Results and plan in 2009

[StephN]

My oncologist once again commented on what a role model I am, after another clean scan and normal blood work. Well, I am just trying to be ME!

My last brain scan also showed no signs that the cancer is active there either. I told her I WILL continue to be the exception!

After 7 solid years on Herceptin, the plan right now is to take a 3-month break from my drug - a Herceptin Holiday. She approves and we have a plan for following up at 6 and 12 weeks. Once again going out on a limb - onc says no cure, but I am a long term NED at this point.

One of the reasons I want to do this is to see what might be the effect on my heart and if I can build up some more stamina. My last MUGA was down 9 points and that is the first time. It will be checked again at the end of the 3 months. I am also spending a little more time at my fitness club exercising (now that the snow is finally going away and I can get into the parking lot!).

The drop in MUGA may be due to all the problems I had with my clotted vena cava last year, but no way to be sure.

[Soccermom]

I dont know about your Onc, but you sure are MY role model!!!

Wooohhoooie StephN! I am so happy for you,

Hugs,Marcia

[RhondaH]

enjoy your "holiday" and many more;) Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[WomanofSteel]

That's the nicest kind of holiday any of us can ask for! Happy to hear your news Steph. I hope your holiday can be an extended one!

[madubois63]

Oh, Steph such good news (not the drop on the MUGA, but the NED part)!! I think a Herceptin vacation is a good thing. I had a drop once, and the 3 month break did wonders for me. I hope the same or better for you. I love the new picture!! Happy new year...Keep up the good work!!!

[ElaineM]

Congratulations !! What a great, great way to start a new year !! Keep up the great work. Enjoy the gym and the Herceptin holiday.

[Mary Anne in TX]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_7_16.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxpt141YYUS) Hi Steph!
Cheers for many more GREAT years of "modeling"!!!!!
You keep my dream alive! ma





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb096&pp=ZNxpt141YYUS (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb096_ZNxpt141YYUS&utm_id=7924)

[flynny]

What incredible news. You are definitely a role model to us all!

[schoolteacher]

Steph,

Congratulations on your NED. I love hearing news like yours. It gives me HOPE for the future.

It will be interesting to see how you feel after being off the Herceptin for a while.

Amelia

[Cathy1]

Hi Steph- Congratulations! You really are a great role model for all of us!You deserve to get a break.
I used to post a few years ago, but I work now, plus I get upset if I see that someone has passed away.
I tried to send you a private email, but I don't know if it worked. Is there an email address where I can write to you? Thanks for all your help and God Bless! Cathy

[Terri B]

I tell yah, Steph, You are a comfort to many that you don't even know about. To think that any problem I might have, you've already been there, done that, conquered it!

Thank God for you, girl! :)

[karenann]

Congratulations Steph! Enjoy your Herceptin holiday and good health.

Karen

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Steph!

Jeez, how comparatively simple life was BD (before diagnosis)! Disciplined diet and exercise do seem to make a lot of difference, so I send lots of kudos to you for keeping that as part of the plan. Have you met any others at the cancer center who might be somewhat comparable to your situation? Don't forget to consider the value of natural vitamin D exposure! At present I am feeling nervous about the lack of it here this year because normally I have been able to get at least 15 to 20 minutes here and there between the snow storms, but this year that simply has not been the case.... I've been taking extra vitamin D3 (but keeping it around 1500 to 1800 IU). I hope you are having more luck with it in Seattle!

A. A.

[tricia keegan]

Delighted to share in your good news Steph,enjoy the holiday and I hope you continue to do as well as you have for many many years.
You ARE a role model!

[Believe51]

I am finally getting a moment to tell you how my heart has been singing all day with this news! You have always been a wonderful inspiration of determination, strength and hope. You are a wealth of knowledge and support, your friendship is my gold. It is with total joy that I write this post as my heart signs, out of tune but you can hear the pleasure in my voice.

Tears fill my eyes as I go over and over your words. So my special friend, this news has completed another tough day for me in cancerland. I thank you for your friendship and for the renewed inspiration. You are a truely valued family member here and I could not be any happier than if this was news for the Mighty Oak!! I love you so much. You rule Steph! Salute>>Believe51

[freyja]

Congratulations StephN!
I agree on the role model part. Definitely inspiring me. I'm learning so much from you and the other amazing people here. I want you you to know your contributions to this site are helpful to me. I've only been on this journey a few months and it's so good to have company, although of course I wish no one had to be in this club.

I finished chemo last month and just had a breast MRI yesterday. I'll get the results Thursday. I plan to have great news to share then, too. An ultrasound in November showed "almost" no tumor left, so I'm expecting a very clear MRI, and very simple surgery next week, and radiation next month. I'd love some feedback once I get more info.

Cheers to you!!!
Celeste

[TriciaK]

You have long been a role model to me, too, Steph! You are truly one of the strongest and bravest of the Warriors fighting this many-headed beast called cancer. Wishing you a wonderful new year and many, many more! Hugs, Tricia

[StephN]

Want you to know that I have MANY role models right here on this site. Look at how long Tricia K. has dealt with this Chimera!
And all you mothers with young children - your bravery and strength to go on is second to none.

Alaska - regarding the vit. D. There has been little sun here and lots of snow and cold - shiver, shiver, shiver. I also read that we get very little benefit from the sun rays that have the mid-winter slant. Not worth the effort to stand the cold to me!

Here is my last thread on my vit D level - perhaps you missed it:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37196&highlight=vitamin

My onc believes that getting my vit. D level up could very well be of use in staying NED. Guess her comment was based on study presented at a recent meeting, but I did not ask specifically.

[vickie h]

You Go, Steph! You have been such an inspiration to me the past few years and I am thrilled to hear your good news! Much love always, Vickie

[Yorkiegirl]

Congrats Steph on your NED status. Enjoy your herceptin vacation.

[SoCalGal]

Really good news. I'm gonna try to copy you and stay ned in the head. RE the vitamin D - my markers have come down considerably in the last 2 months although they were stable-ish they are very close to high normal. The only change in my "plan" is that my Vitamin D level is finally up to 55. He wants me even a bit higher. I had to switch to liquid D because I was not absorbing the pills.

ENJOY your herceptin holiday. I hope you get a big bounce in energy and general well being.
Love Flori

[Joe]

Steph,
You have made a major decision, congratulations. Will Dr. Gralow be monitoring you using the HER2 Serum Test?

Christine uses that test and her results were a bit elevated at first but have since stabilized. She hat a PET scan last month which confirmed the serum test.

Warmest Regards
Joe

[Shobha]

Dear Steph, you are really a role model for me! This is the kind of good news, that gives me so much courage and happiness.

Congratulations! May you be blessed with continued NED status for ever.

[micheleu]

Steph,
Hi!! I've been off for awhile. Working fulltime and taking care of kids (all fun stuff) I love the new pic of you! I didn't realize it's been so long for you! That's awesome. Let's hope the 2009 brings all of us here some miracles.

[Pam P]

Steph - So happy to read this news. Enjoy the vacation - & may it be a really long one. And thank you for all the encouragement and great info you share with us all.

[Gerri]

Role model indeed! You are such a positive influence on this board and an inspiration to all.

Thanks Steph, just for "being you".

All my best,

[StephN]

Thanks again, sweet people!

I had a question PMed to me about whether my bloodwork included tumor markers. Failed to mention that specifically, but yes, it does.

I have the CEA and CA27-29 drawn every 6 - 9 weeks (been on that schedule since NED in 2002) and the numbers are rock steady well into the normal range.

Joe asked about the HER2 SERUM test. Yes, I will have that checked in March with the 12 week labs. I have had this 3 other times so we have good baseline numbers for comparison. So I will have my new MUGA and the bloodwork when I see my onc again in March. She did not think a scan was necessary, and I want to do scans less frequently now. Except my brain is still on 4 month MRI.