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02-22-2007, 02:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Well Wishes for Belinda
Hi Belinda,
I noticed in your signature (after reading a reply from you to another member) that you start chemo February 23. That's tomorrow. LOL! I'm sure you knew that. :-)
I just wanted to wish you well. I offer up prayers for your Peace and protection throughout the chemo process. I know I was absolutely petrified to begin chemo (thought I'd die within minutes of the IV being turned on - hehe) BUT I was fine and handled chemo well. I pray the same for you.
God Bless dear one,
Mary Jo
__________________
"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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02-22-2007, 03:31 PM
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#2
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Guest
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Good luck!
Hi Belinda--I agree. It's never as bad as one thinks, and almost always much much better. Had my six-month mammogram today and had to go back in for two more films. While waiting to hear, I was sure it was a recurrence, and in between wiping away tears I was planning my next surgery. Of course, the radiologist came back and said all was okay; he just wanted a different view. Such a relief!
Good luck--you'll do fine.
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02-22-2007, 04:08 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 144
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Thank-you!
Thanks Grace and Marejo
Yes, I am feeling quite anxious about it. 4.5 hrs to go- but who's counting? But, on the positive side, we took a bunch of family pics this morning, and I have also taken one to include on this website - just so you all know what I look now.
We mainly took some photos for my wee girl so she has some to remember what things are like - and what they will return to - by the end of this year. And so she has some nice ones to take to school next week to the 'show and share' session on 'My Family'. Will keep you posted. Thanks for being there and for thinking about me.
Now, perhaps there's just enough time to try your muffin recipe Grace.... 
Bx
__________________
Belinda
- Diagnosed 3 Jan 2007, Stage IIb, Mastectomy and axillary clearance 10 Jan 07, 6 of 19 nodes affected, multi-focal cancer, HER2 positive. Second mastectomy (prophylactic). Chemo - AC 3 months, Taxol 3 months - then radiation 5 weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Diagnosed with Stage IV mets to lung, sternum and 12 or so thoracic nodes - Rads to Sternum, then weekly abraxane and herceptin for 12 weeks.
- May 2012- good scans - all nodes still about normal size, hole in sternum repairing, lung tumour 'obliterated'.
Ongoing herceptin every 3 weeks. Bloods still all good! Life good!
- March 2013 - recurrence - tumours in lungs and mediastinum (coughing up blood) - immediate radiation treatment to right lung and mediastinum, still on Herceptin, and 3 months of Vinoralbine - stable for a little while!
- Coughing and breathlessness started again September 2013, treated as radiation-induced fibrosis (which can be seen on scans - albeit stable). ie puffers, steroids
- January 2014 - cough becomes bloody again, scans show big mediastinal tumour wrapped around and choking the life out of my right main bronchus, radiation deemed off limits as my lungs are hypersensitive to radiation (measured by existing damage from 2013) .....................- ie I am in the 5% of people likely to suffer severe radiation damage to the lungs that they warn you about before starting treatment! (so special! :) )
- Started chemo Feb 2014 - continuing Herceptin (continuous since Aug 2011), with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Discontinued Gemcitabine because of se's. Starting cycle 5 Herc/Carbo 5 May 2014.
- Meantime.....coughing and breathlessness increased to SCARY levels with racing heartbeat that won't slow down, breath that won't come back, even just walking to the bathroom or up 3 or 4 steps.
- ICU from May 5 2014, collapsed right lung due to tumour, small pulmonary embolism (left), tumours growing in mediastinum left and right, dvt lower right leg
- Plan seems to be bronchoscope next week to see if tumour can be lasered and stent inserted in right bronchus to reopen air access to lower parts of right lung. If that is successful might be able to have brachytherapy to worst tumour, otherwise no more options for external radiotherapy.
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02-22-2007, 05:00 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 243
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Good Luck, too, Belinda! I hope you tolerate your treatments well!
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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02-23-2007, 09:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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you can do this
Chemo can stink, but look at all of us who have done it, still do it and manage quite well-that will be you too. Let the people in your world help, they want to and you deserve it. My kids were 3 and 14 months when I did A/C and just having a friend in the house on the hard days was wonderful. Good distraction, help with kids and I could still be with them, etc. In the good times (which you have so many to look forward to-I'm sure of that) you can return favors and feel good about helping others.
Keep us posted on how you are doing and we are thinking of you.
__________________
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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02-23-2007, 12:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Belinda, I wish you well with your chemo and hope your body tolerates it well. It isn't always kind to our bodies but we make it through and do start to feel much better the further out we get from it. Good luck.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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02-23-2007, 09:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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Hi Belinda.
It's Linda in Oregon.
Chemo is obnoxious, but it will be over before you know it. Check in for advice on side effects -- everyone is different, but someone on this site probably has just the info you need. Let you friends and relatives take care of you, cook for you, baby you and help you buy beautiful hats. Rest and recover.
Love
Linda
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02-24-2007, 12:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Dear Belinda
I hope your first chemo session was fine. Its the scariest just because its the first. But its killing any leftover cancer cells. I tried to think of it like Ms Pacman.
We are all rooting for you here.
Relax and enjoy your family through the weekend.
__________________
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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02-24-2007, 02:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Belinda,
I hope that your tx went well. Chemo sure isn't fun but it's going to clean up any nasty little cancer cells cells that may be floating around. Soon you will be on herceptin alone and for most is a walk in the park compared to chemo txs! Hang in there sweetie!
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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02-24-2007, 04:38 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,150
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1st chemo
Hi Belinda, I hope you are feeling well today. I know how scary that first chemo can be and yet how hopeful also. Get lots of rest and fluids (which really combat any nausea) and we're all here rooting for you! Let us know how you're doing when you can. Love, Vickie
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02-25-2007, 03:08 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 144
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Handling it!
Just checking in.
I am so glad you are all there! 24 hours and a bit after Chemo number 1, and I am feeling pretty flat - but handling it okay.
The actual hospital visit went fine - a lot less scary than I had anticipated, my port worked a treat both for blood out and chemical warfare in, which was a relief (I am not fond of needles !) Darling hubby held my hand all through and the nurses were lovely.
Very ill on the first night about 6 hours after chemo started - wasn't expecting the IV anti-nausea drugs to wear off quite so quickly. But managed to keep down a crushed pramen which tided me over until the navoban and dexmethsone were due the next am - had the second and last lot of those this morning - hoping the pramen will keep my nausea in check from then on. I feel like I am becoming a drug expert!
I am taking all your advice and drinking as much as I can manage, and just keeping down whatever food I can handle - wierd combos like grapes and tinned spag (soft and mushy). And my frozen berry and juice smoothies and Mike's carrot juices (in small doses). There will be time to get back on the balanced diet, I figure. A friend has brought some home-cooked meals and stocked the freezer, which is great - even if I don't feel like eating much of it, it helps the other 2 precious people in my house.
First day without the navoban and dexmethsone tomorrow - wondering whether it will be okay? Otherwise - I'll just ring the onc dept.
Otherwise, just very very tired, and trying to catch as much rest as possible.
Thanks again to all of you - you are a wonderful bunch of people. Belindax
__________________
Belinda
- Diagnosed 3 Jan 2007, Stage IIb, Mastectomy and axillary clearance 10 Jan 07, 6 of 19 nodes affected, multi-focal cancer, HER2 positive. Second mastectomy (prophylactic). Chemo - AC 3 months, Taxol 3 months - then radiation 5 weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Diagnosed with Stage IV mets to lung, sternum and 12 or so thoracic nodes - Rads to Sternum, then weekly abraxane and herceptin for 12 weeks.
- May 2012- good scans - all nodes still about normal size, hole in sternum repairing, lung tumour 'obliterated'.
Ongoing herceptin every 3 weeks. Bloods still all good! Life good!
- March 2013 - recurrence - tumours in lungs and mediastinum (coughing up blood) - immediate radiation treatment to right lung and mediastinum, still on Herceptin, and 3 months of Vinoralbine - stable for a little while!
- Coughing and breathlessness started again September 2013, treated as radiation-induced fibrosis (which can be seen on scans - albeit stable). ie puffers, steroids
- January 2014 - cough becomes bloody again, scans show big mediastinal tumour wrapped around and choking the life out of my right main bronchus, radiation deemed off limits as my lungs are hypersensitive to radiation (measured by existing damage from 2013) .....................- ie I am in the 5% of people likely to suffer severe radiation damage to the lungs that they warn you about before starting treatment! (so special! :) )
- Started chemo Feb 2014 - continuing Herceptin (continuous since Aug 2011), with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Discontinued Gemcitabine because of se's. Starting cycle 5 Herc/Carbo 5 May 2014.
- Meantime.....coughing and breathlessness increased to SCARY levels with racing heartbeat that won't slow down, breath that won't come back, even just walking to the bathroom or up 3 or 4 steps.
- ICU from May 5 2014, collapsed right lung due to tumour, small pulmonary embolism (left), tumours growing in mediastinum left and right, dvt lower right leg
- Plan seems to be bronchoscope next week to see if tumour can be lasered and stent inserted in right bronchus to reopen air access to lower parts of right lung. If that is successful might be able to have brachytherapy to worst tumour, otherwise no more options for external radiotherapy.
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