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Colleen007 · 02-04-2007, 07:08 PM

Hi Ceesun,

Since I was initially diagnosed at Stage IV, I don't know breast cancer any other way. But, I have learned to just take each day as it comes and to really appreciate all of the people and things that are most important in my life. I have a husband and 2 young children who need me, so I am doing everything in my power (and my medical team's) to fight this disease with everything I've got. Yes, that involves chemo and some of the feeling down time that comes along with it, but I know that there are plenty of days in each cycle where I feel pretty darn good, and really try to do things that make me happiest on those days. I get anxious whenever I have scans (and "what if" something new shows up), but I try to limit that worry to scan time...otherwise, I'd be a wreck. I know that I am not going to die tomorrow, so we have made some plans for later in the year...gives us something to look forward to...and once I make it to that point, we'll plan the next fun memory making opportunity.

02-04-2007, 07:08 PM	#4
Colleen007 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Franklin, MA Posts: 131	Hi Ceesun, Since I was initially diagnosed at Stage IV, I don't know breast cancer any other way. But, I have learned to just take each day as it comes and to really appreciate all of the people and things that are most important in my life. I have a husband and 2 young children who need me, so I am doing everything in my power (and my medical team's) to fight this disease with everything I've got. Yes, that involves chemo and some of the feeling down time that comes along with it, but I know that there are plenty of days in each cycle where I feel pretty darn good, and really try to do things that make me happiest on those days. I get anxious whenever I have scans (and "what if" something new shows up), but I try to limit that worry to scan time...otherwise, I'd be a wreck. I know that I am not going to die tomorrow, so we have made some plans for later in the year...gives us something to look forward to...and once I make it to that point, we'll plan the next fun memory making opportunity. __________________ Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old) Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go) ER-, PR-, HER2+ Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol. Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans). Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks) Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that. June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007. Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.