 |
|
09-21-2011, 10:27 PM
|
#21
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,173
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Hi Denise,I think I'm going to take the 10% stats that Jill's Dr. gave her. Are you with me?Thanks Jill for posting!!!!!
__________________
dx 11/12/09 IDCI
Stage 3a
ER 98% PR 80%
Her2 +3
4/12 nodes
6 rounds TCH
Herceptin 12 months 3weeks
Rad. 30 tx
Tamoxifin 6 months stopped
Arimedex stopped 9/12 (side effects)
Aromasin 10/12
|
|
|
|
09-22-2011, 05:02 AM
|
#22
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Good Morning Everyone,
Thank you, thank you!
You ladies are the best medicine!
You're right! Why not me?
Only 10%?!! Wow! Yay!! Hooray!
I will not be letting "tomorrow's worry steal today's joy"!!
My smile is firmly back on my face. I'm a fighter and a survivor...always have been.
Thanks for letting me drop my smile for a few hours and ask for support in a safe and loving place.
God bless all of you!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 06:44 PM
|
#23
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Audrey,
Thanks for replying! I'm feeling much more positive today...but I'll look back on these posts the next time something takes the wind out of my sails. The sad news about your friend certainly puts things in the perspective too. I'm sorry for your loss.
I wish you many, many more years NED happiness.
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
|
|
|
|
|
09-26-2011, 03:07 PM
|
#24
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 231
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Denise, So I was stage III and my cancer spread while I was still on herceptin, making me stage IV early on. I'd like to try another strategy with you- some tough love. There is absolutely nothing you can do to change the future- some women are just unlucky. But you have full control over the present and you can choose to let uncertainty destroy you or you can be thankful that you have today.
I too have a young child (17 months) and I can't imagine leaving him so young. Denial is a great tool and Her-2 blockers are a gift from God. So be thankful that you are Her-2+, as we have lots of options in treatments. Instead of focusing on what you don't have (a secure future), focus on what you do have, two beautiful children and a wonderful present.
__________________
[B]Kristin
Aug 2010: diagnosed stage 3b, 4 mo. after birth of son. 29 yrs old and breastfeeding, ER/PR-, Her-2+ started Neoadjuvant therapy: 4x FEC, 10x abraxane & Herceptin
Feb 2011: L mx with recon. Path. showed only DCIS but 4/10+ nodes.
March 2011: 6 wks rads.
Mother passed, lower back pain.
Late May 2011: Bone mets but organs clear; Tykerb, Xeloda, Xgeva. Stopped Herceptin. Implant infected: removed implant.
October 2011: Bone progression; Gemzar and Carboplatin & restarted Herceptin.
Jan 2012: Progression, re-classified as ER+; Tykerb, Herceptin, Zoladex & Femara. Anti-E is working!
May 2012: ovaries out, markers stable but elevated. Cont. Herceptin, Tykerb, Xgeva & Femara.
Dec 2012: aromasin
Jan 2013: faslodex, herceptin, tykerb
Jun: Kadcyla
Aug: Rads to hip, then Perjeta, Herceptin & Taxotere
Nov 2013: Perjeta, Herceptin, Halaven
Early 2014: Affinitor, Aromasin, Perjeta, Herceptin.
June 2014: Estradiol, Perjeta, Herceptin
Aug 14: Tamoxofin, H & P
http://kristin-notdying-blog.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
|
09-26-2011, 07:03 PM
|
#25
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
statistics...ugh. They are only random numbers created by unemotional computers. Numbers...not real people like us. Hang in there and prove the computer wrong!!!
__________________
 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!!
|
|
|
|
|
09-28-2011, 10:01 AM
|
#26
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 161
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
You've done everything correctly to heal your body with the best treatments going. Please don't be too concerned with numbers and stats., because that's all they are. It's better to get on with life, next to your sweet hubby, and enjoy.
__________________
Diagnosed 12/03 at age 53
1.5cm tumor, ER-PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
Stage 1B, Three negative nodes from Sentinel Node Biopsy
Paget's of the nipple, Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma and DCIS of the rt breast
Bloom-Richardson score 8/9, P53+ 60-70%, Ki-67+ 30-40%
Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate lat-flap reconstruction and saline implants, 1/04
Chemo: FAC, five sessions every three weeks Feb.-May 04, then switched to HTC weekly for 12 weeks, June-Aug 04
Zometa every 6 months for osteopenia, started April 09
|
|
|
|
|
09-28-2011, 08:30 PM
|
#27
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 116
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Denise,
My doctor said almost the exact sentence to me. I remember the day... my husband and I too shocked to say anything. Hey - I'm still here and my third grader is now in ninth grade, (on the HS crew team) my first grader is now in sixth grade(got to see her volleyball game today) and my 4 yr old is now in fourth grade, (giving me a hard time about her reading journal.)
Maybe someone has said this before but truly, there is no substitute for time - I still worry and you will too but focus on those kids and that wonderful husband.
__________________
Melissa
04/06, (42), 2cm tumor, 7/13 nodes, one positive node under clavicle
mastectomy/reconstruction
grade 3, stage lllb, er-65+, pr-90+, her2+++(80%)
4/AC, 12wks TH then 6wks rads
40 wks herceptin, and tamoxifen.
onc test tamoxifen resistance = poor metabilizer
04/07 ooph & on arimidex
08/07 completed herceptin
04/2022 - 16 year survivor!
|
|
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 06:25 AM
|
#28
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
I am about 4 1/2 years out from a possible stage IV diagnosis (long story) and NED. It has gotten better and I rarely worry about it. Because of the screw up with the diagnosis I have no idea of my chance of recurrence, anywhere from 20% to 80%, no one knows. I am my old self, can pretty much do anything that I could do before considering the age difference, real close to the old normal! I am planning on reconstructive surgery very soon, an option that I wasn't given at the time of my mastectomy. I found a quote that I love about statistics. I have it at the bottom of my posts. What I do know is that if it comes back I will do my best to get over it. I have always felt that we don't know what tomorrow will bring, cancer just makes it a little more clear. It will get easier to deal with the uncertainty. It just takes time and everyone comes to terms with it differently.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
|
|
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 08:19 AM
|
#29
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
So true!
And as we all know..."78% of statistics are 90% made up"
Congrats on your success!
Love the picture. Are you really Mrs. Santa?
Thanks for responding!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
|
|
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 10:42 AM
|
#30
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
I really am Ms. Santa. That is really what my husband looks like and he has a workshop too. That picture was Halloween and I curled his beard. I went as Cookie. ; )
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
|
|
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 10:47 AM
|
#31
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Hey, now we know somebody with pull at the North Pole! Let's all ask for the same thing...a cure!
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
|
|
|
|
|
10-01-2011, 01:09 PM
|
#32
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,173
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Bonnie,
Thanks again for another great post! You have put another smile on my face on a very sad day.(It has nothing to do with my cancer.)
Peace,
Nancy
__________________
dx 11/12/09 IDCI
Stage 3a
ER 98% PR 80%
Her2 +3
4/12 nodes
6 rounds TCH
Herceptin 12 months 3weeks
Rad. 30 tx
Tamoxifin 6 months stopped
Arimedex stopped 9/12 (side effects)
Aromasin 10/12
|
|
|
|
|
05-29-2012, 09:38 PM
|
#33
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Pingree Grove, Il
Posts: 15
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
I just want to say.....
You are all such CARING...BRAVE ...STRONG...BEAUTIFUL WOMEN! That is exactly why I like to "Thank" cancer from time to time...think it brings out the "Cups overflowing" person in all of us! ((HUGS)) to all of you!
__________________
Laurie :)
*2006..Dx w Stage1 DCIS age32 Had lft breast mastectomy
-4 cycles A/C 12wks..4 cycles Taxol/Herceptin 12 wks (herceptin 1yr total)
*2007..prophylactic rt breast mastectomy
*May2011..was told I was CURED & within 2 days was reDX w stageIV mets to my liver,lungs,&bone
-6wks Herceptin(little progression to liver)
-started clinical trial on July 19th T-DM1....Hopeful!
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 04:18 AM
|
#34
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,580
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Oh, Denise! If I posted what your doctor said, I know what you'd say...only God knows what will happen in your life. As for me, well, you know I don't believe in statistics or even staging. Bologna!
I had a doctor-scientist tell me well over a year ago that Herceptin doesn't work for me and I was crushed, too, because I really respected his opinion. Turns out, he was just burned because I vacated a trial when I didn't get the drugs I wanted. Well, it IS working. No, we can't say for how long, but TODAY it is. And that's all that matters.
I LOVE YOU!
Karen
__________________
World Trade Center Survivor (56th Floor/North Tower): 14 years and still just like yesterday.
Graves Disease, became Euthyroid via Radioactive Iodine, June 2001.
Thyroid Eye Disease. 2003. Decompression surgery in 2009; eyelid lowering surgery in 2010.
Diagnosed: June 2010, liver mets. ER-/PR+10%; HER2+++.
July 2010: Begin Taxol/Herceptin. Eliminate sugar from diet. No surgery or radiation.
January 2011: NED
April 2011: Progression in liver only. Other previous affected areas eradicated. Stop Taxol/Herceptin after 32 infusions.
May 2011: Brain MRI: clear.
May 2011: Begin Tykerb daily, Xeloda twice per day for one week on, one week off, and Herceptin.
November 2011: Progression in liver. All other tumors remain eradicated.
December 2011: BEGIN TRIAL #09-093 Taxol, MCC-DM1 (T-DM1), Perjeta.
Trial requires scans every six weeks, bloodwork and infusions weekly.
Brain MRI: clear.
January 2012: NED. Liver mets, good riddance!
March 2012: NED. Developed SMA (rare blood clot) in intestinal artery and loss of sight in right eye due to optical nerve neuropathy. Resolved when Taxol removed this month.
Continue Protocol of T-DM1 weekly and Perjeta every 3 weeks.
May 2012: NED.
June 2012: Brain MRI: clear.
June-December 2012: NED.
December 2012: TRIAL CONCLUDED; ENTER TRIAL EXTENSION #09-037. CT, Brain MRI, bone scan: clear. NED.
January-March 2013: NED.
June 2013: Brain MRI: clear. CEA upticking; CT shows new met on liver.
July 3, 2013: DISASTER STRIKES during liver ablation: sloppy surgeon cuts intercostal artery and I bleed out, lose 3.5 liters of blood, have major hemothorax, and collapsed lung requiring emergency resuscitative thoracotomy, lung surgery, rib rearrangement and cutting deep connective tissue, transfusion. Ablation incomplete. This life-saving procedure would end up causing me unforgiving pain with every movement I make, permanently, otherwise known as forever.
July 26, 2013: Try Navelbine/Herceptin. Body too weak after surgery and transfusion. Fever. CEA: Normal.
August 16, 2016: second dose Navelbine/Herceptin; CEA: Normal. Will skip doses. Watching and waiting.
September 2013: NED, Herceptin only. CEA: Normal. Started Arimidex.
October-November 2013: NED. Herceptin and Arimidex. CEA, CA125, 15-3: Normal.
December 2013: Something brewing. PET lights up on little spot on liver; CEA upward trend, just outside normal. PET and triphasic liver scan confirm Little Met. Restart Perjeta with Herceptin, stay on Arimidex. Genomic sequencing completed for future treatments, if necessary.
January 2014: Ablate Little Met on the 6th. Happy New Year.
March 2014: Brain MRI: clear. PET/CT reveal liver mets return; new lung mets. This is not funny.
March 2014: BEGIN TRIAL #10-005 A(11)-Temsirolimus plus Neratinib.
April 2014: Genomic testing indicated they could work, they did not. Very strange drug combo for me, felt weird.
April 2014: Started Navelbine and Herceptin. Needed something tried and true, but had significant progression.
June 2014: Doxil and Herceptin.
July 2014: Progression. Got nothing out of it. Brain: NED.
July 2014: Add integrative medical hematologist-oncologist to my team. Begin supplements. These are tumor-busting, immune system boosters. Add glutathione, lysine and taurine IV infusions every three weeks.
July 2014: Begin Gemzar, Herceptin & Perjeta. Happy.
August 2014: ECHO perfect.
January 2015: Begin weekly Vitamin D Analog infusions. 25 mcg. via port.
February 2015: CT: stable.
April 2015: Gem working, but not 100%. Looking into immunotherapy. Finally, treatments for the 21st century!
April 2015: Penn Medicine. Dendritic cell immunotherapy.
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 06:57 AM
|
#35
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Hi all!
It's so 'funny' that this thread got bumped up again this week! I'm supposed to go back to work, first day back since February 23, 2011, and...well it's made me think about recurrance...disease free survival...and prioritizing my life. Add to that, the death of our friend Jacqui...and well...I've been feeling a little pensive...not discouraged exactly...but ... you know what I mean.
Then, up pops this thread again!
Karen, you are so right! Only God knows! And as the author of the awesome book "The Shack" points out "God's always been especially fond of me!" (and BTW - God and I are both especially fond of YOU!)
If this mess recurs...even 50/50 odds should impress someone who occasionally plays the lottery!...I'll just follow in the footsteps of my stage IV sisters who have fearlessly blazed a trail for me! If it doesn't...well, as Becky pointed out almost a year ago, on this very thread...I'll still be around to encourage my friends who are fighting the beast...praying, empathizing, posting funny things to get your minds off BC...and paying it forward...till we have a cure!
Till then, I keep reminding myself:
HER2 survivors are like tea bags...the hotter the water, the stronger we get! (now THAT would make a good t-shirt or bumper sticker!)
And to quote someone's signature line (forgive me, I can't remember whose...feel free to chime in and take credit) You never know how strong you are...until you don't have any other choice.
And...so as my own "signature quote" indicates....I'm still trying to be polished up! My cup's overflowing! And once again...
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Not just for the support you post specifically for me...but also for the wisdom, joy and encouragement I've gotten from being part of this community. I don't even want to consider what this year would have been like, without this forum, and the support of my HER2 sisters. You ladies are ROCK STARS as far as I'm concerned!
Hope you can feel the gigantic, love-filled, cyber, bear hug I'm sending!
Denise (who also believes in a cure)
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 07:45 AM
|
#36
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Oh I wish I had see this ages ago. I remember in 1998 when they told my husband he had 6 months to live with his leukemia. We lived large, eating out at the nicest restaurants, going on exotic vacations, he taught me to fly the big twin - in case anything would happen, skiing, etc. Two years later I told him we had to quit this and go on a diet, it was obvious he wasn't dying.
14 years later his doctor shakes his head and says according to your blood tests you should be really, really sick. Just keep doing what you are doing . . .
The biggest lesson I learned is don't live like you plan to die soon, you need to plan for living a long and happy life.
I hope your doctor is a terrible at prognosticating like ours!
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes
Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"
Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla
Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision
The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 09:03 AM
|
#37
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bayarea,CA
Posts: 679
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Wow - love your post 'Lizbeth! Needed to read this right now...God bless your husband and you with a fantastic long life together
__________________
DX: 06-30-2007 - left breast -stage IIIB, Her2/Neu 3+++, ER weakly positive, PR-
Taxol+herceptin weekly for 3 months
FEC+herceptin every 3 weeks for 3 months
BRCA 1 and 2 - Negative
Jan 2008 - Bilateral mastectomy, prophylactic Rt. side.
Radiation for 5 weeks
Completed my yr of herceptin on 07-14-2008
Brain MRI - 3/2/09 Clean
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 03:34 PM
|
#38
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Denise my friend dx with me as stage 3 is celebrating seven years out next month and she had fourteen nodes affected!
My other friend is celebrating 25 years out and had 22 positive nodes although she was'nt tested for her2 back then, I'm highly triple positve and so pleased to be seven years out too so please disregard the stats as they dont apply to those of us who had herceptin early stage!!! 
__________________
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!
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 05:22 PM
|
#39
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 418
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
WOW!! do you ladies have any idea of the energy that flows from your words and stories. Denise, if I ever have a health crisis again, I'm going to crawl to Philly and spend time with you because you (and these other wonderful folks) really know how to LIVE. Thanks so much for sharing so much with us.
__________________
Joni -64 yrs old -
3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast
3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated
3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear
3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side
4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides
5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo
07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side.
07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin
08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont.
12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks
4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc.
5/2011 - NED!!! port out.
8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED
7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed.
2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2012, 05:52 PM
|
#40
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 46
|
Re: I Need a Pep Talk...Very Discouraged Today
Hi Denise and Friends,
I'm 12+ years out (Diagnosed Dec 1999).
Stage III, 5.2 cm tumor, 9 infected nodes out of 21, Her2. My kids were 12 and 9 and I was 44 when diagnosed. Kids are now 24 and 21 and I'm still going strong.
Keep the faith! And, best wishes to you all.
Gabrielle
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:21 AM.
|
