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StephN · 07-08-2006, 10:39 PM

Hi MA -
This web site did not exist and I had to go through all my trials and tribs with my early stage and then moving to stage IV with only a couple of friends here from my cancer center who were also getting bad news when I was. Three of us still support each other as best we can. Long term survivors and have the same med onc.

You also have the added advantage of getting Herceptin early, while I had to wait for disease progression (which was not long).

My treatments were all weekly except for the Taxotere. So, I had little time for the ups and downs of less frequent infusions. Just enough time for the red and white cells to get back up for the next treatment.

Yes, I was pretty tired and got to where my knees would hardly work. We have stairs and I depended heavily on the railing! I also had shortness of breath and my blood pressure was weird as my heart was working trying to move my blood to get more oxygen. This happens when the red count is down and our body tries to compensate. I ate lentils and other foods rich in iron.

Any more questions, just ask and someone will answer.

07-08-2006, 10:39 PM	#6
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Fatigue is normal Hi MA - This web site did not exist and I had to go through all my trials and tribs with my early stage and then moving to stage IV with only a couple of friends here from my cancer center who were also getting bad news when I was. Three of us still support each other as best we can. Long term survivors and have the same med onc. You also have the added advantage of getting Herceptin early, while I had to wait for disease progression (which was not long). My treatments were all weekly except for the Taxotere. So, I had little time for the ups and downs of less frequent infusions. Just enough time for the red and white cells to get back up for the next treatment. Yes, I was pretty tired and got to where my knees would hardly work. We have stairs and I depended heavily on the railing! I also had shortness of breath and my blood pressure was weird as my heart was working trying to move my blood to get more oxygen. This happens when the red count is down and our body tries to compensate. I ate lentils and other foods rich in iron. Any more questions, just ask and someone will answer. __________________ "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.