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10-15-2006, 03:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 484
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Well, it's surgery for me!!!
I had an MRI on Sept 29 had showed an increase in size in the lesion in my cerebellum. This is the one that had been treated by X-knife (SRS) at Cedars-Sinai in Jan of this year.
We had agreed with my neurosurgeon that as long as there were no symptoms we would be in surveillance mode.
Well on Wed. the 11th in the evening I started to feel a bit off, then on Wed, I was beginning to get nauseated, feel pressure in my head, and by late afternoon my left eye had blurred vision. I called Cedars on Thurs morning, by that evening I was in having a CT scan, they said it was too soon for another MRI, it wouldn't really show them more. The CT showed significant Edema around the lesion, this was causing pressure, and producing the symptoms.
After meeting with my Dr on friday morning the 13th, my two options were to take decadron and watch and wait. Or go for surgery to get the lesion out. Given my symptoms and how quickly they had come on, and the fact that the recommendation was to go ahead with surgery, I have made the decision to go ahead with surgery and it is being scheduled for Wed. Oct 18th at Cedars-Sinai in L.A.
Pretty fast work huh? Oh well...at least I'll get it over with quickly.
Surgery is on the 18th, I'll be in ICU for the first 24 hours, moved into a regular room after that, probably on the 19th. I will likely be in the hospital for 4-5 days.
Anyone who lives in the area is welcome to come visit, hospital tv sucks and I would appreciate the diversion. I will be in Cedars-Sinai in L.A. under the name Esther Butler.
I told Dr. Black that I expected to be able to be physcically fit and functioning by the 10th of Dec., because I had a ski trip planned for Mammoth for that week-end. We have tickets for a Murder Mystery Dinner for the night of Halloween, the 31st, so I fully expect to be functioning by that date. HA!
Well...that's my news for now, kind of sucks, but that's life, and I'll keep plugging away. I feel good about my decision to have surgery, and I'm comfortable that is the appropriate option at this point. Just wish the SRS had done the trick but I got 10 months of great QOL out of it, so that's not bad.
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10-15-2006, 04:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 582
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Esther, you are incredible! I have no doubt you will sail through this surgery and be ready for theatre and skiiing and anything else right on time! We will all be thinking of you and praying for you. My big move from Arizona to Utah is scheduled those same two days, the 19th and 20th. I look forward to it about as much as you do the surgery! I promise I will be thinking of you anyway and praying for all to go well. Hugs, Tricia
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10-15-2006, 04:13 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Hi Esther,
You are in great physical shape. I'm sure that you will do well and have a speedy recovery. Last November my lesion begin to light up and I needed surgery. I had it done Friday afternoon, took a week off of school, and the following Monday I was back teaching 3rd grade. I only took those 6 days off the entire school year last year. I was adament about getting off the decadron as soon as possible because I can't stand the stuff. The area turned out to be radiation necrosis which can be a problem. The area is still lighting up, but not causing problems. At this point I won't allow surgery again unless it starts causing problems. Best of luck and my thoughts will be with you this week. If I were in CA I would come and see you, but I live in the Boston area.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
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10-15-2006, 04:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Your strength and determination will have you back in the swing of things in short order.
________
Web shows
Last edited by sassy; 08-22-2011 at 08:56 AM..
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10-15-2006, 04:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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Esther, sounds like you are doing the right thing. Also getting right in and hopefully, right out. Wishing you a successful at this time. Have you and Steph been hanging out these days? She was having surgery as well. Sending you a big hug, Sandy
__________________
Dx. 03/01, Rt. IBC
AC/Taxatere
Rt. MRM-with graft Lt. simple
5 rads-skin mets
Herceptin, taxol, carboplatin (taxol seem to be the magic drug)
Navelbine & xeloda (did not work)
topical miltex for skin mets
Tykerb/xeloda
thoracentesis x 2 left lung fluid shows cancer cells
Port removal (4 years) with power port replacement
Doxil
Updated 05-07 Scans show no bone or organ involvement we shall see!
I shall not pass this way again. Any good I can do or any kindness that I can show let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.
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10-15-2006, 05:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 752
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Esther;
I am thrilled that you have the wonderful Dr. Black as your surgeon. All the best to you and I'm sure you will be absolutely fine. Take care. God bless.
Cathy
__________________
Cathy
Diagnosed Oct. 2004 3 cm ductal, lumpectomy Nov. 2004
Diagnosed Jan. 2005 tumor in supraclavicular node
Stage 3c, Grade 3, ER/PR+, Her2++
4 AC, 4 Taxol, Radiation, Arimidex, Actonel
Herceptin for 9 months until Muga dropped and heart enlarged
Restarting herceptin weekly after 4 months off
Stopped herceptin after four weekly treatments....score dropped to 41
Finished 6 years Arimidex
May 2015 diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Stage 1C
started 6 treatments of carboplatin/taxol
Genetic testing show BRCA1 VUS
Nice! My hair came back really curly. Hope it lasts lol. Well it didn't but I liked it so I'm now a perm lady
29 March 2018 Lung biopsy following chest CT showing tumours in pleura of left lung, waiting for results to the question bc or ovarian
April 20, 2018 BC mets confirmed, ER/PR+ now Her2-
Questions about the possibility of ovarian spread and mets to bones so will be tested and monitored for these.
To begin new drug Palbociclib (Ibrance) along with Letrozole May, 2018.
Genetic testing of ovarian tumour and this new lung met will take months.
To see geneticist to be retested for BRCA this week....still BRCA VUS
CA125 has declined from 359 to 12 as of Aug.23/18
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10-15-2006, 06:20 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Esther,
I'm sure you'll fly through the surgery and here's wishing 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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10-15-2006, 06:42 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 438
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Ester,
You give us all hope. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs,
Karen
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10-15-2006, 07:24 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Esther, good for you jumping right on this. I saw you post about your MRI on another board - I know you must be disappointed to be dealing with this again so soon. I can tell you feel confident in your decision and you know you are in the best of hands. I'll be thinking of you and praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery so you can get back to your normal "warp speed" soon.
Best of luck
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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10-15-2006, 08:28 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Ha, "warp speed", I like that as it describes you perfectly! I'll be sending you lots of healing thoughts, so you can be up and at em soon.
<3 Lolly
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10-15-2006, 08:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 329
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Dear Esther,
You are an amazing woman and you have to come to Whistler for skiing after your recovery. I'm sure you will like it here. I love to see you skiing on Blackcomb and I know you will rock here. This is another hard jump, but as usual you will do fine.
Big hug to you,
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10-16-2006, 09:15 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 301
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Esther-
you are amazing, especially with that attitude. it will get you far, and know that you have our support to back it up.
good luck on the 18th!!
Shell
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10-16-2006, 09:44 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: northshore suburb of chicago
Posts: 1,093
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I wish you the best and hope all goes well. Stay positive and it sounds like you are in excellent hands. I hope your recuperation is fast and goes 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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10-16-2006, 11:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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Hard choices, but right or wrong I think I'd make the same one, Esther. Glad you have some very bright minds to work with there... looking forward to hearing about your trip to Mammoth!
AlaskaAngel
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10-16-2006, 01:15 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 722
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Esther,
Wishing you all the best............I'm sure you'll cruise through this one.........I just bought myself new Volkls today.....see ya on the slopes.
Al
__________________
Primary care-giver to and advocate for Linda, who passed away April 27, 2006.
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10-17-2006, 04:59 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Good Luck Esther
You Are Such A Trooper Esther.....
Keep Those Future Plans Coming. That Is What Life Is All About. You Will Be There To See Them All Fulfilled.
Good Luck My Friend.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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10-17-2006, 05:40 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Norway
Posts: 58
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Good luck with your surgery!!! Since I was diagnosed with BC April 2004, we have been doing a lot of travelling. Don't know what we would have done without it. So speady recovery!!
Love Toril
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10-17-2006, 11:37 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Esther,
Best of luck and stay strong...Fight the fight !
Susan V
__________________
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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10-17-2006, 05:27 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
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Esther-You sound so awesome-what a great attitude and spirit you have-a real lesson for me . my best wishes and best of luck to you. Ceesun
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10-17-2006, 07:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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This cancer ...
... can REALLY mess with our heads! No - this is not just a '60's expression, it is "for real!"
Your symptoms sound more scary than mine prior to surgery. I really had none either before Gamma Knife or with the necrosis. And - if I recall the position of your tumor - you will not have the dreaded post-op fluid problem from work in the posterior fossa (like me and Jojo).
And only with the surgery will anyone know for sure what is causing the increased enhancement and edema. Sorry you have to get friendly with the Decadron again. At least with my surgery last week, there was no need for anything like Decadron since they were not going past my brain covering.
My neurosurgeon told me (as well as my Gamma doc) that it is RARE to have ALL radiation necrosis causing the problem. (Hubby told me that we already knew I was "rare.")
If your surgery is not down on your neck (like mine has been), you should be fine for moving around and doing things. It is the Decadron that will bother you the most.
Will be waiting to hear some good results from you, Brave One.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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