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Old 10-17-2008, 08:35 AM   #1
tdonnelly
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My Aunt lost her battle to cancer

HER2 Friends,

My aunt earned her wings yesterday afternoon after battling lymphoma for two years. What a day, I started out feeling relief as I reached my two year cancer anniversary and it was also my deceased father's birthday. What a special day this will always be in our family. She and I were dx in the same month 10/2006.

She taught me how to fight my own cancer. All the times I wanted to quit, she was there to pick me up, yell or whatever it took to get me on the right track again. She helped me get through my port surgery and first chemo treatment. We spent the last two years visiting weekly to share our cancer experiences and discussing her chemo trials. She spent the last month in the hospital with liver complications and was tranferred to a nursing home this past Monday.

She is in a better place which is comforting, I know she will continue to guide me to continue my fight.

Thank you for past replies and information that assisted my Aunt. Take Care.

Tamara
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 10/2006
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Old 10-17-2008, 08:38 AM   #2
Vi Schorpp
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Tamara

I'm sorry about your loss. I had two dear aunts (one from my mother's and one from my father's side of the family) who have been gone for 8 years now. I think of them often in the most unexpected ways. She will always be a part of you I'm sure. I'm glad she taught you so much, and I'm sure you'll miss her sorely! Take care.
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Diagnosed 4/03/03, age 50
3.5 cm, 0/19 positive nodes
Stage IIA
Her2++, ER & PR++
RB Mastectomy, 4 AC,
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Old 10-17-2008, 08:43 AM   #3
Ceesun
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My sympathy to you. Ceesun
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Old 10-17-2008, 09:32 AM   #4
Faith in Him
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I'm very sorry for your loss.
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DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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Old 10-17-2008, 09:37 AM   #5
chrisy
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Your aunt sounds like a real gem. I know you will miss her dearly, but at the same time carry her with you as you continue your own fight!
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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Old 10-17-2008, 02:06 PM   #6
Mary Anne in TX
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Tamara, I'ma so sorry to hear of your loss. m
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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!
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Old 10-17-2008, 03:45 PM   #7
WomanofSteel
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My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
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dx aug 03
invasive dcis 1 cm
er/pr/her2+
bcs 8/4/03
bcs 8/21/03 0/16 nodes
tx 4x ca 36 rad tam
postmenopausal 06 aromasin
sept 07 biopsy node in neck
muga/pet/cat/bone mets to lungs nodes and liver stage iv
tx hki-272
tx not working switched to taxol herceptin
Taxol not working switched to navelbine
navelbine is causing bad neuropathy
starting gemzar
gemzar quit on me now on Ixempra due to increasing number and size of liver mets
another progression starting tykerb/xeloda
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Old 10-17-2008, 04:02 PM   #8
tricia keegan
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Unhappy

Tamara, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your aunt. I know from reading earlier threads by you what a strong lady she was and how hard she fought.
I'm sorry too this has over shadowed your own acomplishment on reaching two years out but know what an inspiration to you your aunt was, I'm sure she'll continue to be with you in spirit.
My condolence's to you.
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Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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Old 10-17-2008, 04:09 PM   #9
Sheila
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Tamara
So sorry to hear about your Aunt...the loss of those we love is so difficult...may you keep that special part of her in your spirit always.
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"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 10-17-2008, 05:05 PM   #10
Chelee
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Tamara, I'm so sorry for your lost of your dear Aunt. My deepest condolences.

Chelee
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DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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Old 10-17-2008, 05:37 PM   #11
Soccermom
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Tamara,
I too am so very sorry for your loss. May your Aunts memory be a blessing to you,

Marcia
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Old 10-17-2008, 10:35 PM   #12
Bill
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Tamara, I'm sorry to hear of your Aunt's passing and your loss. It sounds like she was one heck of a woman. I hope you know that she is only a thought away, though, and will still be there for you. Peace and comfort to you and your family, Bill
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Old 10-17-2008, 11:54 PM   #13
charlotte
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I would like to also say, I am sorry for your loss.
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Old 10-19-2008, 05:10 PM   #14
juanita
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i'm sorry for your loss. my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family in the days to come.
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dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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Old 10-19-2008, 07:37 PM   #15
Mary Jo
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Dear Tamara,

My heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of your aunt.

Peace I pray for you...

Mary Jo
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"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC
ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++
RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor
Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node
No Vasucular Invasion
4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin
1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks
28 rads
prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06

17 Years NED

<>< Romans 8:28
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Old 10-20-2008, 03:58 PM   #16
tdonnelly
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HER2 Friends,

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The strength I have received from all of you was with me today at her Service... Take Care

Tamara
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