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03-24-2008, 10:56 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Media (Wawa to be exact), PA
Posts: 104
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I am homeagain
I apologize for "dropping out of sight" the last several months I have had a series of unfortunate events occur in my life and have not been on the boards for quite sometime. They say that God does not give us anything we can not handle.... and that is true, but sometimes I ask why does my plate have to be this full? My mother passed away unexpectedly the day after Thanksgiving. I was designated the executrix and have deal with so much paper work that I now think I could write a book called Inheritance taxes for Dummies. Top that off with a very uncooperative brother who is along with one cousin the only family I have left. But I have managed to put things in proper perspective finally, and now chose to look at the silver lining in this cloud. My Mom did not suffer and was surrounded by friends and family Thanksgiving day. My health is good and just received a clean Mammo last week. Finished HErceptin, and have started Aromsin as planned. My little cockapoo who I have been treating with bladder cancer since last April is still ok despite some growth of her tumor. She will not go thru chemo....
I feel as tho I have fallen done on the job so to speak. It was a pledge to myself to "pay it forward" with all the support that was given to me when I was first diagnosed. THings have settled down now and the dust has settled somewhat so I will be back in the saddle so to speak on a more regular basis. I have just started reading posts. I have missed every single one of you!
Keep the faith
MElinda
__________________
DX BC 12/06
tumor .9
Lumpectomy 1/8
Mammosite radiation completed 2/10
Stage1/Grade 1
clear Margins /Nodes Neg
ER+
IHC +2 Fish +
ONCO 23
Started TCH on 3/2 for 6 rounds of TC once every three weels and a year of Herceptin every 3 weeks -
Finished everything and now on Aromasin
Last edited by Melinda; 03-24-2008 at 10:57 AM..
Reason: changed the title
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03-24-2008, 11:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Welcome back, we missed you - I am very sorry to hear of your Mother's
passing, espcially so sudden, not an easy task you were given, have been there myself.
Also happy to hear about your good check up...
So glad you are back.
Kindest 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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03-24-2008, 11:14 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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So glad to have you back! Sorry your abscence was so hectic, but I'm also glad that your mom was with those she loved! So sorry for your loss and for all that you had to do with the legal stuff. Welcome back, ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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03-24-2008, 12:15 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Dear Melinda,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. And Iam sos glad you are back looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Love Karen
__________________
Love and Hope
Karen
IDC
DX 1998 STAGE I ER+/ PR+
AC CHEMO TILL FEB 1999
Tamxofin till 2001
2001 exstensive liver mets and mets to lungs
Started weekly taxol
Jan 2002 found out I was strongly HER2POS+++ started herceptin continued with taxol and herceptin till June 2002 then from June 2002 till Jan 2005 just herceptin and Arimidex
2005 Navelbine herceptin had RFA Then back on taxol with herceptin
April 2006 progression again went on clinical trial with tykrerb/herceptin progressed on the started Xeloda/ herceptin
Feb 2007 started Doxil
August 2007 Taxotere,Carboplatin and Herceptin exstensive mets to liver and pancreas
October 2007 Had to stop Carboplatin due to sever allergic reaction
Jan 2008
Stopped Taxotere due to progression now on Gemzar and Herceptin
March 2008 Starting Carboplatin, Abraxane, and Herceptin.
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03-24-2008, 01:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Melinda
So glad you are back with us....and sorry to hear about your Mother's sudden passing....as you said she was surrounded by love and family ...who could ask for more. Welcome back......you were missed!
__________________
"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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03-24-2008, 02:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: moved to Lancaster, Pa in June, 2010
Posts: 576
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Glad your back. Sorry to hear of your mother's passing. It seems in life when it rains it pours, but there are always rainbows at the end of the storm. Hang in there.
__________________
Debbie in North Carolina
Diag 10/2006-high grade invasive ductal carcinoma- mastectomy L breast
2.5 cm tumor ER/PR pos-Her2+++
4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Taxol
Herceptin every 3 weeks until Jan. 2008
6/18/07 prophylatic mastectomy R breast
8/2007 started aromasin/stopped arimidex (side effects)
12/07 stopped aromasin due to side effects (now what?)
Finished herceptin 1/8/08
started tamoxifen for 2 years then will switch to femera
allergic to tamoxifen started femera 4/2008
June 20, 2008 portacath removed
Learnig to live life to the fullest!
Stopped Femera due to side effects
July 28, 2008 start trial for breast cancer vaccine
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03-24-2008, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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Sorry about your Mom. Sometimes we all wish God didn't think we could handle so much, I know i do. Welcome back!
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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03-24-2008, 05:50 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Good to see you back Melinda. Hope there are better days ahead.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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03-24-2008, 06:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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My condolences on the loss of your Mother.
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03-24-2008, 06:19 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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My girl is back! 
I am so sorry that you have been through the "wringer" the last few months. I am glad that your Mom had such a special Thanksgiving with you. How wonderful for her, and for you (I hope to some degree of peacefulness)...
I love birds--is yours otherwise healthy? I had a 90-year old woman come into my store and we got to talking about breast cancer. She was a hoot--she said that people kept asking her "How is your health?", and she would answer "Fine, except for the damn cancer." Gotta love her! Sending little birdie prayers your way, and I am sure Cooper will add them at bedtime. We have a running list of lost, passed away and injured animals.
Welcome back!
Take care,
__________________
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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03-24-2008, 09:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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Welcome back Melinda. Sorry to hear that your mother passed away but as you say she did not suffer and was surrounded by friends and family. And best of all you finished your Herceptin and had a clean mammo. Way to go!
__________________
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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03-26-2008, 09:44 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 3,000
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Melinda
I am so sorry that your break from here was full of caos. First and foremost I am so sorry for the loss of Mother but found relief hearing she was surrounded by family. Hearing the news of your health and wog-wog's (my slang for doggies) made me smile right from my toes. Also knowing that your dust has settled makes my heart full. Glad you are back on track. Go easy on yourself, after a stressful hiatus like that you need to take care. Lots of love>>Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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03-26-2008, 09:53 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan
Posts: 592
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In sympathy, I am sorry to hear of your mom's passing. May memories of the special times with your mom continue to provide you comfort.
And I can relate to your situation and having an uncooperative brother. Mine was totally uncooperative and useless.
Congrats on the clean Mammogram.
Best to you,
Jo
PS (Has anyone ever told you that you favor Jamie Lee Curtis?)
__________________
Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+
Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4
Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin
Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders
Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp
Jun07...Start Tamoxifen
Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25
Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin
Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture
Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly.
Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :(
Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex.
Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks
Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C
Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+).
Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin.
Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction
Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin.
Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin.
Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston.
Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable.
May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up.
May14...PET scan = uterine progression :(
May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.
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03-26-2008, 11:25 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,867
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Melinda, it is so good to have you back!! I sent you a PM, but didn't see this thread until later. I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I am so happy she didn't suffer and had her family there for support.
Sounds like you sure did have your hands full! I bet you learned a lot and are stronger for it.
How are you doing with the Aromisin? I am considering switching from Arimidex to Aromisin in the future. For now, the Arimidex isn't too bad. Tolerable.
Anyways, really great seeing your beautiful picture again.
BTW, is that short hair your post-chemo hair? It is so nice!!
Maryanne aka harriecanarie
__________________
*** 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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03-27-2008, 01:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Welcome back from me too melinda and I'm so sorry about your Mom, it must bring you comfort that she did'nt suffer though.
Congrats on the clear mammo and hope to see you around more often
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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03-27-2008, 05:33 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Portage, IN
Posts: 198
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Welcome back Melinda. I am sorry about the loss of your mother. I lost my mother Sept of '06. I know how hard that is.
__________________
10/15/07: Diagnosed at age 46 lymph node removal (2)
ER/PR - Her2 +++
11/07: Port Installed
11/07 - 1/08: AC
1/30/08: Right Mast Stage lllC
2/28/08: Start Taxol and Herceptin weekly.
5/15/08: Finished Taxol
8/12/08: Finished 33 Rads
1/29/09: Finished Herceptin
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