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08-06-2007, 03:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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MRI revealed brain mets
Just got a call from my oncologist. Remember my brain scan showed a "blip" so a brain MRI was ordered. I had the brain MRI on Friday morning. Well, it seems we have a brain met. Only one and it's very small 5mm located on hte posterior right parietal lobe. She has contacted my radiation oncologist and I should hear from him tomorrow. The plan is to contnue with my chemo regime. I will be getting CyberKnife. I don't know any other details but just wanted to let you all know the results of my test. You could have blown me down with a feather. I think I'm in a state of shock. But not too worry, we can and will beat this!!!
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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08-06-2007, 04:13 PM
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#2
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Guest
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So so sorry, Kate. I just want you to beat all of this and join Steph and others as five years NED! And with your spirit, I know it will happen.
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08-06-2007, 04:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 131
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Kate
Sending you Big HUGS.. It sounds like you caught this early and that is GOOD! I am sending you positive thoughts, there are a few of us here that have had brain mets. I was treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery. I am now NED in the brain, if you need any advice just pm me.
I wish you the Best! Hang in there siser!
__________________
Lala
DX Fall05 Stage 4 er+ pr+ her2+ liver and bone mets
DX Fall06 Brain mets, Brain mets gone Spring 2007
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08-06-2007, 04:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 38
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I hate cancer. I am so sorry. Sounds like you are ready for WAR, the little beastie won't know what hit it! Sending prayers your way.
HUGS,
Leea
__________________
 Age 33 at dx - 9/15/06
L breast, Invasive solid DC w/ extensive DCIS, Grade 3, ER/PR negative/ HER2 neu positive (barely)
-AC DD, taxotere, taxol w/ herceptin
-Bi lat 1/18/07, multiple foci of IDC admixed with DCIS, IDC varied from 0.1, 0.5, and up to 1.6 cm, 1/19 + nodes
Expanders in place
Pregnant when dx
Mom to 4 beautiful kiddos (boys: 5 and 14 mos, girls: 17 and 3)
Recurrence in neck lymph node and 8mm spot in L breast above expander, herceptin stopped
BRCA 1 positive
Clinical trial since 7/23/07 (PARP INHIBITOR)-NED for 9 months, supraclavicle node popped back up,..so we cut it out! Full neck dissection - only 1 positive node ER/PR negative and now HER2 negative
Currently on Xeloda and NED
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08-06-2007, 04:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
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I am so sorry Kate. I can only imagine the emotions are impossible to reign in. CRAP! (As a good friend of mine says)
I am so glad your onc was on top of things and you spotted this sucker in it's infancy. Never did understand the wait until symptoms philosophy.
I hope your rad onc has good news for you and that your treament goes well. Best of luck!
__________________
Are we there yet?
Dx 10/05 IDC, multi-focal, triple +, 5 nodes+
MRM, 4 DD A/C, 12 weekly taxol + herceptin
rads concurrent with taxol/herceptin
finished herceptin 01/08
ooph, Arimidex, bilateral DIEP reconstruction
NED
Univ. of WA, Seattle vaccine trial '07
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08-06-2007, 04:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Kate
Not the news any of us wanted for you, but good that it is caught early....and you can take control. Sounds like your medical team is all over this....hoping each day brings healing to you...you are in my prayers....the fight resumes!
__________________
"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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08-06-2007, 05:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LAND OF YES!
w/home in Boca Raton, Florida
Orig from L.I., N.Y.
Ever hovering IN THE NOW...
Posts: 1,904
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Love Your Spirit Kate!
Love your Spirit, but hate the news. Double crap (as *someone* said). It is good that you got it fast and early, as we all know. Surely, you must be in shock. This damn disease waltzs around as it pleases. Then we find it and stomp on it and that is that. Stay strong, Kate, which you no doubt will, cause you are evidentally unstoppable! Love you lots... Will pray for speedy NED for you, and then for you to STAY there indefinitely! You deserve that! ANDI
__________________
Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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08-06-2007, 05:50 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Kate,
Sorry your scan showed this small brain mets - but it is small and was caught early - very treatable and you will conquer it.
I am wishing for a complete recovery for you, you are a WARRIOR and it sounds like your docs know exactly what to do.
all the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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08-06-2007, 05:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Kate,
I am so sorry about this, you will beat this,It sounds like you have a great doctor. Here's to kicking butt my friend! Your in my thoughts and prayers.
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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08-06-2007, 04:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Shaker Heights, Ohio
Posts: 86
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Admire Your Spirit!
Dear Kate,
you are going strong! I think you and I have a similar attitude and believe that there must be a point where we can stop this beast! We just have to hang in there, do the next thing and be ready for the next treatment!
5 mm sounds very small, let us know what is next!
With affection and prayers,
Odette
__________________
May 18, 2006 Age 52,
Diagnosed infiltrating ductal carcinoma
er/pr- HER2 + 3.9 by FISH
June-August 2006 AC chemo
August-October 2006 Taxotere + Herceptin
November 18, 2006 Mastectomy 16 involved lymph nodes
Jan 2, 2007 start radiation
Stage IV, Jan 12, 2007 recurrence in cervical lymph nodes while on Herceptin, stopped Herceptin
Rad oncologist extended the radiation field, good response
Started Tykerb Xeloda on beginning of May 2007
Progression to lungs and conglomerate lymphadenopathy July 2007
Undecided about next treatment
'One does not get to choose one's adventures'
I'm experimenting with my diet, using green tea, flax seed curry and olive oil
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08-06-2007, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 68
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Like your spunk Kate!
So sorry you got this bad news. I am glad they caught this early. Keep the possitive attitude. Kate Yes, you will beat this! I have said a prayer asking God to put his healing hand on you and to wipe those nasty mets out! Keep us posted on your treatments.
Bless you.
Love,
Michelle
__________________
Sept. 2003- 5cm tumor in left breast Her2+ Er- Pr- grade 3,
Mastectomy & 11 nodes removed, all negative.
4 rounds A/C + 12 wky Taxol
25 rads
Dec 2006- recurrence Stage IV (diagnosed 3 days before Christmas!) Lymph nodes in chest, liver, 3 ribs
January 2007- 3 tri wkly rounds of Taxol/Herceptin
Response to lymph nodes in chest, but several more bone mets (skull, shoulders, more ribs, femur, several on spine), liver tumors still growing.
March 2007- 8 wkly rounds of Navelbine/Herceptin/ every 4th wk Zometa
Lymph nodes in chest look great, but more bone mets (of course!), Clavicles, hips, and sacrum (above tail bone) to add to the list. Liver mets still growing.
June 5- started Tykerb/Xeloda
Aug 14- Scans are showing great progress! Tumor shrinkage and bones are healing!
Nov 21 CT scan shows tumor growth in liver & bones next Doc appt on 11-27
Dire need of a lot of prayers and a miracle.
Stay at home mom, 5 yr old girl & 8 yr old boy.
Wife of loving husband
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08-06-2007, 06:15 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Kate,
You are such a stong, positive influence on this board. No matter what, I know you will come out on top. Keep fighting the fight! You are an inspiration to all.
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault
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08-06-2007, 06:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Doggone it ! I am sorry that you recieved this news. But, it is good that you found this sucker early and it will obliviated. It really has no clue who it's messing with! You are going to beat this, Kate. I know it!HUgs and Prayers,Lexi
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08-06-2007, 06:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: moved to Lancaster, Pa in June, 2010
Posts: 576
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Kate,
So sorry to hear your news. Like others have said I HATE THIS DISEASE.!!! You have such a positive attitude on this board and have been an inspiration to me. Keep on being positive and fight like hell! I have said a special prayer for you and will keep you in my thoughts.
Debbie in North Carolina
__________________
Debbie in North Carolina
Diag 10/2006-high grade invasive ductal carcinoma- mastectomy L breast
2.5 cm tumor ER/PR pos-Her2+++
4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Taxol
Herceptin every 3 weeks until Jan. 2008
6/18/07 prophylatic mastectomy R breast
8/2007 started aromasin/stopped arimidex (side effects)
12/07 stopped aromasin due to side effects (now what?)
Finished herceptin 1/8/08
started tamoxifen for 2 years then will switch to femera
allergic to tamoxifen started femera 4/2008
June 20, 2008 portacath removed
Learnig to live life to the fullest!
Stopped Femera due to side effects
July 28, 2008 start trial for breast cancer vaccine
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08-07-2007, 12:28 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posts: 365
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It is good that you caught this early and can get cyberknife. You will be on the mend as soon as it's over. No waiting for the decadron the get out of your system, if you don't have to take much or at all. I will pray for you.
Lu Ann
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08-07-2007, 01:22 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 250
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This is just not fair. I'm so sorry. Wishing you continued strength and courage.
Jen
__________________
dx 4/05 @ 34 y.o.
Stage IIIC, ER+ (90%)/PR+ (95%)/HER2+ (IHC 3+)
lumpectomy-- 2.5 cm 15+/37 nodes
(IVF in between surgery and chemo)
tx dd A/C, followed by dd Taxol & Herceptin
30 rads (or was it 35?)
Finished Herceptin on 7/24/06
Tamox
livingcured.blogspot.com
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." -- Helen Keller
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08-07-2007, 02:04 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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From the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and everyone of you for your wonderful support during this really difficult time in my life. I never would have thought I'd be here, but since I am I'm glad I'm surrounded by such caring, thoughtful, knowledgeable women. My plan is to fight this dreaded disease with all my might. I can and will get to NED!
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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08-07-2007, 02:35 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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Lets make a pact that we are going for NED together... I'll race you there!
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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08-06-2007, 07:21 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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{{{{{{{{KATE}}}}}}}}
Sheesh, I too HATE THIS DISEASE!
I willl send my very best positive thoughts and prayers your way...
Marcia
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08-06-2007, 08:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Kate, I know that's the call we all dread, but you have the best support team in the world just a click away.
I know you'll get this little renagade zapped and gone, and will continue forward.
Keep your chin up.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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