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02-14-2008, 09:48 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Now this is nice to hear...less of us are kicking the bucket from BREAST CANCER
__________________
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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02-14-2008, 11:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,778
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I have a different "take" on this
It seems that the vast majority of those with non-her2+, non-triple negative
breast cancer may be grossly overtreated to the extent that they are now more likely to die of the longterm side effects of the treatment than the disease.
Balance this with those who have been helped by herceptin, turning her2+ BREAST CANCER from a worse prognosis type to one for which there is effective treatment (even though it doesn't work in everyone and some develop late resistance)--these survivors for whom herceptin worked and who did not become resistant to it may now also be more likely to die of the longterm side effects of the treatments
This makes it more and more imperative to determine the least toxic combination of treatments sufficient to do the job. This is difficult as clinical trials generally have one arm with the "standard of care" and the other with the "standard of care" PLUS the investigational agent(s)
How clinical trials are formulated may need rethinking!
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02-14-2008, 12:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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Let's pray for the day when all breast cancer victims die from unrelated diseases. Better yet - lets pray for a day when there are no new cases of breast cancer.
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02-14-2008, 02:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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I just have to say that I find the term "kicking the bucket" a bit insensitive....
but I am all for the sentiment.
__________________
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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02-14-2008, 02:49 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,380
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Lani, you are right on! I could not agree more with your statements.
Hopeful
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02-14-2008, 07:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Lani, you made a very good point. It's tough to find the balance. Bonnie, I thought the same thing at first, but I'm sure Jean chose her words carefully, and if we think about it, what phrase or words are best to use without upsetting someone? All of them can be offensive, I guess to some. Just my opinion. Love, Bill
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02-15-2008, 07:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Bonnie,
Gee, I am truly sorry if I have offended you or anyone else. To be called insensitive is a bit harsh for me, all of my posts since I first began posting have always been one of support, helpfulness and a strong desire to pay back. The term kick the bucket is an
old English term and I used it with a sense of humor - since I just felt like lightening the load of the subject material. I in no way or manner meant it in a nasty way. I would have hoped by now since I have posted often that I would not have been judged in that manner.
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
Last edited by Jean; 02-16-2008 at 12:57 AM..
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02-15-2008, 09:36 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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Jean,
I actually laughed at the title of your post! I try to have some sort of humor about parts of this--which keeps me sane (when I am feeling sane-LOL)! I really want to see that new movie "The Bucket List". I have heard that it is funny, and lighthearted even with the subject matter!
Have a great weekend!
__________________
Krista
Diagnosed 3/29/2007 @ age 34
Stage 1, Node Neg. (SNB), Grade 2, 1.4 cm. IDC
ER/PR 90%+ HER2 +
6 TCH started 5/25/2007, ended after #5 due to steroid "reactions" and neuropathy in feet and hands
BUT--#6 CH w/o Taxotere
Begin Herceptin alone 9/28/2007
30 rads completed 12/19/2007
Finish Herceptin 5/9/2008
Stopped Tamoxifen early--HATED it.
Married 17 years
13-year old son
3 embies on ice (from 1999)
GA, USA
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02-15-2008, 10:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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I may have inherited the gene from my mother and am following in her footsteps with breast cancer. But what is interesting is our course of history with the disease is so vastly different. My mastectomy alone is not even close to what hers looked like and to me that is an good reflection on the differences in the course of the disease.
Another significant difference is the amount of information we are able to analyze from the biology of the tumor cell. This enables treatment to be that much more specific and individualized, something not availabe during the time my mother was receiving treatment. The advances and changes are very encouraging.
I have not met many as caring and compassionate as Jean. She was my rock of gibralter (sp?) during my treatment. I have a very deep appreciation to her that comes straight from my heart. Her knowledge that she so generously shares, her concern and her attitude were invaluable to me and I say this with all sincerity.
Harrie (maryanne)
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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02-15-2008, 10:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Maryanne, that is an interesting vantage point you bring, the difference between generations. Did your mother receive chemotherapy? A woman in my support group has an aunt who received chemo 30 years ago. Imagine how refined it has become since then.
__________________
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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02-15-2008, 11:12 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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My mother had a radical mastectomy on one side and a modified on the other. Both looked extemely disfiguring to me. They took her chest wall on the radical and I don't know how many lymph nodes so she had to deal with lymphedema. I don't think they even knew about DCIS and no one had a lumpectomy. Yet she lived a good 20 yrs dispite her much more advanced stages of br ca. Yes, she did have chemo also. She was a very strong woman inside. Throughout all this she raised her 3 daughters as a single mom since my dad died at the age of 42.
__________________
*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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02-15-2008, 11:18 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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I agree, Bonnielass, things have come a long way over the years. Our mother's chemotherapy is not our's. Love to ya, Bill
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02-16-2008, 01:43 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Krista,
Yes, a sense of humor is key and helps to keep the lid on life, plus it is a great way to cope. I have seen Jack Nicelson's new movie and it was great. Have you seen the movie "Somthing Got To Give" if not, you must, it is just fantastic. As you can see I am a major fan of Mr. Nickelson.
Maryanne and Bill, thank you both for your kind support, which I value
and appreicate. As you both know we have been posting a long time on the
site. With over 1, 200 posts to date, I have always been a supportive
member by responding to others and posting articles that have offered
the sharing of information. I have always repected the nature and
spirt of our forum. I noticed that many members have stopped posting
due to a wave of unpleasant and biting behavior, which is certainly
not in keeping with why we are here. Therefore, I think I will take a
break from posting. I wish all my dear friends a wonderful Passover
and Easter holiday.
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
Last edited by Jean; 02-16-2008 at 03:47 AM..
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02-16-2008, 07:35 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Jean,
Yes, you are right.........a sense of humor is definitely key to surviving this thing called "life!" Geez, without that I don't know where I'd be. Of course we all know breast cancer is serious stuff...............as is any disease or tragedy...................but yes, to "lighten the load" as you say, in any way we can, is something we can give ourselves as a way of dealing with the fears and uncertainty of the "serious" stuff.
Thanks Jean for your always thoughtful, supportive posts to each of us here on the board. YOU dear friend are a gift to each of us.
Love & Peace as you walk today,
MaryJo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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02-16-2008, 08:27 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 29
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yes, it is wonderful to hear that less people are passing away from breast cancer, but I can't shake from that article it's only the one's who didn't have positive nodes. Blanche 3a 7 positive nodes her2 positive and er and pr positive.
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02-16-2008, 08:37 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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I guess my mother is beating the odds...she celebrates 20 years next month as a survivor with 13 positive nodes.....although back then Her2 was not tested.
Jean, I for one treasure your wisdom, and your sense of humor...if it wasn't for things like this that make me laugh, I don't know if I'd be here. Please don't stay a stranger for long, we will miss you.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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02-16-2008, 12:06 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Jean,
Your knowledge and support has helped so many, me being one. I am saddened by you taking a break for awhile.
Know you are loved!
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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02-16-2008, 01:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Jean,
Please don't stay away long. I always read
your posts because of your thoughtfulness,
caring and compassion. I'm sorry you need
to take this break - please hurry back.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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02-16-2008, 02:29 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Dear Jean
I am sure you meant no harm and I myself did not take it as such. I know this is such a sensitive subject for so many, especially those who have lost someone they love.. and I can understand
Myself, I always think I must have a weird sense of humor since I find myself kidding as much as I can about my illness. Its the only way I find I can survive this.. I am sure when my time comes, I will do my share of crying (and I must say I have my moments now) but for the most part I could very well lose my sanity if not for finding some type of humor in all of this horror. I would never ever laugh at someone's saddness but I can with my own.
Take care my friend... and keep laughing (its the best medicine and it's free and not toxic)
__________________
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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