Serum HER-2/neu test result & news
Hello Everyone -
I received some more good news from my last round of complete surveillance labs and tests.
1. My Serum Her-2/neu blood test result came back once again well into the normal range at 7.2 (15 or higher is beyond normal range on this test).
With this result added to my other markers, blood analyses and scans, I feel more comfortable foregoing my "vitamin H" at this time.
The more ways we have to "see" into my microbiology that say cancer is not active, the more I can forge ahead with my life feeling unfettered.
2. My DEXA bone density scan was also stable from 2005 and 2007. It still says I have osteopenia in my hips (at the femoral necks), but that my spine is denser than normal for my age adjusted number. So, I see that I cannot slack on my weightbearing exercises and calcium/vit D intake. Again, we like "stable." (By the way, anyone else who tends to the side of smaller bones, will probably have a similar result, especially regarding the hips.)
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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