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krisvell · 10-17-2010, 05:56 PM

I want to share with everyone a milestone in my cancer journey that I think you will understand and appreciate.

Last year (June ’09) when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and HER2 positive, the New York Times had an article about Dr. Slamon’s discovery and how “ … it turns a very poor prognosis to one that are among the best.” It gave me great hope. I sent Dr. Slamon an email thanking him and telling him I’d miss running the annual Hartford ½ Marathon in ’09 but I was shooting for running in 2010 and will proudly wear a sign with his name to show my gratitude.

Well, flash forward to Oct 9, 2010. I made good on my promise and got back way more than I wanted/expected. I ran the race, wearing my sign and felt like I was on top of the world. It was a spectacular Autumn Day in Connecticut. Two women commented on my sign --- one woman’s brother worked on developing Herceptin and another woman personally knows ‘Denny’ Slamon and was going to tell him about me. My running buddy and my husband also ran the race (a lot faster). Then to add icing to the cake; my daughter surprised me and ran the last two miles with me. It can’t get better than that. What an emotional day. I would never have imagined having cancer and coming to this point in my journey would be so rewarding.

Kris.....

Note: When I figure out how to do it, I'll attach two pictures.

10-17-2010, 05:56 PM	#1
krisvell Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kensington, CT Posts: 394	Making Good on a Promise I want to share with everyone a milestone in my cancer journey that I think you will understand and appreciate. Last year (June ’09) when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and HER2 positive, the New York Times had an article about Dr. Slamon’s discovery and how “ … it turns a very poor prognosis to one that are among the best.” It gave me great hope. I sent Dr. Slamon an email thanking him and telling him I’d miss running the annual Hartford ½ Marathon in ’09 but I was shooting for running in 2010 and will proudly wear a sign with his name to show my gratitude. Well, flash forward to Oct 9, 2010. I made good on my promise and got back way more than I wanted/expected. I ran the race, wearing my sign and felt like I was on top of the world. It was a spectacular Autumn Day in Connecticut. Two women commented on my sign --- one woman’s brother worked on developing Herceptin and another woman personally knows ‘Denny’ Slamon and was going to tell him about me. My running buddy and my husband also ran the race (a lot faster). Then to add icing to the cake; my daughter surprised me and ran the last two miles with me. It can’t get better than that. What an emotional day. I would never have imagined having cancer and coming to this point in my journey would be so rewarding. Kris..... Note: When I figure out how to do it, I'll attach two pictures. __________________ 06/08/09 - 55, IDC, IIIA, ER+/PR-/HER+++ Nottingham 6/9 - Grade 2 5.2cm, several nodes 06/23/09 - Neoadjuvant - TCH Herceptin til June 10/07/09 - Finished Chemo 10/27/09 - Mastectomy RB Path Report: RB No residual tumor pCR, 2 of 15 pos - .5mm largest micromets 12/18/09 - Radiation started (28) 02/05/10 - Finished Radiation 01/11/10 - Started Femara 06/22/10 - Finished Herceptin.. My son's 22nd BD. Hope it's a sign! Hoping for the best. 11/15/10 - Started Walter Reed BC Vaccine trial at 1/04/11 - Sibley Mem. Had to withdraw due to met 01/23/11 - Stage IV - Brain Met 1.6cm 1.7cm 02/03/11 - Gamma Knife (2 fracts to minmize necrosis) 03/01/11 - Gamma Knife 6/11 - Necrosis 7/11 - Necrosis stopped & Tumor progression 8/11 = Now think it's really necrosis 9/11 - Avastin every two weeks -- It's working!! Necrosis is shrinking. 12/11 - Necrosis gone AVASTIN worked. 12/11 - Bone &CT found Oct '10 - Ran Hartford 1/2 Marathon to Thank Dr. Slamon for Herceptin!