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11-25-2006, 11:12 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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Kevin, I'm sure you know that it's one day at a time right now, but the internet can be a great resource. Also scary though. Try not to let the more negative aspects of this type of cancer throw you. As Michele says, there's much hope.
<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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11-26-2006, 05:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Hope does abound, especially in the hearts and souls of the incredible women on this site! Sometimes my research scares me spitless, but I just take a deep breath and keep on, soon finding that little spark or even a flame of encouragement in the courage and power of those who have paved the way for us. Keep learning, and most of all, keep believing in the victory you seek. Every time I ask questions, I get not just answers, but a big hope boost! Keep making memorable moments together ... they will get you through the tough times. Best wishes for a peaceful day,
__________________
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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11-26-2006, 12:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Kevin,
Please keep us posted on Sue's progress....share with her the good news that you find on the internet, and on this site. Sounds like one thing is for sure, she has a great support system in you !!!! These unbearable/difficult times are easier when shared with the one you love. I wish you all the best.
__________________
Susan V - Pittsburgh PA
DX Age 37 on August 3, 2006
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR + (Highly Positive)
Her 2 +++
1.3 & 1.2 tumors right breast
node negative
lumpectomy 8-15-06
A/C Began 9-5-06 Finished A/C 11/6/06
Port Placement 9-15-06
Negative Test for BRAC1 & BRAC2 10-25-06
Began Tamoxofin November 21, 2006
First Herceptin November 27, 2006 Continues every 3 Weeks
First Radiation Treatment December 11, 2006
35 Rads Completed
Final Herceptin Treatment November 12, 2007
Port Removal November 19, 2007
Living Life to the Fullest !!
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11-26-2006, 05:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Kevin,
I'm so sorry you and Sue are having to face this, but glad that you are facing it together. It is really hard for the loved ones - but you are helping by being there for her and by searching for information. Knowledge is power.
As you may have read by now, the Her2+ cancer WAS associated with poor prognosis. I say WAS because those statistics were before the use of adjuvant Herceptin. Now it is considered by some to be one of the more favorable diagnoses. So please do not be disheartened by all the doom and gloom - the game has changed significantly just in the past year.
Take it one step at a time.
Take care
chris
__________________
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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11-26-2006, 05:55 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 250
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Dear Kevin,
I'm so sorry to hear your news-- we don't want anyone else to join our club!!! Please keep holding onto each other, and to the extent that you can, take it one day at a time. For me, the newly diagnosed stage was the most frought with anxiety, and once you have a game plan in place, and learn more about your foe, you'll start to feel more power over the situation.
Please know that there is a lot of hope for us Her2 patients. It is a bad news/good news diagnosis. It is an aggressive type of bc to have, but it is now one of the most treatable becauase of Herceptin. Plus there are other drugs in the pipeline that hopefully will one day lead to a cure.
I'm finished chemo just over a year ago, and life is largely back to normal. I think it will always haunt me, but I'm back to living my life, traveling, spending time with my loved ones...all the good stuff that life offers.
I wish you all the best.
Namaste.
Jen
__________________
dx 4/05 @ 34 y.o.
Stage IIIC, ER+ (90%)/PR+ (95%)/HER2+ (IHC 3+)
lumpectomy-- 2.5 cm 15+/37 nodes
(IVF in between surgery and chemo)
tx dd A/C, followed by dd Taxol & Herceptin
30 rads (or was it 35?)
Finished Herceptin on 7/24/06
Tamox
livingcured.blogspot.com
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." -- Helen Keller
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11-26-2006, 07:59 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Dear Kevin,
I am so sorry that Sue has been dx with bc, but you have found a great
site for up to date information from a wonderful group who are birght
strong and most important KIND and SUPPORTIVE.
We can all relate to your fear and sadness - but believe me it does get
better. It is a difficult and often you will feel like you are on a emotional
roller coaster, but you will find the inner strength to fight back and beat
this dreadful disease. In the beginning I was so frightened but that fear
made me serch and search again and again. Never give up seeking additional
information - this action saved me. You have found many friends here
who will always help.
Best wishes on the 5th and please let us know how Sue is.
Jean
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11-26-2006, 09:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Hi Kevin.
Welcome. You're doing the right thing. It takes a long time to absorb all this knowledge. If you randomly look at the internet, you see scary things that may not apply. Pre-surgery was the worst for me, thinking I was doomed. It gets better.
I had my own surgery delay. I was in the hospital, prepped and ready to go and they realized they didn't have the nuclear medicine to do the sentinel node biopsy. Changed hospitals after that.
Will you be doing sentinel node? Not to scare you, but the tumor size can be different from what the docs expect.
Best of luck. It's a tough road, but you will do it. No reason to think you'll not live happily ever after at this point. BB
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