12 years from lumpectomy and good news

[StephN]

Just sharing my med onc report of last week, which happened to be on my surgery anniversary. CT scan showed nothing of note or concern, and blood analysis was great.
Only change was my sodium level 2 points under normal range, but that is not hazardous!

And NED is still with me very close to FOUR years after dropping my best friend Vitamin H. No repercussion so far!

Now I just need to get my left leg to quit hurting and get to rehabing more energetically. I am hating the "slow but sure" method ...

[Mandamoo]

That is great news Steph - your story is one of inspiration to many of us. You tried something and it paid off - what many of us because of your example are now trying too - trying new things in the hope that they may pay off for us.
I sure hope that your leg heals quickly.
Much love,

[Mary Jo]

What this board needed. Some encouraging and uplifting news. This board has suffered some sad news lately. As wonderful as herceptin is and the advances they are making in the breast cancer world, still, too many struggle with this disease.

Thanks for bringing some encouragement.

Congrats to you friend.

Mary Jo

[alicem]

Steph, this is wonderful news. How about a race to see who's leg heals faster...!!!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100047694853785379567/albums/5807483496227023553

[NEDenise]

Steph...
I want to grow up to be just like you!!!

Just keep showing me how it's done!
Love and a big hug for you and NED!
Denise

[Laurel]

Ok! Do I hear a collective HALLELUJAH? Terrific news, Steph. I can only imagine that the "slow but steady" healing process with the leg is NOT at all easy for a go-getter like yourself! Hang in there.

[KDR]

Steph
You are everything I aspire to be...you've been my light since the day I joined this board. Thank you so much for sharing and may you always be NED.
Love
Karen

[caya]

Great news Steph!! Thanks for sharing, we LOVE good news!

Looking forward to many many more good reports from you!
xo

all the best
caya

[evergreen]

Congratulations, Steph! You are an inspiration!

[Paty]

Steph,

I rejoice with you on this. Great news!!

[Pamelamary]

Wonderful news, Steph - an inspiration for us all.

[Mel3]

Steph,

That is excellent news! I hope your legs heals quickly so you can enjoy the riverwalk in a few weeks. You are an inspiration to us all!

Mel

[sarah]

Great news Stephanie! hope the leg starts to heal more quickly.
Expect to see you both next year here in France
love sarah

[Pray]

How wonderful for you Steph! Gods blessings to you.

[Jean]

Steph,
How happy your post makes me feel. Your healing and NED success give all courage and hope especially our new members. We can all relate to the early days of dx and the fear that hits you square in the face.

Your strength & never give up attitude plus medical approach demonstrates that we are making strides.
Small they maybe. I am so happy for your 4th yr. with out Herceptin and my heart is lifted to know you are doing so well. We all needed to hear this fantastic news.

Now get that leg on board!!!!
Big Huge Hugs,
Jean

[LeahM]

Great news! Thanks for sharing!

[greenacres]

WONDERFUL - WONDERFUL - WONDERFUL NEWS! YIPPEE! CONGRATULATIONS! :) Always so great to hear stories like this.
Sandra

[Ellie F]

Yes! Brilliant news Steph. Just what we needed to hear as there has been lots of sadness this year. Hope you're doing we'll post surgery also.
Ellie

[StephN]

Thanks everyone, glad this good news brightens the board.
As for my leg, we have figured out what I have is like SHINGLES only without the rash. Now I understand why it hurts SO much, and is so slow to notice any healing.

Just as the shingles virus is in the spine and sits on the nerve root, so did that bit of disc that was removed. When shingles virus becomes active it irritates that nerve and the "shingles" appears some place down the line from the same nerve root.

My bit of disc was irritating my nerve in just the same way, and where I have the pain and problem is a ways down the line from that same nerve root.

We have something called Dermatomes, which is our skin area connected to different nerve roots. The little nerve branches are in the dermatones, and this is why a burn will sting and hurt so much. I feel Like I had a big burn.

It is slowly improving, and I am working on my walking every day now.

[sassy]

I am setting off new "tones" for your dermatones to get that leg better fast!

Congrats on your continued good news journey and thanks for lifting all our spirits!

[Jackie07]

Glad you are doing better.

The nurse who gave us the flu shots a couple of days ago also mentioned the shingle vaccine. We are also supposed to get the 10-year booster shots for whooping cough... (One of hubby's nieces is expecting later of the month, and she had told us (everyone) that we would not be allowed to see the baby unless we have had the shots... :)

[Kim in CA]

Steph Congratulations on your good news!

I'm so glad NED has a crush on you!

Now just need to get those leg issues resolved.

Sending hugs to our "pioneer woman",

Kim

PS: I posted a reply to you earlier, but who knows where in cyber space it ended up.

[mamacze]

HOW DID I MISS THIS POST?!?!?! 12 YEARS .... NED..... NO HERCEPTIN FOR 4 YEARS?!?!?
This is kick up your heels news!!! You are nothing short of amazing Steph - and you hang in there with us serving up snippets of hope every single day! I am uncorking a bottle of wine - right now - to celebrate your good health!!
XOXO Kim (from CT)

glug glug!!

[ElaineM]

Congratulations on the great news Steph !!

[karen z]

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS AND HOORAY FOR YOUR WONDERFUL NED NEWS.
Wow, that is interesting about the leg. I will be very happy for you when you are running (yes running) around Seattle again.
Love,
K

[sarah]

Hi Stephanie,
Re the shingles, is it too late to get the treatment for it? I seem to remember there's a short window to get treatment for it. Also people on this site have suggested we all get the Zoster vaccine to protect against shingles if we've had chicken pox. Unfortunately so far in France they don't consider it effective, not sure why - perhaps because it wasn't invented here!
Shingles is very painful, hope it's clearing up
hugs and love sarah

[Barbara H.]

Hi Stephanie,
I am glad that you are beginning to feel better. My oncologist will not allow me to have the shingles shot.
Best,
Barbara H.

[Adriana Mangus]

Hi Stephanie,

Glad to hear the great news.

Sending you a big cyber hug and prayers for a speedy
leg recovery. Ouch!!

Love,

Adriana

[StephN]

Thanks, dear friends.

I did have the Zoster shot a couple of years back, which is said to be about 85% effective against the actual shingles virus.

Since what I am getting over (YES! that pain is receding) is not exactly caused by that virus, I was told that I needed to wait out the nerve settling down. "Wait out" is RIGHT! I have never been so disabled for so long in my life.

My massage therapist is now able to work on my knee area and help with stretching out the stiff muscles and fasia. She comes again tomorrow. We have been working on some exercises which I am able to see some improvement with.

Not yet cleared to drive, but that should come when I see my neurosurgeon this coming Monday.

[KsGal]

Im sorry I missed this. Congratulations, Steph. That's really beautiful news. You give us all hope.