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08-31-2007, 01:12 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 582
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Good news!
I've had some rough times for awhile with cardiomyopathy and heart failure, most likely aggravated by 15 months of herceptin. The herceptin was stopped over a year and a half ago when my ejection fraction dropped to 30 and then I had a triple bypass a year ago in May. This spring the heart failure seemed worse and about 2 weeks ago I was referred by my cardiologist to a surgeon who puts in defibrulators for people with serious irregular heart rhythms that could cause sudden death. In talking to my husband and me, he said I would need to meet certain criteria before he would do the surgery: (1) he would have me wear a 24-hour heart monitor to record the electric rhythms of my heart, (2) he would carefully study my cardiac history, including records of my bypass, stress tests, ejection fraction and other heart tests, and (3) he would talk to my oncologist about my life expectancy as a stage IV cancer patient, since it would be foolish to go through the surgery if I only had a short time to live. Today I saw him again after he followed up on these things, and the first thing he said was "I don't often have such good news to give to someone with your history!" Then he proceeded to tell me that he wouldn't do the surgery to implant the defibrulator because (1) the heart monitor showed the electrical rhythms of my heart were much better than he feared they might by (2) my ejection fraction had improved from 30 to between 40 and 45, and (3) my oncologist told him that I was doing very well, had been NED for the past two years, and probably had an above average life expectancy for a stage IV patient. My husband and I went out for dinner to celebrate! He had a steak and I had crablegs, which I love. We even shared a rich and gooey dessert! I know how much I love to hear good news on this website, so felt I needed to share this with you. As most of you know, I'm 77, I've been fighting cancer for 22 years, first in 1985, then mets to my spine in 1990, and then her2 mets to my lungs in 2004, which were found because a heart attack put me in the hospital for a month. It's been a roller coaster ride for my husband and me but today was good news! My next CT scan will be in December. I'll be in touch! Hugs, Tricia
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08-31-2007, 02:22 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: moved to Lancaster, Pa in June, 2010
Posts: 576
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Congradulations on such great news! You are an inspiration to those of us who have just begun our battle. To know that you have been fighting for twenty-two years gives me hope that I will be around for some time! Keep on fighting and I wish you the best of health.
__________________
Debbie in North Carolina
Diag 10/2006-high grade invasive ductal carcinoma- mastectomy L breast
2.5 cm tumor ER/PR pos-Her2+++
4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Taxol
Herceptin every 3 weeks until Jan. 2008
6/18/07 prophylatic mastectomy R breast
8/2007 started aromasin/stopped arimidex (side effects)
12/07 stopped aromasin due to side effects (now what?)
Finished herceptin 1/8/08
started tamoxifen for 2 years then will switch to femera
allergic to tamoxifen started femera 4/2008
June 20, 2008 portacath removed
Learnig to live life to the fullest!
Stopped Femera due to side effects
July 28, 2008 start trial for breast cancer vaccine
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08-31-2007, 02:35 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 301
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I'm thrilled!
Tricia-
I always look forward to your updates and was so pleased to hear your good news. What a long courageous battle you have endured.
Keep those gooey desserts coming!
Kind regards,
__________________
Shell
init diag 3/17/03-stage IIIC
ER-/PR-/HER2+++
CET x4 neo-adjuvant
lump & SNB 8/03
CET x2
radiation and herceptin/navelbine 11-03-1/04
1st reoccur to lymph nodes 8/04
complete axillary dissection 12/04
herceptin/taxotere til progression (lungs) 3/05
xeloda w/out lapatinib trial 6/05
lapatinib/tykerb added 4/06
ended trial 8/06 due to progression
doxil / avastin 11/06-12/06 - wasn't working
navelbine/herceptin/avastin 12/06/3/07 - progression
gemzar/carboplatin/tykerb 4/07
mri shows extensive mets to bone in pelvic area 6/07
switched to abraxane (3 on/1 off) + tykerb 6/07
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08-31-2007, 02:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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From one Tricia K to another:)!!!
Congratulations Tricia, thats wonderful news and I'm in awe at your fighting spirit. It's wondeful and uplifting for everyone to celebrate such good news with you.
Keep fighting, eating and forgot those calories!!
__________________
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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08-31-2007, 06:04 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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TriciaK
Thank you for sharing your latest news. Positive stories are what we all need. We celebrate with you. Congrats!!!!
I'm for those gooey desserts.
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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08-31-2007, 06:11 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Tricia,
Congratulations on the good news! And yes, we do relish in hearing good news. You are such an inspiration. Good luck with the scan in December.
__________________
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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08-31-2007, 06:14 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Tricia,
This is the greatest news!!
We didn't make it to Phoenix for spring training this year but we just bought a new motor home and I am sure Ken will insist on going next spring. We will be sure to stop in St. George to see you then.
Love N' Hugs,
Marlys
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08-31-2007, 07:03 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CHARLOTTE NC USA
Home town (ECUADOR) South America
Posts: 542
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hy hero
Thanks for sharing with us this good information ...and congrats ....you hav too many's fan's in this site and I'm the first one ...keep it up....always
__________________
Lily Diag April/06 5 months after give birth my son Max stage IV mets on liver (5 tumors) 38 year old, her2+++ and ER+PR+ from32 nodes 4 positives mastectomy right breast chemo before surgery herceptin/carboplatin/taxotere ,clear and surgery have radiation 20, `& then herceptin and tamoxifen NED until Aug/07 body only then 'n June 04-06-07 .1 lesion of 1.6 cm on cerebellum ...novalis ,open sugery 5m.m brain met again novalis, 4mm.In the liver. Waiting 2 months now 3 tumors enroll on T-MCC trial start first infusion Nov 5/07 at Dec 17 scan show one tumor despair the 2nd and 3th diminish Doc said great results until March/08 ct scan show progression 03-05-08 start tykerb & xeloda
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08-31-2007, 08:09 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 477
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That is GREAT news! You made my weekend.
Thank you, Carolyn
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08-31-2007, 09:19 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Thank you for sharing your uplifting news! It has made my day better!
Love,
Lexi
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08-31-2007, 11:45 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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We all rejoice with you. That's wonderful news.
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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08-31-2007, 01:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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That is just marvelous news! I am so thrilled to hear it. Sounds to me like you haven't been fighting cancer for 22 years, but rather that it has been trying to fight you - with very little success! You are by far one of my biggest inspirations... Wow.
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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08-31-2007, 02:05 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Hi Tricia!
What a joy it was to read your note and to remember that God continues to bless this group! Thank you for sharing such wonderful news and for sharing your story with us.
Mary Anne
__________________
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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08-31-2007, 02:15 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 279
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Echoing everyone's gratefulness for you post, so inspiring to hear of your good news! Live long and prosper dear....
__________________
Kim
Diagnosed 7/05
Stage 3a er+(45%) pr+(68%) Her2+ (40%)
3.8 cm + .8cm multi focal - pleomorphic lobular tumors
high grade DCIS
7/20 nodes
BRCA 2 positive as of 5/07
surgeries: double mastectomy, hysterectomy (LAVH)
A/C,Herceptin for 1 year completed 11/06
femara
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08-31-2007, 03:06 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Tricia,
Wow, that is fantastic news - that you're just too darn healthy to need that surgery!
__________________
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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08-31-2007, 05:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
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Tricia,
Great news, I am very happy for you.
Julie
__________________
Diagnosed in Sept 2004 while pregnant with the second child. Stage 3b, tumor 4.5cm, 4 auxillary and supraclav node positive. Her2+++ FISH 9.4 and er-,pr-.
Had dose dense neoadjuvant AC,Taxol then mastectomy,radiation+xeloda+Herceptin.
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08-31-2007, 05:35 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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great news!
I so love to read wonderful stories such as yours! Thank you for sharing this.
__________________
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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08-31-2007, 06:44 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greendale, WI
just outside Milwaukee
Posts: 211
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Hats off to you Tricia! You make it sound so easy to keep this monster at bay. I am sure your wonderful attitude toward life in general has made a huge difference in your outcome. We will all try to emulate you. I will try to live life to it's fullest each day in honor of you. Thank you for all your inspirational posts. Peace Karen
__________________
04/05 Onset 49, DCIS, solid, Hist 2/3, Nucl 2/3, 7cm R Brst
04/05 E & P + HER2+++
05/05 Mediport
05/05 Cytoxan & Adriamycin every 3wk x4
08/05 Taxol every 2wk x 4, Herceptin every wk x1yr
10/05 Bilat Mast - my Choice
10/05 3/19 lymph nodes Pos, Stage IIIa
11/05 Rad x 37 Rx, R Brst & Axcilla
02/06 Herceptin stopped (L vent HF 40)
03/06 Started & Stoped Arimidex after 2 mos.-QOL side effects
05/06 Started Tamoxafin
06/06 Bilat Free Flap Reconstruction
12/06 Cardiomyopathy reversed-HF normal
01/07 Bilat Saline Implants
07/07 CA 27-29 steadily rising from 28 in 12/06 to 46 in 7/07
07/07 PET Scan NED, but inflamation at prev surg site.
09/07 Started Femara
10/07 CA 27-29 down to 39
06/08 CA 27-29 down to 32
09/08 Lg joint pain & QOL side effects from Femara, will live w/ to keep CA markers within normal range.
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08-31-2007, 06:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Its getting late here in the east and its always great to have good news
before you go to bed. Congratulations. you are an inspiration.
patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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08-31-2007, 07:01 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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Congratulations on your wonderful news!
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