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02-26-2008, 10:14 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Cancers Not Affected By Emotional Health
Speaking for myself, I do have those "down days" sometimes, and it's a relief to know that evidence now shows it's not necessarily going to impact my survival!
Articles of Interest:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...414#post153414
__________________
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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02-27-2008, 06:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 77
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Thank God.....
Carol
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02-27-2008, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Thanks for sharing this with us Lolly and it's nice to "see" you again. I love that happy picture.
Peace & Love from me to you...
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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02-28-2008, 09:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Lolly,
I appreciate this post. Sometimes I think maybe I have stood in judgement of some of our sisters who are more "needy" emotionally than I am. I have felt that they were so negative that there was no way they were going to make it. I now believe that I was so wrong and this study reinforces my beliefs. However, I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to grow since getting cancer because of the people here and in other aspects of my life. And most of all for my faith in a Higher Power in who's world nothing happens by mistake.
Love & hugs,
Marlys
Next time we come through Oregon on our way to the coast I would like to meet you in person!
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02-28-2008, 10:48 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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I did read the article....
I thank you Lolly for this post. In my opinion this study was too vague for me; only conducted with 1,000 people with mouth, tongue, throat cancers that DID NOT spread. As much as I think that this may be good news for us all, I must say that I would like to see more studies like this for ME to fully believe that this is the case. I know that it is a conjuction of many things that help him to survive and that his positivity helps the quality of life our lives. Like I said, I did like the post and I do want to believe, I just cannot take too much stock in it now. If you find anymore studies like this one please, please post, I am very interested in following this news. Either way I enjoy the positive aspects of our beings, negativity is poison to Ed and I.>>Believe51
THESE ARE ONLY MY OPINIONS MY FRIENDS!
PS: Remember girls, every day you are fighting this beast you are a survivor in my eyes.
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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02-28-2008, 12:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 216
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I am having a down day. Yesterday was my 2 years cancerversary survival as I think you all call it. My lovely husband stuart has just been told he has a brain tumour, and you can imagine my emotion s right now.
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02-28-2008, 01:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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I find this topic to be very interesting.
I have always had an open mind but it is a somewhat analytical
open mind.
If an extremely positive person dies from
their cancer after 3 years, how do we know if he or
she may have died after 1 year if not for their positive
attitude? I don't think we will ever have the answers
to these questions.
I have difficulty dismissing the role of our immune
system in fighting disease and I believe that my
emotions affect my immune system. I don't think
any of our discussions have been about having one
or two "down" days. That's a given.
I know that we have some differing views about this
subject. Some have very strong beliefs - Andi comes
to mind with her interesting, passionate and enthusiastic
Threads. I am glad we can have these discussions. Thanks
Lolly.
__________________
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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02-28-2008, 02:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Janie.......
I am so happy to hear that it is your 2 year cancerversary, kudos to you. And I wanted to express how hearing the news of your husband's health has sent you for a loop. Brain cancer & brain tumors run in my family and my husband has had breast cancer brain mets so I can feel your despair. Nothing I can say will ease the feelings you are going through right now but I hope I have atleast tried to make you feel you are not alone. You are never alone. Wish I could give you a hug right now. Keep us posted on hubby. Prayers for you both today>>Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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02-28-2008, 02:31 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Hmmm...
True, one study does not constitute "proof" of anything - it is another interesting data point. But in one of the articles I thought I saw the researcher quoted as saying "the big advantage was that so many people died" (646 of >1000 in the study whose cancer had not "yet" spread). He sounded a little too excited about that LOL!
__________________
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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02-28-2008, 02:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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I missed that Chrisy - thanks for pointing it out.
The high number of deaths (646 out of 1000+) gave
the "work considerable strength". I'm glad the researchers
were happy about all the deaths ...
Also, the assessments were done from questionnaires.
I'm not sure how accurate I would be describing my
own state of mind. Better to ask my husband
__________________
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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02-28-2008, 05:52 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Yikes, I missed that little nugget of data also, thanks Chrisy. It does seem that researchers are often a bit too removed from the reality of their subjects, but I felt this was important research and wanted to bring it up here. I do appreciate the many positive posts from survivors and feel it's all part of the whole.
Janie, I'm sorry about your double whammy, it's a hard time for you right now, but we're here if you need us.
<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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02-29-2008, 07:53 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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This is happy news for me, since I've struggled for emotional health at different times in my life.
Janie--As Lolly said, we are here. It's a shock to go from a patient/survivor to family member of someone who is ill. Could the tumor be benign? Sending good thoughts your way.
__________________
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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02-29-2008, 01:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 216
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Thank you so much for your support, it has meant the world to me. I dont feel so alone now. My lovely husband Stuart says thank you too.
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03-02-2008, 12:53 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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I believe stress has a significant impact on the immune system and many times I think emotions can go along with the stress. I don't feel there is much harm in the "acute" stress that happens when crisis arises, but I believe there is a direct corrolation between long-term chronic stress and the immune system.
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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