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10-13-2012, 10:53 PM
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#21
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Thank you for your response.
I take the Brca test on Monday.
I think this will help with my decisions.
Learning to live in the moment. Perhaps this is my lesson.
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10-14-2012, 10:27 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Raz,
It sounds like you are making good decisions based on exploring all the information you can find about your cancer.
Good luck with the BRCA test - hoping it comes back negative!
I'm not a big fan of chemotherapy, but I am of targeted therapies such as Herceptin, Tykerb, etc.
There was a study or two about 9 weeks of Herceptin instead of an entire year. I would consider using Herceptin or a cancer vaccine in a clinical trial - if you can.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
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10-15-2012, 04:37 PM
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#23
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
My treatment will include chem and herceptin I chose the chemo because I do not feel there is much difference between .4 and.5 cm. I'm gonna kill this $)&@/?! Cancer.
Radiation and hormones gives me an 88 % chance of no recurrence. However the her2neu may still be in the bloodstream. It came from somewhere and since I don't know where I am going to attack it with chemo and herceptin. This give me a 94% chance of it not returning to my body. I wasn't always an A student but it is time to get better grades.
Also when I asked the oncologist to put her sister in my place she said she would recommend chemo.
Thanks for listening and reading.
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10-15-2012, 05:05 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 58
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Re: Diagnosed this month
You can do this Raz. You are not alone. One thing to try to remember to allow yourself to feel. Feel any emotion that comes along, and know that they are all normal. Keep your chin up.
__________________
Laureen (laurie)
Diagnosed 8/10/06 (found own lump)at 35
Her 2 +++, er-/pr-
4 A/C 8-29-06 to 11-06
Lumpectomy, node dissection- 11/30/06
Pathology report stage IIIC
1 tumor 3 cm
10 of 15 nodes +
12 Taxol 12/18/06-03/06/07
Herceptin 12/18/06- 12/11/2007 done!!! yeah!!!
33 rads started 3/22/07, done!! yeah!! 5/07/07
Lymphedema diagnosed 2/1/07
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
port out 1/10/08
pregnant after 6 yeas of trying- due mid feb.
Ryder David born Feb. 6th 2009
Pregnant with baby #2, due in early june 2011.
*reach to recovery volunteer
*survivor recruitment committee -relay for life
*imerman angels
*making strides- team courage
*livestrong
*young survivor coalition YSC
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10-17-2012, 10:44 PM
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#25
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hello,
Thanks Laureen. This forum is so helpful. Puts me at ease so i can get my head and emotions under control..
Curious about my lumpectomy. Why is the incision feeling so hard?
Did anyone else have this feeling?
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10-20-2012, 03:40 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hi Raz,
More than likely that is scare tissue and healing forming form the lumpectomy....time in healing but have your dr. check the area to be sure.
Best wishes with your treatment...you were wise to check and move forward.
Kind Regards,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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10-30-2012, 08:49 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 62
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hello Raz, I was dx 3/20/12 age 44. Stage 1, Grade 3, 1 cm, node neg, er+ 90%, pr+ 90% her2+. I was first told radiation only then got results for her2+ which bought me 4 rnds TCH. I have finished Chemo, 30 rads, herceptin every 3 weeks, started tamoxifen 9/24 and feeling great. It all sucks but it's the hand I was dealt and I'm going to play it to win. My advice to you is do what they tell you to do from exercising your arm to using the creams and oils during and after radiation. Hang in there we're all in this together. It's the sisterhood none of us wanted to be a member of. Did you have a port put in?
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10-30-2012, 10:27 PM
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#28
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Thanks everyone. I start chemo in a few weeks - 8 rounds.
My BRCA came back negative. That was a relief.
I'm worried about my heart and weight gain. So I am working out in preparation of chemo
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10-31-2012, 05:00 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,173
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hang in there Raz, your doing great! Not everyone gains weight. I didn't gain any weight through out treatment or while on AIs. Take care and Gods blessings to you. Please know that you are in my prayers. Peace my friend. Nancy
__________________
dx 11/12/09 IDCI
Stage 3a
ER 98% PR 80%
Her2 +3
4/12 nodes
6 rounds TCH
Herceptin 12 months 3weeks
Rad. 30 tx
Tamoxifin 6 months stopped
Arimedex stopped 9/12 (side effects)
Aromasin 10/12
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10-31-2012, 06:17 AM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 103
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hi Raz,
Your diagnosis is soooooo similar to mine. I had an 7 mm tumor, Stage 1, and no positive lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy in November of 2011. My scar and area 1 inch around it is still hard. I've been told that is normal. I had 6 rounds of TCH, and 15 rounds of herceptin, so far. I get my last herceptin treatment on December 10.
You'll do fine...
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11-15-2012, 07:29 PM
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#31
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hello everyone,
I am starting to get really scared and nervous and wondering about my chemo decision. My chemo stars on 11/29. I will have 6 rounds every 21 days and the Herceptin to follow. My MUga test is next week along with my port insertion. This all seems so unreal.
Poisoning myself to heal myself all for a .4 cm invasive her2neu+++ tumor.
.4 cm is so f$&@ing small. Just needed to vent. Thanks for being here.
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11-15-2012, 07:49 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 418
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Venting is good for you and this is the perfect place to do it. I think the waiting to start chemo is the worst time - it's fear of the unknown but once it gets going you'll feel more like the fighter you are. And remember, cancer grows if it's left alone so that tiny tumor would eventually be the beast that could do you great harm. Best to kick it's tiny little ass now. Ports are wonderful and only a little nuisance. Keep coming back and venting whenever you feel like it. And keep letting us know how you are doing.
__________________
Joni -64 yrs old -
3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast
3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated
3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear
3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side
4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides
5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo
07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side.
07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin
08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont.
12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks
4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc.
5/2011 - NED!!! port out.
8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED
7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed.
2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.
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11-16-2012, 06:18 AM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 103
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hi Raz,
My lumpectomy scar is still very hard, and I had my surgery on 11-18-11. I go back to the breast surgeon on Monday. I plan to ask if that is normal. If I find out any earth-shattering news, I'll share it with you. Don't stress too much about the TCH. It will be ok..... just take a deep breath!
__________________
Helen
dx 10-31-11
Stage 1 Grade 3 (7mm tumor)
Lumpectomy 11-18-11
Er- Pr- Her2+++
0/5 nodes - no positive lymph nodes
Port installed 1-6-12
6 Rounds TCH
Rad. 33 tx
Last herceptin 12-10-12
Port removed 1-3-13
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11-29-2012, 08:30 PM
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#34
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Well I had my first chemo today. I am recovering at home and seem to be fine aside from some heartburn. I am so happy that I took all of this advice from this forum with me. It was extremely helpful. I know it may get worse but I'm trying to live each day at a time. Thank you ladies.
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11-29-2012, 09:02 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 62
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Re: Diagnosed this month
So glad to hear it Raz...now we begin the countdown. Tell your Dr about the heartburn...I went for quite sometime before saying anything and what a relief when I started taking something. Hang in there. 1 down girlfriend...Woohoo!!
__________________
**********************************
05/2011 Mammogram - Clear
3/12/12 Found Lump Lt Breast (BSE).
3/13/12 44th Birthday, Mammogram, Ultrasound.
3/15/12 Needle Biopsy on Lump and Suspicious Node.
3/20/12 Dreadful "C" Word.
ER90% PR90% Her2+
1 cm, IDC, Stage 1, Grade 2
4/19/12 Portecath, Lumpectomy & Sentinel Node Removal. 0/4 Node Involvement...Yea!!
Margins Clear......Yea!!
5/17/12 Chemo Begins. TCH x 4.
Herceptin Weekly x 4, every 3 wks thereafter for 1 yr. Muga Scans every 3 mos.
8/13/12 Rads x 30
9/24/12 Start Tamoxifen
10/22/12 CT/Whole Body Bone Scan. No Cancer Detected......Yea!
1/31/13 Annual Mammogram and Ultrasound....NED....:)
5/23/13 Final Herceptin Appt
6/25/13 Port Removal
5/2017 Stop Tamoxifen (Thickening of Uterine Walls)
5/2017 Start Arimadex
6/2018 Start Lupron Shot
9/2019 Stop Arimidex and Lupron Shot
6/2020 Last Oncology Appt
4/2024 NED (No Evidence of Disease)
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12-02-2012, 10:09 AM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 62
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Hey Raz...just checking on you. Let me know how you're doing when you feel up to it.
__________________
**********************************
05/2011 Mammogram - Clear
3/12/12 Found Lump Lt Breast (BSE).
3/13/12 44th Birthday, Mammogram, Ultrasound.
3/15/12 Needle Biopsy on Lump and Suspicious Node.
3/20/12 Dreadful "C" Word.
ER90% PR90% Her2+
1 cm, IDC, Stage 1, Grade 2
4/19/12 Portecath, Lumpectomy & Sentinel Node Removal. 0/4 Node Involvement...Yea!!
Margins Clear......Yea!!
5/17/12 Chemo Begins. TCH x 4.
Herceptin Weekly x 4, every 3 wks thereafter for 1 yr. Muga Scans every 3 mos.
8/13/12 Rads x 30
9/24/12 Start Tamoxifen
10/22/12 CT/Whole Body Bone Scan. No Cancer Detected......Yea!
1/31/13 Annual Mammogram and Ultrasound....NED....:)
5/23/13 Final Herceptin Appt
6/25/13 Port Removal
5/2017 Stop Tamoxifen (Thickening of Uterine Walls)
5/2017 Start Arimadex
6/2018 Start Lupron Shot
9/2019 Stop Arimidex and Lupron Shot
6/2020 Last Oncology Appt
4/2024 NED (No Evidence of Disease)
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12-04-2012, 09:21 AM
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#37
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Ladies,
This is rough. I am on day 5 post chemo round 1 and still feel really weak.
I was hoping to get back to work but I can't seem to pull it together.
Luckily i can work from home. Yikes. This is so hard.
For someone who rarely gets sick this is quite the challenge.
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12-04-2012, 09:31 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 418
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Raz - chemo is rough and it's not surprising that you still feel weak. For me it usually took at least a week after a treatment to start feeling very gradually better each day until I felt almost good again-just in time for the next treatment. You will discover that your body is in charge now and you'll be pretty limited in energy for the time you are doing chemo. I felt better if I did just the mildest form of physical activity - walking around the house 3 or 4 times, sometimes 5 minutes on the recumbent bike but sometimes I couldn't even manage that. Just don't overdo because your reserves are just not going to be the same as before you started chemo. And let the people around you do as much as possible so you can save your energy for things you want to do. Working from home is such a great option and will help you both physically and mentally. The one thing cancer and chemo taught me is patience (which I had little of before). I would have preferred to learn it another way but, hey, my husband says it's a real improvement so I guess that's a good thing. Hope each day will be better.
__________________
Joni -64 yrs old -
3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast
3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated
3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear
3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side
4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides
5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo
07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side.
07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin
08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont.
12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks
4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc.
5/2011 - NED!!! port out.
8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED
7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed.
2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.
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12-04-2012, 09:38 AM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gloucester City, NJ
Posts: 73
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Welcome Raz and Zingy. The ladies here make the breast cancer journey less stressful. You are both in my prayers.
__________________
Baseline Mammogram November 2010, found 2 suspicious calcifications (right side).
Second Mammogram April 2011, found 2 masses in the right breast, 1 in the lymph node and 1 in the left breast.
3 Biopsies May 11, 2011
Diagnosed right Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer which spread to my lymph node 5-13-2011.
Between Stage 2 and 3 with tumors grade III. ER/PR- but Her2neu+++
PET Scan clear
Breast MRI showed 2 masses in left, 5 in the right and 2 in the lymph node.
Biopsy of left mass benign
Joined clinical trial which required second biopsy of one of the right masses
Port placed May 27, 2011
Began Chemo (Taxol, Herceptin and Tykerb) on June 1, 2011 - September 12, 2011
Bi-lateral Mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders) October 3, 2011
FEC 12 weeks
Radiation 6 weeks
Herceptin 8 months finish September 2012
Exchange surgery August 3, 2012
Been NED since October 2011
Lymphedema right arm since Nov 2013
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12-04-2012, 09:53 AM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Diagnosed this month
Joni pretty much said it all. Chemo can be rough but keep your eye on the prize! I remember days I could barely walk the dog to the corner and back. But we got through it and so will you. Keep the faith
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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