HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Ann-Michele Higgins

Joan M · 10-25-2007, 07:38 PM

Becky,

I'm sorry to hear that you lost a comrade.

I've heard a lot of good things about Fox Chase from someone who received treatment for lung cancer there, so I'm sure that Shell was in good hands.

I lived in Doylestown for five years in the mid-to-late 1980s, and my two brothers and mother live in New Hope. I relocated back to to Staten Island, where we were all born, but I visit my family just about every other weekend, especially since my mother recently moved into an Alzheimer's residence. I drive through Stockton and cross the Delaware into New Hope.

Often I think of moving back, but I work full-time in Manhattan, and with being stage IV, it would be difficult if not impossible to find another position.

My oncologist is on Staten Island, but I've consulted oncologists and surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center (which is where I had a lung met removed in April).

The HER2 support group is really a wonderful forum, with people who care about each other. I'm sure it was a great comfort to Shell.

10-25-2007, 07:38 PM	#14
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Becky, I'm sorry to hear that you lost a comrade. I've heard a lot of good things about Fox Chase from someone who received treatment for lung cancer there, so I'm sure that Shell was in good hands. I lived in Doylestown for five years in the mid-to-late 1980s, and my two brothers and mother live in New Hope. I relocated back to to Staten Island, where we were all born, but I visit my family just about every other weekend, especially since my mother recently moved into an Alzheimer's residence. I drive through Stockton and cross the Delaware into New Hope. Often I think of moving back, but I work full-time in Manhattan, and with being stage IV, it would be difficult if not impossible to find another position. My oncologist is on Staten Island, but I've consulted oncologists and surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center (which is where I had a lung met removed in April). The HER2 support group is really a wonderful forum, with people who care about each other. I'm sure it was a great comfort to Shell. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!