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01-31-2011, 10:39 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
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Re: New member - has questions
omg cancer came back after a year, herceptin stop working and arimidex. I had 3 scan found nodes then six months later they came back then they were gone now they are back. My dr knew what they were the first time,why she did not take action i dont know. I have appointment with her tommorow concerning a clinical trial. I want to change dr but dont want to hurt her feeling she really is wonderful. I am so alone in this fight no family or friend at all. I have somewhat been a solitary person all my life. can anyone give me any advice? pray fro me
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01-31-2011, 02:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 46
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Re: New member - has questions
Deena Marie,
I have skin Mets which my dodctors ignored,. I actually just changed doctors because of this, so definitely don't feel bad about hurting their feelings. I am now in with another doctor and will opefully start new treatment Wed. I'm ot even finished with Herceptin yet.
You need to do what's good for you...not for the doctor. I am very angry my doctors ignored my rash for 2 months. I could've been in treatment already..
Be well and good luck
Laura
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01-31-2011, 03:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Re: New member - has questions
There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting another opinion. Also, nice and wonderful is great as long as there in competence added in for good measure.
My motto on doctors is that they are an employee I am hiring to save my life. I am not hiring a personality - if they have one, all the better but it should not be your top priority. However, I do want someone who will take their time with me if I have questions - likewise, they are very busy people and I don't waste their time either. You do need someone who can do two way communication well. Remember, you are hiring someone to save your life.
__________________
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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01-31-2011, 03:38 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Posts: 1,126
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Re: New member - has questions
I am also a solitary person and felt alone during my treatment. The people on this board helped me a lot. I don't know if you are in a small town or a large city, if you go to a big cancer center or a small practice. If you go to a cancer center or a large hospital, please ask whether a social worker is available to help you. I've worked in social services, and it taught me to ask for help. Keep coming to this board and posting.
__________________
MJO
IDC, Stage I, Grade 2
Oncotype DX Score 32
Her2++ E+P+, Node Neg.
Lumpectomy 11/04/05 Clear Margins
3 Dose dense AC (Couldn't tolerate 4)
4 Dose dense Taxol & Herc. (Tolerated well)
36 weeks Herceptin (Could not complete one year due to decrease in MUGA score)
2 years of Arimidex, then three years of Femara
Finished Femara May 2011
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01-31-2011, 05:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kensington, CT
Posts: 394
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Re: New member - has questions
DeeMarie;
You are NOT alone. We care about all the members on the HER2 site. Having a nice Dr is good but I agree with Becky, I think you want a Dr who will give you the best care. A 2nd opinion may be a good idea.
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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01-31-2011, 07:31 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 434
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Re: New member - has questions
Sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you. You are doing the right thing by coming here and by informing yourself as much as possible. The more you understand about your condition the more confident you will be about asking questions and asking for a second opinion. I am hoping things get a little easier for you.
Trish
__________________
5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004 6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006 oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006 liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007 Herceptin,
3/2007 Taxol + Herc
1/2008 Herc alone
4/2008 Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008 Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008 Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008 Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008 Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010 Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010 Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010 Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010 Abraxane
12/2010 Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011 Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011 Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011 Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011 Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
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01-31-2011, 08:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: New member - has questions
By all means get a second medical opinion. Even doctors with wonderful personalities have their shortcomings. Doctors are human beings like us after all. They are not perfect. If your hospital has a social worker make an appointment to see that person. There might also be non profit organizations nearby that have some of the services you might need. The American Cancer Society and some hospitals have support groups. The American Cancer Society might be able to introduce you to another person in your area who has the same kind of cancer you have. You have us. You are not alone. Feel free to drop by this website anytime. Take good care of yourself. You deserve the best !! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you too.
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