***What was your date of dx, stage, treatment and current status...???***

[RhondaH]

Maryanne had ANOTHER great idea. I for one like to know everyones date of diagnosis, stage, nodal status, er/pr status, her2 status, treatment and current status. I also know that as time goes on people get on with their lives and don't check in as much, but even if on your anniversary you could check in and let us know how you are doing (also this helps the newly diagnosed looking for hope in those that came before them) that would be great.

Dx 2/1/05 (age 40), Partial Mastectomy 2/7/05
Stage 1 (1.6 cm)
Node negative (6 nodes removed)
ER/PR-
HER2+ (FISH 3.16)
Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan) on 5/18/05
Finished 33 rads 8/1/05
Started 1 year of Herceptin on 8/18/05 (will be done 8/10/06)

Next...

Rhonda

[Chelee]

Hi Ronda, A very good idea...I like it. http://www.her2support.org./vbulletin/images/smilies/smile.gif

DX 12-20-05
Right side mastectomy on 1-3-06
Stage IIIA
Her2/Neu 3+++
5 of 16 positive nodes
Er & Pr positive
Richardson score 9 of 9

Finished three rounds of Herceptin, Taxotere, & Carbpotin, along with weekly herceptin.

First chemo was on 2-7-06. I had one hospital stay that delayed treatment...so I am about a month behind schedule.

Next full cycle of chemo 5-1-06

[Bev]

I guess it could be useful to have this on one thread.

Dx 5/05 Lump 7/05
stage 2 (2.9mm)
node neg (2 rem) SNB
ER/PR+
Her 2 + +++ IHC confirmed by FISH
Beg 4AC 9/05, Fin 12 taxol & H 2/06
Fin 35 rads 4/14/06 Fin 1 yr H 11/06

[dberg]

Dx July 2004 at age 45

Stage III, 5 cm, 2/13 nodes , Her2+++, ER/PR+, and lots of other nasty proliferative stuff.

Clinical trial SWOG 0221: Weekly A, daily C/15 weeks; T 12 weeks (no Herceptin trial as onc didn't think the control arm was aggressive enough)
Herceptin started June 05, following HERA protocol.

Rads to chest wall, 35 I think!

Currently on tamoxifen and fosamax.

Anybody else's onc suggesting 2 years of herceptin???

[Monique M]

Dx 08/30/2004 at the age of 39

Lumpectomy 09/05/2004 (Tumor 4.1 cm, 1 sentiel node with microsopic evidence of disease)

Bilateral Mascetomy 09/16/2004 1 node of 9 with microsopic evidence of disease Stage IIB

ER/PR-
Her 2 + +++ IHC confirmed by FISH

No further evidence of disease as of 9/30/2004 (based on PET, CT scan and tumor markers)

Began 4AC (dose dense) 10/15/2004

Herceptin started weekly in December 2004 with taxol every other week for total of 8 weeks

Chemo ended 01/27/2005

Herceptin every three weeks starting in 02/2005

Currently in second year of herceptin-- with anticipated end in November of 2006

[michele u]

Dx Aug 2003

stage 3b 35 pos nodes
er/pr neg
FISH 10
IHC 3
AC x 4 taxol x 12 then one year Herceptin
then did vaccine trial Seattle

[Patricia]

I found the larger lump myself in the shower. I had never had a mammogram because of my age. When I had the mammogram it still did not show even though everyone could feel it. Showed on the ultrasound.
Dx IDC July 22, 2005, 37 yo at dx
Partial Mastectomy July 29, 2005, 2 lumps, 1.6cm IDC/.6cm benign fibroadenoma. Sentinal node biopsy - 3 removed/0 nodes positive
Her2+(100%)/ER+(30%)/PR+(23%)/Stage 1/Grade 3
Dx Papilary Thyroid Cancer Aug 15, 2005
Total Thyroidectomy Sept 15, 2005
A/C x 4
Taxol weekly x 12
Herceptin started Dec 05, now on every 3 weeks.
Lupron every month
Started Aromasin 2 weeks ago
Rads still to start (delayed due to scare on 6 mo mamo, which turned out to be nothing)
Thyrogen scan in Feb showed some remaining Thyroid cancer, need to do Radioactive Iodine in summertime.

Patricia

[Yorkiegirl]

Dx'd 3-23-05 w/ 3 cm tumor Age 48 1/2 (turned 49 July)

MRM 4-5-05 w 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
5+/16 nodes
Stage 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++ 3.42 confirmed by FISH
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, will be done this August 2006.

Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.

Taking Fosamax as well since I was dx'd with severe Osteoporois Feb. 2005

Vicki

[Kimberly Lewis]

Dx 5/05, mamogram misread, was supposed to be a tiny tumor with a lumpectomy performed 6/05, ended up being 5.3 CM invasive lobular with DCIS up to the borders.
7/05 Mastectomy left breast Stage 3A, 7 of 20 nodes involved. Her2 2+ - 3+, ER+PR+
8/05 4 rounds of dose dense AC, one of Taxol discontinued because of allergic reaction. 30x radiation
12/05 Herpceptin treatments every 3 weeks for a year.
2/06 Prophylactic Mastectomy right breast

Herceptin treatment ended - I still struggle to feel positive about this. Taking Femara now after total Hysterectomy. 12/12/06

[juanita]

diagnosed 9-2-04 at age 41
lumpectomy 9-7-04
no node involvement
stage 1 grade 3
2 rounds tac
35 rads
switched oncs
6 rounds cmf
started herceptin 6-05
so far so good

[kristen]

Dx'd 10-03 at age 41
3 tumors largest being 1.4 cm, microcalicifications over 5cm area orginally thought 3b
Mastectomy 11/03, stage 2b, grade 3
3/12 node involvement, er/pr -, FISH 7.6
BRCIG study, CTH arm, 6 rounds, 1 yr Herceptin 12/04
30 rads
reconstruction 12/04. finish revision 5/06
NED

[Andi]

DX 6/30/05 Age 52, Stage 3c, 17 of 20 nodes pos, Estrogen +, Her 2 +++, Tumor 2.8, Lumpectomy 7/13/05, Began 4 dose dense A/C 7/24/05
Finished weekly Taxol with Herceptin 12/7/05, Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 12/14/05, will complete 9/13/06. Finished 6 weeks of radiaiton 2/28/06. Currently taking tamoxifin.

[Cathya]

Hi;

Found the lump myself in the shower. Dx Oct 2004, lumpectomy Nov 15, 2004. No positive nodes, 3 cm tumor left breast. Dec 30, 2004 1 cm tumor found by onc in supraclavicular node left side, inoperable. 4 AC, 4 Taxol, radiation...particularly to clavicular area with boosts. During chemo I requested that I be checked for her2 and was found positive by FISH....borderline. Began herceptin during last Taxol infusion and remained on it until 4 weeks ago when my muga score went to 42. Am ER/PR + and taking Arimidex. So far, so good. Going for brain scan and bone density shortly. Trying to track down Bayer Her2 serum test.

Cathy

[SandyR]

Hi there...I am new to this board. Here is my DX

Diagnosed 7/05, Age 49, 5 cm lump left breast -- Her2+++ PR/ER negative, 4 lymph nodes removed which were all negative, Staged at 2 ? (because of the size of lump)...
8/05 began chemo: 4 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin, then 4 rounds Taxotere/Herceptin....continuing with Herceptin for a year (at least). I have just completed 33 blasts of radiation (5 days/wk for 6 and half weeks).

My onc says she is waiting for release of data to determine whether or not I am on herceptin one more year. MUGA is currently 68 (I think vigorous exercise helps!) They are also watching a node in my lung (currently believed to be scar tissue NOT cancer) with MRI's.
Thanks to all of you for posting....you all give me much hope. Thank you!
SandyR in Everett WA

[BEVIE]

Great idea!

I was DX 10/2000 age 49, lumpectomy tumor 1.5cm node neg. Onc. started chemo 2 CMF's before HER2 DX came back positive by FISH then switched me to 4 AC's 28 rads. 9 months of Tamoxifen 4 yrs of Arimidex so far so good.

[Michelle]

Dx 3/05 @ 34 yrs. old
er+/pr+ her2+++
stage 1c 1.9cm tumor
lumpectomy-0 nodes
4 AC- 4 taxol w herceptin
35 rads
5 yrs. of tamoxifen

Onc. will offer 2nd yr. of herceptin depending on muga-and I will be offered something after the tamoxifen
Michelle

[pattyz]

12-1999: Age 50, Dx'd Invasive Ductal & Inflammatory. Two tumors, upper and lower inside quadrants R/breast.

1-2000: Mast., 6/26 pos. nodes. ER+PR-, Heu2+++ StageIIIb - 4rnds A/C, no rads (my choice & no medical ins.)

7-2002: Dx'd mediastinal node/s mets, (surgical biopsy), 'spot' on lung and pelvis. Arimidex briefly.

9-2002: Dx'd brain mets. (mininally symptomatic) Two lesions, 1.5cm, 6mm. SRS focalized tx successful. Refused WBR.

11-2002: Navelbine/Herceptin 4rnds for systemic mets, scans show NED.

3-2003: Progression of brain mets. 14 new lesions visable. Asymptomatic. Continue to refuse WBR. "Watch and wait " approach. Treat in small batches with two more SRS, two CyberKnife procedures through 5-2004. NED in body.

3-2005: Progression brain mets - maybe 10 new lesions, asymptomatic. (otherwise NED) Again 'watch and wait' approach until...

8-2005: Dizzy 24/7 in the course of just one day. Begin Temodar/Xeloda.

9-28-2005: Following 2 rnds, MRi shows response of nearly 50% shrinkage in many brain mets, including brainstem/pons. Dizziness gone.

11-28-2005: MRi duplicate of previous films- after 4rnds T/X, mets remain responsive w/ more shrinkage nearing 50%. Continue Temodar/Xeloda.


12-19-2005: Onc confers w/rad onc re: past scans. Determine that some of the 'new' lesions are not new at all, but old treated spots just vaguely visable.

1-26-2006: MRi shows all stable. Will continue chemo combo.

3-27-2006: Still STABLE, no new mets. Taking chemo break after six mos tx. Keeping up every two month MRi's. Feeling good!

[Sandy H]

I am kind of far out compared to the rest that have already posted. It is important for me to say that I am Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) a rare and very agressive cancer. I was told I had no long term survival perhaps, a couple of years and certainly, not 5 years!! I was diagnosed 03/01, IBC, stage 111b, (as all IBC is a stage 111b or IV if it has spread to the organs or bone)ER-/PR-, Her2+++, 44 pos. nodes. Treatment Ad/Taxatere x4, surgery, Rt. MRM with skin graft to chest wall, and my choice of Lt. simple mastectomy. 44 pos nodes. Radiation x5, then back to chemo Taxol and Herceptin x12 for skin mets (cancer in the skin/chest wall, IBC is a lymphatic disease) In and out of chemo (Taxol has been my miracle drug for skin mets) and NED to chest wall up to present. Scans every 6 months, do to my being IBC, so far no organ or bone involvement. I do lots of supplements, diet of lots of fruits and vegies, avoid dairy, meats, processed foods, exercise daily, drinks lots of water and get 10 or more hours of sleep at night believe in the power of prayer. I did reach my 5 year mark last month and still doing well. My doctors all tell me I wasn't suppose to still be here. For those out there that are given a death sentence or poor prognosis there is HOPE!! Sandy

[jener8er]

What a great idea - I love to hear everyones dx!
Me:
Mammo 12/03 - Clear (ordered as left breast was larger than right, felt different and hurt while I was nursing my daughter)
8/04 - Felt large lump in left armpit.
9/04 - Felt pea-sized lump in left breast
10/04 - dx IDC, 1cm, +DCIS, 4/20 + nodes (4cm+), ER/PR- HER2+++, Grade 3, Stage 3a
TX - Left MRM, 4xAC, 4xT+Herceptin, 35 rads, currently on 2nd year of Herceptin, will continue till December 06.
Proph. Mast with DIEP bilateral recon. June 06
All recent scans (brain, PET, bone) CLEAR!

[athena453]

I think my info is in my signature. I am currently 28 and NED. Next set of scans 5/5/06.

[Becky]

08/04 - found lump during monthly breast exam at age 45.

9/04 - lumpectomy 1.9 cm tumor 1/10 nodes positive. Her2 (3+) ER (50%) PR neg.
10/04 - joined this website at the start of chemo
4AC + 4 Taxol dense dose. Finished chemo 1/31/05. 34 rads (28 + 6 boosts) finished 4/05. ASCO meeting in May, 2005 presented Hera trial and NAmerican trial. They recommended Herceptin for any Her2+ woman who was 6 months or less out of chemo (they later modified this to 12 months) so I started Herceptin in mid June 2005 at about 4 months post last chemo session.

I should be done this June but my onco is recommending going to at least the end of September to cover my first 2 yrs beyond diagnosis. He may end up going for the second yr but I doubt it if there isn't any 2nd yr trial results. So, I will get at least 15+ months of Herceptin therapy.

Got ovaries removed 8/05 so I could also take Arimidex vs Tamoxifen as I am estrogen positive as well.

So far so good.

Becky

[tricia keegan]

DX 07/04/05
Lumpectomy 07/24/05
3/9 nodes
A/c x4
Taxol/herceptin x12 weekly
35 rads completed 04/26/06
Herceptin 3 wkly for a yr
Idc Highly triple positive

[Susan Rankin]

DX 7-04 IDC
Partial Mastectomy 8-04
1 positive node sentinel
ERPR + Her2pos+++
4 Adriamycin every two weeks
4 Taxol every two weeks
4 Cytoxan every two weeks
33 rads
Arimidex
6-05 Herceptin x one year
NED

[Sheila]

Diagnosed in Feb. 2002 at age 49 (50th birthday gift!)
Found on routine mammo via calcifications, had been getting mammos every 6 mos due to family history of BC.
STAGE 1
Left mastectomy 2/2002, 0.7cm IDC, Her2 +++ by IHC, ER-, PR-, 18 nodes neg.
No chemo recommended due to neg nodes and small tumor size.
Reconstruction with tissue expander / silicone implant 9/2003
Enlarged lymph nodes in collarbone area found during reconstruction, biopsied & found to be Her2+++ Breast Cancer. Graduated to.................
STAGE IV, 9/2003 with mets to lymph nodes.
Herceptin started every 3 weeks. Stable until 3/2006 when lymph nodes in collarbone reappeared (gift for my 54th birthday)
Began Xeloda 4/2006 with Herceptin, lymph nodes shrank by 75% after 1 cycle.
Continue on Herceptin and Xeloda.
Just passed my 4 year mark...looking to the big 5 year one!!!!!

[Sue2001]

Excellent idea!

I found a lump while in the shower. Ultrasound showed 3 tumors.
Dx 1-11-01 at age 40.
Stage 3
ER-, PR-
Her2+++
4/13+ lymph nodes
Mastectomy on one side 2-6-01, had to take the muscle to get clear margins

Took part in phase 3 clinical trial for Herceptin:
Dose dense AC x4
Taxol weekly x12
Herceptin weekly for1 year
34 rounds of radiation

Still have troubles with Lymphedema, Neuropathy and Muscle Spasms.

NED for 5 years now, Sue

[Maggie]

DX 7/04
Lumpectomy 7/9/04
1.2 cn
Stage 1
Infiltrating Medullary Carsinoma
8 nodes negative
ER/PR neg HER/2 3+ (strong positive)
A/C X 4
33 rads ending 12/23/04
Herceptin approved for early stage in November, started 11/05 every 3 weeks for a year.

Maggie

[madubois63]

Stage IV IBC 1/12/2000 - age 36
Modified Radical Mastecotomy - 24nod/5+
immediate tram flap reconstuction (herniated 2x)
Adriomycin Cytoxin Taxol
4 1/2 years Tamoxifen
Radiation - 32 x
plural effusion 8/2004
thorocentesis - pleurodesis - video assited biopsy
Metastasized IBC to lung/liver/nodes 10/04
Herceptin Taxotiere Carboplaten
Femera/Lupron
Stable since April 2005
platelet/blood transfusions
-Maryann age 42 and counting-

[Olivia]

Found lump as a fluke - just adjusting bra.
Age 34 - Dx 12/12/04
1/12/05 Bilateral mastectomy with latisimus dorsi reconstruction and sentinel node biopsy
Stage 1 (2 lesions right breast .9 cm and .6 cm)
Grade III
Node negative
ER/PR-
HER2+
4 rounds of dose dense Adriamycin and cytoxin
4 rounds taxol
No rads
Started 1 year of Herceptin on 5/05(will be done 5/06) yikes!

Olivia

[panicked911]

semi regular mamos since age 35. I was diagsied at age 43.
7/22/05 - mamo tech.thought something wrong with left breast then said Ok. I insisted to Ob/GYN wanted sonogram
9/2/ 05 ( my deceased mother's birthday) had sonogram which showed small regular shaped tumor on right side. All docs said nothing to worry about the edges are smooth. Went to see surgeon anyway -she also not alarmed did sono in her office.
9/13/05 - biopsy at major medical center
9/14/05 (daughter's 10th birthday) diagnoised with er+ tumor right side.
9/18/05 see surgeon memorial Sloan kettering in NYC - not one small tumor but 3 ( two peas and a pencil point ) first surgeon biopsied "wrong" tumor.
10/5/05 - partial lumpectomy - three nodes removed.
three tumors in total 1.2, 1.2 .01 - one ever showed up on mamograms - her2+, er ( 80%) pr (70%)
started on tamoxifen 10/19/05
Nov. started weekly herceptain
December started monthly Lupron shots and switched to arimidex
1/15/06 - reexcission- radiooncologist did not like the pathology report - margin increased all around from .2mm to .1 cm. patholgy report on reecision came up completely negative.
2/12 started rads.
3/27 completed rads
april 18, last weekly herceptain - now going one every three weeks.
six month MRI scheduled for May 21. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[mekasan]

Dx: at 29 y.o. on 8/4/05
Stage 1 IDC, two tumors (.7 cm and .5 cm) and DCIS spanning 4 cm
(pT1b pN0 pMx)
Tumor grade 2 (Nottingham)
High grade
ER- / PR-
Her2: 5.33
0 node involvment

Tx: (Surgery) total L Breast mastectomy with immediate lat flap recon and cohesive silicone ("gummy bear") implant, (chemo) followed by 4 rounds AC, followed by Herceptin for 1 year (3 wks apart, beginning 12/21/05).

Used Lupron to voluntarily and temporarily shut down ovaries to protect them durng chemo. Effexor for hotflashes, Ativan for insomnia.

3/22/05 Preventive R Breast mastectomy with immediate lat flap recon with "gummy bear" implant.

[Jackie]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_9.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm479YYUS) Stage II, DX 4-05
EP +, HER2 +++,
1 node, 1.6mm
Simple Mast/Reconstruction Left breast 6/05
4x AC/4xTaxotere/Herceptin--finished chemo 11/05
Herceptin to cont. for yr.--stopped due to drop in Muga--hopefully to restart soon
47yrs. old

[margaret]

Dx 11/01 at age 38
Lefts side Mastectomy
Stage 3b (9cm by 6cm by 4cm)
16 nodes involved (16 nodes removed)
ER/PR-
HER2+++
Treatment - AC chemo and Taxol and herceptin and continued weekly treatments of herceptin for 1 year.
Radiation 35 rounds

Thankfully I've been NED since end of treatment. Changed my lifestyle significantly - ended a destructive marriage, became single mom, eat mostly organic and vegetarian, do lots of yoga, teach yoga, created supportive, loving relationships, vowed to live each day to the fullest with less stress, enjoy flowers and birds, relax more......:)
Margaret

[karenann]

Mammo since age 32, had first lump removed while pregnant with my daughter at 36. The lump was benign
This lump did not show up on mammo but was a solid mass on us. The DCIS was not picked up on mamo or us.
DX: Jan '05 at age 49
Lumpectomy
1.3cm IDC w/ High grade DCIS 1mm from chest wall
5 nodes removed all negative
ER+ 95% PR+ 10%
Her2+++
Grade 3
I did dose dense ACx4 and Tx4 and 34 rads. Two weeks after last Taxol, I started a year of Herceptin and I will complete Herceptin in July. Currently on five years of Aromasin.

[jhandley]

Hi
dx April 2001; 2 cm, 1/13 node +; Segmental mast; rads; chemo=taxotere trial (3 A, 3T, 3 CMF);

Reoccurence in same breast in Sep 2005; 4 x 2 cm tumour not picked up by ultrasound/mammo.(extensive fibrocystic disease in breast); Scans showed 1 x 15 mm spot on liver. Tx=taxol/hercetpin x 6 then maintenance herceptin. NED after 3 cycles.

(Note: I think 2nd tumour was there all along but because it wasnt large/didnt show on mammo.possibly it was supppressed by chemo. then eventually started growing again. In hindsight I should have insisted on full masectomy).

Jackie

[julie a]

Diagnosed June 2004
2.7cm lump er/pr - HER2 +++ grade 3 no lymph node involvement
lumpectomy,6 months chemo and 3 months radiation
Rediagnosed January 2006
2 cm lump with mastectomy and tissue expander HER2 FISH ++?
March ct scan shows lung lesions - largest 8 mm
Will have last chemo of Adriamycin this week and start HERCEPTIN shortly

Good luck and best wishes to all!!
Love the site
Julie

[PatS]

My info. -

- Diag. 07/31/02, age 40, Stage III
- Neoadjuvant Chemo, 4 A/C followed by 4 Taxotere (ea. 3 weeks apart)
- Mastectomy with expander/implant reconstruction. Tumor had shrunk to 1cm and all
7 nodes taken were negative (status of nodes prior to chemo is unknown)
- 28 rads
- Currently taking Arimidex
- Contemplating late Herceptin, waiting to get response from insurance co.


Pat

[Mgarr]

Found lump in the shower Thanksgiving weekend 11/04 at 39 yrs. young. Long & sorted between then & surgery. 1st surgery Jan 05 lumpectomy & Sentinel node removal turned into partial mast. as my lump was no longer 2cm but 3.5cm. Told the nodes were clear when I followed up a week later w/ onc. I was told there was a 4mm spot in 1 node I would have to go back to surgery for the rest to be removed. The other 11 were clear.

Stage IIB Grade 3, Her+++ , ER/PR-
Dose Dense A/C & T 4X, 30 rads.
Thanks to all the "trailblazers" Herceptin was approved 1/2 thru my Taxol added and I will continue (every 3 weeks) on that til July 5th

Currently considering removal of ovaries.

[MJo]

Dx 10/28/05 Lumpendectomy 11/04/05
Stage 1 (.55 cm)
Node negative (Sentinel node)
ER+/PR+
HER2++
Onctoype score of 31 (21% chance of recurrence in 10 years)

Started chemo week before Christmas. Finished three dose dense A/Cs. Skipped 4th due to illness (anemia, respiratory infection and asthma). Started dose dense Taxol and Herceptin in March. Have finished three Taxols and five Herceptins. Having an easier tiime with Taxol, although I had to wait three weeks for my third due to low blood count.
Will have six weeks of Rads, and one year of Herceptin. Doctor advises five years of Arimidex

All the very best....MJo

[MJo]

Dx 10/28/05 Lumpendectomy 11/04/05
Stage 1 (.55 cm)
Node negative (Sentinel node)
ER+/PR+
HER2++
Onctoype score of 31 (21% chance of recurrence in 10 years)

Started chemo week before Christmas. Finished three dose dense A/Cs. Skipped 4th due to illness (anemia, respiratory infection and asthma). Started dose dense Taxol and Herceptin in March. Have finished three Taxols and five Herceptins. Having an easier tiime with Taxol, although I had to wait three weeks for my third due to low blood count.
Will have six weeks of Rads, and one year of Herceptin. Doctor advises five years of Arimidex

All the very best....MJo

[Christine MH-UK]

Diagnosis 10/2003, age 38. ER-/PR-, very aggressive and pregnancy-affected breast cancer, which worsens matters.
Chemo (6*FEC75) before surgery, so no accurate staging. Oncologist's guess was 2B. Mastectomy. At surgery, 8/19 nodes positive, so 4 rounds of taxotere given after surgery. 15 rads (including area around the collar bone).
One year herceptin started late (10/2005).
Currently NED.

[CherylS]

Diagnosed 2/2005, age 44
Lumpectomy 3/4/05
0/6 nodes
re-excision 3/17/05 for clearer margins
Stage 1, 1.7 cm, ER+ 75%, PR 4%, HER2 5.6 on FISH, grade 3
4 AC, 12 weekly Taxol w/Herceptin
Herceptin continued every 3 weeks for a year
bi-lateral masectomy 9/05, reconstruction continuing
oophrectomy at same time
Arimidex for 5 years

[SherriT]

Diagnosed 12/02/05 - given the news two days before my 37th birthday.

Locally advanced breast cancer / Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
Stage IIIb
ER/PR-
Her2+ (3+)
1.5 cm in size, right breast, inner quadrant
Nottingham grade 3
two underarm nodes abnormal looking but never tested
one abnormal supraclavicular node found but never tested
T2 N3c Mx G3 (poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma)

- Unsure whether nodes were actually involved or whether they were just "reacting" to the cancer as chemo was started right away.
- 12/22/05 - started FEC (fluoracil, epirubicin & cyclophosphamide) -four treatments every 3 weeks.
- 03/23/06 - started TCH (docetaxel, carboplatin and herceptin) -four treatments every 3 weeks.
- 04/01/06 - hospitalized for one week - low blood counts led to very seriously inflamed bowel/colon. Spent four days in critical care followed three days in isolated hospital room. NOT fun!! I am still recovering.
- treatment plan consists of right side mastectomy (unsure whether I should remove both?) followed by radiation.

Sign me,
Terrified that I've been given a death sentence and yet positive that I'll kick the crap out of this disease,
Sherri

[DeborahNC]

Diagnosed 9/04
Stage 0
DCIS right breast, comedo type ER+
Lumpectomy
33 rads
Refused Tamoxifen

Diagnosed 9/05
Stage 1
Bilateral mastectomy (chose prophy for left breast although it was healthy)
SNL-negative in 3 nodes taken
IDC .7cm, DCIS (comedo) 3 cm
Her+++ Er+(weakly)/PR-
Completed 9 of 12 Taxol/Herceptin infusions
Will stay on Herceptin every 3 weeks through October
Will begin AI after Herceptin treatment finished
PET and brain MRI clear 12/05

[Audrey]

Dx July 2001, age 36
15 cm tumor! (did NOT show up on mammogram?!) presented as bloody nipple discharge) 11 + lymph nodes
ER/PR-, Her2+
Stage III
Treated with mastectomy, A/C, weekly Taxol, followed by one year of Herceptin
Radiation
Prophylactic mastectomy on remaining breast
Reconstruction
Last date of herceptin--March 2003
NED!!! Celebrating 5 years of survival this summer
Made it to 40 and counting!

[emmasmom]

Found lump in shower; Went for mammogram and ultrasound and they did a biopsy on my left breast and a lymph node on the spot; Diagnosed in 11/06 at age 36; Tumor was 1.2 cm, 7 of 12 lymph nodes; Grade III; Stage IIIA; ER - /HER2 +++; Finished 4 Rounds of AC; Finish 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin on Thursday (YEA!); Meet with Radiologist next Tuesday; and will be on Herceptin for the rest of the year.

Love, Lisa

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

10 YEAR BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR
-- --------------------------------

Jan. 1996 - diag. with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma to left breast. Had
modified ratical mastetomy with immediate tram flap
reconstruction. Was on Adriamycin/Cytoxin/5FU

Jan. 1999 - Recurrence to auxilla on left side and also met. to liver.
Treated with 2 rounds of Taxol and had a stem cell replacement
with very high dose chemo. In hospital 30 days during
transplant. Found out at this time that I was Her2 possitive
and started on Herceptin in Dec. 1999

Jan/Feb 2001 - recurrence again in liver - 1 tumor.
Treated with Navelbine/Herceptin - 8 months
Gemzar/Herceptin - 8 months
Xeloda/Herceptin - 8 months
tumor never completely destroyed.

Sept. 2003 - Had Radio Frequency Abalation to liver for tumor.
Tumor returned around 8 months later

July 2004 - Decided to try resection of liver. Surgeon removed
half of my liver and along with it the tumor.
Liver has grown back nicely and so far no tumors in
the liver.

Feb. 2005 - Recurrence to lymph node behind head of pancreas
Treated with Abraxane for 8 months when rescanned
and showed another small tumor next to the first lymph
node. Was taken off of the Herceptin when started
Abraxane.

April 2006 - Just took my first treatment of TAXOL/CARBOPLATIN/HERCEPTIN

Well ladies, that's my story and I guess I'm sticking to it (and not because
I want to) haha . It's been a long road but I can say that I have been enjoying my life to the fullest and plan to continue. So as you can see, cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Keep fighting and learning as much as you can about this disease and one day hopefully there WILL be a cure.

I will be making the BREAST CANCER 3-DAY WALK HERE IN TAMPA FOR ALL OF US.

Take care

[jojo]

There ya go....

[sherri]

Dx Dec. 23, 2004
Stage 3 & IBC
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
High Grade Intraductal Carcinoma
Nuclear Garde 3, rate 3, tubular 3 = 9/9 poorly differ.
Lymphatic dermal invasion
ER/PR Negative
HER2 Positive 3+
Lymph node involved (but never done surgery)
Start Chemo ECT does dense 6 cycles (every 2 weeks)
12 days after last chemo, Left mastectomy
Path report after mastectomy:
No tumor after chemo
but still extensive involvement by residual intralymphatic high grade ductal carcinoma and involvement of dermal lymphatics
no evidence of residual invasive or in situ ductal carcinoma
maegins free of malignancy
45 days after 26 rads & started Herceptin every 3 weeks, will finish in June 2006
Jan 2006 UW Vaccine, the 3rd and last one in March 2006
Last Pet,Bone, CT, Mam, Ultrasound shows NED
It's a tough one but my oncologist thinks I can make it because I'm tougher.

[Petesmom]

Diagnosed 1998 at 45 years old with IDC 8mm tumor right breast,ER+ HER2- 11 nodes dissected none positive. Had lumpectomy with rads. No chemo, 5 years of Toremifene. No hx of bc in my family.

Diagnosed March 2005 with IDC with DCIS right breast 7mm, ER+, HER+++ (IHC test) no nodal involvement. Had mastectomy, was put on Tamoxifen, no chemo. Opted for ooph in October 2005 to be put into menopause and to begin Arimidex.
Annual mammogram in March on remaining breast showed NED.

Petesmom

[Valerie]

Hi All,
Diagonosed in Feb 2004 at age 49 after routine mammogram showed calcifications. No family history.
tumor .4 cm
nodes negative
er + pr indeterminate
her2neu+++
Lumpectomy April 1, 2004
4 rounds Adriamycin and Cytoxan because Oncotype Dx test showed a high probablility of recurrence.
Radiation
Started one year of herceptin in Nov. of 2005. Yes, that is late but it seems like a good idea.
I also had ovaries out due to cysts on both of them in 2004.
Femara.
So far the femara and herceptin have been ok. Now I just need to lose the weight I gained while on the chemo. Eat smarter and exercise more.

[Les]

Hi, Lump found during mamogram November 2003 Age 44, 1.3 cm I had a lumpectomy no nodes stage 1 I had 4 a/c and 37 rads.and now tamoxifen . er/pr+ Her2+++ no herceptin to far out from chemo my onc. didn't think I should take it.Love and peace to you all.
thanks Leslie

[hutchibk]

dx: Nov '03 @ 43 years old
invasive ductal carcinoma w/ paget's disease of the nipple
Rt side mastectomy w/ reconstruction (simple implant)
10 nodes removed, 1 positive
stage 2B
Her2neu +
ER/PR +
6 treatments TAC, finished May '04
Tamoxifen for a year, then switched to Arimadex

Very early recurrance discovered Aug '05
7 mm spot on muscle under implant
Rice sized tumor in node under right arm
5 microscopic spots in chest nodes
3 microscopic spots in lungs
Aug '05 - discontinued Arimadex
Sept '05-Jan '06 Carbo/Taxol/Herceptin
Dec '05 - added Aromasin
Feb '06 - all scans clear
Mar '06 - tumor markers continued to drop on Herceptin only
Apr '06 - tumor markers at 12, staying steady

Currently on Herceptin every 3 weeks + Aromasin
No apparent Herceptin side effects
June '06 - next Muga and CT

[chrislmelb]

Dx Sept 2003 at age 40. "lump"was lymph node with BC on it but no sign of tumor by mammo or ultrasound. Finally found primary after extensive ultrasound, bit of guesswork and several core biopsies.
ER+PR+ HER-2+++. 3/12 nodes involved. 23mm tumor. stage 2B
Sept 2003- partial mastectomy and aux clearance
Oct 2003- re excision but margins not clear
Nov 2003- mastectomy with expander inserted.
Dec 2003- May 2004 FEC x 8. (only one i know who had that many!!)
Aug 2004- expander changed over to silicone
Oct 2004- ovaries out
Took Tamoxifen and then changed to Arimidex last year. Oh my aching bones!
Nov 2005- started late Herceptin through HERA trial.

I think that is all!

[saleboat]

Here are my deets,
Jen

[Susan]

Dx 5-16-05, lumpectomy 5-24 at age 47
Stage I (1.1) Grade 3
Node Negative (3 removed)
ER/PR +
HER2 +
Finished 4 rounds of AC DD on 9-7-05
Finished 33 rads 11-28-05
Started 1 year of Herceptin 11-30-05
Started 5 years of Faslodex 11-30-05

[Marlys]

I found my lump when it caught on my bra 3/5/05 at age 66.
Mammogram and ultrasoound 3/8/05. Needle biopsy 3/9/05. Told of results 3/10/05: HER2/NEU+++, ER+++, PR+.
Lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy 4/13/05: IDC 1.5cm high grade tumor, DCIS. Sentinel node negative. Stage 1.
Reexcision for wider margins and to implant port 4/25/05.
A/C x 4 starting 5/2/05 ending 7/5/05.
Hospitalized 6/24/05 for 3 days because of zilch neutrophils and low hemoglobin & hematocrit.
Started Herceptin 7/19/05 every 3 weeks for 1 year.
Rads x 30 ending 9/29/05.
Started Arimidex 10/11/05.
Mammogram 11/9/05 NED!!!
Muga scans every 3 months until onc decided LVEF was improving not going down. I thank exercise & COEnzyme Q10 for that.
I am walking in the Race For The Cure on May 13 with my daughter, daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren. 3 more and we could have been a team!!
Love this site!
Marlys

[Shell]

dx 3/17/03 - age 40

IIIC/ER/PR-/Her2 +++/Grade 3
neo-adjuvant T(taxotere)E(epiruicin)C x4
lump/SNB
TEC x2
radiation, 3mo herceptin/navelbine
reoccurrance - had complete axilla dissection
herceptin/taxotere
reoccurrence - entered xeloda/lapatinib clinical trial 6/05 (xeloda arm only)
4/06 trial stopped due to positive results - we all now get lapatinib(tykerb)
will get re-scanned in june '06...
Shell

[Montana]

diagnosed 10/04

.6cm IDC with other areas of DCIS with comedo necrosis Stage 1 Grade 3 7/9 er+/pr+/Her2+++ 0/14 nodes

2 lumpys to get clean margins

Dose dense A/C X 4 - finished 2/05

33 rads - finished 6/05

Arimidex for 5 yrs

March 06 CT scan -- NED

[suzan w]

routine mammogram April 28, 2005
call back for suspicious 'spot'
May 18, 2005 repeat mammo and ultrasound-8mm 'spot'...told, "don't worry, it does not look like cancer"
May 23-biopsy
May 27-results...left breast-7mm tumor, invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS...no clear margin. ER+, PR+, Her2 +
June 7, 2005 MRI..nothing unusual
June 14, 2005 bilateral mastectomy...sentinel nodes..2 on left, 1 on right...negative No other cancer found...
Diagnosis Stage 1 Grade 1
July 1, 2005 CT scan...spot on liver, bone scan-all clear
July 7, 2005 MUGA (65%), liver scan-hemangioma (nothing to worry about), oncotype DX (high intermediate risk of recurrence...)
Aug. 10, 2006 chemo...A/C first of 6
Sept. 7, 2006 to ER with high fever and infection...month break from chemo to recover
Only had 4 A/C treatments due to severe side effects
Oct. 20, 2005 MUGA (65%)
Oct. 26, 2005 first Herceptin...every 3 weeks for a year
Jan. 24, 2006 MUGA (65%)
CA 25/28 <3.5
next MUGA May 4, 2006

[suzan w]

ps!! Arimidex for 5 years!!

[mimima]

DX march'06, 1.4 IDC, grade 3, Nottingham 8, 2 sent. lymph negative,

ER/PR neg, HER2 3+. Second wide excision attained clear margins.

Starting Herceptin (every three weeks for one year).

Radiation begins next week.

Med. Onc gave me the choice of chemo, chemo+Herceptin or Herceptin alone.
I chose the latter. WILL HERCEPTIN ALONE DO THE TRICK???? How can they test to know whether it is working?

[Jean]

Was dx. 4/15/05 (age 54)
3MM tumor
node neg. er postive, pr negative
her2 +++ postive by FISH
grade 1
Lumpectomy followed with 32 treatments of radiation
Recently had Oncotype DX test performed came back off the charts. 4/19/06
Went for PET scans , CT scans and bone scans on 4/26/06
After scans results come back I will begin chemo/and herceptin.
I am one year out from dx. and I have finally found an answer.
All the dr. went by the tumor size and the node negative status and
did NOT think the Her2 postive required chemo or herceptin.
THEY ARE WRONG....went to L.A. and saw Dr. Slamon.....

Jean

[Jean]

I am on Arimidex since 5/05....

Jean

[karenann]

Jean,

What made you push for the Oncotype DX? I am simply amazed that such a small tumor came back off the charts. I am glad you pushed and that you are able to start chemo and herceptin.

Best of luck to you.

Karen

[janet/FL]

Mimima
Whether or not to have chemo is your call. At least your doctor offered options. With about the same diagnosis as you but with slightly small tumor, 9mm and grade 2 rather than three, the standard of care when I was diagnosed was AC chemo, November 2004. They wouldn't give me Herceptin as I was node negative. I refused that chemo. Finally 9 months after diagnois (I did 35 rounds of radiation) I was offered Herceptin with or without Taxotere. I chose to go with the chemo/herceptin combo as the studies had shown the chemo helps the Herceptin work. However, I don't think there are any studies for taking it as I have, several months after diagnosis--I am still on it, with 3 more months to go to complete the year.
I have no advice to you other than I chose the chemo with a less aggressive, smaller tumor. And I don't think they really can tell if the Herceptin is working. I would have the Bayer Serum test done before Herceptin and there maybe another test someone else can suggest.
There are a lot of people here that can answer most any questions you have.
Radiation treatment shouldn't be too hard on you, particularly since you are having it before any chemo.
Wishing you the best--
Janet

[mimima]

Thanks, Janet. I'll let you know about my followup Second Opinion (Monday).

This is my first participation in a "Forum" and I may not know about threads and how to answer, but I'll learn. I also am quickly looking up "ned", "MUGA", etc.

I have always loved learning but, frankly, I'd rather be studying Italian.

I picked the Herceptin alone (I thought "we got it") and I was lymph neg.
It was the HER2 +++ that alarmed me. Mimima

[Randi]

DX on April 29th, 2005
IDC
ER/PR/Her2neu+++
StageIIB
May 19th 2005 2nd operation to clean margins and SNB
No nodes involved
4 a/c q 3 finished August 10th
12 weekly Taxol and Herceptin Finished November 16th
Every 3 weeks herceptin to end on August 16th of 2006.

Age at dx, 41

Now: Happy healthy and very grateful for all the BC boards and support!

RAndi

[sadie]

10-03-05 Diagnosed after clustered microcalcifications found on routine mammogram at age 51 post menopausal.
No lump to feel; although surgeon said he could feel firmness in the area.
10-12-05 Biopsy 6mm / HER2+++ (IHC test) / spotty margin.
10-19-05 Lumpectomy 4mm more for total of 1cm / margin clear / sentinol node negative/ Her2++(IHC test) / ER+ PR weakly+ / Grade 3 / Stage 1 IDC
November 2005 began Adriamyacin & Cytoxin Every 3 wks x4
2/10/06 began Taxol w/Herceptin every wk x12
Will continue with Herceptin every 3 wks until Feb 2007
7/7/06 Had last of 30 rads
7/11/06 Beginning to take Arimidex for 5 yrs.
4/25/06 Mammogram of affected breast; couple of benign calcifications;negative for cancer.
Sept 06 Onc will order full mammogram & MRI of rt breast due to high density.
Prognosis:Onc would be "shocked if there was a recurrence. Should live a long & happy life." I'm keeping my fingers crossed & praying every day.

[lindaw]

Diagnosed October 2002

Large tumour(6-8cm) right breast.3-5 nodes. Pre op chemo - doxorubicin/doxetaxol(6 rounds)
Feb 2003 Mastectomy followed by 6 weeks rad.
May 2003 Hera trial - 4 months into it skin mets- tiny.Off trial and receive Herceptin anyway and taxol.
4 months taxol - skin recurrence.On to navelbine - can't remember how long - skin recurrence.
Xeloda - went well for a long time and then stopped it just before op for other side Feb 2004 2cm tumour ( new primary)and 5 nodes.
Can't remember - shortly after skin mets and carboplatin - 4 months - no response.
2005 Tried Xeloda again - but no response this time.
Late 2005 - Doxil - 4 rounds - just stable.
All of these chemos with herceptin - now having a break after several difficuklties with port ops. Will have radiation ( 3 weeks) soon just to try something different and have a break.

Lindaw

[mamacze]

I haven't posted for awhile, and here is Rhonda with another good way for us to get to know each other;

2001 Stage 0 Radation and tamoxifen Age 44 (and mama of 4)


2004 Stage 4 Her 2 +++ er/pr -, metastasis to all 4 lobes of lungs, Navelbine, Herceptin and Seattle clinical vaccine trial. Prognosis of 21 months

2006 CAT scan this week continues to show no evidence of disease..now on Herceptin alone every 3 weeks, and feeling fine!

Love, Kim From CT

[Patty H]

Was Dx July 2000 Stage 111B 3 out 10 nodes positive

had 4 rounds of chemo, then a lumbectomy without clear margins, so then had a

Mastectomy with reconstruction, and 2 more rounds of chemo
then 27 radiations
14 months off then a reocurrance of a lymp node
6months of navelbine and herceptin and another 20 something radiation treatments
4 months off and cancer then moved to lungs and bones. 20 something more rads to spine.
Had more navelbine, then taxotere and carbo, then xeloda, then back to navebine, then gemzar, then xeloda again.
Last- 33 novalis radiation treatments to lung.
Finished radiation Dec 2005 and am stable at the moment. Patty H

[JackieC]

Diagnosed 2/22/05, Double Mastectomy 4/5/05, Age 42

Stage I-Less than 1cm (second site found 2mm same side)
No node involvement
ER/PR-
HER+++
4 rounds of AC dose dense
4 rounds of Taxotere w/Herceptin
Currently on Herceptin every 3 wks until mid Sept 06

Went aggressive on treatment despite docs recommendations since sister diagnosed at age 31, passed at age 41 from BC.

[Mary H2]

Diagnosed 7/01

42 yrs.
Found lump while breastfeeding
ER-/PR-, Her2+ (Fish)
2 cm. & additional invasive areas
1 pos. node
Left MRM
No radiation
NSABP clinical trial: randomized to herceptin arm. A/C x 4, taxol & herceptin x 4, herceptin x 48
Currently NED.
Forever grateful for the opportunity to get herceptin.

[cosmicdust]

Name is Sheryl.

Dx 11/19/05 (age 50+), Modifed radical 12/05/05
Stage 4, mets to T12 and liver
Node positive (all nodes removed)
ER/PR-
HER2positive (FISH 7.5)
Finished 3 rounds of ATZC (Adria,Taxotere,Zometa,Cytoxan) on 2/23/06
Will begin Herceptin/Taxotere/Zometa on 5/03/06 (will be done July 06) 3 weeks on, 1 or 2 weeks off
Met on liver has shrunk 50% (<1" in size now) - Met on T12 spine is stable. Recent bone scan show no new mets...yippee!

Still on the planet! Blessings from Minnesota!

[Sherry in WV]

Sherry
Stage IV Lumpectomy Sept 25, 2002
Dx. Sept 11, 2002 confirmede Friday 13th 2002
Her + ER neg.
Many chemos
Unable to finish any schedule of chemo due to low cts and neuropathy caused by chemo.
Herceptin first weekly, now q weeks since first chemo Oct 4, 2002Last month had cerebral bleed, renal failure and chf. Doc called family in,.
Comma 4 days. Pulled out of it, by Grace of God and many prayers.
Plt ct 40000, no longer able to produce plts.
have decided no more chemo.

[AlaskaAngel]

That's all folks....

[helenh]

Dx Jan 2005 (age 48)

Lumpectomy 14th Jan Left Breast
(Tumor 3+cm IDC Grade 3, +DCIS 1/15 nodes)
Mastectomy 28th Jan Left Breast
ER/PR- HER2+++
A/C x 4 Taxol x 4
Entered phase one trial for potential vaccine for the HER2 protein.

Finally commencing Herceptin next Tuesday (nearly 9 months post chemo) paid for partly by workmates, health society and family. I'm soooo HAPPY.....

Best wishes to all

Helenhttp://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif

[kareneg]

Dx September 1998 Stage 1 BC ER+ 35 years old.
Had masectomy October 2,1998

Then December 1998 I started treatment 4 rounds of Adrimicyn and Cytoxin finished in Feb 1999 after that was on Tamoxofin till August 2001. When I was dx with stage IV BC Mets to my liver many tumors and leisions was told to many to count. That's when my world fell apart. Started weekly Taxol treatments and was put on arimidex. Oncologist sent for my tumor and had it retested were I was diagnosed as being strongly her2pos. He add herceptian to the taxol and I responded to it great. June 2002 I was taken off the taxol and just kept on herceptin every 3 weeks. Till my stubborn mets in the liver decide to wake up in January 2005. Then I was put on Navebine and herceptin till may 2005 didn't work to good for me so the doctor started me on carbo/taxol/herceptin till I built up antibodies to the carbo and was taken off that and just stayed on the taxol/herceptin.3 weeks on 1 off. As of May 3,2006. My recent Ct scan shows progression again http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/smilies/frown.gif So I think its time for a new set of cocktails as I call them. We are going to go with Gemzar till the Lapatinib is FDA Approved then he will put me on the Xeloda/Lapatinib. Oh and I was getting monthly Zoledex shots too. Stopping that now too he is leaning on giving me the Faslodex now. I am truely amazed by everyone in this support group the strength and courage gives me so much hope for the future. There is one thing my oncologist told me when I asked him about my her2 status he looked at the surgical path report and it said her2pos 4+++. Is there such a thing? I am hopeing it was a typo lol. Well thats my story and I sticking to it lol. On with another battle to knock these peskly liver mets out. And I have been very lucky thus far that my liver function through this whole ordeal has remained normal http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/smilies/smile.gif . I pray for everyone here you all are truley my hero's..........

Love and Hope Always

[cherylynnie]

DX September 6 2005 (39) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Right Mastectomy tram flap reconstruction September 26 2005
Stage II Grade III Nodes 0/5, ER+/PR- Her2+ 3.0 amplified
4 cycles AC
4 cycles Taxotere
Started Herceptin March 28 2006
Started Tamoxifen April 12 2006

[Monica]

Diagnosed November 2003, Age 45, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Left breast lumpectomy - Stage II, Grade III, Nodes 2/6 , Her2 +, ER+/PR+
Not clear margins, went back into surgery and had clear margins
Right breast mastectomy - in situ cancer found
Had pet scan; found tumor in my lung; looked like it was mets; operated - benign tumor; moral - don't jump to conclusions based on Pet scan.
4 cycles AC starting April 1, 2004
12 weeks taxol with herceptin
40 weeks more of taxol only
Radiation to left breast
Tried tamoxifen, too many problems. Currently only taking celebrex.

Best,
Monica

[jsattaw]

DX in May '98 after finding lump while showering.
Lumpectomy July '98 followed by radiation (ER+/PR+, node negative, unknown Her2).

DX in May '05 after finding another lump in same area -- mastectomy revealed 4 tumors (ER+/PR+, HER2+), node negative.
4 X Taxol
1-year Herceptin
Hysterectomy with oopherectomy (November '05)
Arimedex

8-years and counting!

[Val Pfeiffer]

Dx 11/05, 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
30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach started 7/05
Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05

[Tami]

dx'd 4/1/04 at age 43

lumpectomy 1.4 cm, 1/14 nodes positive, her 2+++, er/pr-
started chemo 5/22/04 - 4 AC, followed by 4 taxotere with weekly herceptin and then herceptin every 3 weeks until August 05.
35 rads.

So far so good...I pressed onc for herceptin based purely by what I was seeing on this website which was nearly 5 months before ASCO results came out. Thank you all.

[SherryS]

Routine mammogram May 4/05 after "clean" manual check-up w/pcp -- detected "suspicious mass" - calcifications.
Core biopsy done June - confirmed bc June 15/05
Lumpetctomy & SNB - late June '05 - tumour 2 cms., 1 node of 7 affected
Axillary Dissection July '05 - no futher node involvement (27 nodes taken in total)
Started chemo late August '05 - 4 AC/ 4 Taxol - completed end of January '06
30 rads - finished early April '06
Started 1 year of herceptin (every 3 weeks) end of April '06

See surgeon May 31st for follow up and will have 1st mammogram since surgery scheduled.

Hangin in there and ready to keep on fighting!

[Sherryg683]

Found lump myself, on December 1, 2005, it was 1.5cm. I was 2 months late for my yearly mammogram. Lumpectomy on Dec 22. Was diagnosed Stage IV with 13+ positive lymph nodes and 2 small mets to my lungs. There was a chance that I also had 2 small liver mets but they have never lit up postive on the PET scans that I have taken, so they are presumed non cancerous..cannot biopsy because of location. Was on Taxototere, Xeloda and Herceptin. Was given the news that I was NED on April 7. Will be on Herceptin indefinately, doing scans every 3 to 6 months and keeping a watch on the liver spots. Have a 7 year old daughter and 17 year old son..I am 44. sherryg683

[Berta]

I was diagnosed 11/4/04, Stage I tumor was 1.6 cm. I'm Her2+++ ER/PR-
I had lumpectomy, 4 rounds of Epirudicin and Cytoxan, 36 rads and have been on herceptin since July. Berta

[Helen]

Feb 1998 - Stage 0, DCIS had radiation age 39.

May 2005 - Stage 4, 1.7 mm tumor on left breast with 0 involvement of lymph nodes. CT and PET confirmed one 3.4 mm spot liver mets. Had modified radical mastectomy on left breast.
8 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin once every 3 weeks and finished chemo in December 2005. Liver mets decreased to 1.2 mm. Had chemo break since.
Now on Herceptin weekly.

CT scan last week still showed the same size on liver mets. A soft tissue however came up in the chest area came up on the CT scan and my onc is checking more into it and scheduling a PET scan.

Helen

[tousled1]

Diagnosed October 25, 2005. 2.5cm tumor with 3cm invasiveness in right breast. Had core needle biopsy December 2005 and biopsy of axillary nodes. Stage III, high nuclear grade tumor (3 of 3), ER/PR-, HER2+++ by FISH. Had bone scan, MRI, CAT Scan. Began neoadjunct chemo December 2005 and finished May 2006 (4 rounds A/C and 4 rounds Taxatore). Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006 and had 14 positive nodes out of 26. Begin 1 year of Herceptin only every 3 weeks June 21, 2006 and start radiation on July 5, 2006.

[Sammy]

Stage 2 , Er+,Pr+,Her2 +++, Age 40. Diagnosed in May'2005. Took ACT and radiation.

[astrid]

Diagnosed November 14, 2005, Stage 1C, Her2+ 3.4, ER+, PR+, K167 23%, Node Negative, MX0, Grade 3, 1.8CM, Lumpectomy 12/7/05; completed 6 rounds dense dose Taxol every 2 weeks on March 14, 2006, Completed 35 radiation on May 31, 2006, Started 1 year Herceptin on June 14, 2006 every 3 weeks ongoing & Tamoxifen.

[newgg]

Self discovery of a fluid cyst. ...mammy done 4/04....ultrasound found 2 other areas of concern. Biopsy needle core..of those areas
Dx..5/16/04 ( strange how we remember that date) age 59
invasive lobular...stage IIa, HER2+++, ER/PR pos,
Bilat mastectomy, SNB 1 pos, 6/04
A/C dense dose x 4, Taxotere.....16 weeks..chemo done 12/04
Rads....35....done 3/05
Arimidex ....since Jan. 05
Herceptin...1 year post chemo...started 2/06 to continue every 3 weeks for one 1 year( BC/BS finally approved )
Doing great and learn so much from the wonderful Warriors here !!!
Hugs, Bonnie

[Cara]

I was diagnosed in February 2004.
Found two underarm nodes myself. Never found primary tumour but had 4/11+ axiliary nodes plus at least two more in chest wall.
Surgical removal of underarm nodes end FEB 2004. HER2 100% ER-/PR-
Taxotere 3 weekly and Herceptin weekly from March to July 2004.
30 rounds of Rads to breast and chest wall Sept/Oct 2004.
Back on Herceptin 3 weekly from October 2004 and have continued since.

Not sure what my stage is but probably III. As I understand it, stage IV is when you have another organ affected.
Currently NED.

I have posted here a few times a while back but have been taking a head in the sand approach more recently.

[Ruth]

Haven't posted in a while....here it goes...
Dx 6/03; 36 years old, nursing 9 month old daughter; IDC in right breast; dose dense A/C; mastectomy 8/03; 10+/16 nodes; 2cm tumor; ER/PR -; HER2 +; TH 12 weeks; 30 rads; 40 weeks herceptin finished 11/04. No trial just very forward thinking Onc. with pressure from me for herceptin.
Began reconstruction 11/05; expander placed; exchange done 3/06 with nipple reconstruction at same time; left breast augmentation to balance new breast. Extremely happy with results!

Hitting 40th birthday this year still NED and loving life! ~ Ruth

[John21]

Kathy

Diagnosed 2001-2002 Stage IV
Left Breast 3cm
Nodes Positive
Metastisis to Bones (mostly spine, pelvis)
ER/PR +
Her2+
Left Masectomy and recontruction
6 mos ACT
Almost 4 years on Aridia and Arimidex - NED!!!
Stopped working so well in early 2005( New liver mets as well as lungs)
Tried some stupid trial in 2005
Started Nov 2005 ( Taxol, Herceptin and carboplatin) - 6 mos
Most lesions in liver and lungs went away or reduced to almost unmeasurable as they describe it.
Last scans a month ago show NED!!!! All stable.

[Vi Schorpp]

Was dx. 4/09/03 (age 50) Stage 2A,
3cm tumor
(0/19 node neg.) er postive, pr positive
grade 3
mastectomy and A/C x 4

Aromasin after Tamoxifen for 2 years
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif

[Ora]

Found lump myself. Starting 2 years herceptin 6/22/06.

[Amy]

At 39 years old, I found a lump in my left breast. DX IDC on Feb 1, 2005, Stage I, Neg Node, Grade 3, ER/PR -, HER2/neu+++.
4 rounds A/C every 3 weeks, 4 rounds of Taxol every 3 weeks plus weekly herceptin. I was scheduled to begin radiation when I found another lump in same breast. Had bone scan and chest x-ray....multiple lung nodules, which put me at a stage IV. Began xeloda plus herceptin in August of 2005. Disease progressed....started Navilbine plus herceptin in December of 2005. I discovered lump in left armpit. Took break from chemo for 3 months. Disease progressed....switched Oncs....May 2006 had 10 radiaton sessions to middle upper chest to help alliviate symptoms. Began Avastin in June 2006........Waiting for EAP program to be set up with my Onc for Lapatinib.

Amy

P.S. Plus tons of PRAYERS!!!!

[cosmicdust]

Bringing this forward...

[ema]

Dx 12/1/04 age 52 ) Radical Mastectomy ( 2/1/05 ) Reconstruction 8/18/05
Stage IIIA ( 8.5 x 6 cm ) Richardson score 9 of 9
8 of 38 Positive Nodes
ER/PR -
HER/NEU 3 +++
Finished 6 rounds EC and 4 rounds Taxol + Hercetin ( 7/6/05 )
Finished 1 year Herceptin 5/26/06
Finished 30 rads 10/25/05

[Rendi69CA]

My history:

[dede10]

03/2003- breast biospy. diagnosis breast cancer. Sent to onc & labs done, port in, scans done-ready to start chemo on3/28. Found out I was Her2+++, Stage 4. Mass in breast 8cm x 10cm, lymph nodes positive in chest & under left arm. 6 masses noted in liver.
3/28-7/16/2003- On Epirubicin & Taxatere
8/03-4/04- Herceptin only
4/04-8/04- Gemzar & Herceptin
8/04-1/06- scans every 3 mos, but clear! Herceptin only
2/06-found (L) side lymph enlargement & hot on pet, along with ? nodes in back of neck
2/28-first dose of Gemzar & herceptin
3/3-had to skip dose because found out needed new port because old one had a bend.
3/7-went in hospital for a quickie new port, and found blood clots-ended up in ICU for a day on ATP and an angioplasty, along with new port
3/10-resumed gemzar & herceptin. Was suppose to do 3 weeks on & 1 week off, but took me twice as long due to low blood counts. Did a week on & a week off.
6/06-Taken off gemzar, sluggish bonemarrow, and was sick of it anyway
7/20-PET,CT, & MRI-found lymph node enlargements on CT, which were hot on PET. Also 2 Nodes in back of my neck hot on PET...but I do have a brain!
7/26-started Navalbine, and will resume herceptin on the 8th of Aug
Have a MUGGA on the 28th

....But after all of this, I'm still here...

[chrisy]

here is my story, short version!

[athena453]

Currently NED, per scans 5/05-6/05.

[mindersue]

Hi, my name is Mindy. Thanks for sharing, everyone.

Felt pea-sized mass in right breast 10/05
Diagnosed 12/26/05 (age 37).
Lumpectomy 1/4/06 - 1.1cm IDC, 3/19 nodes + (sentinel node was negative)
Stage IIb
Er/Pr + Her2 +
Started chemo on 1/26/06: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin every 3 weeks x6
Herceptin to continue until 1/07
Radiation (33rd on 8/2)
Choosing Lupron & Aromasin after radiation. If all goes well I will eventually get my ovaries removed.

[Donna]

Great Idea!
May 06 - found mass by mammogram "so small the biopsy would remove it"
May 06 - ultrasound core biopsy shows invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS - small 11.2mm
June 21, 2006 - lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - then removal of 10 more nodes - breast tumor 2.4cm, 1 node positive 2.1cm
June 2006 dx - ER 99% PR 10% Her2 3+ S phase 3, high stage IIb, grade 2
July 28, 2006 start Adriamycin/Cytotoxan dose dense every 2 weeks for 8, then Taxol every 2 weeks for 8 - 1/2 way throught start Herceptin 1 a week for a year - during that receive Rads and hormone inhibitor therapy
diagnosed at age 54

[stonemsu]

I am new to the website and all I can say is that each and every one of you is an inspiration to me. I enjoy reading everyone's treatments, etc...here is mine:

DX~10/05 ER+/PR- HER2+ (age 30)

Bi-lateral mastectomey~11/14/05
left side~6.3 cm 7/16 node + (stage 3A)
right side~DCIS 0/8 node + (stage 0)

Clear PET~11/28/05

AC every 3 weeks for 12 weeks~12/16/05
Taxol/Herceptin every week for 12 weeks~3/10/06
Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year~5/28/06

Rads~23/27 completed

Dec. 05~found out that I carry the BRCA2 mutation

Lori
Shelby Twp, MI

[margo]

My information is in my signature.

[sadie]

StoneMSU:
HI Lori. This is Carol>Your treatment buddy (for a few times, anyway).
Hope you're doing ok with rads. Did fine as long as I used the aquaphor.
All dryness & redness gone within 2-3 weeks after last rad. Doing ok with the Herceptin-only treatments.
Just want to say: glad you joined the website. These ladies are great and full of info! Sorry ladies for posting something outside of topic, but I HAD to say hi to Lori (and her Mom)!
Carol / Macomb Twp

[LOPSIDED]

HERE'S MY TREATMENT HISTORY.......SO FAR NO COMPLICATIONS.

[andrearose]

Diagnosed - November, 2003 @ age 58
Diagnosed with IBC [Inflammatory Breast Cancer], stage 3b
Treatment was TAC for 4 months, followed by double mastectomy [MRM on affected breast and prophallactic simple on the other side]. Had 35 days of radiation to finish upthe summer of "04.
Currently on the last 4 months of one year's Herceptin cycle.
Have had excellent results with each and every stage of treatment, and am planning to beat the odds, currently NED and holding!!!

[mimima]

Hi Sadie
Haven't visited website recently but your post caught my attention as your diagnosis is similar to my own. Stage 1, lymph neg, 1.4 c., IDC, ER/PR neg, HER 3+++.

I completed 27 rads mid-June with no fatigue and very little skin reaction (used aloe vera gel). I did not choose chemo, but started one year Herceptin (every 3 weeks).
Have had six treatments.

I still know zero about the effectiveness of Herceptin without chemo. Have you found out anything? I've only been told about Herceptin with chemo. I would like to think that it is going to work on its own. Any questions I should ask my onc?

Incidentally, the Herceptin gives me no ill effects. How about you? Take care. Mimima

[koolbreeze]

I was diagnosed Invasive DCIS end of Mar 05. Lump found while showering. Had been on estrogen replacement therapy for 2 years prior.

Left Mastectomy Apr 05 with sentinal node biopsy which was positive. Expander inserted. 3 cm tumor - Dx Stage IIb. Her2+ and ER+.

9 lymph nodes removed May 05.

Rejection of expander caused another surgery in Jun 05. Incision would not heal and was infected. Expander removed.

Jul 05 Partial Thyroidectomy - no malignancy of nodules.

Began A/C chemo Jul 05 12 weeks.

Began Taxol and Herceptin Oct 05 for 8 weeks.

Jan 06 Right breast removal - no node involvement.

Jan 06 - Continuing Herceptin until Oct 06. Started Arimidex.

[sadie]

Hi Mimima
Glad to hear you're doing good on Herceptin. I'm like you. Curious to see how others with "close-to-my" diagnosis are doing.
I have only heard that Herceptin does best when given in combo with certain chemos.
I have had blurry vision with Herceptin. Still have neuropathy (left over from taxol?).
There is a msg board for that topic: Herceptin reactions. You should visit that board and see what problems others have had.
I have had 5 Herceptin-only treatments. My Muga went down to 58 last time. Hopefully it will stay steady.
I'll watch for future posts by you on this site.
Take care. Good luck!
Sadie :)

[cosmicdust]

just bumping this up..

[rinaina]

Dx: March 2006

Stage I
Grade 3
her2+++
er/pr-
node negative
4 rounds chemo-Ac completed July 20, 2006
started herceptin 3 weeks ago

[mimima]

Hi Sadie
It's been a while. I've still been wondering if the route I took i.e. using Herceptin with no chemo was a wise one given the Her2 +++.
I saw my med-onc yesterday and asked whether she had any patients taking Herceptin solo. She does not. (I chose this therapy with a different med-onc).
My present doctor feels there is a good rationale for taking this course of treatment.

I asked a lot of questions about testing PTEN13 and other factors that weight whether Herceptin is being effective. Seems these tests can only be used for existing tumors.
So far, I am tumor free, happy, leading my usual active life.

Mimima

[Colleen007]

Please refer to my signature for my info. Currently awaiting a PET scan to see if there is still cancer present in the liver as CT scans can no longer differentiate the cancer from scar tissue.

[janet11]

Am newbie here.

Dx 7/20/2006, age 57, 1.8cm lump found during routine mammogram.
Lumpectomy, SNB (4 nodes removed)
Stage 1
ER-, PR-, HER2 3+, MIB1 high (60%), Grade 3

Starting chemo on 9/12/2006, but waiting for results of topo II test to determine which drugs to take.

[Becky]

Dear Janet


You are having state of the art pathology and are beginning the next age of the future with getting Top IIA tested in order to pick chemo regimes. Three cheers for you. Keep us posted on how the report turns out and hence, your treatment plan.

Have a nice weekend

Becky

[patti]

Dx 9/03 Stage III grade 3 ER/PR+, Her2neu+++, 3 cm tumor. Lumpectomy w/axillary disection 7 out of 11 nodes+. Did dose dense AC/Taxol, followed by radiation. Started on arimadex, but I couldn't stand how I felt on it, so I was switched to tamoxifen in 5/04. Mets to spine at L1 which caused a fracture. Treated w/radiation and started on zometa and Herceptin weekly for 3 months and have been every 3 wks herceptin and 6 wks zometa. I am thinking of coming off the Herceptin by the end of the year and just watch closely by doing frequent scans. Any thoughts on that? By the way, those who have been doing the vaccine trial in Washington, has anyone noticed increase appetite/weight gain? I have gained several pounds since starting this trial.

[tousled1]

Colleen, I sincerely hope that your PET scan shows that it's only scar tissue.

[Mary Jo]

Hello All,

I was dx June 24, 2005 with invasive ductal carcinoma. Had a pet/ct scan July 7, 2005 which thankfully found no cancer anywhere in body other than right breast. I had a right breast mastectomy July 28, 2005. Pathology report said I was staged at a 2A, 4.5 cm tumor, margins clear, two sent. nodes removed (checked during surgery to determine whether more would be removed but told NO cancer) - however, when final report was done and breast and nodes were gone through MUCH more thoroughly, they did find evidence of one microcscopic cell in the first node. Second node was clean. I opted out of removal of more nodes. My oncologist and surgeon did NOT recommend going back in to remove more nodes (if that microscopic cell would have been found during the surgery they would have removed lots more nodes) and I agreed with them. I felt confident that with only 1 microscopic cell in the first node and the second node being clean that the other nodes would not be affected. HOWEVER, the radiation oncologist I met with later to discuss whether radiation would be something she recommended I do, DID recommend radiation. She said that having just one node only microscopically affected and second node being clean did not guarantee to her that other nodes were not affected. So.........I listened to her!!!! I was er/pr neg. but her2/neu positive - grade 3.

August 24, 2005 I started a dose dense regimin of chemo. I started with A/C bi weekly - then moved on to Taxol/Herceptin bi-weekly. (however herceptin was every 3 weeks) That all ended on Aug. 30, 2005. Herceptin continues every 3 weeks til Oct. 11, 2006. I began radiation right after Christmas 2005 and that ended beginning of Feb. 2006. I had a mammogram of left breast at that time and a calcification area they had been watching in the left breast concerned my docs so they wanted me to have that area biopsied. Thankfully it was all benign but I decided at that time I wanted that breast removed. So..............on March 7th I had my left breast removed also. Pathology said all was clean in that breast - thank God!

So........life goes on.

God Bless - marejo

[SusanV]

Just beginning the journey....The Once upon a time starts like this:

[Johnnag85]

Age 38 at DX,
Felt lump 6-05, had mamm and was DX 6-13-06 with invasive ductal carcinoma. Had lumpectomy 6-21-06. Found 1- 1cm lump, and 4 smaller lumps, 6 of 13 nodes positive. Her2+++, stage 3a. Started chemo 7-05 4 cycles AC, followed by Taxol, 1x per wk for 12 wks, started Herceptin also, 1x per week. Had MUGA at beginning, heart strength was at 76%. 1/2/06 Had 2nd lumpectomy to check status of invasive cancer, only insitu cancer found with clear margins at original lump site. (Med Onc wanted me to get a mastectomy, surg. Onc. wanted me to do radiation and monitor breast) I opted for radiation. Did 7 wks of radiation on right breast. 5-06 began to have dizzy spells, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue. MUGA found my heart had weakened to 46% over the 6 months from the Herceptin. Stopped Herceptin immediately. Had ab and chest CT , found a dozen nodules on both lungs. Had PET scan, inconclusive...of course

Johnna

[Mary Jo]

Wow Johanna - I'm so sorry. At one of our visits to our oncologists, our nurse (the one who takes all of our phone calls etc.) gave my husband a button to wear on his work jacket that says "cancer sucks!" How true is that.

Keep trying to find the joy while we walk this earth. There is lots to be found - even when it is hard to find.

God Bless

marejo

[Johnnag85]

Marejo-

Thank You, I apreciate that. It does suck, but it also puts life into perspective, doesnt it? Its too bad it takes something like that to make you see it.
Johnna

[dawn]

Hi Rhonda,

Attached is my signature. All Chemo is finished and going in 10 days to get the tattoos for my rads. So far things are going really good.

[KellyA]

Still in treatment-

Dx 05/05/06 grade3, ER/PR -, Her2 +++
Mastectomy 05/17/06 (double), immediate reconstruction
3 positive nodes, Stage 2b
4 AC, followed by 12 weekly Taxol, weekly Herceptin till 09/07
seven weeks of rads following chemo

KellyA

[gin-tx]

I was sent a private e mail requesting info about port, Herceptin, etc. It erased when my computer froze. If you see this please respond and I'll try to give you some info. I did not even get the person's name or e mail address.

ginkott1@aol.com

[deb-steph]

i was 44 at diagnosis. found lump while taking a shower. have had a mammogram every year or every other year since i was 35. lumpectomy on 12/16/05. a/c started 1/19/06 for 4 tx's, taxol/hercpetin started 4/19/06 with 9 of 12 tx's (stopped due to neuropathy in feet), 33 rad tx last one 8/25 and now on her2 thru april 06.

her2 +++
er-/pr-
2.1cm
one sentinel node microscopically positive
ned as of 9/28 with mammo negative

[gin-tx]

I'm curious, did you do radiation after or before reconstruction. I've heard some people say that they can't do radiation after reconstruction. This is my second episode of BC, first 10 yrs ago. Left breast, lumpectomy followed by radiation. Then something appeared on right, went to breast surgeon, biopsy looked good. Four days later he called and told me it was malignant, had wider margins and lymph nodes removed, only one malignant, margins clean. But then had bone scan, found spot on spine, followed by MRI, revealed tumor on spine, grade IV metastatic cancer. Am going thru Herceptin/Aridia every 3 weeks, so far it's helping, plus I had 18 radiation treatments to spine. Good luck to you and keep me informed.

hugs,

ginkott1@aol.com

[KellyA]

Hi there-

To answer your question- I did have reconstruction before radiation (with implants). Unfortuneately I did not really have much of a choice. I did not have enough tissue for two breasts (to do a flap). My plastic surgeon and my radiation doc both advised me to get them in. I was told that there was a 50% chance of contracture with radiation, but that they could go in and fix that side afterwards if they needed to. They told me that the skin would probably not expand after the radiation and that they might not be able to get them in at all. So I'm just going to pray alot that they hold up and if they don't I'll get them fixed. I will let you know how it goes.... :-)

Kelly

[bobbiw]

Diagnosed 10-18-05.
Lump was found on annual mamogram.
Left Mastectomy 10-27-05. No node involvement. Tumor was 2 cm. Margins were clear. Tumor was IDC grade 3 of 3. Estrogen and Progesterone positive, HER2/neu positive 3+.
Port placed 12-1-05.
Began chemo 12-6-05. 4 cycles of AC (every three weeks).
Feb 10th 2006 began Taxol and Herceptin weekly.
Last Taxol was May 25th 2006.
Will continue weekly Herceptin until Feb or March.
Began reconstructive surgery in June as well as prophylatic mastectomy of right side at that time. Had my last expander fill September 25th. Will hopefully have exchange surgery in May.
And yeahhhhh I am soon at my one year mark!
Bobbi

[gin-tx]

Dear Kelly,

I certainly hope it goes well wth the radiation and reconstruction. I'm learning a lot. I did not have a total mastectomy but a partial and asked my surgeon if I should see a plastic surgeon before my surgery so he could see how I was before. He advised against it. In the beginning I was going to do reconstruction of some type, now I've decided not to. At my age and all that I've been thru, am going to leave things alone. I don't think I could go thru more stuff. If I was young, in 30's, 40's, or even 50's, I would definitely consider it. But at this point in time don't think so. I just want to get thru what I'm dealing with. I do herceptin/aridia every 3 weeks and don't have a clue how many treatments I have left plus I'm dealing with a malignant tumor on spine that is shrinking from radiation but slowly.

Good luck and keep me informed as to your progress.

hugs,
ginkott1@aol.com

[lindaw]

I'm not sure of all details but here goes.

Diagnised October 2002. Large tumor - 9cm - rst of body clear.Pre surgery doxorubicin and doxetaxol.
Shrunk to allmost no disease. Op in Feb, Followed by radiaiton and hera trial( May).
August - small skin mets - this has been ongoing.Off hera trial - onto Herceptin weekly
Had :
Taxol-worked for 4 months.
Navelbine - 5 months.
Xeloda - 6 months cleared - reappeared.
Can't remember order anymore - somewhere in all that got another growth in other breast and had that removed - new cancer- her2 again
Also had - carboplatin, doxil , xeloda again, gemzar - continual chem .
Just complete rads for open skin mets on chest,
Now waiting for Tykerb( lapatinib) - anxiously.New skin mets on shoulder and enlarged lymph gland in neck.


Linda W

[gin-tx]

Dear Lindaw,

Am so sorry you have had such a rough time with new things reappearing. I guess you've read my situation on the web site, nothing new at the moment. Still have malignant tumor on spine, had 18 radiation treatments, it is somewhat smaller. Stil doing Herceptin and Aridia every 3 weeks. Unless things change with my my onc plans to continue with that course of treatment. Surgeon mentioned radiation on the breast (went thru that 10 yrs ago on other side when I had BC diagnosed) and again in June/July 06 for the malignant tumor on spine. I told him I don't think I can go thru it again. Have mammogram scheduled this week, hope it looks good, we'll discuss further at that time. He wants to talk with oncologist after the mammogram results are in.

Good luck and keep me informed how things are progressing.

hugs,

ginkott1@aol.com

[Jackie]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_9.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm479YYUS) Stage II, DX 4-05
EP +, HER2 +++,
1 node, 1.6mm
Simple Mast/Reconstruction Left breast 6/05
4x AC/4xTaxotere/Herceptin--finished chemo 11/05
Herceptin to cont. for yr.--stopped due to drop in Muga--hopefully to restart soon
47yrs. old (posted the above in the Spring)

I did restart Herceptin at a lower dose and finished 8/06
I went for my 3 month follow up and all is good. My tumor markers were within normal limits. Yeah!!!!!!

[pel50]

pel50

DX 3/5/2006, age 56
Male Breast Cancer
Mastectomy, left breast
Stage 1, 1.5 cm tumor
Node negative, 7 nodes removed
ER+, PR+, HER2+, FISH = 2.5
4 rounds of A/C, completed 8/2006
12 rounds of Taxol + Herceptin, completed 11/2006
9 months of Herceptin to follow

[cafe1084]

Diagnosed at 36...
Found a tender lump between my breast and armpit while rolling over in bed on 7/29/06 Had neglected my self exam for 5 months due to school and work demands...just simply didn't take the time! Everyone said not to worry because it was tender and cancer isn't usually tender...good thing I didn't listen. No family hx of BC,
AUG. 8, 2006
Core needle bx showing DCIS grade 2

AUG. 24 2006
1.5 cm IDC grade 3(9/9) HER/2+ (amplified, 2.5), ER <10 %, PR negative
w/ grade 3 (9/9) DCIS AND LOBULAR CA TO LUMPECTOMY MARGINS. Right breast clear

OCT. 4 2006
BILATERAL MASTECTOMY 16 of 16 NEG NODES scheduled for A/C Q3W x 4, then T W/ HERCEPTIN QW X 12, FOLLOWED BY HERCEPTIN FOR 40 W- Decided to have bilat mastectomy to reduce chance of recurrence in right breast since lobular ca was also found in left breast.

STARTED AC NOV. 4 2006- NEXCURA's a life saver...explained how to avoid much of the nausea from AC with scheduled zofran....nice if my doc wouldve clued me in on this. Severe inflammatory bowel, gastritis, and reflux after 2nd tx, would LOVE any advice how to avoid/reduce this next go 'round--can deal with everything else, but this is going to be my undoing I'm afraid--gained 6 lbs in the first week after from inflammation!

Nice to meet everyone!
Stephanie

[DEBBIE S]

Hello All ...... Mine is posted below .....The age I was diagnoised was 49 .....
I think having all this in one post is a good idea.....

Debbie S.

[DeeUK]

Diagnosed at 29 years old, in July 2005, with stage 1, grade 3, Er- Pr- HER2+++ IDC (18mm tumour). Lymph node negative, extensive vascular invasion. Bone, lung, and liver scans clear at time of surgery.

Lumpectomy, followed by 6 rounds of FEC chemo, followed by 30 sessions of radiotherapy, followed by what was intended to be 12 months of 3-weekly Herceptin.


November 22nd 2006, now 30 years old, and just after Herceptin number 10, diagnosed with mets to liver (after having a stitch-like pain in my right side). One 'small' one, and a 10cm one. Awaiting results of chest x-ray and bone scan, to check for further spread.


Continuing with 3-weekly Herceptin, along with Taxotere, which began on 6th December 2006. Hoping and praying that this might shrink things. I'm 30, I have a fantastic boyfriend and amazing family. I'm not ready to go yet.

[Vanessa]

I was first diagnosed in April, 2006, had a partial masectomy on April 21, 2006. Before surgery I had a catscan that was considered good. After surgery had a petscan that showed metastasis to the liver, chest wall and lining of the stomach. I began weekly taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin on June 15, 2006. In August, I had an anaphalactic(sp?) reaction to the carboplatin and had to hospitalized overnight. The carboplatin was discontinued and I am now the proud owner of an epi-pen. Around September 14, 2006 I had a repeat petscan which was clear. My onc. was very excited, but wanted me to continue chemo for 2 more months and then have another scan. I had a repeat petscan and an MRI of the brain on around November 14, 2006 and they were both clear. My doctor allowed me to discontinue the taxotere. I will continue herceptin for at least the full 52 weeks, so until June or possibly longer. The doctor is excited that I am resonding well to the herceptin, but reminds me that there is no cure.


After the first petscan and I was told I am stage 4, the doctor told me I had about 2-3 years. When I had the 2nd petscan that was clear, she told me that those stats were pre-herceptin.

I am going to be a grandmother 2x in June and I am looking forward to that. This website has definately given me hope and I think having grandchildren in addition to my 2 daughters will also give me hope.

[Patty H]

That is great news.
This is PattyHs husband. Patty is in mine and hospice care now.
Her fight was 6and a half years long. She got a lot of good information off this sight and made some long distance friends along the way.
Goog luck to all of the girls on the sight and God be with you all
BudH

[gin-tx]

Dear Bud,

So sorry you are having to deal with all of this at holiday time. BC is not nice, my surgeon who is a breast surgeon only, said it is rampant. I guess you saw my post and know I had this 10 yrs ago. I'm definitely not cured but am still working part time, take treatment every 3 weeks and try to have a positive outlook and get up with a smile on my face thankful to be here. I too don't know what lies ahead, things could change rapidly as I think I had the cancer a yr ago when I had a bone scan done and something showed up, radiologist said it was arthritis. After I was diagnosed in April of this yr it was quickly discovered it was in my spine. I don't expect to ever be totally well but try to be thankful for whatever time I am here, no one knows. My thought to you and your family, you are in my prayers.

ginkott1@aol.com

[tweet7805]

Hi this is smart idea. My info with signature still struggling with side effects. MUGA scan due 12/20/06 & next Herceptin & Onc visit 12/29/06/

[gin-tx]

This is my second episode of bc, I had bc in 1995, had lumpectamy followed by radiation, no chemo. Then in Feb of this yr discovered a problem with other breast, went to gyn, who sent me to a breast surgeon. Had biopsy in late April, he thought everything looked good, called me 3 days later it was malignant, had sentinel node procedure and wider margins, first lymph node removed was malignant, other tissue clean. During course of tests had bone scan, something showed up, had MRI, had tumor on spine that was malignant, changed status to metistatic grade IV. When I saw onc he called radiation oncologist who was on vacation but due back that week-end. He called me to come in on Mon to start treatment, had 18 radiation treatments to spine, lungs (tumor pressing on lungs) esyphogus affected, could not eat well, spicy foods hurt, not fun. Am doing herceptin and aridia treatments every 3 weeks. Still having lots of problem with back, cancer ate thru tissue at T3, only solution is spinal fusion and not recommended with chemo, healing a problem, infection high risk. So I just live with it, take pain meds when I need them, and hope it will get some better in time. Thanks for your concern and keep me informed of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com

[tousled1]

Gin-TX,

Sorry to hear that your cancer has metastisized. Just when you think you're out of the woods - WHAM! The spine is a fragile piece of equipment as well I know. I had lower back problems for years and finally in Dec 2004 it got so bad that my only option was surgery. I had a spinal fusion T3 through S1. It's a really rough surgery and I still have problems. A year after that I was diagnosed with cancer. I'm speaking from experience and if there is any way to avoid spinal fusion I would do it. I have been on pain meds so many years I've lost track. The only time I was off pain meds was right after my mastectomy. After that surgery my back felt great. Guess it was from carrying around those heavy D cups! Well, it was short lived. I started Herceptin and along with that my back pain returned, worse than ever. In addition, all the bones/muscles/joints in my body hurt. After reading a post from Lani, I asked my oncologist to reconstitute my Herceptin with saline water instead of benzyl alcohol. What a difference! Now the only pain I have is the lumbar spine. I'm sending you nothing but good wishes and hopes that you can get the spine mets under control with chemo. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[LAURIE]

Diagonsed 8/06 (found own lump)at 35 years old
Her 2 +++, er-/pr-
4 A/C 9/06
Lumpectomy, node dissection- 11/30/06
Pathology report stage IIIC
1 tumor 3 cm
10 of 15 nodes +
Start 12 weeks Taxol/ Herception 12/19/06
Rads x33 ended 5/07
Herceptin until 12/16/07

[RhondaH]

Bump this up.

Rhonda

[caya]

Thanks for bumping this up Rhonda.

My info is in my signature.
Good luck to all
Caya

[SusieQ]

I was Diagnosed at Age 41 on 10/6/06 with a 3cm Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my left breast Stage II.

ER+ 45% Moderate and PR+ 62% Strong; HER2/neu +++
Sentinel Node Biopsy - Negative Four Nodes; ~BRAC1/BRAC2 Negative

Neo-adjuvant Chemo:6 rounds-every Three Weeks of Taxotere &
Carboplatin & Herceptin Weekly Completed on 2/7/2007.

Lumpectomy 3/12/2007 Post-op Pathology: The neo-adjuvant Chemo and
Herceptin slowed the tumor growth down, shrunk it ---- AND ---changed it
from an infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma, poorly-differentiated to a
"residual" high grade ductal carcinoma "in situ" or "contained." Great
treatment result!!!!

Switched to every 3-week Herceptin infusion beginning on March 21, 2007
for nine more months. Radiation possibly to begin April 2007.

Receiving MUGA Scans every 2-3 months and more scans six months from
now. Bloodwork tested each time I receive infusion. Keeping an eye on a
right lung nodule that is not lighting up with PET. Maybe scar tissue or ????

Hormonal Therapy TBD -- may go the inhibitor route based on early studies
and their results. Pre-menopausal prior to cancer diagnoses. Period stopped
during chemotherapy and has not returned.

[gin-tx]

Dear Rhonda,

It amazes me the details that people know about their diagnosis to the most finite items. I understand what drs are talking about but can't remember all of it. But here goes, I have printed report from him. First diagnosis in 1995, only received radiation, 2nd diagnosis April 2006, surgeon said I should have had chemo, tumor was large. No one mentioned that.
Here goes: Ductal cardinoma in situ, involve large ducts and intraductal papilloma. Her 2/neu grade. One Sentinel node involved, others clean.

Hope this finds you doing well. I also had malig tumor on spine that showed up in bone scan and mri. So that had to be dealt with first, 18 radiation treatments. Also changed chemo treatments, doing herceptin and aridia, for how long I don't know.

Keep in touch, I care about people who have sent e mails and am interested in their recovery.

ginkott1@aol.com

[BethSh]

Mine are below..just finished radiation. Starting Arimidex tomorrow.

[vickie h]

Diagnosed with IBC stage IIIB 2/04, 5 of 19 nodes positive, her2 +++, er/pr-, 13cm tumor left breast (diffused), 4 rounds of Taxotere/Carbo/Herceptin, Mastectomy 7/04, new tumor at incision site 6 weeks later, 33 rads finished Oct 04, skin mets 11/04, 33x more rads 12/04, Taxol/Herceptin weekly until 10/05, new lymph involvement 10/05, start Avastin/Herceptin for one year weekly, more node involvement, switched Oncs 9/06 and started Navelbine/Herceptin. Over a six month period 2 PET/CAT scans clear. Will start Tykerb/Xeloda next week.
I am in my 4th year, and unbelievably doing great after a poor prognosis. I will probably be in some form of treatment for the rest of my life. I also exercise, eat well, and pray, and have the love of my husband. There is so much hope for all of us. Love, Vickie

[Melinda]

DX in signature........

[mslinda]

Diagnosis in signature. Current status is NED!! Yea!!

Linda

[mcgle]

Your dx seems pretty close to mine, though my cancer was grade 2.

Never had the Oncotype test, neither do I know the proliferation rate - they don't do these tests in the UK.

Just interested to know what your FISH score was, given that you were IHC2+ (like me). My FISH score was 2.71 (weakly positive), though I received neither chemo nor herceptin - onc said prognostic indicators didn't warrant these.

I am 53 and had my last period 5 years ago. How old are you? Apparently, age comes into the equation.

Mcgle (UK)

[Lori]

History in signature.
Just had right breast reduction and removal of medi port.

[gin-tx]

Dear Lori,

HOpe this finds you doing well. My first diagnosis was in 1995, was cancer free for almost 11 yrs, then it reappeared in other side, more aggresive, etc. I only had radiation the first time, all that was recommended. This is a bigger issue to deal with. So far I'm doing okay on Herceptin and Aridia, but they could change treatment at any time. All the ladies on this site are such a wonderful support for each other. Yes I'm scared and don't know what future holds for me. But I continue to work part time and hope I will be cured.

Keep in touch and let me know of your progress.

ginkott1@aol.com

[Catherine]

Age 58 at DX April 06
11 months prior no tumor shown on mamogram, I found in shower by accident
Stage II, ER- PR- HER2+++
Invasive/high proliferation rate
Multifocal tumors (2-3) largest 3.2cm per ultrasound
3 lymph nodes positive, 14 removed
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral Mast Sep 06,33rads over Dec 06
Started Herceptin Dec 06, every 3weeks for 1yr
Feel very good and I am active

[LindaC]

DX October 18 2006
Left breast cancer lymph nodes mets to liver and bones.
Carboplatin 1 dose
weekly taxol and herceptin
once a month zometa
February 21 pet scan done on February 5 2007 showed everything clear except bones.

LindaC

[Melissai]

Dx Jan 2006 Age 36

Multi-focal IDC (4 tumors largest being 3.0cm) left breast
DCIS right breast
ER+(46%)PR+(75%)
Her2+ Immunochemistry-Borderline, FISH 2.1
Grade 2
Blood/lymphatic invasion
Sentinal Node Neg. Left breast
Bilateral Mastectomy 2/28/06
4 AC/ 4 Taxotere/weekly herceptin (last tax on Aug 28,2006)
Herceptin every 3 weeks until June 07
Lupron Injections every 3 months and on Arimidex
All scans clear
BRCA2+

[gin-tx]

Dear Melassi,

I was originally diagnosed in Dec, 1995, had lumpectamy followed by radiation. Second diagnosis on April 2006, still getting Herceptin every 3 weeks, Aridia every 6 weeks. I'm finding I am very fatigued after treatments, takes 2-3 days to get up to speed again. Keep me informed of your progress and how things are going with you. This site is so wonderful to keep up our morale, learn of others in similar situations, etc.

ginkott1@aol.com

[gin-tx]

Dear Catherine,

I too was diagnosed in April 2006, first bout of BC in 1995. Had been free for 10 yrs. This time it's more aggressive, had biopsy which surgeon thought looked fine. Three days later he called it was malignant, had wider margins done, also bone scan which revealed something on spine. Had MRI, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic cancer. Had 18 radiation treatments to spine and lungs. Then began Herceptin with Aredia. Still getting every 3 weeks, last CT was no change but nothing new, due for another next month. This has not been a good week, have not felt so hot. Keeping in contact with onc, trying various meds. Keep me informed of how you are doing. We all need to support each other.

ginkott1@aol.com

[lilyecuadorian]

diagnostic on April 18/06

and the rest is on my signature

[fullofbeans]

Diagnosed June 06 with BC stage 1/2 two lumpectomies (until clean margin). Aug 2006 stage 4 (liver mets), I beleive the rest is in my signature

Cheers
Kx

[Hazel Joyce]

My lump was found on routine mammogram, no palpable mass. Core needle biopsy done, diagnosed 11-17-06 with IDC. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection on 12-20-06. 3 cm tumor, Grade 3, 8 positive nodes. Stage IIIA. ER/PR-, HER2 +++ (avg 20 copies per cell). I have a chest port. I had 4 cycles of Adriamycin/ Cytoxan. I had 12 doses of Taxol, and will get a year's worth of Herceptin. 35 radiation treatments. H was held for 4 weeks, and onc says she will add it on at the end. So, I'll finish H in May 2008. I didn't work much in 2007, quit work entirely in June. I am ambivalent about returning.
So far, no recurrence or spread. My onc doesn't order scans unless symptoms appear. Lab work has been good. Neg CT chest and brain MRI in July.

[mcgle]

Still NED 18 months later (I hope!).

Please read my signature.

Mcgle

[RhondaH]

Thought I would like to update. Thank you.

Rhonda

[gin-tx]

Dear Rhonda,

I was diagnosed in April 2006, first diagnosis in Dec 1995. I was cancer free for over 10 yrs, then it came back more aggressive. Still getting herceptin with aredia (for bones) as I had a tumor on spine which changed diagnosis to Grade IV. Am holding on so far, but seem to catch a lot of viruses that are going around. Evidently my immune system is not as good as I had hoped, will talk with onc about it.

Hope you continue to do well, keep me informed.

ginkott1@aol.com

[dhealey]

I had a normal mammogram July 2006, found lump in my breast myself Oct. 2006. Had lumpectomy Friday 13th, 2006, Oct. 20th, 2006 Left breast mastectomy, 2.5 cm tumor, negative nodes, ER/PR positive, Her2 Positive comfirmed by FISH. Stage IIA. Started 4 rounds A/C Nov. 2006 followed by 4 rounds Taxol/Herceptin. Continued with herceptin until Jan 8, 2008. Was started on Arimidex March 2007. June 2007 prophlactic mastectomy Right breast (no reconstruction) Stopped Arimidex Aug 2007 due to severe joint pain and was started on Aromasin stopped this Dec. 2007 due to severe joint pain and bruising. Brain MRI Oct 2007 showed pineal cyst no cancer/ PET SCAN Dec. 2007 negative. Now have lump in Right side of neck, onc thinks this is a lymph node, but all test including tumor markers normal. When all this started I was age 52 now 53 and still going strong or trying too!!!

[Joanne S]

Rhonda, Following is my breast cancer information.

[michka]

See my signature. This is an interesting initiative Rondah! I see that I am not the only one who had a mammo 1 year or less before the finding of a large tumor by herself. Who knows what the reliability of a mammography is? do tumors "explode" in one year? You read everywhere that tumor grow slow and they are there about 10 years before we can see them.
This drove me crazy of anger and despair. My mother had BC, my aunt and cousin died from it so I thought I was serious and would catch a cancer at the beginning. And they always told me during the 10 years I had mammos that my breast were easy to read.
Michka

[Believe51]

My 50 year old husband's journey is in his signature. Nice post>>Believe51

[Sueinuk]

Diagnosed in 2003 with bc in right breast. Had chemo first followed by surgery then rads. Re-diagnosed two years later with local recurrence. Stage 3. Now on Herceptin and Capcitebine. NED.

[theresaw]

One thing I didn't put on my sig. was that I am er-/pr-.

[DEBBIE S]

Hello All ...
I was first dx in Oct. 2004 ; I had a routine mam. in April 04 and was called back in for a follow-up with a magnification of test and was then
told to come back in 5 months ... I do belive if they had done an ultra-
sound my tumor would have been found .. but hindsight is 20/20 ...
Was dx Stage 4 with 3.2 cm tumor and spot on liver ....
HER2 +++ ER - PR -
Currently doing hercp every 3 weeks and my onc has agreed to let me do
chemo ( taxol & carboplatin ) every 6 weeks ...

[dlaxague]

I was just going to post my signature but it says my message is too short if I don't type something.

Debbie Laxague

[romo9]

Diagnosed oct 2004 her+++ 3cm tumour 18 positive nodes. Chemo,radiotherapy. herceptin 2 years. 3 years NED. Romo9

[tdonnelly]

Dx: 10/2006 Infiltrating Carcinoma (Ductal) with Lobular features
Age: 46 2.1 cm Stage 2 HER2+ 4.3
Lumpectomy/Right Breast
4 cycles of A/C and 4 cycles of Taxol
Completed to date 9 cycles of Herceptin:every 3 wk/1 hr. 630mcg
28 Radiation treatments

Status: Neuropathy in fingers/toes - Ongoing
Bone/Joint pain in knees and legs - Ongoing
(Bone Scan - Negative for Mets 10/07- Deg. Arthritus
Edema in legs - Ongoing
Harsh cough
3 cm cyst on Scalp - to be biopsied
2 suspicious moles on scalp - to be biopsied
TSH Level (Hypothyroid) remaining high during Chemo and
Herceptin treatments (175 mcg/purple pill)

[RhondaH]

Just curious...

[tweet7805]

I was diagnosed 10/11/2005; Lumpectomy 11/22/2005; Path report results: Stage IIB; 1 node with micro cells; Grade 3; ER/PR neg; HER2+++. Treatment: 4 X AC every 3 weeks; 3 X Taxol/Herceptin wkly. Had bad reaction with side effects to Taxol onc stopped took 2 wk break restarted 7X Taxotere/Herceptin wkly. 6/15/06 blood oxygen dropped to 75% rushed to ER all chemo/herceptin stopped put on oxygen for 3 months restarted Herceptin 8/2006 every 3 wks & 33 daily rads to left breast; 9/22/06 Rads completed; 12/4/06 MUGA scan shows dangerous drop in blood flow from 85-50% Herceptin stopped 4 months early and will not be restarted onc feels I have had enough to kill all cancerous cells. No other treatments have Mamo on left breast every 6 months annually on right. So far I have stayed in remission since. I do continue to have long term side effects: Neuropathy all limbs; perm lung dmg caused by chemo; Glaucoma to eyes; Extreme Fatique; Chemo Brain-No short term memory; Multitasking out of the question; have trouble thinking correct words to use etc. But at least I am still in remission just had to retire permanently.

Hugs
Cindy

Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Then leave the rest to God

[Lien]

Great to read all those positive stories. You rock, ladies!

Lien

[trailrider]

My signature has nearly everything.
Has normal Mammo 4 mos before dx. Only Ultrasound found tumor. Have done 1 year of Tamoxifen will start an AI soon.

Am getting ready to have my third uterine biopsy.

[elcalabrese]

I joined this group years ago but life takes over and when the format changed I kind of dropped off the radar. I periodically check in and saw this thread. Without too much detail, I was dx in Jan 2000. Left mas, 5/10 pos nodes. E/P -/her2+++. Back then herceptin was not an option. After chemo/rads I was dx with bone mets in April 2002. Lots of chemo/rad and herceptin put me into a chemical remission. After 8 mos of chemo I was put on herceptin with Zometa eventually (after 5 yrs) discontinuing the Zometa.
Since Sept 2003 I have been on herceptin without any other agent and so far I have remained stable. I hate to use the term NED but I have had no progression of disease.
When I was first dx my youngest child was 8. I was told I would probably not see my children graduate from high school. Well. I have seen 3 walk across the stage and my youngest is entering his senior year. My oldest just graduated from college and one daughter has gotten married. Both of my daughters are in college and at this point there is no reason to believe I will not be there to see them graduate as well.
I have been so blessed.
El

[DanaRT]

El, Your story inspries me. Now that I have noticed some dimpling under my arm, and even if it is scary news, I know things will carry on and I will have many years. Like you, I have two daughters who have completed college, one is in high school. I plan to see much more of what life has to bring and watch the girls prosper in their careers. I am grateful for this site-seven months ago it frightened me.
Herceptin is saving my life. I see the Dr. tomorrow.

Dana

[rebecca0623]

My info is in my signature - great idea especially for those of us new to this board to be able to see who is out there and what their expreriences are!

[whynow?]

Got PET CT Scan results on my daughters 4th Brithday. Now looking forward to celebrating Christians 2nd Birthday on 6th September...

I get more determined with every day...

[DanaRT]

Whynow?,

Adorable children!

Dana

[Henny]

I was diagnosed 3/07 after "odd" mammo and PEM (PET mammogram)and US guided biopsy. Her+++ ER- PR-
3/07 Bilat mastectomies with recon
4/07 left lymph node dissection-1 pos node
A/C 4 DD
Taxol/ Herceptin
10/07 recon with silicone implants
1/08 nipple recon
Finished herceptin 6/08.
Port out last week
Was able to work and exercise (slowly and not like I used to but did nevertheless)
Last PET/CT 3/08 was clear
Love to wear the little t-shirts and not have saggy boobs

Henny

[Ginagce]

I'm just checking in as suggested. It's been a year plus a couple months since I finished my Herceptin treatment. I am still NED!

Was on Herceptin for 2 years after completing bi-lateral mastectomies, reconstruction and ACT chemotherapy.

Had bi-lateral lumpectomies and radiation to one side only seven years prior to that.

Doing well and again, NED. So, since first diagnosis, now 11 years, since 2nd....4 years!


Bless you ALL!

Ginagce

[Mary Jo]

Just giving an update on "me"...........I am now a 3 year NED survivor.

Is so thankful...

Mary Jo

[Diana1993]

Thank you for the updates. We all need to hear these stats. I'm still a work in progress but still ticking after 15 years, Aug. 1993.
Hugs
Diana

[Unregistered]

diagnosed 5/02
Stage 3A
6 cm 5/12 nodes
ER/PR +
Her2+
left mastectomy 5/02

6 rounds AC
Arimidex
28 radiation treatments

Sternal Mets 2/04
Carbo/Taxol
Herceptin weekly X52
Aeridia every 2 weeks (still)
Cyberknife Radiation X3
Femara

Started Herceptin every 2 weeks March 2005 (still)

Mets to T1 verterbrae 5/08
16 radiation treatments
Added Flovesant (hormone inhibitor) IM Qmonth

Having scar revision and breast reduction for symmetry on remaining breast Sept 08

Taking it one day at a time...
Cyndy

[gin-tx]

Dear Rhonda,

I tried to reply to your inquiry but couldn't get it to work. I have had bc twice, once in 95, had radiation only, then diag again in 2006, agressive Stage IV metastatic as it had spread to bones. I'm responding to treatment so far, had 18 rads on spine which was very hard on me as it affected digestion, esyphogus, etc. Then the onc started Herceptin every 3 weeks which will be on forever. If I stop treatment he said the cancer will definitely come back. By way had partial mastectomy in 06. I also get Aredia every other treatment. It is to strengthen bones which were weakened from the radiation. I know at some point the cancer will come back but am getting discouraged. After two yrs and people ask when will I be finished. The answer is Never! Hope you are doing well, keep me informed of your progress and how you are getting along. I still work part time as that is all onc will let me work, keep benefits thank goodness as disability has run out so am using vac time that I had built up for treatment and dr appts.

ginkott1@aol.com

[Melissa]

approx 2 1/2 yrs out

Before I was dx I had a mammo the month before but it was clear (mammo was performed at same place every yr, for three yrs.) I found the lump myself, had pain in area of lump. I too had a supraclavicular node light up on scan and had the extra rad boost to clavicuar area on left side. Still have issues with arm, radiated area and arimidex BUT these are minor compared to others. I always hold in my heart others struggling w/ disease.

[lexigirl]

I had my mod. rad. mast. 8/30/2005 on my r breast. IBC, stage IIIB. I had 4 A/C, 4 Taxol and herceptin for one year. 5 weeks of rads also, a bolus used every other tx. I am three years out and feeling good.

I am so grateful that herceptin has helped so many of us manage this disease and for some possibly be the cure.

Hugs for everybody!

Lexi

[notamrnpsn]

I know this is the wrong place to ask this, but I know you are all very smart . I had a masc. 3 years ago, the 2 months ago the second one. They say no blood draws or BP if you had nodes removed. I do have a port, but where do they take the BP. Thanks, Jeanette

[hutchibk]

They can put the cuff on your leg to take BP. That's where they put it on me in the hospital. I only had a right side mastectomy, so I have BP taken on my left arm.