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Mary Anne in TX · 11-23-2008, 08:17 PM

It seems a bit odd to be responding to your message when I don't have the BRCA gene positive, but do have another dreadful disease (PSP-progressive supranuclear palsy) throughout my family. My grandmother, aunt and mother had it. And my aunt also had breast cancer. Until I got to this site and have learned from these great people how to think and live again, I had just about resigned myself to a speedy death from one or both. I'm raising my 9 year old granddaughter and was so worried about her. But not so much now. I come to this site and others to learn and be inspired and have decided that they will keep finding new meds and new ideas to help us. I don't know when or if it will help me, but I keep believing. And I eat better and exercise and look for the good in each day. And as I watch some of the wonderful warriors who truly live life each and every day so fully, I am learning to do the same.
I had a mastectomy and have not had reconstruction. I am older (63) and hard headed, but decided that as of now, I don't want to go through the reconstruction. My guy will just have to love my brain (what's left of it) and my "pushy ol' lady" charm!
You'll work it all out one day and one step at a time. Your plate is full today. Take some time to digest it all and figure out the plan that is right for you. And give yourself a break. You're facing a lot, but you can do it.
All the best to you as you make your choices, ma

11-23-2008, 08:17 PM	#3
Mary Anne in TX Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,357	It seems a bit odd to be responding to your message when I don't have the BRCA gene positive, but do have another dreadful disease (PSP-progressive supranuclear palsy) throughout my family. My grandmother, aunt and mother had it. And my aunt also had breast cancer. Until I got to this site and have learned from these great people how to think and live again, I had just about resigned myself to a speedy death from one or both. I'm raising my 9 year old granddaughter and was so worried about her. But not so much now. I come to this site and others to learn and be inspired and have decided that they will keep finding new meds and new ideas to help us. I don't know when or if it will help me, but I keep believing. And I eat better and exercise and look for the good in each day. And as I watch some of the wonderful warriors who truly live life each and every day so fully, I am learning to do the same. I had a mastectomy and have not had reconstruction. I am older (63) and hard headed, but decided that as of now, I don't want to go through the reconstruction. My guy will just have to love my brain (what's left of it) and my "pushy ol' lady" charm! You'll work it all out one day and one step at a time. Your plate is full today. Take some time to digest it all and figure out the plan that is right for you. And give yourself a break. You're facing a lot, but you can do it. All the best to you as you make your choices, ma __________________ MA in TX. Grateful for each and every day.... Diag. 12/05 at age 60 Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified vascular invasion Ki67 20% borderline Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense) Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense) Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007 Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year. Port removed August, 2012. 8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED! Last edited by Mary Anne in TX; 11-23-2008 at 08:20 PM..