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02-21-2007, 01:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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5 years ago today ......
5 years ago today I heard those awful words that shattered my world...you have breast cancer.....my whole life went into a tailspin...before I fully grasped this news, I began to deal with this emotional rollercoaster....the first time I looked in the mirror and saw the scar where they had removed my breast....I felt beaten, overcome with fear...planning my funeral....
Well, now, 5 years later, I can say that it was a turning point for me...I have learned to appreciate the little things in life, I know that life has no guarantees, and I try not to put off things that are important to ME! I have found new friends through this site, and all the knowledge, love and compassion anyone could ever ask for from all of you.
5 years ago today could have been the worse day of my life .... but in my heart, it was probably the best....it made me appreciate all I had taken for granted over the years.
__________________
"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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02-21-2007, 01:16 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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I love seeing your smile, Sheila. What an encouraging post!
AlaskaAngel
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02-21-2007, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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 Congratulations, Sheila, on the last 5 years and on the positive journey you made it be. Here's to the next 5 years and many more smiles!
mary anne
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 01:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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Re: Five Years and counting
Congratulations Sheila. You have given the rest of us hope with your milestone, and also your wealth of information. I'm praying for you many more years. Keep that smile on your face, and continue doing things for Sheila.
Many hugs,
Linda
__________________
Diagnosed 12/23/04
Biopsy 12/28/04
Lumpectomy 1/04/05
IDC, ER-PR-, HER2Neu+++
7mm tumor, Stage 1, Grade 3
6 CAF's
38 Rads
Finished 10/05
"Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up."
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02-21-2007, 01:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Congrats Sheila on your 5 year anniversary! You are an inspiration and your kind words are always appreciated. I wish you many many more happy and healthy years ahead.
Hugs,
Lexi
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02-21-2007, 02:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
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Hi Sheila,
Congratulations and thanks for all of your posts. I am approaching 2 yrs (Apr 13) and can relate to so many of those early feelings you had.
Karen
__________________
Karen Raines Hunt
Dx April 2005 at age 46
stage 3A, very large (12cm) tumor
2 positive axillary lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, Her 2 +++
Bilateral mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, A/C, Taxol, Herceptin, Tamoxifen, Aromasin
5 yrs since diagnosis and NED
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02-21-2007, 02:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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This is a wonderful anniversary. Thanks for the wisdom.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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02-21-2007, 02:26 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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encouraging message
Sheila:
Your post was so uplifting and encouraging. From the pits of despair to the realization of a real hope and finally a gratefulness for day to day living which we all can and have taken for granted. Thanks for sharing your five year anniversary with us!
__________________
Leslie's Sister (Lisa)
Diagnosed 5/17/06
Left breast Stage II
5 cm. Her2Neu+++, ER-, PR-
1 positive node out of six,
double mastectomy 6/9/06;
TCH started 7/12/06
last chemo 10/25/06
herceptin ended 6-11-07
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02-21-2007, 02:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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I get quite a bit of hope hearing how well other Stage IV folks are doing...you are an inspiration to all of us. Don't forget to change your signature to say that you have actually made it to the 5 year mark!
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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02-21-2007, 02:43 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Here is to 50 more years! I am so happy to have met you through this sight, and the many other women and men. And breast cancer has changed my life so much. But most of it is truly for the better like you I appreciate so much more than I ever did before my cancer. Wishing you all the best Sheila!
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 02:16 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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5 years today
SHeila: Congratulations! I hope to see you smiling many many more years. You have been so helpful to me, thanks from the bottom of my heart and cheers to you for a healthy and long life, the Best is yet to come!!!
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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02-21-2007, 06:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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Hear, Hear
thank you Sheila for sharing your experience, your anniversary and your encouragement! Congratulations and I'm thinking you will be sharing many more anniversaries with us. We are both February girls. I was told February 15, 2000 that I had cancer. Your smile brings me much warmth in this wintery month and your words encourage me to keep going!
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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02-21-2007, 07:03 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Sheila,
Congratulations on your milestone! You are an inspiration to the rest of us that, yes, we can do it. Your positive attitude is refreshing. Also, I'm glad to hear your grandchild is doing well
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 07:37 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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Congratulations Sheila, I hear everything you said and will be doing mine next month. Amazing how this changes us! Hope you see many, many more years and like Steph said head for the 10 year club. Wishing you a great 2007. hugs, Sandy
__________________
Dx. 03/01, Rt. IBC
AC/Taxatere
Rt. MRM-with graft Lt. simple
5 rads-skin mets
Herceptin, taxol, carboplatin (taxol seem to be the magic drug)
Navelbine & xeloda (did not work)
topical miltex for skin mets
Tykerb/xeloda
thoracentesis x 2 left lung fluid shows cancer cells
Port removal (4 years) with power port replacement
Doxil
Updated 05-07 Scans show no bone or organ involvement we shall see!
I shall not pass this way again. Any good I can do or any kindness that I can show let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.
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02-21-2007, 07:43 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Congratulations Sheila. I am thinking of you today (and everyday).
With love,
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 08:08 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 105
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:d
You know, Sheila, my first experience with breast cancer was as a student nurse in 1992, back in the day when it was literally a death sentence. That's pretty much how I felt, that I'd been given a death sentence with my diagnosis, until I found you and all the other women on this site. I can see that cancer, although not fun by any means, does not mean life is over. The image of my patient those many years ago will always be with me, but has been joined by the faces of the women here with their warm smiles and bright eyes. You and all the other women on this board are THE example of how we can live...and thrive through anything!! Congratulations on 5 years!!! hi-5, sister!
Stephanie
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02-21-2007, 08:30 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Happy 5TH
Sheila,
Thank you for bearing your heart and soul on your 5th Anniversary.
Many of us can so easily relate - at first there is such a feeling of
doom....and then somehow we manage to capture a strength that
we did not know we had.
Glad to hear the good news that your granddaughter is doing well after
such a big surgery. What a special day for you!
God Bless
Jean
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 08:41 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Hey there Sheila,
5years and counting - thanks for sharing this along with your constant encouragement to everyone.
Enjoy your "anniversary" I hope you celebrate!
__________________
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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02-21-2007, 08:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Congratulations, Sheila!!
Karen
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02-21-2007, 09:37 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Way to go Sheila! I'm relatively new to this board, diagnosed Oct. 2006 - barely 4 months out - I look to you as an inspiration in the fight against this horrible disease - I still am in a bit of shock about my diagnosis, but reality is setting in after the mastectomy and 2 rounds of chemo, hair falling out - I just remember that I can beat this, as I check the board and see the good stories like yours Sheila - hoping for another 5 years for you ( and another 5, and another 5 etc. )
Best regards,
Caya in Canada
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