Once again - news is NED

[StephN]

Dear HER2 sisters and friends:

"Nothing new, stable, NED" were the words of both my oncologists this week. My ears still seem to never quite believe what they heard! I have to stop and once again thank the Good Lord for this ongoing blessing.

NED in my head and everywhere else.

It is well past 10 years since diagnosis. However, my team of oncologists still keeps a close watch on my blood stats and organs. I still go along with the close surveillance.

At this point it has been just 2 and a half years since my last Herceptin infusion. We use the HER2 serum test, but this last time the woman who took my blood used the wrong tube, so it had to be redrawn and don't have that result yet. But I don't expect any change since all my other blood work was normal.

Cheers to all!

[Mary Anne in TX]

Excellent Report! So very happy for you news! Cheers to you, ma

[bejuce]

Congratulations, Steph!!! This is truly wonderful. And thanks for giving
us all much hope!

[Jackie07]

Congratulations!

[Chelee]

Steph,
Big congratulations! That is just fantastic! It's always wonderful to hear such good news. You managed to put a smile on my face. Woo hoo...you go girl. :)

Chelee

[Ellie F]

Hi Steph
What wonderful news. Long may it remain this way.Your news has really cheered me up.

Ellie

[kiwigirl]

Hi Steph

Thats great news. Did you change anything in your life style over the years? Like the foods you now eat.

I'd be interested to know. Since my brain mets I've really looked at what i eat. Not sure if it helps or not. I have a MRI in 4 weeks to see how my treatment went its a very nervous time.

Congratulations on your success.

Regards
Jacqui

[krisvell]

Oh StephN;
You made my day. Who Hoo! What wonderful news. You are inspiration to everyone.
I hope you celebrate this new milestone. You'll have many many many (oh forever!) to come.
Hugs,
Kris....

[Trish]

So inspiring. Thanks for the information.
Trish

[Margerie]

Thanks for sharing! So happy for you! Keep up the good work ;D

[michka]

What wonderful news Steph! Congratulations. Michka

[sarah]

Fabulous! wonderful, wonderful news!
I sometimes think NED stands for No more Excruiciating Drugs!
Health and happiness
love sarah

[chrislmelb]

StephN that is fantastic news.

[JeanBeanie]

Great news...I would love to know if you changed your eating habits.

[Joanna J]

StephN,You are truly blessed,God is Good,Thx for sharing,Joanna J.

[cyalata]

You are such an inspiration! Yes, I'm also interested in your eating habits. I've heard vegan is the way to avoid cancer. I did it for 2 months & got a great response on my PET scan but then got the stomach flu & since then have found it so hard to not eat ANY meat or dairy!

[KDR]

Steph,
That is fantastic news. May it forever be.
Could you email me at fairsheek@aol.com when convenient?
Karen

[Mary L]

Steph, so happy for you. Wish you continued success. Mary L

[Lori R]

Steph,
That is such great news and I appreciate your continued participation and support on the site. At each post, I read your signature and receive inspiration that even being Stage IV...we CAN win the battle.

Here is to a continued dance with NED.

XXOO Lori

[Kim in DC]

Tears are forming as I write this note. You are a walking miracle. This was the ray of hope I needed for today!

Kim

[ElaineM]

Congratulations !!!!!!!! Way to go Steph !!!!!!!!!

[caya]

Great news Steph- congrats on remaining NED!!

all the best
caya

[ammebarb]

Steph, I am so happy for you! There is nothing quite like the feeling one gets when the results are good. Do something special for yourself, girl!

Barb A.

[chrisy]

thanks steph...is emile jealous of your long dance with NED???
Love you

[sassy]

Fantastic Steph---keep leading the way!

[tricia keegan]

So glad to hear this news Steph!!!!:)

[Mary Jo]

Wonderful!!

[Gerri]

Steph,

Thanks for continuing to give all of us so much hope. May you be NED forever more!

[Paty]

Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!! God bless you my dear Steph. A big hug!!

Paty

[Elizabethtx]

I too have happy tears flowing for you. It is amazing news every time I read of a survivor who has battled and won! Congrats and many continued blessings on your journey!

[Kim in CA]

Yes.....Way to go Steph!

If it weren't for you and precious few others willing to go into this uncharted territory, I wouldn't have the courage to try flying solo without my Herceptin.

Keep doing whatever it is you're doing!

Hoping to follow in your footsteps,

Kim in CA

[StephN]

Thanks everyone for the hugs and good wishes. Very much appreciated.

Chrisy - my Emile is a great dancer, so NED has to reach a high bar as far as dancing goes!

About my diet. I have always taken reasonable care to have a decent, balanced diet. But I was not ever going vegetarian and never needed weight loss diets.

We ate fresh and mostly non-processed foods. Once I became stage IV with a liver full of tumors, I made more drastic changes.

First, I cut down the sugar to almost nil. That means refined sugar. Also cut out caffeine from drinks, and went out of my way to find dairy products that were organic and non-rbST.

Second, I decided to try to cut out as much of the chemicals that go into our food supply as possible. Started shopping for organic foods and eating a lot more wild caught fish. It was harder in 2002 to find these foods, and they were more expensive. Much easier now to maintain such a diet. Now I look forward to the opening of the local farmer's markets, and shop them at least once or twice a week.

I keep my kitchen quite clean including our fridge and stove. Also try not to overbuy, planning with only 2 or 3 days at a time in mind. Have to do this in order to "eat fresh."

Good quality olive oil is used daily in my cooking, which I feel is important for us HER2 girls.

Hope this answers the questions.

[StephN]

P.S. One thing we really need during and after cancer treatment is 60 grams of protein a day. This is important for our brain functions as well as nerve health in the rest of our body. Find a way to keep your protein level up to a healthy amount.

[CourtneyL]

You are my hero, Steph! Thanks for keeping us posted on your amazing recovery and congratulations! Hope that trip to Bali was fabulous!

[Barbara2]

Thanks so much for the good advice. We are so happy for your great news and continued blessings.

[sdstarfish]

Hi, Steph:
Congrats to you! I have also cut out sugar (for the most part...holidays are tough...) and eat fresh foods whenever possible. Hoping I can hit the 10 year mark like you - and beyond. Thanks for giving me hope today.
Lisa
http://www.pinkkitchen.info (http://www.pinkkitchen.info/)

[Cure4Cat]

Congratulations!

[pibikay]

Cograts all the best

[Elizabethtx]

Again, another story to give us hope! Thank you for sharing your news!
Elizabeth

[Ceesun]

Yep, Just the best news ever...big congrats to you! Ceesun

[JeanBeanie]

Steph, thank you so much for the update on your eating habits - I spoke with my onco yesterday regarding changing my eating habits (started chemo for the second time in 4.5 years) - she stated to cut our sugar all together and eat organic when ever possible. Which I have been trying for some time - but I do love cookies...I can definately cut those out if it means a longer live with my family...thanks again and WooHoo!!!!!

[Joan M]

Steph,

Great news on your test results!

Joan

[Barbara H.]

Hi Steph,
It is so uplifting to hear this news. I am so happy for you.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[mamacze]

WHOO HOO!! I am over the moon with your "hoo hum" results which we ALL know are not too hoo hum! Way to go girl friend! I love your trail blazing! You are such a bucket full of hope!
Love and Hugs,
Kim from CT

[Jean]

Stephen,
Good News Indeed! Reading your wonderful news put a huge smile on my face. Oh happy days....wishing you continued blessings.

hugs,
jean

[Sheila]

Steph
What great news....you are such an inspiration to those with liver mets, brain mets...may your health continue, and reach even higher levels....and may your affair with NED never end! I hope you and Emile had an amzing time in the south pacific...waiting to see photos!

[Shobha]

Congratulations!! You really are filling all of us with hope and joy! Just fantastic news! May you be blessed with continued NED status for ever....

hugs,
shobha

[cyalata]

Thank you so much for the great advice on eating! As far as sugar goes, do you eat food that has evaporated cane juice or do you check for the grams of sugar in foods like dry cereal? Also, do you eat any meat & how often and what do you think about an occasional glass of wine? So happy for you! Gail