***What was your date of dx, stage, treatment and current status...???***

[Johnnag85]

Age 38 at DX,
Felt lump 6-05, had mamm and was DX 6-13-06 with invasive ductal carcinoma. Had lumpectomy 6-21-06. Found 1- 1cm lump, and 4 smaller lumps, 6 of 13 nodes positive. Her2+++, stage 3a. Started chemo 7-05 4 cycles AC, followed by Taxol, 1x per wk for 12 wks, started Herceptin also, 1x per week. Had MUGA at beginning, heart strength was at 76%. 1/2/06 Had 2nd lumpectomy to check status of invasive cancer, only insitu cancer found with clear margins at original lump site. (Med Onc wanted me to get a mastectomy, surg. Onc. wanted me to do radiation and monitor breast) I opted for radiation. Did 7 wks of radiation on right breast. 5-06 began to have dizzy spells, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue. MUGA found my heart had weakened to 46% over the 6 months from the Herceptin. Stopped Herceptin immediately. Had ab and chest CT , found a dozen nodules on both lungs. Had PET scan, inconclusive...of course

Johnna

[Mary Jo]

Wow Johanna - I'm so sorry. At one of our visits to our oncologists, our nurse (the one who takes all of our phone calls etc.) gave my husband a button to wear on his work jacket that says "cancer sucks!" How true is that.

Keep trying to find the joy while we walk this earth. There is lots to be found - even when it is hard to find.

God Bless

marejo

[Johnnag85]

Marejo-

Thank You, I apreciate that. It does suck, but it also puts life into perspective, doesnt it? Its too bad it takes something like that to make you see it.
Johnna