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01-16-2010, 08:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Hello-
today I am celebrating my 2 year survivorsorship. It was on this day that the radiologist told me that he was confident that I had breast cancer. I remember the day very vividly how I was in the radiology center getting a mammogram that I was able to get at the age of 38 through my persistence and I sat in the cubicle waiting while the radiologist kept asking for more views and more views etc. My mammogram appointment ended up taking over 4 hours and in the end the radiologist gave me the bad news and explained my mammogram pictures to me (he spent alot of time with me) lastly, he told me that my doctor is waiting for me (it was well after 6PM) in her office to talk to me about where do we go from here.
I also recall being told that I was her2+++ after my 1st lumpectomy but was told "not to google it or I will freak out". This comment made me google it and I was sorry I did at the time. I wish there was a tool that only up to date information was on the web. I thought that I was going to die and not see my children grow up. My youngest was only 8 months old and my others were only 5 & 10.
I'm a rare member in this community since I did not have chemo & herceptin and I pray to God everyday that the numerous doctors I consulted with gave me the right advice. All the doctors said that since I was stage T1Mic they all felt that the risks outweighed the benefits. I hope and pray they were right and still worry about not having herceptin.
I can go on and write a book about my whole saga but what's important is that I'm still here and to the best of my knowledge I'm doing just fine cancerwise. Yes, I have some side effects from radiation but I'm alive and healthy.
I am very thankful to the members of this community who have always been there to answer my questions about this horrible disease with words of experience, wisdom, & encouragement. I don't know what I would have done without you. Thank you so much!!!!!!!
Sending (((hugs))) to all of you.
Liz
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01-16-2010, 08:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congrats Liz on being 2 years out!!
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!!
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01-16-2010, 10:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Hi Liz, Congratulations on being 2 yrs out and NED. I hope you did something special to celebrate today.
Enjoy!
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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01-16-2010, 11:38 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,809
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congratulations! Liz.
Sounded like your radiologist is a 'keeper'. His diligence has spared your having to undergo more heavy-duty treatment. Don't forget to thank him while you are celebrating.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"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." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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01-17-2010, 06:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Avilla, Indiana
Posts: 261
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congrats on two years out! I was told at a fund raising event by a prominent (sp?) oncologist that two years NED is the new magic number!
Love,
Dana
__________________
-Dana-
]
Diagnosed - Nov. 2, 2007 at 45
Lumpectomy - Nov. 13, 2007
Tumor 1.2 cm
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR - Her2 +++ (3.8)
Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin- 6 rounds
Neulasta
Radiation 33 treatments - will be done 6/6/08
Herceptin through 12/08
12/07 MUGA 61%, 4/08 MUGA 60%, 7/08 MUGA 64%
three wonderful daughters, a terrific husband,
Life is Good
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01-17-2010, 10:53 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,477
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Good wishes and thougts!
Congratulations and enjoy!
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01-17-2010, 11:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Two years is a great number to celebrate!!
Much joy and happiness to 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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01-17-2010, 12:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 216
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Enjoy the day and many many more to come.
Good wishes
Janie
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01-17-2010, 03:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 185
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Great news!!! Enjoy and congratulations!
__________________
Hayley
Oklahoma
3/35/2009 - Diagnosed, age 39
5/7/09 - Mastectomy and reconstruction started. Two tumors found. Tumors were side by side. DCIS tumor was 2.8 cm, ER-, PR-, grade 2. Invasive tumor was 1.1 cm, poorly differentiated, grade 3, ER+90%, PR+95%, HER2+3. Thankfully, no node involvement.
5/29/09 - Second surgery resulting from difficulty healing from mastectomy.
6/2/09 - Began Herceptin treatments
6/23/09 - Began Taxotere and Carboplatin treatments along with Herception every 3 weeks.
10/06/09 - Completed Taxotere and Carboplatin - Yeah!!!
10/27/2009 - Herceptin maintenance and began Femara
12/10/2009 - 2nd stage reconstruction surgery
2/2010 - Body rejected saline implant
3/18/2010 - Second stage reconstruction using silicone implant
5/4/10 - Completed Herceptin - YEE-HAA!
May '10 - Body rejects silicone implant...taking a break.
11/29/10 - Hysterectomy
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01-17-2010, 04:56 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congratulations from me too Liz
__________________
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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01-17-2010, 09:34 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congratulations !!
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01-18-2010, 09:06 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 126
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Congratulations Liz. I wish you MANY, MANY more years.
If you do not mind me asking what is T1mic ???
__________________
Diag. 12/24/08-
IDC 1.3 er-/pr- HER2+
Grade 3 0/2 lymph nodes
no angiolympathic invasion
Bi-Lat. Mast. 1/8/09
Exchange scheduled for 6/17/09
Lost implants due to unknown reason :(
Hip Flap 1/26/2010 in NOLA :) LOVE EM'
TCH x6 (6 done and I am hoping to never do it again )
Well so much for never...
Local recurrence May 25,2014 is left over breast tissue.
April 2 , 2014 lumpectomy
April 28, 2014- June 9, 2014 start AC x 4
Taxol x12
Perjeta x 6
Herceptin x 18
And 33 rads just for fun. NOT!!!
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01-18-2010, 09:26 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kensington, CT
Posts: 394
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Hi Liz, I am so happy for you. I wish you many more anniversaries... and you will have them!
Kris...
__________________
06/08/09 - 55, IDC, IIIA, ER+/PR-/HER+++
Nottingham 6/9 - Grade 2 5.2cm, several nodes
06/23/09 - Neoadjuvant - TCH Herceptin til June
10/07/09 - Finished Chemo
10/27/09 - Mastectomy RB
Path Report: RB No residual tumor pCR,
2 of 15 pos - .5mm largest micromets
12/18/09 - Radiation started (28)
02/05/10 - Finished Radiation
01/11/10 - Started Femara
06/22/10 - Finished Herceptin.. My son's 22nd BD. Hope it's a sign! Hoping for the best.
11/15/10 - Started Walter Reed BC Vaccine trial at
1/04/11 - Sibley Mem. Had to withdraw due to met
01/23/11 - Stage IV - Brain Met 1.6cm 1.7cm
02/03/11 - Gamma Knife (2 fracts to minmize necrosis)
03/01/11 - Gamma Knife
6/11 - Necrosis
7/11 - Necrosis stopped & Tumor progression
8/11 = Now think it's really necrosis
9/11 - Avastin every two weeks -- It's working!! Necrosis is shrinking.
12/11 - Necrosis gone AVASTIN worked.
12/11 - Bone &CT found
Oct '10 - Ran Hartford 1/2 Marathon to Thank Dr. Slamon for Herceptin!
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01-18-2010, 12:40 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
That is awesome news, LIZ!!! XOX Suzan
__________________
Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
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01-19-2010, 05:35 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Liz,
Congratulations on your two year anniversay.
Amelia
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01-19-2010, 06:00 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Posts: 454
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Liz,
FANTASTIC news!!! You will be here to raise those kids and enjoy many graduations, weddings and grandchildren.
Thank you for sharing!!!
__________________
2007
Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008
Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED
March - Continue - Herceptin Only
April - Rads for 6 weeks
2009
Continue Herceptin - Continue NED
April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met
May - Cryosurgery
June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin
Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED
2010
January - Continue NED
July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1
August - Cryosurgery #2
August - November Navelbine
November - Back to NED - End Navelbine
2011
Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe
March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin
July - Confirmed continued liver involvement
August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb
October - Mixed results from H+T
Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April
2012
January PET Scan - It's working!!
April - Back to NED
July - Recurrance
August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)
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01-19-2010, 08:04 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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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Liz
Congratulations on this huge milestone.....before you know it you'll be saying 5 yrs, then 10, then 20!!!
Celebrate this day!!!
__________________
"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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01-20-2010, 04:55 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 188
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
VERY VERY Happy for you !!!
__________________
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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01-20-2010, 06:45 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Oh Liz,
It is so wonderful to celebrate an anniversary.
I am so happy for you. I wish you many many more years of them.
Enjoy those beautiful babies....and celebrate your special day.
Best wishes,
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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01-22-2010, 12:32 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 148
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Re: Celebrating my 2 year survivorship today.
Liz
My pathology was similar to yours, and I received neither chemo nor herceptin. I am now four years out.
So you are not alone ...
Mcgle (UK)
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