It's back...
 

Monday I found out my cancer returned to my rt axilla. Had a nice 3 month chemo break...but now I'm thinking I should of hit it harder with Taxotere.

So far it's only in that same one node in rt axilla and no where else that we know of? (With exception of the one stable bone met on ilium.) Also my CA27.29 has been very reliable for me and they are only 15 right now which is good. So I will be going back down to UCLA tomorrow to see Dr. Hurvitz. She works closely with Dr. Slamon as most of you here probably know. I heard she has a couple trials in mind for me & I'm sure one is TDM-1...since that is what Dr. Slamon talked to me about on prior appts.

Seems it might have been a good idea the 1st time I recurred to axilla to have the one node surgically removed...then mop it up with chemo? (Although there is risk of lymphedema.) Now that the same node has recurred for a 2nd time...wouldn't that be a good option to just have it removed & biopsied? I realize I can ask this tomorrow...but was looking to hear first hand from anyone else here that might of had that done?

Chelee

Re: It's back...
 

I am so sorry to hear it is back. However, I know you will come out swinging and do battle with the cancer once again. I think you are doing the right thing by seeing Dr. Hurvitz or Dr. Slamon. Take good care of yourself and hang in there. I already know you will keep putting one foot in front of the other no matter what.

Re: It's back...
 

I am so sorry the beast in back in that node, Chelee. I am not well versed on what to do when nodes are malignant, but it seems to me that taking that one out makes sense. I will be watching to see what some of the more experienced & knowledgeable members think. Good luck tomorrow. Please let us know what you discover. You are fortunate to be able to be in Dr. Slamon's care.

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Chelee,
so sorry to hear about this--but I know you will bounce back!!!
Hugs and Prayers

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I am very sorry to hear this. I would consider having it removed, but I am not a doctor. I know someone locally who had a recurrence in a node (not sure if it was in the axilla) and she had it removed followed by radiation. She has mets as well, but everything else is stable.

Re: It's back...
 

Chelee,

Sorry for the recurrence.

But you sounded so 'cool'! I'm sure the 'sucker' will be scared away by your coolness and soon be detroyed by the 'weapon of mass destruction' used by your doctors.

Sending good vibes your way.

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Ugh! I wish it would just leave you alone.

I have a friend in the same situation. Her onc is leaving the node alone (no surgery) and putting her in a trial. I'm not sure which one. I hope you have a very successful meeting tomorrow with the docs and are back to NED soon.

Tonya

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Chelee - I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this again. I hope your doctor will be able to answer your question about removing the node.......seems like a logical step to me. May God's angels watch over you!

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How's the leg? Are you getting around ok?

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Thanks to all of you for the feedback/support. It means alot to me. Sometimes it seems once stage IV they don't like to take the surgical approach? But I am going to ask about that tomorrow. It's frustrating to have just one darn node misbehave & put a damper my summer. (But it will be sorry when I'm done!) ;)

Rich, As to the leg...it's pretty good these days. The only pain I have in femur is due to the 10 days of radiation. (Rads is suppose to get rid of pain...not cause it.) But I get around rather well now thankfully. (No cane or walkers at present.)

Chelee

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Chelee,

So not fair that you are having to deal with this again, but I know you will prevail. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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Chelee

I am not sure whether biopsy would be necessary again however, every treatment received could change things in theory. Ask the onc today. It would be super nice if you could get into the TDM-1 trial (with or without pertuzimab). Its just that the toxicity differences versus chemo is so different. That would be a great choice.

Keep the faith girlfriend. I will be thinking about you.

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Sorry you have this annoying node again Chelee, if they dont want to remove it maybe they could radiate it??

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Chelee - Sorry to hear of this new recurrance. I trust you'll get good advice for best treatment when you see the onc. Hang in there - you'll conquer this too. Pam

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Oh Chelee, I am sorry. I am hopeful that whatever decision is made to get rid of the cancerous node will be the right one. Stupid cancer!

Hugs,
Lexi

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Chelee~
So sorry to hear the news. But you've got the guidance of a great onc to help you beat this back again. And you will.
I had a couple of supraclav nodes that recurred after gemzar, so the 2nd time around I had 7 weeks of rads. All clear there ever since.
I hope you have to the opportunity to enroll in a TDM1 trial.
This drug holds a lot of hope for all of us.

Keep the Faith~

Jessica

Re: It's back...
 

Sorry to hear it's sneaking back...but as my doctor has said to me in the past "it's just a little bit of disease". They're so funny:)

This is why it's a marathon not a sprint.

But you have the very top people on your team, you are in good hands.

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Chelee, Best of luck with your Drs appointment. Wow; you have the rock star of Oncologists. You are in the best of hands. I hope it goes well. I am routing for you to return to NED.
Kris....

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Hi Chelee,

I'm sorry to hear about your recurrence, but glad you'll be seeing Dr. Hurvitz. I met her last month at a DoD peer review panel in DC and I was very impressed with her. I talked to her at length at dinner one night and she was very upbeat and positive about all the trials they have going on at UCLA. She told me that the cure rate for stage IV patients keeps going up and up. And she offered to put me on Dr. Slamon's schedule to see him this month or the next and discuss with him my future treatment plan. I loved her!

So, yes, Chelee, as the others above have said, keep the faith! We're all here cheering and praying for you.

Marcia

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Cheelee,
I am glad you had a break from chemo but hate to hear that you are facing "life interrupted". The bad news just starts off a flurry of appointments and decision making.

Wow!!! What encouraging news from Marcia. Talk about rubbing elbows with the big guys. With all of the input from Jessica and others, there are so many options.

Praying for you during your decision process. Please keep us posted.

Lori