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Becky · 03-23-2007, 01:30 PM

I am over 2.5 years out and fine.

Secondly, I believe Elizabeth Edwards was NOT Her2+. However, she admits openly that she NEVER had a mammogram (was diagnosed at age 55) and NEVER did self exams. Her tumor could have been a gentle giant but might have been there for years and years shedding tumor cells all over the place.

My late aunt was this way. Discovered a lump and did NOTHING for 6 years and because it was there so long, her doctor wanted to watch it (after all - my aunt admitted her stupidity so how could it be cancer. If it was there so long, she would be dead). Two years later, it was biopsied as cancer and she had 19 affected nodes. This was 1991 and she was not tested for Her2 but how could it be (Her2 is too aggressive to hang 7 yrs and still be alive). She metted out to the bones and lungs and we lost her 4 years after true diagnosis. I believe Elizabeth Edwards was much the same but didn't do nothing and acted.

I believe we are on equal footing to the Her2 negative women due to Herceptin (and now Tykerb and other research just for us).

Stats are good - very good. Taxol is a fantastic drug in its own right for Her2+ tumors (regardless of hormone status). This drug was not used 5-6 years ago (as a rule). Dense dose (ups survival by 38%) started being used less than 4 years ago. The list goes on and on.

Smile and have a wonderful weekend.

03-23-2007, 01:30 PM	#7
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	I am over 2.5 years out and fine. Secondly, I believe Elizabeth Edwards was NOT Her2+. However, she admits openly that she NEVER had a mammogram (was diagnosed at age 55) and NEVER did self exams. Her tumor could have been a gentle giant but might have been there for years and years shedding tumor cells all over the place. My late aunt was this way. Discovered a lump and did NOTHING for 6 years and because it was there so long, her doctor wanted to watch it (after all - my aunt admitted her stupidity so how could it be cancer. If it was there so long, she would be dead). Two years later, it was biopsied as cancer and she had 19 affected nodes. This was 1991 and she was not tested for Her2 but how could it be (Her2 is too aggressive to hang 7 yrs and still be alive). She metted out to the bones and lungs and we lost her 4 years after true diagnosis. I believe Elizabeth Edwards was much the same but didn't do nothing and acted. I believe we are on equal footing to the Her2 negative women due to Herceptin (and now Tykerb and other research just for us). Stats are good - very good. Taxol is a fantastic drug in its own right for Her2+ tumors (regardless of hormone status). This drug was not used 5-6 years ago (as a rule). Dense dose (ups survival by 38%) started being used less than 4 years ago. The list goes on and on. Smile and have a wonderful weekend. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"