never mind...
I found some discussion about the serum tests on another thread just now, so no replies needed :-)
And Joe just loaded my new photo--the previous one was from 2005 when I was getting radiation--my hair is much longer now!
__________________
BLOG:
http://valleygirlvnp.blogspot.com/
Dx 11/04, Age 42, ER-/PR-, HER2+++
3 months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
Significant tumor shrinkage
Mastectomy 3/05; Stage 3b, 9 cm tumor, 5/8+ nodes
3 more months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
7/05 30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach
Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05
9/06 Began quarterly triple doses Herceptin. Brain & breast MRIs semi annually.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
6/08 Right breast, intraductal carcinoma, high nuclear grade associated with comedo necrosis; extensive diffusely involved the entire biopy specimen. ER+, PR-, Her2 unknown at this point, 07/08 mastectomy.
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07-14-2007, 12:58 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Oh Kate...........just came on to check the boards and was shocked to read your post. I don't know how I missed it earlier. Oh Kate, I'm so sorry for what you have just heard. It had to be a crushing blow to you. Even though we all know this "beast" can show it's face anytime and we try to prepare for that day (although praying it never comes) the shock and saddness hits with a force only you can understand.
I'm so thankful the mets were caught early and am praying that treatment will knock them on their A _ _ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm SURE you can fill in the blanks).
All I can send you is my prayers, my love and a HUGE cyber hug.
Love,
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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07-14-2007, 02:11 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Kate,
I am so sorry to hear your news. But am glad you caught things early and have a good onc who will figure this all out.
We are like a special family when one hurts we all hurt.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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07-14-2007, 02:29 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DFW area (TX)
Posts: 431
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Kate,
You have been very kind to many here. Thank-you for that. Know that you are appreciated and know that so many carry you in their spirit as you continue your journey.
Terri
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07-14-2007, 02:55 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 37
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Kate. So sorry for your news, but good going for caching it early. Keep us posted and use those big guns. Know you'll beat back those little beasties in no time. Will keep you in prayers and sending you cyber hugs.<<<<<<HUGS>>>>>
Kacey
__________________
dx 9-13-05 MRM (lt)on 9-19-05
IDC stage llb grade 2 3/24 nodes+
ER/PR- Her2+++
Groshong placed 10-13-05 and chemo started
TCH x6 and continue Herceptin for one year every 3 wks
Rads x 33 (at the end of chemo) finished 4-01-06
20 months NED
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07-14-2007, 04:13 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Kate can I ask you, if you had'nt had the her2 serum test would you have known to ask for other tests? Did you have other symptoms? I only ask because I live in Ireland and my onc does'nt do her2 serum tests. I'm also a smoker and obviously worry about lung mets.
__________________
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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07-14-2007, 04:18 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Tricia,
No I really didn't have any symptoms other than a little shortness of breath on exertion. I'm just glad my onc does the HER2 serum test otherwise I wouldn't have had a scan until I developed symptoms.
__________________
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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07-14-2007, 04:26 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 274
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Dear Kate,
I am so sorry to hear this news. But, as many of the group have stated, you have a very strong fortitude and you will keep pushing forward. I just know it. Sending prayers and all good wishes for a speedy NED to you.
Sincerely,
Liz J.
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07-14-2007, 04:32 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Kate,
So sorry to hear your news. Going with your gut instinct certainly paid off. It sounds like you caught it early and are up to the challenge. You are a fighter and can beat this once you find the right combo.
Stay strong. We are all pulling for you.
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault
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07-14-2007, 06:11 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Dear Kate,
I am so sorry too how I hate this beast! But they have alot of treatments and you will do fine. Please know your are in my prayers. Keep the faith my friend.
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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07-14-2007, 06:59 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 236
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Kate I am glad to hear that you trusted your instincts even in spite of the normal levels. I am also glad that you caught this early because early detection really is the key here.
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07-14-2007, 07:59 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Kate I am so very sorry to read this news about you.
I will ceratinly keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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07-14-2007, 09:31 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Kate,
Please know you are in my prayers. You are a sweet and strong fighter.
Once treatments begin you will stomp on those mets and be NED....
Love and 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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07-14-2007, 09:59 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 96
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Hi Kate,
I am so sorry to hear your latest news. I am sure it must have been quite a blow for you (how could it not! - this disease sucks!), but it sounds like you are keeping your focus on treatment and the path back to NED. You know yourself well and you trusted your instincts. You are a model for all of us to bug our doctors when you 'know' something is not right. How lucky you are to have a dr that was willing to go ahead and get the scan done so that you can fight the mets as small ones.
We are all here for you when you need, please let us know if there is anything you need (research, encouragement, prayers, just friendship and smiles). Meanwhile, you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I will look out for your posts to see how you are coming along.
Hugs,
Patricia
__________________
age 37 @ dx 7/21/05: IDC 1.5cm, grade III, Stage 1c, ER /PR+, HER2+,
7/29/05: Partial Mastectomy
dx 8/15/05: Papillary Thyroid Cancer
9/15/05: Total Thyroidectomy
A/C X 4 DD, 11 weekly Taxol + Herceptin, + 9 mos Herceptin Alone, 36x Rads, Lupron, Aromasin
7/29/07: 2 years NED :)
8/6/07 Oopherectomy (Lupron no more! :-)
Aromasin & Estring plus Synthroid and supplements
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07-14-2007, 10:20 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Green Shoes and Army Boots
Dear Kate,
I am sitting here going ...., ...., double-damn. like some of the others. I am bummed and mad about this, but ready to put on my green shoes and army boots to join the rest of our army to support and help you in your next treatment plan. Thank goodness for all the knowledgeable friends who have already posted their advice.
Thank goodness you asked for the CT scan and the MRI. I will be on vacation when you go next week for your appointment. You will be in my prayers. I know you are a well-informed fighter. So you go girl, and we will be standing right there with you.
Love to you, Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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07-14-2007, 10:40 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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Dear Kate:
I'm so sorry to hear this, but glad you caught things early and know that treatment will go well. Please let us know what happens. Thinking of you
Linda
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