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11-13-2014, 02:33 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 508
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Checking in, after a loooong absence.
I think of many of you often. I've been absent for a long time, while I try to get my feet back under me following my choroidal melanoma. As you know, I had plaque radiation therapy at Wills Eye in Philadelphia. I tested genetically as high risk, so I did six months of oral chemo, called Sutent. A pill a day for six months. Sounded easier to me than the iv therapy I received 31 years ago for my breast cancer. I tolerated fairly well, but by the end, it whooped me "pretty good"! It will be a year at the end of December since I have completed that therapy. I also had a laser pan retinal photocoagulation and continue to get Avastin shots directly into the OM eye. The good news is that so far, no evidence of mets and I've graduated to six month mri of liver and yearly ct of lungs. Labs every six months too. My vision was expected to go at 18 months post plaque, but it was 20/50 yesterday!
I first wrote to the group when my only sibling, my sis, was diagnosed with HER2 positive bc. It has been five years for her and thankfully, she is doing well. Just wanted to tell you all again that I'll always be grateful for the warm and welcoming reception I received, both for her and for me (despite my latest cancer not being breast).
I think of you often and keep you in my prayers.
Barb A.
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11-13-2014, 03:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Haarlem, the Netherlands
Posts: 835
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Re: Checking in, after a loooong absence.
Good to hear your "voice" again. And glad that you seem to be doing well, despite the melanoma treatment. It sounds pretty tough to me.
Please keep us updated on yourself and your sis when you feel up to it.
Jacqueline
__________________
Diagnosed age 44, January 2004, 0.7 cm IDC & DCIS. Stage 1, grade 3, ER/PR pos. HER2 pos. clear margins, no nodes. SNB. 35 rads. On Zoladex and Armidex since Dec. 2004. Stopped Zoladex/Arimidex sept 2009 Still taking mistletoe shots (CAM therapy) Doing fine.
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11-13-2014, 05:34 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
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Re: Checking in, after a loooong absence.
Hey Friend!
Glad to see you popped on to let everyone know how well you are doing! Just got home from Asheville (think I told you I was heading there for a bit of R&R). They must have had a hundred Christmas trees throughout the Biltmore--lovely! Say "hi" to Brook. We'll talk soon.
L.
__________________
Smile On!
Laurel
Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara
15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....
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11-13-2014, 08:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Checking in, after a loooong absence.
Hi Barb A,
Thanks for the update. Glad both you and your sister are doing well. It's always good to hear from an old friend. Take care and say 'Hi' to your sister for us.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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11-13-2014, 10:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Re: Checking in, after a loooong absence.
Wow, that is amazing news. I remember in the beginning of treatment it sounded pretty iffy - but this is great. Thanks for updating us.
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11-14-2014, 04:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: Checking in, after a loooong absence.
Thanks for the update and I'm so thrilled you and your sister are doing well still. 
__________________
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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