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Old 02-27-2013, 12:07 PM   #15
Joan M
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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Re: Having scanxiety and have to vent.

Jill

Wonderful news on the results, and a relief!! I too had a brain met, but mine was removed via surgery and then treated with 5 dosages of targeted radiation (IMRT). For a while my brain MRIs kept showing more enhancement every three months, and regrowth could not be ruled out. They even gave me a brain PET, but it didn't light up (thank goodness!). The onc then said that he was 95% sure that it was necrosis, or scar tissue. After awhile all went back to looking normal. My next brain MRI is not due for a couple of months, but as I get closer to that date I'll definitely start to get scanxiety.

Hugs,
Joan
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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 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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