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StephN · 10-09-2013, 03:05 PM

This a great idea for a post, Cool One.

I would mention that since my diagnosis in the Dark Ages of 2000 the panoply of new treatment possibilities is mind boggling with more being approved all the time. Especially for our particular HER2 positive subtypes.

We have moved from the "Scorched Earth is the only way to try to get all the cancer cells" to "Let's consider Quality of Life and try for the targeted cell approach in the beginning or even prior to surgery." These two statements are a night vs. day difference in outlook for eveyone involved. And apply to us at stageIV as well.

BC is still a terrifying diagnosis, but some knowledge and support is more helpful than ever with all the new possiblities building on recent advances in treatment.

P.S. Getting active may be done in baby steps. But I am past that and now need to shop for new shoes for our upcoming trip to the northeast to see some Fall Colors (as if we don't have any here in the Misty Woods ...).

10-09-2013, 03:05 PM	#8
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Metastatic Breast Cancer This a great idea for a post, Cool One. I would mention that since my diagnosis in the Dark Ages of 2000 the panoply of new treatment possibilities is mind boggling with more being approved all the time. Especially for our particular HER2 positive subtypes. We have moved from the "Scorched Earth is the only way to try to get all the cancer cells" to "Let's consider Quality of Life and try for the targeted cell approach in the beginning or even prior to surgery." These two statements are a night vs. day difference in outlook for eveyone involved. And apply to us at stageIV as well. BC is still a terrifying diagnosis, but some knowledge and support is more helpful than ever with all the new possiblities building on recent advances in treatment. P.S. Getting active may be done in baby steps. But I am past that and now need to shop for new shoes for our upcoming trip to the northeast to see some Fall Colors (as if we don't have any here in the Misty Woods ...). __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018. Last edited by StephN; 10-09-2013 at 03:07 PM..