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05-07-2008, 12:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Tomorrow, May 8, 2008 is my final Herceptin!!
Tomorrow is a big day for me - it's # 17 of 17 Herceptin infusions. I am really looking forward to it, needless to say.
When I was first diagnosed with Her2+ BC, I honestly thought I might not make it through. Of course the HERA trials showing the great success of Herceptin came out shortly before I started chemo in Jan. 2007 and I could see that just maybe I would be "okay" after all.
Finding this wonderful website with all pertinent information, the latest meds, treatments etc. for Her2+ has been an incredible part of my journey. I want to thank all the "warriors" who so graciously gave their insights and cheered me on... Our dear Kate The Great was one. I shall miss her terribly, as I know we all will.
So thanks again to everyone here. I am very hopeful of remaining NED for the next 40 years or so.
all the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
Last edited by caya; 05-07-2008 at 03:12 PM..
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05-07-2008, 01:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 25
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treatment complete!
HI Caya-
Congratulations on finishing herceptin. I finished chemo on April 15 and started radiation this week, herceptin every 3 weeks now.
I hope all goes well for you!!!!
Alyce
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05-07-2008, 01:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Congratulations on this milestone Caya!!!
Enjoy your new found freedom. I am very happy for you.
__________________
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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05-07-2008, 01:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 69
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Caya,
Congratulations! I begin with my first TCH next Tuesday, May 13. I'm looking forward to posting my last infusion this time next year!
Brenda
__________________
Diagnosed 3/08 at age 57
1.1cm tumor, ER-PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
Grade 2
Node negative
clean margins
Stage 1
lumpectomy 4/08
Mammocite Radiation 4/08
Will begin TCH Chemo 5/08
TCH 3 week cycle for 6 cycles
Herceptin alone for 18 more treatments on a 3 week cycle
Total chemo 12 months
Neulasta 24 hours after each cycle
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05-07-2008, 02:11 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Caya,
I am smiling reading your post. Congratulations and
I truly understand how you felt and now feel.
God Bless,
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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05-07-2008, 02:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CHARLOTTE NC USA
Home town (ECUADOR) South America
Posts: 542
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great !!! God Bless you always Love ,Lily
__________________
Lily Diag April/06 5 months after give birth my son Max stage IV mets on liver (5 tumors) 38 year old, her2+++ and ER+PR+ from32 nodes 4 positives mastectomy right breast chemo before surgery herceptin/carboplatin/taxotere ,clear and surgery have radiation 20, `& then herceptin and tamoxifen NED until Aug/07 body only then 'n June 04-06-07 .1 lesion of 1.6 cm on cerebellum ...novalis ,open sugery 5m.m brain met again novalis, 4mm.In the liver. Waiting 2 months now 3 tumors enroll on T-MCC trial start first infusion Nov 5/07 at Dec 17 scan show one tumor despair the 2nd and 3th diminish Doc said great results until March/08 ct scan show progression 03-05-08 start tykerb & xeloda
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05-07-2008, 02:21 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Caya,
Congrats!
You will feel strange for a few weeks, but will come to love the freedom.
We went out to a lovely dinner with my brother and sister in law. I hope you celebrate in some special way also. You desire it!
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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05-07-2008, 02:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: WA State
Posts: 199
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Caya,
What a wonderful day for you! I'll be thinking of you as I start my first Herceptin tomorrow. It's kind of ironic that one warrior finishes her journey while another begins hers. Take care,
Cindy
__________________
Cindy
L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008
Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!
I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here
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05-07-2008, 02:51 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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Caya,
congratulations on putting this phase in the rearview mirror. You will probably miss your infusions and find yourself not knowing what day or week it is...but you'll get over that!!!!!
I agree....time to celebrate
__________________
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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05-07-2008, 04:06 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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Congratulation Caya - I bet it will feel great to finally be done.
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05-07-2008, 04:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: So California
Posts: 223
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congrats
congratulations Caya!
I remember that day for my sister as well. Almost seems surreal to finally reach that milestone. I am celebrating with you.
Lisa
__________________
Leslie's Sister (Lisa)
Diagnosed 5/17/06
Left breast Stage II
5 cm. Her2Neu+++, ER-, PR-
1 positive node out of six,
double mastectomy 6/9/06;
TCH started 7/12/06
last chemo 10/25/06
herceptin ended 6-11-07
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05-07-2008, 04:45 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Celebration Time!!!!! You might miss the routine for a few weeks and then you'll just leap and jump for joy!!!! Congratulations!
__________________
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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05-07-2008, 06:10 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Congratulations Caya. You will feel a bit out of sorts and alittle weepy but it passes quick. I went to a wine tasting You will think about it in 3 weeks when it is time to go for an infusion but you don't have anymore.
Then, it will become a thing of the past.
I will be with you in that infusion room tomorrow. My mom always told me when I was scared or nervous to dream of babies and angels so that is what I am going to tell you to do too.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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05-07-2008, 06:34 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Hi Caya....Thanks for sharing your special May 8th, final herceptin date. We love to rejoice with our sisters and brothers.
It's a huge day for you......a special finality......and one "finality" that won't take long to adjust too.
Congratulations Caya...........God Bless you..
Mary Jo
__________________
"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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05-07-2008, 06:39 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cordoba, Mexico
Posts: 672
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Caya,
Good for you! I finished my year of Herceptin two months ago and I know how good it feels. Celebrate!!
__________________
Dx. June 30th, 2006 at age 43
Lumpectomy rt breast
2.2 cm tumor, 13 nodes all negative
ER-PR+,her2+++
6 FAC
32 Rads
Dx. Lung fibrosis due to radiation
Ended 1 year herceptin in March, 2008
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05-07-2008, 06:43 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Mazel Tov,Caya!
Big hugs,Marcia
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05-07-2008, 06:47 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Big Congrats, Caya.
It will be good to have it behind you!
__________________
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.......
14YEARS NED!
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05-07-2008, 06:55 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Hi Caya,
Congratulations on finishing Herceptin!
Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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05-07-2008, 07:22 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
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Caya,
I remember both my last chemo day (how could I forget- the nurses put a chemo queen crown on my head and took a picture of me- I'd like to know where in the world that picture landed) and my last herceptin day. After my last herceptin treatment, I just couldn't believe that I did not have to visit the chemo room again- it did feel absolutely surreal. But, like everyone has told you, you will be so happy with your new found freedom!!! I will be thinking of you tomorrow- you should definitely celebrate in some way. Congratulations!
Best,
Karen
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05-07-2008, 07:34 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Posts: 371
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Dear Caya,
I am so happy for you my friend, I pray this will be the end of Herceptin and the begining to a long and healy happy long life!
__________________
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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