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01-25-2007, 10:24 AM
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#1
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Founder - HER2 Support Group
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 361
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A message from Christine...I'm fine
I thank each and every one of you for your concern and prayers. I have confidence that the gamma knife proceedure I went in for early Wednesday morning will work well. I feel very positive, happy, and healthy today. I cannot stress enough how important it is to undergo frequent brain MRIs after dealing with such an onset of brain metastases. I've been going every six months, and without it, I would have never been able to find this new tumor after four and a half years since my last. My tumor was caught very small (> 1 cm) and treatable, and both my doctors and I feel that I will be okay.
Thank you!
Hugs to all,
Christine
Digital pictures of the proceedure to follow!
__________________
1990, July DX 1.1cm er-, pr-
Lumpectomy, 5U4, radiation
1999, June mets to chest and brain
HER2 3+++, er- pr-
AC, Taxol, Herceptin, Gamma Knife (3 treatments) WBR
NED July 2001
December 2001 - Founded HER2 Support Group
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01-25-2007, 10:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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Thank you Christine for posting so soon following your Gamma Knife Treatment. I am happy you feel well enough to do so. I too am confident that this was caught early and you are such an excellent example of why it is so important to stay on top of our cancer. I hope this is the last of it and the road ahead has no more bumps in it for you. Stay well.
__________________
~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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01-25-2007, 10:52 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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AWESOME news Christine...
I TOO feel confident you will be fine, your such a warrior. Take care and God bless.
Rhonda
__________________
Rhonda
Dx 2/1/05, Stage 1, 0 nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER2+ (3.16 Fish)
2/7/05, Partial Mastectomy
5/18/05 Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan)
8/1/05 Finished 33 rads
8/18/05 Started Herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year (last one 8/10/06)
2/1/13...8 year Cancerversary and I am "perfect" (at least where cancer is concerned;)
" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
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01-25-2007, 10:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 477
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Hi Christine,
That is good to hear. Thank you for posting the update. I wish you and Joe well. You do so much for each of us through your efforts and through your spirit. Angels on earth. God bless you both.
Speedy recovery!
Love and peace, Carolyns
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01-25-2007, 11:04 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Woo hoo!!!
Christine,
I feel your confidence and I, too believe you will be fine.
As I said before, I am sending, strength, peace and healing prayers your way.
Karen
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01-25-2007, 11:05 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Christine
So glad to read your post...I am so happy that this was caught early and you will be fine...many prayers have been answered from all of your "family" that you mean the world to on this board.....you once again prove the point of vigilence on the brain MRI's! Sending a big hug and lots of love
__________________
"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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01-25-2007, 11:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Christine
So glad things went well, I knew they would. It is so amazing that in this day you can go in for "brain surgery" and come out feeling terrific. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of being vigilant. I will be scheduling an MRI in the next few weeks just to be safe.
Take care
Love
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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01-25-2007, 11:55 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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So glad to hear things went well. I have never had a brain MRI, but my oncologist agreed to order one for me since I was stage 4 right out of the gate...I have the MRI tomorrow and hope that we can just use it as a baseline in the future (I'm not having any symptoms, but the brain seems to be the only area that hasn't been scanned so far). You are a role model to so many and it helps me to see someone like you with such a positive outlook.
__________________
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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01-25-2007, 11:59 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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Glad to hear you are doing great. Thanks for letting us know so quickly.
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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01-25-2007, 12:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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You are an inspiration
Christine: I'm glad you email us to let us know you are doing fine!
We have met in the past @ the Spanish Landing Park during one of the events that Genentech set up, you were there and so other breast cancer survivors, it was a beautiful day and I got to meet a lot of people. You and I have talked on the phone many many times in the past and you are and have been an inspiration to me, always so positive and encouraging. I want you to know that am praying for you today.
__________________
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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01-25-2007, 01:11 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Christine thanks for the update and so glad to hear you're feeling well and positive.
I wish you a speedy recovery and good health for many more years.
Tricia
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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01-25-2007, 01:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 503
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AMEN!
Maria (MTS)
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01-25-2007, 01:17 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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Christine,
I'm so happy that you are doing well. Your positive attitute is truly an inspiration. Your experience just makes us all aware of how important brain MRIs are. Withing you a speedy recovery.
__________________
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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01-25-2007, 01:23 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Christine
Thank you for posting and I wish you the best of health. The site is a wonderful
one and has so much information for all of us.
patb
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01-25-2007, 02:52 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: California's Gold Country
Posts: 404
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Dear Christine,
Just found out about your latest news. I'm glad that you caught it and got after it right away. Just another reminder of how sneaky "it" is. Thanks to you paving the way, I was able to face my Gamma Knife in 2005 with less fear and more confidence of a positive outcome. You continue to inspire us all.
Love and Big Hugs,
Kim in CA
__________________
Diag. Feb 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes +. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin.
5/1997 Hi Dose Chemo w/ Stem cell rescue. Spent 4 weeks in isolation ward. Then 6 weeks radiation.
9/2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 mos Taxotere/Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stop Taxotere & add Femara .
11/2002 liver resection to remove spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED!
7/2003 Tumor markers rising add Xeloda Disastrous reaction, 8 days hospital, but tumor markers came back to normal!
June -Dec 2004 UW Vaccine Trial.
7/2005 MRI single 11mm brain met
8/2005 Gamma Knife.
Brain MRI @3 months NED!
2006-2011 brain/body still NED
8/04/11 Taking Herceptin break, will monitor with tumor markers.
6/20/12 Tumor markers begin to rise. CA15-3 is 31.3 and Her2 Serum is at 17.1 Decide to repeat in one month.
7/23/12 CA15-3 now 49.3
Her2 Serum 26.8
8/6/12 Back on Herceptin
CA15-3 now 76
Her2 Serum now 49
11/7/12 Add weekly Taxotere for 4 cycles
2/2013 Stopped Taxotere added Perjeta. MRI shows approx. 50% reduction liver mets. CA15-3 still elevated @ 55. Will continue on just Herceptin & Perjeta.
November 2014 Continuing on Herceptin, Perjeta, and
Femara indefinitely. Guess I'm NED again, but watching those tumor markers carefully!
Dec. 2015 PET scan reveals mass in perirectal area of abdomen.biopsy confirms. Still Her2+, but no longer ER+. Bye bye Femara
Jan 2016 Begin Kadcyla
March 2016 PET scan shows tumor now barely visible, still NED everywhere else.
2016/2017 continue Kadcyla
November 2017 brain MRI reveals small focus of T2 hyperintensity with possible 4mm enhancing nodule. Short term follow up MRI suggested. Stay tuned...
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01-25-2007, 02:53 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 127
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yeah!!!!!!! I am so happy that you are feeling well!
Thank you for letting us know! - kim
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01-25-2007, 03:13 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: .
Posts: 211
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Dear Christine
thats great news - you sound so well.
love
lindaw
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01-25-2007, 03:17 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Thank you for posting Christine! I know you will do just fine, but we worry anyway, and so thankful you are feeling well and your docs are happy with the procedure...prayers are ongoing 
<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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01-25-2007, 03:35 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Glad you are doing well!
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for posting. You have been in my thoughts all day, and I was upset yesterday to learn that you had to go through this procedure. It also demonstrates how diligent we all need to be about scheduling our regular MRIs. I hope you continue to feel well, and that you have an uneventful recovery.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
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01-25-2007, 03:57 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Christine,
So glad to hear that things went well ! God Bless
Thinking of you
__________________
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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