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08-31-2007, 07:08 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Christine and Joe
My thoughts are with you and wishing you nothing but the best. Enjoy
your trip and congratulations on eight years!!!
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, 07:13 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Thinking positive thoughts for you both
Joe,
Thanks for the update on Christine. I am praying for those mets to dissipate very quickly, and soon, so Christine can return to NED.
Have a great time in San Francisco.
All the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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08-31-2007, 08:25 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
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I wish all the best and continuous success for our cheer leader.
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, 08:48 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Hoping all will be resolved and Christine's eyesight improves also. You deserve all the best.
________
WASHINGTON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
Last edited by sassy; 08-22-2011 at 09:29 AM..
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08-31-2007, 09:07 PM
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#25
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
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Still Here, when you say your cardiomyopathy is reversed,, does that mean your heart is now normal, and you don't have to take medication any more... are they going to give you herceptin again, now , I had Herceptin for 18 weeks, and was taken off because of HF... so many things to learn
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09-01-2007, 11:28 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 65
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Way to go Christine! Brain mets are certainly interesting little devils, as I've learned on my own. I'm like you, though, I relax as long as my oncology team is relaxed. Hope your eye heals quickly and the other comes through with crystal clear colors as well; everyone I've known who had cataracts removed were very pleased with the improvement in their vision.
Warmly, Rentrac
__________________
Oct. 2003: Dx age 48, Stage IIIA Ductal Ca. dense dose neoadjuvent AC. BrCa 1&2 -, ER+, PR-, Her2+. 2004: R mastectomy, 3+ nodes, dense doseTaxotere ( allergic), total hysterectomy, radiationx36 . Tamoxifen x6 mo., Arimidex x9 mo. Jan. '06: Multi left metastatic nodes left neck. Stage IV. Taxol, Carboplatin (allergic to both), Herceptin, radiationx27. Herceptin cont'd. 1 mediastinal met in old rad field. April: 2 brain mets - Rcerebellar, Ltemporal lobe. Gammaknife. Stop Herceptin, Start Tykerb. May: CyberKnife-mediastinal node, Zometa restart. July: New RLung mets. Xeloda add. Jan. 2008: CT: Lung mets shrinking. Fatty liver w/increased liver function panel. Feb '08: MRI: brain mets back, 2nd GammaKnife. June: Migraine headaches from cerebellar tumor. Team for WBR - Choose Craniotomy on Cerebellum only. Aug: Crainiotomy successful. Sept: PET -right lung apex clean; left internal mammary artery appears malignant. Herceptin in future. Left mastectomy?
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09-01-2007, 11:43 AM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Christine and Joe
WOW, you are both such an inspiration to all of us.....it seems we all have to go "in for service" on occasion.....Christine you are such a role model to all of us!!!!
Sending prayers and love
__________________
"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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09-01-2007, 12:26 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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I think Christine is STILL considered NED - just with an area of interest that bears watching in her brain. Something like my situation with a quite small previously treated tumor which shows on my MRIs. It has not had the decency to "implode" or disappear, but my spot is now considered a scar due to long stability.
Great to hear from Joe that there was already improvement in the eye that was worked on. Eye surgery can seem a bit daunting, but is SO worth it with the modern equipment and skill level!
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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09-01-2007, 01:50 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES!
w/home in Boca Raton, Florida
Orig from L.I., N.Y.
Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
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In For A Tune Up
Thanks for keeping us posted, Christine and Joe. You know how much we all love you both. I read about your present brain status, but feel confident you will prevail. My multiple liver tumors were finally read by an addl 2 radiologists, each independent and unaware of any other reports. Each differed w/the regular radiologist who had been measuring each and every tumor every 8 wks. We had noted slow but steady shrinkage. After nine mnths of Taxotere, my body just couldn't take any more. A radiologist (previously from Sloan Kettering) was now w/my Westchester onc. He said he did not believe what he was looking at were tumors. They appeared to be the dead remains of tumors. Cyst-like. Filled w/fluid. I wanted to believe in this *necrosis* but wondered if I dare. Then my NYC onc's radiologist (from Mt. Sinai) read my CT scans and said just the same thing. I felt it was a sign. I was pronounced "in cautious remission* in May '99. I have remained STABLE ever since. THAT is what I am hoping for for you, Chris! That what they are seeing is just scar tissue.
8 yrs on Herceptin -- I love you! I will be at the 9 yr mark in November... Vitamin H rocks! Our bodies seem to love the stuff. How wonderful, my sweet Sister. We are blessed are we not? I bliss out on each new day, and feel certain that is true for you and Joe as well. 
Good luck w/the cataract thing. I haven't reached my turn on that yet, but know everyone who has been through out has emerged happily improved. Yes, the little things we take for granted are so precious and not recognized often enough. I learned (from my severely incapacitated mother, over a 12 yr period of personal agony, having to see what she could not). WE can walk and talk, communicate and think, talk on the phone, read and watch TV and movies, carry on conversations, email! and post, feed ourselves, bathe ourselves, go to the bathroom ourselves, dress ourselves, shave our legs and tweeze, do our own hair and such. Each of these are gifts we enjoy without even realizing! So, Chris, hoping you will soon be able to drive and do all that vision affords you. And don't forget to listen to the music! And dance... With love, dear one, Andi
__________________
Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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09-03-2007, 10:39 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Joe and Christine,
Please know that both of you are loved and all my prayers will always be
with you.....I was just thinking....where would we all be without both of
you? Our fearless leaders....
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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09-04-2007, 12:47 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 131
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Wishing you and Christine the best, God Bless you both.
__________________
Lala
DX Fall05 Stage 4 er+ pr+ her2+ liver and bone mets
DX Fall06 Brain mets, Brain mets gone Spring 2007
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09-04-2007, 04:42 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 660
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Joe - please send my love to Christine. I am catching up on all the posts I missed and wish I had seen this one sooner. Christine has always been an inspiration to me, and you and this sight have taught me so much!! Many, many prayers and love coming your way from Long Island, NY! Love - Maryann
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09-04-2007, 02:12 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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I am also just getting caught up, haven't been on-line for a while. I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well, and that this area of concern in the brain is most likely due to cancer self-destructing! Many good thoughts and prayers your way.
<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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09-05-2007, 09:48 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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Repairs
Christine and Joe,
I don't know what the schedule is for SF but by now you both must be there? I don't know how people do all that you both do, but in 8 years you both have done a great deal to make a difference... I hope the surgery keeps the twinkle in her eyes!
AlaskaAngel
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09-05-2007, 09:57 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: California's Gold Country
Posts: 404
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Congratulations on your 8 years! I know you two are on top of things along with your great medical team. Hopefully by the next MRI that little bugger will be dust!
Sending prayers and best wishes for a great outcome with the eye surgery. Being able to drive again will be so liberating!
Love Kim
__________________
Diag. Feb 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes +. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin.
5/1997 Hi Dose Chemo w/ Stem cell rescue. Spent 4 weeks in isolation ward. Then 6 weeks radiation.
9/2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 mos Taxotere/Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stop Taxotere & add Femara .
11/2002 liver resection to remove spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED!
7/2003 Tumor markers rising add Xeloda Disastrous reaction, 8 days hospital, but tumor markers came back to normal!
June -Dec 2004 UW Vaccine Trial.
7/2005 MRI single 11mm brain met
8/2005 Gamma Knife.
Brain MRI @3 months NED!
2006-2011 brain/body still NED
8/04/11 Taking Herceptin break, will monitor with tumor markers.
6/20/12 Tumor markers begin to rise. CA15-3 is 31.3 and Her2 Serum is at 17.1 Decide to repeat in one month.
7/23/12 CA15-3 now 49.3
Her2 Serum 26.8
8/6/12 Back on Herceptin
CA15-3 now 76
Her2 Serum now 49
11/7/12 Add weekly Taxotere for 4 cycles
2/2013 Stopped Taxotere added Perjeta. MRI shows approx. 50% reduction liver mets. CA15-3 still elevated @ 55. Will continue on just Herceptin & Perjeta.
November 2014 Continuing on Herceptin, Perjeta, and
Femara indefinitely. Guess I'm NED again, but watching those tumor markers carefully!
Dec. 2015 PET scan reveals mass in perirectal area of abdomen.biopsy confirms. Still Her2+, but no longer ER+. Bye bye Femara
Jan 2016 Begin Kadcyla
March 2016 PET scan shows tumor now barely visible, still NED everywhere else.
2016/2017 continue Kadcyla
November 2017 brain MRI reveals small focus of T2 hyperintensity with possible 4mm enhancing nodule. Short term follow up MRI suggested. Stay tuned...
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