CHELEE - How are you these days?

[StephN]

Dear Chelee -
You know many of us here are thinking and praying for you to get through this round with the mets.

Hope your leg has healed well and that you are just taking time out so you can have the energy focused on your healing and healthy lifestyle.

Best "beat the mets" wishes coming your way.

[ElaineM]

I have been thinking about you too Chelee. Drop a few lines and let us know how you are doing if you can.

[Chelee]

Hi Steph, I've wanted to check in here more often but since my recurrence it's kept me so busy. I have had so many appts it's unreal. My leg healed up nicely and I have rads to femur behind me...so that's good. I do have minor pain in hip since the rads...but no walker or cane so all is not too bad. :)
The main thing that slowed me down was some issues with my lungs. I think the Navelbine was the cause--was on oxygen for a while and I'm just now feeling much better since I've been off the Navy Beans. Just had my ECHO and EF was between 65% to 70% so I was happy to hear that.

I did see Dr. Slamon on the 4th of this month & I'm so glad I did. I've always wondered why my Ortho onc and regular onc didn't want to run a FISH on my biopsy from my femur? They both said it was not necessary...that it was the same cancer as my primary. But the first thing Dr. Slamon wanted was a FISH test ran on my femur bisopy. Dr. Slamon said we can't go any further until we have the results of that FISH. He instructed me to get my tumor block...not slides and take them to USC Path Dept to Dr. Press. That was a job in it's self...City of Hope didn't want to release my tumor block. They said their policy is only slides. (So after 3 days of phone calls...I finally got them to release my block to me.) So just alot of appts and running around to do.

So now I'm just waiting on results of FISH and then back out to see Dr. Slamon. He did bring up TDM-1 again for me...and that has always been my main focus. The doctors I've seen haven't made me feel very hopeful...but one visit to Dr. Slamon and I feel so much better. The other onc's I've seen just go thru the motions...but Dr. Slamon goes the distance...he is the "man". :)

Chelee

[michka]

Hi Chelee! I am so happy you were able to give us some news. I was just hoping to see a post and thinking of you very often. You went through so much. It's wise to follow Dr Slamon's recommendation about the biopsy. You did the right thing. And it is good news that your leg is not making you suffer as much. I hope you will have a feedback from the lab very soon . Sending hugs. Michka

[ElaineM]

I am so glad to hear you are still seeing Dr. Slamon from time to time. I think he is the type of person who goes the extra mile and leaves no stone unturned to find the answers he needs to help his patients.
He is one of my heroes too. I wish I could see him too. I live in Hawaii, so it would be financially difficult for me to travel to California.
Keep up the great work !!

[MJo]

Honestly, my only reaction is WOW!! Looking forward to your updates.

[tricia keegan]

Chelee, you're so fortunate to see Dr Slamon and have his advice.
I hope you continue to do well and will be watching for updates:)

[Jean]

Chelee,
Sending you a super power hug! I am so glad you are going to Dr. Slamon.

Love
jean

[harrie]

Oh Chelee! So good to hear from you AND the best news is that you are in such good hands!! That is half the battle won right there!!
So happy for you.
Maryanne

[Sheila]

Chelee
Thinking of you and hoping you are improving each day....check in and let us know how you are!

[StephN]

Dear Chelee -
Very glad to hear from you and to see that your leg tumor is being analyzed. This may hold an important key to successful treatment as you move along.

You are such a fabulous self advocate, and as such an inspiration for those of us who feel like giving up when we encounter roadblocks. You just bust right through them, girlfriend!

[Sandra in GA]

Chelee,
I am so glad to hear from you. It is wonderful to hear that you are seeing "the man!" It must be a great comfort to be in such capable hands.
Sandra

[krisvell]

Chelee,
I am glad to hear you are doing well. I just love all your posts. You kept me going over the last year.

I am sending prayers and positive thoughts your way to keep doing well. Dr. Slamon to see you; you can't get better than that.
Kris....

[Joan M]

Chelee,

Thanks for the update, and glad to hear that your spirit is lifted!

Joan

[Nancy L]

Dr. Slamon is also the oncologist I have choosen to direct my treatment. He is fabulous. I always feel really good when I leave his office and I trust him 100%.

A needle biopsy of my neck last year revealed it was breast cancer. But when there wasn't enough tissue to check the receptors, Dr. Slamon said I to would have to undergo an open biopsy so he would know for sure how he wanted to treat me. It is now known that tumors can change characteristics with a recurrence.

So the lesson learned for everyone on this site is to always insist on a FISH test whenever a biopsy is taken so you don't have to go through what Chelee did. It would be nice to have a specific place on this site to post a list of this kind of helpful information for women faced with a possible recurrence. Maybe there already is something like this but I haven't found it.

Chelee---happy you are healing so well. A recurrence is totally consuming for a period of time. Hope you get into the trial. Dr. Slamon discussed this with me on my last visit. He told me the trial results are impressive.

[chrisy]

Chelee,

Dr. Slamon is the man, indeed - but you are the woman! I have to echo what others have said.

Of course I am delighted to hear you are moving forward with healing and getting more complete information. But I would expect no less from you - you are definitely not a woman to be denied and you really are an inspiration.

Keep going, girl

[Paty]

Chelee!!

Good to hear from you and know that you have kept busy. Sending you a big big hug.

[Laurel]

Chelee,

You rock, Girl!So glad your leg and lungs are improving. Way to wage war on this suck-a-- disease! Very interested in hearing what the FISH results are when you receive them.

[Midwest Alice]

Hey Chelee, You always are a joy to hear from. Glad to hear your up date.

[sassy]

Chelee!

Glad to hear from you and hear that the leg issue is on the mend and you are seeing "the Man". Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Love and strength to you!

[Lori R]

Chelee,
So glad to hear from you!! Sounds as if being busy attending to your health has really paid off. WOW...no walker or cane...Sounds like freedom to me.

I am so impressed that you continued to push when Dr.s were saying that you didn't need a new biopsy. You are an inspiration and I will use you as an example should I have another met.

Please keep us posted on the directin Dr. Slamon establishes for you. I wasn't certain if he would choose a herceptin/tykerb option before moving to herceptin/TDM1.

Congrats on your road to destroying any remaining cancer cells!!!

[vlcarr]

Chelee,

So good to hear from you. You've always been an inspiration to me since I joined "the club". You keep on fighting! Sending warm fuzzies.