Survivor Survey

[Marie G]

Morning My Girls, just stopping in to tell you how proud I am of you all, and again, every day you fight the fight, YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!! In the mean time, I am asking for you all to send your name, cancer stage, and time in NED. My husband would be very exstatic to have a list of survivor time in remission and your name would be just to send you a thank you. Please my friends, I am begging. Some of you have already written, but we need to start a "List of Survivors".



http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_50_4.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm603YYUS)

[Lien]

Dear Marie,

I was diagnosed in Jan. 2004
Stage 1, no nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR/Her2 positive

lumpectomy, rads, Zoladex & Arimidex
Doing FINE!!!!

[TriciaK]

Marie, you probably already know all of my story, but here are the quick facts:

1985---Diagnosed with BC , double mastectomy, reconstruction, nothing more

1990---Mets to vertebra, T9 and T10.Tamoxifen, alternative treatments,
including hypnosis.

2004---heart attack ; CT revealed lung mets, now her2. Treated with herceptin, navelbine and femara for 6 months, then just femara and herceptin until ejection fraction was 40. (9 more months).

2005---NED

2006---still NED, had triple bypass

2007---still NED, treating heart failure and cardiomyopathy,Cancer is stage iv
Hope to hold the cancer at bay indefinitely with femara, good diet,
positive thinking, self-hypnosis, and prayer!

Hopes this is helpful in your research. THere are a lot of wonderful survivors on this board! Hugs, TriciaK, St George, Utah

[tousled1]

Marie,

My history is in my signature. I've been considered NED since June 8, 2006 the day of my surgery.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Marie,

My info. is in my signature. I, too, have been considered NED since mastectomy July 28, 2005.

Mary Jo

[Yorkiegirl]

Mt history is in my Siggy as well. I am 2 yrs. NED

[Chelee]

Marie, Like the others here have said...my signature has all my info. I have been NED since the date of my surgery which was 1-3-06.

(I just LOVE Tricia K's story. I love to read it when I am feeling a bit down...it ALWAYS picks me up and puts a smile on my face. :) What a aweseome women.)

Chelee

[jhandley]

Dx stage 2a in 2001. Stage iv in 2005 (Sept)..NED 9 weeks later and still NED.
(18 months)

Jackie

[tricia keegan]

Marie...my details are as follows,
Tricia keegan
Diagnosed June '05 stage 2 grade 1
triple positive ..IDC 3/9 nodes positive.
Also doing fine and hoping for 2 years out in a
few months!!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

"95 dx w/4th stage invasive/infiltrating lobular carcinoma w/2 out of 18 lymph nodes involved. '98 multiple mets in the liver. Her2+ -- 80%. Taxotere Sept '98 thru May '99. Herceptin Nov '98 to present. Wkly '98-'02. Triple dosage every 3 wks '02-present. NED. Just extremely fatigued most days, except when I receive Procrit (and now Aranesp) to boost my flagging red blood cell count -- which has become an issue with Medicare and most insurance cos who don't want to pay for the $7,000 injection for NON CHEMO patients. Herceptin patients receive a monoclonal antibody and have been left in the lurch on this issue, in the last month! I remain positive it will be resolved, but worry that if my dipping red blood counts go unchecked, my health will obviously reflect that. Do I have to become hospitalized before I get help? Who will speak for this small group who have what my doc calls "chemo-induced anemia". Haven't been on "chemo" since '99. All blood tests show no reason for this red blood slippage. 1 shot last 3 mnth usually. But NO shot, leaves me...ANDREA PS PUT "YOUR" NAME ON THE SURVIVOR'S LIST YOU ARE ACCRUING! THINK OF YOURSELF AS A PART OF THAT GROUP. INSIST UPON IT! DAILY! AND DON'T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD FORTUNE WITH EACH NEW DAY... EACH DAY IS A GIFT.

[StephN]

A survivor poll that would ask how many years in remission and their stage.

Would work on it, but no time today. I think it is a worthwhile idea.

You will see by my story at the end of my post that I am over six years since dx and more than 5 years NED on Herceptin, being stage IV. Had extensive liver mets and poor prognosis, but fought really hard with some tough drugs in the mix to achieve a complete response. Like the amazing TriciaK I have used guided imagery in my healing.

Hope these answers help your husband to have a little faith, even though this is a sneaky, pernicious disease.

My best advice - cut out the sugar as cancer feeds on simple sugars.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

So did I. Chocoholic. But since I heard this pearl of wisdom from several different sources, and found sugar to be a trigger food for the IBS (IRRITABLE BOWEL DISORDER) that came with the Taxotere in '98 and never went away -- I have decided to stay off of sugar. Been sugar-free since '04! Not a single bite even of birthday cake. I consider it poison. So, I' m w/Stephen on this. Amazing story of heroics and determination. Expectation and Intention = End Result, I always say. I was adamant about not giving in to my poor prognosis. SOMEONE has to fall in the Survivors's group. They're the most passionate, positive focused of the lot. THE BRAVEST ARE THOSE WHO HAVE THE CLEAREST VISION OF WHAT IS BEFORE THEM, AND YET, GO OUT TO MEET IT. YOU MUST DO THE THING YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO AND BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER TO ACHIEVE IT! We are each just this side of becoming a miracle! God bless... Please keep us all updated on your findings and ponderings. Networking is a grand way of supporting one another. ANDREA

[Becky]

My story is my signature - except to add - eat right and exercise at least 5 hours per week.

[Audrey]

My story is in my signature as well--looking forward to 6 years of survivorship after a poor prognosis in 2001.

[mymom's BC]

Hello everyone

This is for my mom. I wish I had found this board a few months ago. Only came across it recently. The stories shared on this board have been a wonderful.

I finally managed to write down the details of my mom's case to share with everyone. I took a lot of comfort reading +ve news from everyone as we were going thru the last few months.

My mom was diagnosed by my wife when she came to the US to help us with our then unborn baby boy. She diagnosed her the same week we had the baby and it was a week of unbelievable joy mixed with fear/sadness as we soon came to know she was stage 4.

It has been 7 unbelievable months and the baby and grandma are doing well. I realize that we were lucky with her responding so well to Herceptin but I am forever grateful at how strong and supportive my wife has been and how strong my mom has been thru this to get us here. It helps that both of them extremely strong willed and nothing fazes them. I recognize the same strengths in so many of you when I read the messages here. Thank you for being on the board and sharing.

Please drop me a line if you have any questions

/C

[michele u]

my story is on my sig as wel!!

[saleboat]

I was dx'd two years ago. All deets in my sig.

Thanks for doing this.

Jen

[suzan w]

My story is also in my signature. My oncologist agrees that I have been NED since my surgery 6/14/05.

[lkc Gumby]

Hi Ladies,

Add me!

[lilyecuadorian]

My story is in my signature PLUS eat tons of veggie and fruit amd almost cero fat

[mamacze]

Hi Girls and Marie!
Stage 4 (mets to all 4 lobes of lungs) Diagnosed in April 2004
NED since October 2004
A list like this is just a big bucket full of hope!
Cheers
Kim from CT

[karen raines hunt]

HI,

I have also been NED since my mastectomies (Apr '05). My onc recently switched me from tamoxifen to aromasin.

[vickie h]

Hi,
I was diagnosed 2/04, stage 3b/4 inflammatory, was given a very poor prognosis (6-12 months) and here I am over 3 years later with last 2 PET scans very good. I have skin mets and am starting on Tykerb/Xeloda. Hope abounds through support, love and God. Love, Vickie

[Diana1993]

I was first diagnosed in 1993. One of these days I will get a signature together, and be able to say, my signature says it all. I have had mets to the phleura, nodules on intestines, liver and stomach. Refused second round of chemo until a tumour was pressing on the ureters (2005) and finally agreed to taxotere and herceptin. I had very few side affects from the taxotere and only runny eyes and nose on occation from herceptin. Taxotere took care of tumours and herceptin keeping them small. I asked to have my herceptin treatments every four weeks so I could holiday in Texas. I flew home after four weeks, and drove home today. I have met so many ladies who are moving on to have 'normal' lives in between all the testing, and Dr. appointments. Do you not feel we are on to something with the latest round of treatments? This site is a huge help and it is a place we can get good information. I check in almost daily and I'm amazed at the courage and insight this group has.
Life's a dance,
Diana.

[rinaina]

I was diagnosed March, 2006 and had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006, (my husband's birthday. I finished chemo late July, 2006 and I am still receiving herceptin every 3 weeks with little problem other than bad nails and fatigue. My mammogram was clear on March 1, 2007 and I have made it through the first year with NED.

[Debra]

Diagnosed at age 40. IDC 2 tumors

Grade 3 Triple positive. One positive node so staged at IIb.

A/C every three weeks x4 Taxol for 12 weeks--weekly. Just finished 52 weeks of Herceptin last week!
currently on Arimidex/fosomax
Will have first set of scans since diagnosis in May.

[Vanessa]

I was diagnosed in early April, 2006, had a partial masectomy on April 21, 2006. I was diagnosed with as stage iv with mets to the liver after a petscan. Started chemo (taxotere and carboplatin) and Herceptin on June 15, 2006. I was NED by September and remain NED at this time. My oncologist discontinued chemo in November, 2006, but I am still on Herceptin.

[Judy Smith]

I will be a 3 year survivor in June. I am doing well and still on Hercepting every three weeks. I helps to hear form those who have been around for awhile fighting this disease. Good luck to you.
Judy

[sassy]

Its all in my sig!
________
Hildember.Hot Cam (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/hildember.hot)

[kari]

Here is my story so far:

Mammo and U.S. for suspicious lump lt. breast-Nov/05 (both neg. for pathology);
Lumpectomy-Dec9/05;
Dx(at age 46): Dec 16/05-Stage IIB IDC, 2.2cm, grade 3, ER+/PR+, Her2+++;
Mastectomy&SNB-Jan 11/06 (2 nodes +);
Axillary Nodes-Feb6 (all 17 neg);
4 rounds AC-began Mar6;
4 roundsTaxol-began June20;
25 Rads-Sept26-Oct31;
Tamoxifen-began Nov5 (for 2-5 yr);
Herceptin-began Nov16 (for 1 yr);
Mammo-Nov/06 (neg. for pathology)
1 year Surviving!

Blessings to all you survivors and your wonderful support!
Karen

[mindersue]

Isn't it amazing how everyone's bc is different? I'd like to see "age at diagnosis" in all those sigs! Love to all! -Mindy

[hutchibk]

My sig is my story, too! Just keep telling the universe that you intend to stick around for a long long time, no questions asked!

[Carol Carlson]

Diagnosed 3/04 with IDC
2.2cm tumor with 3 small DCIS
4/18 positive nodes
er/pr/ neg .her2 pos.
partial mastectomy and axillary node dissection
A/C dose dense 4 rounds and 4 of Taxol 1 year herceptin which ended 5/06
last mammo 2/07 showed a few" benign" looking calcification areas near scar tissue. sch. for MRI 6/07
markers fine
NED I think !!!!
3/9/07 marked 3rd year survivor
Carol C

[mslinda]

Hi, 10/07 will be two years NED for me. I was diagnosed at 55. My signature gives the info on me.

Blessings and Prayers to all
Linda
S. Mississippi

[Cathy1]

Diagnosed 1999- 10 out of 17nodes- Left B. Mastectomy
Adriamycin 8 months, taxol 2 months.
Arimedex
2003-3 small lung nodules, also between lungs and left axcilla
xeloda and herceptin
Stopped xeloda and herceptin 6/06
NED until 2/2007-
Recurrence in left axcilla- Surgery to remove. Surgeon said he removed 95%.
Also, tiny nodule in left iliac bone and small lung nodules.
Currently on herceptin, femara and zometa.
Doc is waiting for my next scans and if there is progression, I will start back on xeloda.
Had very good results with xeloda and herceptin together.
Lots of prayer, lots of Masses and positive thinking! God Bless!

[Sheila]

Thankful for each minute, each day, each week, each year!!!!!!!!!

[Erin]

It's all below...

[momdeeco]

This Is Me!

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Jan/1996 - Diagnosed With Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma Of Left
Breast. Had Modified Radical Mastectomy And Tram Flap
Reconstruction At The Same Time. Was Put On 7 Doses Of
Adriamycine/5-f/cytoxin. In Remission 3 Years.

Jan/1999 - Recurrence In Axila Area On Same Side, Also Mets To Liver.
Several Rounds Of Taxotiere And Had A Stem Cell
Replacement. Started On Herceptin In Dec/1999.

Dec/2001 -recurrence To Liver. Two Tumors.
Stayed On Herceptin. Started Navelbine For Several
Months, Then Gemzar For Several Months, Then
Xeloda.

Sept/2003 - Had Liver Tumors Abalated. In Remission For About 7-8
Months. Tumors Returned By Liver.

July/2004 - Had 1/2 Liver Resected (removed) In Remission For
Another 7-8 Months. Liver Grew Back Clean.

Feb/2005 - Recurrence With A Tumor In Lymph Node Outside Of
Liver. Started On Abraxane For About 7 Months. Was
Put On Taxol/carboplatin. Still On Herceptin Since
1999 (6 1/2 Years)

April/2006 - Second Tumor Pops Up In Same Area. Liver Still Clean.

August/2006 - Started On Trial With Tykerb/xeloda. As Of Last
Scans In April, Am Stable And One Tumor Is Gone And
The Other Has Shrunken Down Some.

So This Is My Story And As You Can See, I Have Survived This For The Last 11 Years And Have Been Fortunate Enough To Have A Good Quality Of Life. Always Keep Your Hopes Up And Keep Your Immune System Strong...and Most Important...live Your Life To The Fullest.

Good Luck To You And Take Care.

[pattyz]

This is copied from the IBC page:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon11.gif Seven (plus) years out from Inflammatory; Four 1/2 w/brain mets....


<HR style="COLOR: #aa8799" SIZE=1>

Jan. '99 Dx'd at age 50. Stage IIIb <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->

My treatment consisted of: Surgery first, followed by 4 rnds of A/C. No rads.




The entire bottom half of my right breast was 'orange peel' - I had an additional two tumors, inside upper (3.8cm) and lower (1.9cm) quandrants, plus 6 nodes positive of 26.

July 2002 - Recurrance two plus yrs. later. Mediastinal nodes/spot on lung and pelvis. Brain mets dx'd just two mos. later.

Focalized rads for 16 brain mets in batches over course of 18 mos. Successful to treated areas.

Navelbine/Herceptin put body in NED after a few months. Stopped all treatment.

Third recurrance of brain mets treated with Xeloda/Temodar responding by shrinkage and stable to all new eight lesions. Still under X/T schedule coming up on two yrs.

Still NED in body, (knock wood) four 1/2 yrs out, with active/stable brain mets.

Feeling amazed and grateful,
yours truly, ;o)
pattyz
<!-- / message -->

[Ora]

I can't believe it's been almost 2 years.

[Andi]

My story is in my signature. I hope the Tykerb/Xeloda is finally something that will work for me.

[LindaC]

My story so far is in my signature

[bailey]

My story:

Diagnosed with BC in 2002 - lumpectomy, 6 rounds chemo then radiation - put on tamoxifen
2003 - 4 tumors found in my ovaries, hysterectomy all tumors benign, mets to the lung and liver - 2 liver operations - put on Arimidex
2003 - chemo - taxotere and herceptin - finished chemo end of 2003 but stayed on Herceptin every 3 weeks
2006 - 2 very small spots appeared on the lung from scans
April 2007 - last Herceptin treatment
May 2007 - will start on tykerb and xeloda
Have been stage 4 since 2003
I am 54 - exercise 5 days/week - 3 times/week spin classes for an hour, weights and eat healthy as I can
BC did not know who it was dealing with when it came to my body - I am a survivor!!

Hope this helps.
B

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Kudos to you. I stand in awe. What a great attitude. Hold on to it. Even on the days that feel a bit more challenging than others. Go within and make that connection with your beautiful Spirit. You surely will be a SURVIVOR. A miracle in the making. Good for you. I'm sending you hugs, prayers, love and healing energy. Not that you need it. But it couldn't hurt... ANDI

PS I'm a 4th stage BC survivor. Dx '95 at age 50. Multiple mets into liver in '98. Poor prognosis. I eat right and take multiple nutritional supplements recommended by my ONCOLOGICAL NUTRITIONAL SPECIALIST AND BC SPECALIST in Manhattan. What a find! With NY Presbyterian Hospital at Cornell. He's a true healer. Guided imagery. Meditation. Healing sounds. And brilliant. Plus nice and good-humored to boot. Wrote Healing Essence. Very spiritual. Which, since '95, I have embraced wholeheartedly. It has transformed my life. Stay strong, brave and determined...

[shaza]

diagnosed 2003 DCIS
lumpectomy , 3wks rads
no node involvement
not hormone deoendent
2006
mets to liver
6 cycles EC chemo
tumour markers down from 1200 to 28
classed as in remission , doing well

[shaza]

follow from my previous post
i am now 56
progression to stage 4 was a total shock but responded well to chemo
test for her2 status came back towards the end of chemo so herceptin will be an option for me , i feel i am winning this battle and i am surviving

[Petesmom]

Hi Ladies,

Here's my dx:

1998 diagnosed .8cm, node neg., grade 2, Her2-, ER+, lumpectomy,rads and Toremifine for 5 years
2005 diagnosed (same breast) .7cm, node neg., grade 2, Her2+++, ER+, mastectomy, oopharectomy, arimidex
NED since then.

Petesmom

[Catherine]

Details in my Signature. DX April 06. I think I am NED. Oncologist did not say that exactly. Just said we shrunk the tumors to nothing and then cleaned up with surgery Sep 06. My Oncologist said that he has not seen a recurrence while on herceptin. When I see him in June, I will ask if my status is NED. My steps were: chemo, surgery, radiation, herceptin.

I feel great, Catherine

[cmljungren]

My info is in my signature!

Hey! and my picture worked....thanks Joe!!!

Blessings!

[Rozebud]

This thread rocks!

Info below, just passsed third year NED.

[dede10]

Dx'd at 46 1/2...my info is in my sig
AND I HAVE SERVIVED 4 YRS 2 MOS!

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Dede, I hope you've read my stats. July '95 Stage IV + 2 lymph nodes, mastec, tram flap reconstr + 4 Adria ?12 CMF (50 yrs old). (Aug. '94 Mammog was clean.) Borderline E so they put me on Tamoxifen. Aug. '98 multiple mets in liver. They told me to throw my Tamoxifen down the toilet! Her2+ 80%, as nomenclated back in the day. FDA fast-tracked Herceptin because of the great results. Women given 3 mnths to live couldn't get it. There was a lottery system. My incredible doc MJ (Dr. Mohammed Jahanzeb) was in Boca at the time. Got 5 opinions (mostly in NY where I then lived 6 mnths a yr). MJ suggested Taxotere -- the most aggressive tool in their arsenal at the time for a highly aggressive invasive lobular carcinoma (that was ME). I went on Taxotere in Sept '98 through May '99. Apr. 2 oncs suggested I bring my x-rays for their radiologist to read. First one said he wasn't sure what he was looking at were tumors. They appeared filled w/fluid, cyst-like. The dead remains of tumors. I continued on Taxotere. Another onc suggested I bring my x-rays for his radiologist to read. He knew nothing of any other radiologists' reports. He said the same thing -- cyst-like, necratic tissue, dead remains of tumors. At the end of May I just couldn't take any more. I had suffered every conceivable side effect bitterly and was crawling. MJ said no reason to believe the Herceptin can't keep me stable. Was on wkly till '02 then switched to triple dose every 3 wks. Have regular chest/abd/pel CTs. Went from ev 8 wks to ev 3 mnths. I begged for ev 4 mnths as the drink gave me diarrhea for 3 days. Last yr I graduated to ev 6 mnths. Am due in June. Have comprehensive bld tests ev 3 mnths w/tumor markers.

Dr. MJ is an incredible doc/human being. You call. He answers -- within the hr or def the same day. He is aggressive in treatment yet not over the top. He is kind, caring, giving. He listens. He lets you take your time. He waits to see if you have any more questions. He answers everything you ask w/considered thought and explains what he bases his opinion on. He cites studies and facts and figures. He is unique and I was blessed to have in my life when I needed him most. If -- God forbid a hundred million times -- I were to need him, I would be on the first plane to Tenn. He heads the oncol department at the Univ of Tenn. I believe he helped save my life.

He travels extensively around the country and the world, attending and/or giving lectures on breast cancer and lung cancer -- his specialties. He is brilliant and yet a sweetheart. A gentleman who I cannot say enough good things about.

I wanted you to hear all this. If there is any way in the world you can get to where he is -- my best advice would be to run there. If any one has answers for you -- MJ will. He will not give up on you. I WAS HIS FIRST PATIENT IN '95. I am NED (no evidence of disease), joyful, serene, in harmony and good health. I wish you the same! I wish that for all these exceptional ladies on this site. I admire their courage and determination, their proactive approach and their strength. Never give in. Never give up. I'm standing w/you. Please let me hear back from you. Sending loving, healing energy... ANDI
From Taxotere had pleural effusion (which went away after about 6 mnhs). Had small pericardial effusion that remains and they now believe will never go away and is not cancerous. I now get annual ECHOs to check my EF. Was ev 6 mnths. I go for transvaginal pelvic sonos to check my ovaries, etc. I go for bone density tests ev 2 yrs.

[bailey]

Andrea - you are so wonderful - a true miracle and full of life - I LOVE IT!! Dede, hang in there and do what you need to do. I was on Herceptin since 2003 with my second go around of chemo and then just herceptin till 3 weeks ago and am starting tykerb/xeloda on Wed. as there are spots on my lung - they say there are side effects but I always go into everything like that saying, they have to tell you all the side effects but that does not mean you will get them. I had none from Herceptin and if I did I dealt with them. I am stage 4 as well but I feel blessed and lucky that I am still here. I made my 54th birthday in Jan. and I'll make it for another 20 years. I met a wonderful man 5 months ago after my husband left me so I am truly blessed - there is a reason I'm still here - I know it and it makes me jump for joy. Dede, I am with Andrea and many other wonderful women on this - don't ever give up - believe!! I am sending you and all the women love, happiness, positive energy, everything in life that is great.
B

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I adore your attitude! Your husband left? I can only assume GOOD RIDDENS is in order. In the midst of all this?! HIS loss. You are remarkable. Your attitude is why I say you are one beautiful Spirit! Good for you! You sound so wonderfully together. You obviously know who you are and know how special you are, and so does this nice new guy! I'm truly impressed.

Every morning brings a new challenge w/another odd occurence w/our bodies, but we adapt and deal! We are each heroes. Or as Maya Angelou says -- SHEROES! A whole new way of looking at the idea of nobility, don't you think?! Be good to yourself. Stay strong. You are so full of grace, I am wowwed.

I think I LOVE YOU... ANDI

[bailey]

Thanks Andi - you are so kind. Yes, as I say the dumbass left although it's been 2 years now but he left after I had just been off chemo for the 2nd time - he left 6 months after my last chemo - had been screwing around since I first started chemo in 2002 but I did not know at the time - of course who would when you're so sick from that Adry. chemo. It is definately his loss. It took me a couple of years but through counselling I made it - feel good about myself again and adore my new man while still staying true to myself. My ex is so unhappy though and although I wish him nothing bad in his life it very sad for him - I feel sorry for him and happy happy for me.
My next step in life starts Wed. or Thurs. when I start tykerb/xeloda but I just know it will all be okay - I don't accept any less. Between working out each day, meditation and some yoga I will be around for a long time.
I wish you well also - stay in touch.
B

[cinnamon97]

What is NED?

[Marie G]

NED means "No Evidence of Disease" and it is something I hope we all get to experience at some point, whether it be ourselves or the persons we are caring for. Best of Luck.>>Waiting For A Miracle>>Marie G

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Bailey you are fantastic. You are wise not to wish bad things for anyone. Negativity has a way of rebounding and boomeranging back to us. Feel sad for him and happy happy for you, as you should. Smart lady! If you KNOW you are going to survive -- YOU WILL SURVIVE! It's a Universal Law! Whatever you KNOW will come to be. KNOW you will be okay. Do not accept anything less. You have the power to draw your dreams to you, with the power of the energy of your thoughts. Consciously choose to think of victory as much of the day, every single day!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's your new job. Draw it to you. Don't ever give your power away to negativity, fear, anger, grief, resentment, remorse, louses in the world or the inability to forgive. That would mess up your energy and your life. Refuse to give your power away to any one or any thing. Ever. Love that you work out, meditate and do some yoga. You are so on the right course! YOU WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME because you KNOW it and BELIEVE in yourself. That's the Lesson cancer taught me. I try to share it with everyone I meet. No matter what your adversity, and we all have a few, take that Lesson and that Message and live in joy and serenity, well and in harmony.

Keep us all posted on your experience w/tykerb/xeloda -- and stay as beautiful as you are. You are clearly a Winner.

I too wish you ALL well. Wishing you all reach NED status (no evidence of disease). STABLE! Magical words, music to the ears. You are all potential miracles. Don't ever stop having faith in your power to give that to yourself! Much love, ANDI<!-- / message -->

[Jackie]

You will see my details in my signature.

2 yrs. NED!!!!!!

[kacey]

If I did this right my history will be in my signature.

Kacey

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Tell me how to do the signature thing. I feel like an idiot. I'd also like to add my pic, but only seem to know how to hobble around these sites and type. I'm 62. My 10 yr old granddaughter is much more apt at this. I would love to put it all out there and not keep repeating myself on my stats. What's the secret? Pray tell... ANDI

[Carol Carlson]

Andrea, Don't feel bad... I don't know how to do the signature thing either.
Carol

[tousled1]

To put your signature on all your postings - go to the top of the page and click "user CP" under that you will see "edit signature" Just fill in any information you want to show with your showings and save it.

[LAURIE]

Feeling good, back to work and I cannot believe my muga went up from a 53 to a 55. Looks like 3 more months of Herceptin!!! I cannot wait till Dec. when I'm all done.

[calipsog]

My signature says all about my cancer journey....

Regards,
Calipso

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I don't understand. Herceptin corrects the defective gene HER2neu that overproduces a certain protein and causes out of control cell growth = bc.

Would a diabetic stop taking insulin. A person w/high bld pressure stop taking the meds that keep that under control.

I am a 4th stage ILC+2 out of 18 nodes (age 50, post menopausal in '95). Mastec, reconst + 8 mnths chemo (4 Adria, 8 CMF). Multiple liver mets in '98. HER2+. Taxotere for 9 mnths. Herceptin added after the first 8 wk scans, to be sure Taxotere was working for me, and have been on Herceptin since '98! I believe it prevents me frm having more mets. It is keeping me alive.

Why would someone want to go off Herceptin? Please explain the reasoning. It is alarming to me. God bless Herceptin. And God bless every one you on this board, my beloved soul sisters. Sending loving, healing energy your way always... ANDI

[Chelee]

Andrea, I recently finished my yr of herceptin & wanted to *continue* it till I hit at least the two yr mark. Especially since I could not have radiation. My ECHO's have stayed good...last one was 69. So my onc said one yr is all I need & studies show less may be better. But they have agreed to let me go to get a 2nd opinion on this which is June 15th.

I have heard of so many other stage III'ers & IV stage that stayed on herceptin & are doing great & staying NED or stable. I can't help but think thats due to herceptin alone? I can't help but be concerned that they would rather NOT tell us more is better because of the cost to the insurance companies? (I might be wrong..JMHO.) If all us her2 gals stayed on herceptin for yrs that would be very expensive. But as you mentioned...you don't take meds away from someone with blood pressure problems or that is a diabetic. So I have to wonder about this? I sure hope I get the ok to go back on it...I know the risk to the heart but it should be my choice.

Chelee

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Chelee and all my Sisters, I have previously posted re this topic but I don't know if it got lost in the recent shuffle/hijacking.

I have 5 oncs. All brilliant. All add something diff to the mix. I treasure ea ones' opinion. 1 doc "suggested" I might want to go off. I questioned the wisdom. He said I could always return to Herceptin. I know, BUT... Would I also have to do another chemo round? No, thank you very much. And take the chances of having another met. I spent a day calling ev bc org for info. All returned my call within the hr or later in the day WITH APOLOGIES for taking so long. I called Slamon's office. They referred me to a UCLA research group and they gave me a med jrnl interview w/Pegram (who was also part of the team that developed Herceptin). I also went to see Pegram when visiting my dghtr in Ca 2/06. Bottom line -- as long as you aren't having adverse effects (and if you were to have heart prob they'd have shown already -- since starting in '98, if you are psychologically willing to continue, if the insur co isn't giving you grief -- mine has not in all these yrs -- then stay w/it. Don't take the chance of going off). 2 other oncs of mine said the same. So I remain w/it. I started w/ev wk, and decided I could LIVE w/that plan. My husband Paul goes w/me ev time, God love him! In '01 I switched to the ev 3 wk plan and that has been like a party. Red rash on declotee area and upper arms, does NOT itch, but would like it not to be there -- no big deal. Had tram flap reconst and am glad for somethin I can call a breast.

Let us know what your docs say re Hercep. My personal opinion, and I am not a med prof, but like all you incred ladies -- I am a prof patient and a well-informed one at that, dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's, overseeing every step my docs and their staff take (or don't take) -- I say -- IF I WERE I DIABETIC, WOULD YOU CONSIDER STOPPING THE INSULIN? I have high bld press and a choles issue and have meds for those. I would freak out if I had to go without them. They keep me well, in the normal range and free to LIVE, happy, healthy and enjoying my 5 grandchild! Had 0 in '95. Now look where I am!

Sending loving energy your way, my special Soul sisters all... ANDI