Hi Erin and everyone,
I have to second what Jen (saleboat) has to say. None of the stats include long-term Herceptin use on early stagers etc.
From what I have read, Elizabeth Edwards was stage 3, 5+ nodes. Not sure of Her2 status. Yes, it is very sad her cancer has returned, like it is for every other woman out there.
But we have to be positive - the timing of your diagnosis ( and mine) is going to rewrite the stats - we will get herceptin, etc. Even my onc., tops in his field in North America, changed his mind from my initial meeting (Nov. 2006) from a "poorer prognosis" to a "much better prognosis" (Feb. 2007)when the HERA trials and really recent information about Herceptin came out in Dec. and Jan.
I am just reading Audrey's post - she's almost 6 years out, and was stage III - this is terrific!!! We will be there, in 5, 10, 15 years + - also I am hopeful for the women in stage IV who have Tykerb and other newer treatment options that even a year or two ago were not available.
And remember also that I believe the survivors who are out there, leading their lives, NED for awhile are not constantly looking in on this site or others, because they are living their cancer-free lives.
All the best,
Caya
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ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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