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Re: From the CBS Early Show Do you agree with this thought?
I have to concur with Debbie that this disease is FAR more complicated than "mind over matter" or some iteration of that cliche.
People ask me how I have managed to come out ahead in the stage IV cancer game, and I have to honestly say that I believe my disease was SIMPLE enough for the drugs to have the desired effect. The drugs I took were able to shut down my cancer, and keep it there to date.
Having attended several of the international cancer meetings in the past few years, I see how for every answer there are 2 or 3 more questions. The research is ongoing at the genetic level now, and that in itself should tell us how complex at the sub-microscopic level this disease is.
One thing that I heard LOUD and CLEAR at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is that breast cancer is actually SEVERAL diseases. That there are more "subclasses" identified all the time.
Lastly, I am reminded that we once had a rousing thread going here on the subject of "our immune systems listen to our thoughts" and it had to get shut down.
I believe in a strong spirit, but not to the extent that our spirits can overcome *anything* that attacks our bodies.
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"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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