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03-23-2007, 10:49 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: California
Posts: 27
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Good Evening all..... Our local ABC affilate called our local chapter of the american cancer society and wanted to run a story on our local women fighting breast cancer and the american cancer society called me up to do the interview...of course I wanted to talk about it and my background is marketing so I went.... and I felt very honored to represent "our" group... My main focus was based on getting my diagnosis... because they had assured me that it couldnt be breast cancer because I was too young, no family history, and breast cancer didnt hurt.... I took this oppurtunity to tell everyone who was watching.... That cancer has No bounaries, No limits and wasnt prejudice... and that it COULD happen to you... be your own advocate..... you have the right and you owe to yourself to get that 2nd opinion..... it might save your life. I am 31, have NO family history and my first sign and only for awhile was pain in the breast..... if that helps one woman think twice that would make me happy. You all are awesome... and thank you all for the support of "our" group....May God bless you all!!!
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Tricia Velasquez
Bakersfield, Ca
dx Jan 4 2007
er+/pr- her2 +++ Stage 3b
several tumors
largest 7cm
port placed on Jan 18, 2007
Chemo started Jan 22, 2007
Herceptin/ Taxol every 3d week and then my Dr changed me to Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin
every 3d week
Right Mastectomy w/ Lymph Node Dissection 4/19/07
27 removed 9 positive
Margins-clear but wall to wall
Radiation scheduled for 6/07
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03-24-2007, 04:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 144
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Hi everyone
I am only remotely aware of Elizabeth Edwards - a 2 sec flash at the end of the news a couple of days ago here in Australia - and I feel sad that another woman has to endure this disease. But I agree - you are all having such an impact on the community of people affected by BC and HER2BC, and your imact is immense for the community and cameraderie that comes from your sharing and support - I am glad you are here and this website is here for us all.
Belinda
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Belinda
- Diagnosed 3 Jan 2007, Stage IIb, Mastectomy and axillary clearance 10 Jan 07, 6 of 19 nodes affected, multi-focal cancer, HER2 positive. Second mastectomy (prophylactic). Chemo - AC 3 months, Taxol 3 months - then radiation 5 weeks.
- Aug 2011 - Diagnosed with Stage IV mets to lung, sternum and 12 or so thoracic nodes - Rads to Sternum, then weekly abraxane and herceptin for 12 weeks.
- May 2012- good scans - all nodes still about normal size, hole in sternum repairing, lung tumour 'obliterated'.
Ongoing herceptin every 3 weeks. Bloods still all good! Life good!
- March 2013 - recurrence - tumours in lungs and mediastinum (coughing up blood) - immediate radiation treatment to right lung and mediastinum, still on Herceptin, and 3 months of Vinoralbine - stable for a little while!
- Coughing and breathlessness started again September 2013, treated as radiation-induced fibrosis (which can be seen on scans - albeit stable). ie puffers, steroids
- January 2014 - cough becomes bloody again, scans show big mediastinal tumour wrapped around and choking the life out of my right main bronchus, radiation deemed off limits as my lungs are hypersensitive to radiation (measured by existing damage from 2013) .....................- ie I am in the 5% of people likely to suffer severe radiation damage to the lungs that they warn you about before starting treatment! (so special! :) )
- Started chemo Feb 2014 - continuing Herceptin (continuous since Aug 2011), with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Discontinued Gemcitabine because of se's. Starting cycle 5 Herc/Carbo 5 May 2014.
- Meantime.....coughing and breathlessness increased to SCARY levels with racing heartbeat that won't slow down, breath that won't come back, even just walking to the bathroom or up 3 or 4 steps.
- ICU from May 5 2014, collapsed right lung due to tumour, small pulmonary embolism (left), tumours growing in mediastinum left and right, dvt lower right leg
- Plan seems to be bronchoscope next week to see if tumour can be lasered and stent inserted in right bronchus to reopen air access to lower parts of right lung. If that is successful might be able to have brachytherapy to worst tumour, otherwise no more options for external radiotherapy.
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03-24-2007, 04:54 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
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My sentiments exactly-I was deeply saddened that she recurred-but that would be for anyone.I also know that I would be very upset if I had cameras in my face while trying to beat back the beast-
I love this board and all the people on it-I don't post much but I am on everyday and it helps me tremendously-Diana
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03-24-2007, 07:40 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 50
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I come to this board every day too since joining earlier this month. I don't have much to contribute yet as a "newbie", but the wisdom of the women on this board helps me so much. I have gotten private messages from several women too and I appreciate that so much.
Great job Tricia on getting the word out about BC not being a respector of age.
God's blessings to all of you!
__________________
Susan in VA
Determined to be a VICTOR not VICTIM - by the grace of God!
DX 2/8/07 at 48
1.75 cm IDC in left breast, Stage 1
Grade 3, ER-/PR-/HER 3+
Lumpectomy 3/7/07, 5/5 nodes clear, clear margins
Starting TCH on 4/9/07, every 3 weeks X 4 treatments - Completed on 6/12/2007
33 rads to began 7/2/07 and completed on 8/22/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until April '08
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