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02-14-2008, 09:48 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Now this is nice to hear...less of us are kicking the bucket from BREAST CANCER
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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02-14-2008, 11:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,778
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I have a different "take" on this
It seems that the vast majority of those with non-her2+, non-triple negative
breast cancer may be grossly overtreated to the extent that they are now more likely to die of the longterm side effects of the treatment than the disease.
Balance this with those who have been helped by herceptin, turning her2+ BREAST CANCER from a worse prognosis type to one for which there is effective treatment (even though it doesn't work in everyone and some develop late resistance)--these survivors for whom herceptin worked and who did not become resistant to it may now also be more likely to die of the longterm side effects of the treatments
This makes it more and more imperative to determine the least toxic combination of treatments sufficient to do the job. This is difficult as clinical trials generally have one arm with the "standard of care" and the other with the "standard of care" PLUS the investigational agent(s)
How clinical trials are formulated may need rethinking!
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02-14-2008, 12:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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Let's pray for the day when all breast cancer victims die from unrelated diseases. Better yet - lets pray for a day when there are no new cases of breast cancer.
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02-14-2008, 02:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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I just have to say that I find the term "kicking the bucket" a bit insensitive....
but I am all for the sentiment.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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02-14-2008, 02:49 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,380
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Lani, you are right on! I could not agree more with your statements.
Hopeful
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02-14-2008, 07:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Lani, you made a very good point. It's tough to find the balance. Bonnie, I thought the same thing at first, but I'm sure Jean chose her words carefully, and if we think about it, what phrase or words are best to use without upsetting someone? All of them can be offensive, I guess to some. Just my opinion. Love, Bill
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02-15-2008, 09:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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Jean,
I actually laughed at the title of your post! I try to have some sort of humor about parts of this--which keeps me sane (when I am feeling sane-LOL)! I really want to see that new movie "The Bucket List". I have heard that it is funny, and lighthearted even with the subject matter!
Have a great weekend!
__________________
Krista
Diagnosed 3/29/2007 @ age 34
Stage 1, Node Neg. (SNB), Grade 2, 1.4 cm. IDC
ER/PR 90%+ HER2 +
6 TCH started 5/25/2007, ended after #5 due to steroid "reactions" and neuropathy in feet and hands
BUT--#6 CH w/o Taxotere
Begin Herceptin alone 9/28/2007
30 rads completed 12/19/2007
Finish Herceptin 5/9/2008
Stopped Tamoxifen early--HATED it.
Married 17 years
13-year old son
3 embies on ice (from 1999)
GA, USA
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02-16-2008, 08:27 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 29
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yes, it is wonderful to hear that less people are passing away from breast cancer, but I can't shake from that article it's only the one's who didn't have positive nodes. Blanche 3a 7 positive nodes her2 positive and er and pr positive.
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02-16-2008, 08:37 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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I guess my mother is beating the odds...she celebrates 20 years next month as a survivor with 13 positive nodes.....although back then Her2 was not tested.
Jean, I for one treasure your wisdom, and your sense of humor...if it wasn't for things like this that make me laugh, I don't know if I'd be here. Please don't stay a stranger for long, we will miss you.
__________________
"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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02-16-2008, 12:06 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Jean,
Your knowledge and support has helped so many, me being one. I am saddened by you taking a break for awhile.
Know you are loved!
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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02-16-2008, 01:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Jean,
Please don't stay away long. I always read
your posts because of your thoughtfulness,
caring and compassion. I'm sorry you need
to take this break - please hurry back.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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02-16-2008, 02:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 77
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Jean,
I went on this site many times when I felt as though I needed information and a boost from this "icky "disease. I always felt so much support and caring from members. I have recently been back on and have noted a remarkable decrease in the number of posts ( unless I'm missing something ).
Your post about using the phrase " kicking the bucket" is so benign I can't imagine anyone actually being offended by it. I thougt it was pretty funny and to the point.
However, in this day and age, it doesn't take much to offend !!!!!
Anyway, have a nice break and keep up your sense of humor... I know many times that's what has kept me going.
Take care,
Carol
Dx. 3/04 idc 2.2. cm, 3dcis,4/18 nodes positive , partial mastectomy,
Ax. node dissection , chemo , rads and herceptin
p.s. hope the word " icky" didn't offend anyone...
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02-16-2008, 03:39 PM
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#14
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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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Please Don't Go Away...
Sweet Jean,
You have been a wonderful friend to me, and to all of us, since forever!! I cherish your wisdom, your advice, your always informative and supportive posts, your kindness and your radiant Spirit! I cannot imagine this board without your invaluable input. It would be a grave loss to all of us.
I *know* you would never intentionally hurt or offend anyone. It is against your very nature. Please reconsider, feeling driven away by the harshness of some. I truly understand how disheartening such comments can be when you are simply being you and speaking from your heart. Meaning no harm. Trying to brighten others' day...
Humor is essential to our healing process and our sanity. I'm always up for a good laugh. Even at my own expense. Your little touch of levity was fine in my book, especially coming from the source! Do not change a thing about what makes you so very special, Jean. We love you and need you!!
I suppose we must resign ourselves to the fact that some will put words and intentions in our mouths that do not belong. People become defensive in some of the strangest places, over things we never saw coming. Unfortunate to be sure.
But, Jean, far too many value you and cringe at the thought of you being driven away. Let's chalk it up to having a really bad day. I pray the rest of this day, and most of your tomorrows will be full of the love and respect that embody you. I treasure you for all you are, and I can see most concur with this attitude. With loving, positive energy...
Your Sister,
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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02-16-2008, 04:41 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Jean
Andi says it all. Humor is essential, in everyones life. Knowing you, it would never be used in the wrong sense. Please come back, we all value
your informative post and your genuine caring.
patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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02-16-2008, 04:47 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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I have always found self deprecating humor helps me to deal with BC. One of my first lines after being diagnosed was "I'll keep you abreast of the situation". It works for me for not for all.
I think "No harm, no foul", usually applies to most of our expressions.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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02-16-2008, 02:29 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Dear Jean
I am sure you meant no harm and I myself did not take it as such. I know this is such a sensitive subject for so many, especially those who have lost someone they love.. and I can understand
Myself, I always think I must have a weird sense of humor since I find myself kidding as much as I can about my illness. Its the only way I find I can survive this.. I am sure when my time comes, I will do my share of crying (and I must say I have my moments now) but for the most part I could very well lose my sanity if not for finding some type of humor in all of this horror. I would never ever laugh at someone's saddness but I can with my own.
Take care my friend... and keep laughing (its the best medicine and it's free and not toxic)
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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02-16-2008, 03:39 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Jean, I don't blame you for taking a break. Breaks from anything can be very valuable and theraputic.
Please come back though, ok? You will be missed.
Take care and looking forward to your return, hopefully soon.
Aloha, Maryanne (harrie)
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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02-16-2008, 07:16 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Hey Jean
You jump, I jump
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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02-17-2008, 02:05 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 148
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As a Brit, I am familiar with this phrase, and certainly would not take offence at it.
Mcgle (UK)
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