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08-12-2011, 07:49 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 231
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Women under 40
Just looking for other women out there who are under 40 or were diagnosed under 40 and doing the cancer dance. Please include your stage, age, marital status, children at home, fertility complications and any inspirational stories.
Also, what do you think-
Does having cancer at a young age have any advantages? Can we handle the harsh treatments better, do we have more options for treatments? Do we have less complications later in life?
__________________
[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/
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08-12-2011, 07:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 231
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Re: Women under 40
I was diagnosed at 29, initially stage IIIc, now stage IV and 30 years old. I am married and have one son, I'd love to have more but doctor's think it is unlikely that I'll ever be completely off some sort of chemo.
For me, I like to think that because I am young- I had fewer issues with chemo, I went jogging frequently after chemo, never got sick other than some diahrrea.
__________________
[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/
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08-12-2011, 01:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 403
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Re: Women under 40
Dear Kristen, glad to hear your tumur marker is down !!! Count me in the loop. I am 36 divorced with a 5 year old daughter. Have good relationship with my ex and his family and they have been taking good care of our daugher during my treatment. My period stopped 2 months after the 1st chemo.. hot flashes, memory loss, resentment, anger... you name it. I tolerated 6 chemos quite well. Not sure if it was because of my age or the supplements i was taking. Now i am doing radiation and will continue on herceptin till Feb next year. A coworker of mine was also ER/PR-, Her2+. She had IBC and didn't get any herceptin as it was only approved for stage V. She is 7 years out.
__________________
1/11 age 36 DX
ER/PR-, Her2 +
TCH*6, Herceptin
BMX with immediate recontruction 5/2011 Lattismus Flap- Dx stage 3c 10/23 nodes
9/11 Radiation
3/12 Local recurrence to skin stage IV
Whole body scan CLEAR
4/12 Tykerb & Xeolda Skin mets slowly regressing
8/12 PET & Brain CT Clear
5/13 Skin mets progressing
6/13 PET scan chestwall recurrence in contralateral anxillary,internal mammary and ipsilateral subpectoral nodes
6/13 kadcyla
10/13 whole body scan -clear NED. previously resolved skin rash gone but 3 new lesions. Biopsy confirmed for skin recurrence
11/13 to 02/14 tykerb & herceptin
02/14 add abraxane/gemzar, 2 weeks on 1 week off at reduced dose
05/14 whole body PET clear/ brain CT clear but skin mets are getting worse, ready for new chemo
05/14 navelbine perjeta herceptin
07/14 skin mets progressing red rash worse
08/14 wide local excision with diep flap to close wound. Final path shows 2 positive margins showing inflammatory carcinoma Going back to surgery in 2 weeks
09/01/14 resection- clear margins
3 weeks after 2nd surgery, a new nodular rash found near drain incision with 2 small red spots behind the chest wall biopsy on 10/1. Positive for breast cancer
Radiation 11/2014 with xeloda then weekly cisplatin
11/14 brain MRI clean
12/14 finished 33 radiations burnt and very painful. Bedridden for 1 week
12/14 t current Herceptin and perjeta only
02/15 rash on upper back right side skin mets radiation planned
02/15 staring electron radiation *35
Stopped at 30 due to severe skin burn, resumed 10 days later
05/15 red patches appeared in between previously radiated area, skin mets. Ct and brain Mri clear. Simulation planned, radiation to start after trip to Alaska.
05/24 new spot identified in scar line on previously radiated reconstructed breast- electron on both side chest wall area and scar line
07/15 multiple skin and lung recurrence begin halaven
11/15 cough much better but very tired on halaven and starting to see some new red skin blotches-suspicious
11/15 heading to China for immune therapy
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08-12-2011, 02:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 403
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Re: Women under 40
Oh, i think the side effect from chemo might be related to our weight as well since the dosage is given based on your weight. So does it mean your side effects are less if you are light weight?
__________________
1/11 age 36 DX
ER/PR-, Her2 +
TCH*6, Herceptin
BMX with immediate recontruction 5/2011 Lattismus Flap- Dx stage 3c 10/23 nodes
9/11 Radiation
3/12 Local recurrence to skin stage IV
Whole body scan CLEAR
4/12 Tykerb & Xeolda Skin mets slowly regressing
8/12 PET & Brain CT Clear
5/13 Skin mets progressing
6/13 PET scan chestwall recurrence in contralateral anxillary,internal mammary and ipsilateral subpectoral nodes
6/13 kadcyla
10/13 whole body scan -clear NED. previously resolved skin rash gone but 3 new lesions. Biopsy confirmed for skin recurrence
11/13 to 02/14 tykerb & herceptin
02/14 add abraxane/gemzar, 2 weeks on 1 week off at reduced dose
05/14 whole body PET clear/ brain CT clear but skin mets are getting worse, ready for new chemo
05/14 navelbine perjeta herceptin
07/14 skin mets progressing red rash worse
08/14 wide local excision with diep flap to close wound. Final path shows 2 positive margins showing inflammatory carcinoma Going back to surgery in 2 weeks
09/01/14 resection- clear margins
3 weeks after 2nd surgery, a new nodular rash found near drain incision with 2 small red spots behind the chest wall biopsy on 10/1. Positive for breast cancer
Radiation 11/2014 with xeloda then weekly cisplatin
11/14 brain MRI clean
12/14 finished 33 radiations burnt and very painful. Bedridden for 1 week
12/14 t current Herceptin and perjeta only
02/15 rash on upper back right side skin mets radiation planned
02/15 staring electron radiation *35
Stopped at 30 due to severe skin burn, resumed 10 days later
05/15 red patches appeared in between previously radiated area, skin mets. Ct and brain Mri clear. Simulation planned, radiation to start after trip to Alaska.
05/24 new spot identified in scar line on previously radiated reconstructed breast- electron on both side chest wall area and scar line
07/15 multiple skin and lung recurrence begin halaven
11/15 cough much better but very tired on halaven and starting to see some new red skin blotches-suspicious
11/15 heading to China for immune therapy
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08-12-2011, 02:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Port Hedland, Australia
Posts: 382
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Kristin,
I was 33 when diagnosed last November I have now finished all chemo, radiation and am continuing with Herceptin till Feb '12.
I feel that I did cope well with the chemo never sick occasional runs and one bad diarrhea when went to A & E.
I had a newborn and a 2.5 yr toddler to look after throughout it all and though did have help from lots of friends we managed!
I don't really know about your other questions I guess I'll let you know in 10 years time about how I feel about this adventure so young!
Glad you're markers are going in the right direction that must make you feel a lot happier!
My little one is now 7 months and just getting into everything a real joy his big sister is having her 3rd birthday next week so as ever it's a busy happy old house.
Take care
Jenny xx
__________________
Diagnosed Nov '10 IDC whilst pregnant with 2nd child
Her 2 ++ ER/PR + but weak and patchy 50% + 5%
Left mastectomy Dec '10, 6cm tumour 1 of 2 lymph (micro mets)
Clear margins but lymphovasculer invasion
Stage 3a Grade 3
Fec 100 x 3 Jan '11 Taxotere X 3 and Herceptin X 1yr
Staging scans - CT brain & body and bone - May '11 - NED!!
Start Femara - in chemo induced menapause
25 Rads June '11
Dec '11 Menstruation resumed - zoladex inj monthly and Tamoxifen
Feb '12 Back on Femera and Zoladex
March '12 CT brain & body & bone scan all clear
Zometa x2/yearly
April '12 - Oopherectomy
Praying the Herceptin is as good as its hype!!
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08-12-2011, 03:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 48
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Kristin,
I am part of this group too sadly. I was diagnosed at 31 years old; my son was 7 months old. I was diagnosed July 19, 2010, and I finish Herceptin this November. I am still very hopeful to have more children as my baby was my first child. He is now 20 months and brings me so much joy. I am not sure if it will be possible to have more kids but I can always dream! I have resumed my cycle about 5 months after my last chemo. It was quite a shock as I had been told that I was likely in permanent menopause. I just take it one day at a time. I am married to wonderful man that has been by my side every step of the way. In some ways I feel very blessed because of the people I have in my life. I was told by my oncologists that because I was younger the advantages were that I could withstand stronger treatments. I know I am not that far out from diagnosis but I will check back down the road. I wish all of you all the best!
Cat
__________________
Dx Her2+, ER+, PR-, stage 2b/3 July 2010
Chemo Sept-Dec 2010
(Pertuzumab during last 3 rounds of chemo)
Surgery Jan 2011
25 Rads March 2011
Herceptin started during chemo and continued every 3 weeks for 1 year
Started Tamoxifen for 5 years
Looking for a vaccine trial
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08-12-2011, 09:30 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 126
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Re: Women under 40
I was diagnosed 12/24/08 after just turning 32 that October. I was stage 1 er/pr- and her+.
I didn't handle chemo well at all but I made it thru. I had TCH and I had a host of weird SE's that continue on thru now but they are slowly going away. I might just be handling them better but I will never know.
My oncologist said if I wanted any more kids that he would give his blessing after Jan of 2012 but I am not sure if we want anymore. My period came back on my one year cancerversary  and has been back since then. My ob/gyn who I saw recently still can't get over the fact that my oncologist would not suggest for me not to have any more children. I have gotten to the point that I am used to educating people about things like that and I now tease her about my "old" eggs...lol...
Kristen~ I am so happy that your markers are going in the right direction.
__________________
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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08-13-2011, 10:40 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Posts: 38
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Girls!
I was diagnosed on Feb 4th 2010 at the age of 32. I have two young boys, Louis 5 and Noah 2. Have been lucky to have lots of help from my parents and friends. I found the chemo a struggle, I only did 5 out of 6. I was hospitalised twice during chemo due to infections and always had problems with my white blood count that continues to this day. Am having no real problems with tamoxifen but the herceptin has been hard at times. I had to stop it a few months ago due to a low ejection fraction, it went back up to normal range after a break and it has since dropped again after two more treatments. I'm hoping that my Onc will allow me to finish my last 5 treatments. I'm starting to get edgy at the prospect of finishing herceptin, as it's my security blanket.
As Jenny says, I'm praying herceptin is as good as the hype!
__________________
Diagnosed Feb 2010, age 32
IDC 0.5cm & 0.1mm and DCIS
Had mastectomy
Lymph nodes clear, no vascular invasion
Stage 1, grade 1, ER+, PR-, HER2+
Had 5x FEC, on tamoxifen and herceptin
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08-17-2011, 03:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 212
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Kristin,
I was diagnosed at age 36 back in 2001, with Stage III breast cancer, many lymph nodes involved, etc., but have recently celebrated my 10-year cancerversary! My kids were 3 and 5 at diagnosis and next week my youngest will join her brother at high school. I do think my young age made the treatments more tolerable and now that I'm 46 and have gone through this experience, I sure don't mind a few gray hairs or wrinkles. The Herceptin sure worked for me and hopefully for you as well. Keep the faith!
__________________
Audrey
diagnosed July 2001, at age 36
large tumor, 11+ nodes
Stage IIIb, er/pr-, Her2+
treated with A/C, weekly Taxol
radiation, + year of Herceptin
on clinical trial. double mastectomy
followed by reconstruction
NED!!
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08-17-2011, 10:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 403
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Re: Women under 40
That is so encouraging,Audrey. Congratulations on your 10 year cancerversary and wish you many many more to come !!! what is ur secret of staying NED?
__________________
1/11 age 36 DX
ER/PR-, Her2 +
TCH*6, Herceptin
BMX with immediate recontruction 5/2011 Lattismus Flap- Dx stage 3c 10/23 nodes
9/11 Radiation
3/12 Local recurrence to skin stage IV
Whole body scan CLEAR
4/12 Tykerb & Xeolda Skin mets slowly regressing
8/12 PET & Brain CT Clear
5/13 Skin mets progressing
6/13 PET scan chestwall recurrence in contralateral anxillary,internal mammary and ipsilateral subpectoral nodes
6/13 kadcyla
10/13 whole body scan -clear NED. previously resolved skin rash gone but 3 new lesions. Biopsy confirmed for skin recurrence
11/13 to 02/14 tykerb & herceptin
02/14 add abraxane/gemzar, 2 weeks on 1 week off at reduced dose
05/14 whole body PET clear/ brain CT clear but skin mets are getting worse, ready for new chemo
05/14 navelbine perjeta herceptin
07/14 skin mets progressing red rash worse
08/14 wide local excision with diep flap to close wound. Final path shows 2 positive margins showing inflammatory carcinoma Going back to surgery in 2 weeks
09/01/14 resection- clear margins
3 weeks after 2nd surgery, a new nodular rash found near drain incision with 2 small red spots behind the chest wall biopsy on 10/1. Positive for breast cancer
Radiation 11/2014 with xeloda then weekly cisplatin
11/14 brain MRI clean
12/14 finished 33 radiations burnt and very painful. Bedridden for 1 week
12/14 t current Herceptin and perjeta only
02/15 rash on upper back right side skin mets radiation planned
02/15 staring electron radiation *35
Stopped at 30 due to severe skin burn, resumed 10 days later
05/15 red patches appeared in between previously radiated area, skin mets. Ct and brain Mri clear. Simulation planned, radiation to start after trip to Alaska.
05/24 new spot identified in scar line on previously radiated reconstructed breast- electron on both side chest wall area and scar line
07/15 multiple skin and lung recurrence begin halaven
11/15 cough much better but very tired on halaven and starting to see some new red skin blotches-suspicious
11/15 heading to China for immune therapy
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08-25-2011, 06:16 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 231
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Re: Women under 40
You all are so inspirational! From my perspective, with stage IV disease, I would have more kids asap because once it comes back your chances are really reduced. I am just so thankful I had my son when I did. Has anyone considered saving their eggs or trying a surrogate? Just ideas to throw out there.
I'm not even sure I want more children, but I like to have the option.
Kristin
__________________
[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/
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08-26-2011, 09:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 403
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Re: Women under 40
Hi, Kristen. i only have one kid and that is enough for me. I am glad that i have a daughter but at the same time, i would feel a lot more at peace if i didn't have any child.. you know what i mean...It is scary for me just to think of her life without a mom if anything happens to me and it tears my heart. Although i know her dad and grandparents will take good care of her. if i had extra money to save my egg or surrogate, i would rather this money goes to my daughter's education funds. It makes me feel better that at least financially i can do something for her.
__________________
1/11 age 36 DX
ER/PR-, Her2 +
TCH*6, Herceptin
BMX with immediate recontruction 5/2011 Lattismus Flap- Dx stage 3c 10/23 nodes
9/11 Radiation
3/12 Local recurrence to skin stage IV
Whole body scan CLEAR
4/12 Tykerb & Xeolda Skin mets slowly regressing
8/12 PET & Brain CT Clear
5/13 Skin mets progressing
6/13 PET scan chestwall recurrence in contralateral anxillary,internal mammary and ipsilateral subpectoral nodes
6/13 kadcyla
10/13 whole body scan -clear NED. previously resolved skin rash gone but 3 new lesions. Biopsy confirmed for skin recurrence
11/13 to 02/14 tykerb & herceptin
02/14 add abraxane/gemzar, 2 weeks on 1 week off at reduced dose
05/14 whole body PET clear/ brain CT clear but skin mets are getting worse, ready for new chemo
05/14 navelbine perjeta herceptin
07/14 skin mets progressing red rash worse
08/14 wide local excision with diep flap to close wound. Final path shows 2 positive margins showing inflammatory carcinoma Going back to surgery in 2 weeks
09/01/14 resection- clear margins
3 weeks after 2nd surgery, a new nodular rash found near drain incision with 2 small red spots behind the chest wall biopsy on 10/1. Positive for breast cancer
Radiation 11/2014 with xeloda then weekly cisplatin
11/14 brain MRI clean
12/14 finished 33 radiations burnt and very painful. Bedridden for 1 week
12/14 t current Herceptin and perjeta only
02/15 rash on upper back right side skin mets radiation planned
02/15 staring electron radiation *35
Stopped at 30 due to severe skin burn, resumed 10 days later
05/15 red patches appeared in between previously radiated area, skin mets. Ct and brain Mri clear. Simulation planned, radiation to start after trip to Alaska.
05/24 new spot identified in scar line on previously radiated reconstructed breast- electron on both side chest wall area and scar line
07/15 multiple skin and lung recurrence begin halaven
11/15 cough much better but very tired on halaven and starting to see some new red skin blotches-suspicious
11/15 heading to China for immune therapy
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08-27-2011, 07:16 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, grew up in Webster, NY....
Posts: 3
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Re: Women under 40
I am not under 40 (diagnosed at 44, now 45) but I am certain that at least my DCIS was present while in my thirties. I had my children older, and they are now 6 and nine, the majority of my friends are under 40 so I would like to be considered in this group! How do I get my stats to show up? I typed them in but they are not showing...sorry new posting here....stage IIIa, er-, pre-, pagets, extensive DCIS, mulit-focal tumors the largest being 1.6cm, four positive nodes...finished chemo in January, finished rads in March, one more Herceptin to go and I will be out there raw.....
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08-28-2011, 12:03 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Women under 40
Click on User CP [on the top maroon bar] and scroll down to 'Settings and Options'. Click on 'Edit Signature' and then input your treatment information in the window.
By the way, love your picture.
__________________
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
Last edited by Jackie07; 08-28-2011 at 12:07 AM..
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08-29-2011, 04:23 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Birmingham - United Kingdom
Posts: 18
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Kristin, diagnosis details below. I'm married, have a daughter Hannah, just turned two at diagnosis - now 7 and my son Christian who will turn 5 on the 6th September..
I flew through chemo with very little side effects. Some digestive tract issues but mainly tiredness was the only problem and with two small children that's not unusual... My periods never skipped once despite all the chemo and to date I have no long term side effects.
For me, at 5 years out, there are advantages to having received a cancer diagnosis - I'm more focused on the things that are important than I've ever been in my life. I appreciate even the smallest things in life, listening to the rain whilst lying in bed, Autumn, jogging, spending time with my friends (& don't you discover who they are following diagnosis!!) and my children..I never know it was possible to love this much...
I have just received an all clear PET CT scan.... we will be in Disney Florida for all my cancerversary dates and on the 13th Sept we will be swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove - giving the V's to cancer....
Good luck to you & I wish you hope, strength & lots of love xxx
__________________
Dx 04/09/06 aged 37 (just... by days) at 37 weeks pregnant. Christian delivered 2 days later by CS 06/09/06 healthy (Thank God) at 6lb 14 oz at 37 weeks & 5 days. Lumpectomy 13/09/06 - Left breast - DCIS 16mm, IDC 9mm, Stage 1, Grade 3 HER2 + (FSH), ER-/PR-, 0/14 glands - no vascular invasion.
Oct 06 - Jan 07 Epirubicin
Jan 07 - Apr 07 CMF
May 07 15 rads + 2 boosters
May 07 - Apr 08 Herceptin 3 weekly
Oct 07 1 year Mammo /PET CT - Clear
May 08 - Completed 18 Herceptin
July 08 - PET CT Scan shows "no sinister features and no signs of active disease"
Sept. 08 = 2 yr mammo & Ultrasound - Clear
Mar. 09 = PET CT - Clear
Sept. 09 = 3 yr mammo & Ultrasound - Clear (Ca 15-3 markers remain consistently escalated between 60 & 80!)
Sept. 10 +4 yr mammo & ultrasound - Clear
Aug 11 = PET CT - 5 yrs Clear - NED & celebrating
Aug 12 = mammogram & ultrasound clear....6 years clear
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08-30-2011, 04:48 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 260
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Re: Women under 40
Hi Kristin - I'm in the under 40 club also. I felt my lump at 29 but was misdiagnosed as having "dense tissue". Fast forward 7 months and I was finally diagnosed with widespread metastatic disease with tumors to the lungs, liver, and bones. It was too late to save my fertility. I had to start aggressive treatment right away. This was in April of 2008. The rest of my stats are below. Since then, brain mets have really been my biggest problem but they have all been successfully treated. I am doing well and continue to enjoy life with my husband. I'll send you a pm with my caringbridge site since you asked in a previous thread. Its nice to meet you and and I wish you MUCH success in your journey. And if you are interested, I knew a girl who was stage IV (not her2 positive) who has since passed but she and her husband did the surrogate thing successfully as she was in treatment. They had a baby girl a few months before she died. Its tragic but at least her dream of becoming a mother came true. And she is now being raised by a very loving and wonderful father who will now always have a little part of his wife's legacy in his daughter.
Blessings to you!
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4/17/08: Dx Stage IV at age 30 - extensive mets to liver, lungs, and bones. Er/Pr-, Her2+++
April 08-Aug 08:Taxotere, Cytoxan, Herceptin, Zometa - complete response!
Sept 08-Dec 08: Herceptin +Zometa for maintenance.
Jan 09-April 09: Brain mets. Add Tykerb. Watch and wait.
April 09: Gamma Knife 10 brain mets, add Xeloda.
Sept 09: Gamma Knife to 1 brain met.
Nov 09- April 10: Lung progression, add Gemzar to Herceptin, Zometa.
May 10- Sept 10: HER2 Vaccine Trial
Sept 10: Add Tykerb for more brain mets.
Oct 10: Gamma Knife to 7 brain mets.
Dec 10: Switch from Zometa to Denosumab.
Jan 11: Gamma Knife to 3 brain mets.
March 11: Gemzar/Herceptin for lung/bone progression.
April 11: More brain mets - Intrathecal Herceptin
June 11: Ixempra/Herceptin for lung, soft tissue progression.
Aug 11: Gamma Knife
Sep 11: Abraxane/Herceptin
Future: NED
Send me a PM if you'd like to follow my journey on Caringbridge.
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09-07-2011, 01:19 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 432
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Re: Women under 40
I was 38 when diagnosed - by children are 4,6 and 9 and I had finished having children but I have by no means finished raising them. I am having a downer today wondering if my treatment is working. Yesterday I was so positive and sure that I would get NED. The ups and downs can be so hard sometimes.
This site provides me with hope everyday that I too can benefit from the treatments and advances being made in HER2 cancer - there is no false hope, just hope.
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Amanda xx
40 year old Mum to three gorgeous kids - son 5 and daughters 8 and 11
Wife to my wonderfully supportive husband of 17 years!
22 February 2011 - Diagnosed Early Breast Cancer IDBC Stage2b (ER/PR -ve, Her2+ve +++) - 38 years old
(L) skin sparing mastectomy with tissue expander, axilla clearance (2/14 affected) clear margins.
Fec*3, Taxotere and herceptin*2 - stopped due to secondary diagnosis
June 24 2011 Stage IV - Skin met, axilla node, multiple lung lesions
Bolero3 trial - Navelbine, Hereptin weekly, daily Everolimus/Placebo
February 2012 - July 2012 Tykerb and Xeloda - skin mets resolved, Lungs initially dramatically reduced but growing again
August 2012 (turn 40!) tykerb and herceptin (denied compassionate use of TDM1) while holidaying in Italy!
September 2012 - January 2013 TDM1 as part of the Th3resa trial - lymph nodes resolved, lungs slowly progressing.
January 2013 - herceptin, carboplatin and Perjeta (compassionate access)
April 2013 - Some progression in lungs and lymph nodes - Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta
July 2013 - mixed response - dramatic reduction of most lung disease, progression of smaller lung nodules and cervical and hilar nodes - ? Add avastin.
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09-07-2011, 07:53 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 34
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Re: Women under 40
I was originally diagnosed at age 34 stage II and pregnant with my second child.Went through chemotherapy (4 doses of AC) while pregnant .Know age 42 diagnosed last year 2010(a complete shock feeling great,running10 milers) with lung mets.Still feeling great.
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2003 age 34 pregnant with 2nd child Dx stage II
Er-/pr+ her2+++ grade 3 tumor 2.1cm 4 AC/4Taxol.No Herceptin .
2010 age 41 stage IV lung mets er+/pr+ her2+++ grade 3.On Herceptin only.
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09-10-2011, 09:36 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: I live in Bakersfield, California
Posts: 21
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Re: Women under 40
Hi I am also part of that way to young for this club, but here I am. I am 36 now but was MISdiagnosed at 31. Stats below. I am sooooo happily married to a wonderful Man who has been so kind and gentle and loving and very much the foundation of our home for us and our three children. I have 2 13 year olds Noah and Shore(love the beach) lol and then we have a 6yr old boy Ethan. I think having Cancer so young was such a shock to me, as I worked with our local Hospice Agency when I was diagnosed and about 80% of our patients were cancer patients and they were all older and my role was meeting with the patients in the home or the hospital prior to discharge and their families and educating them about Hospice and the services it provides and the attitude that one must have to be on Hospice. I was great at it... I was kind and loving and sincere and then out of No where it was ME!!! and I was just too young!!! I once told my husband when we were having a "hospice" type of conversation that I would fight with every thing I had.... literally die fighting. Chemo was very rough and harsh for me. Every side effect you could have I did, ending up at urgent care or in the hospital more times with blood counts out of whack. My Onc even doubting I would make it through the first Half of the chemo. My husband juiced raw fruits and veggies and came up with a way to help keep my blood counts better. It was like the worse case of morning sickness ALL day long. Everyone is different though, my friend had the same chemo as I did and she breezed right thru it. Glad you have your son and you'll always find joy in him when things get rough or hard!!! Hugs and Hope ALways
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10/06 -31 years old then had pain in RT breast/Discovered Lump
Dr.s Dx was "it's just an infection" "your too young" "breast cancer doesn't hurt" HUH???
Mammo and Ultrasound found 3 seperate masses largest being 7cm. Dr was sure they were an old breast infection, gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way. after three months of 4 rounds of antibiotics and fighting with the Dr. Finally had a 2nd Dr listen to me and had surgery
1/4/07 Surgical biopsy done :-(
DX stage 3c IDC er+ pr+ Her2+++ 31 years old
2 rounds ACH 6 rounds CTH ,a little healing time and then Mastectomy w/lymph node dissection, 9/27 positive nodes, a little more healing time
5/07 started another 6 rounds of cleanup chemo of CTH- Carboplatin, Taxotere and Herceptin
started Tomoxafin 9/07, Also declared NED 9/07
2009-Lymphedema- sleeve and glove
6-26-11 X-rays show suspicious spot on right 6th rib
8-25-11 another round of X-rays ordered, which also showed same spot on right 6th rib
9-1-11 Onc had bone scan done
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09-12-2011, 03:19 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Watkinsville, Georgia
Posts: 356
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Re: Women under 40
Kristin ~
I noticed your post and wanted to share with you that I was one of the under 40 ladies (36). I was nursing my youngest and when I started to wean her I noticed a lump that didn't go away. No-one including myself thought for a second that it was cancer. I had trouble with the same breast nursing my older boys (mastitis) so I thought that it probably had something to do with that. I went to GP and lactation specialist who didn't think cancer but as soon as I went and saw my Gyno I was in a surgeon's office within an hour getting a needle biopsy. He had felt the mass under my arm in the lymph node area and "knew" exactly what it was so all being said I was starting chemo within a week of that needle biopsy.
I was able to keep all the planned chemotherapy sessions with no lapse. I don't know if it had anything to do with my age but more or less that my blood counts stayed fairly high. Everyone's body reacts differently to all these drugs. I personally believe that my choices to juice, not eat red meat, sugar, dairy & trans fats helped me keep my energy up. I took supplements that I had researched that I felt helped with synergy of the drugs. I did so much back then.
My fertility came back with a bam. I didn't have a period for over two years...pregnancy, nursing and then straight into chemotherapy. We were not sure it would come back but it has and the surprising part is I am totally regular now. I was NEVER regular before. If we had chosen to have more children I was told I could. I didn't plan on having more before being diagnosed so I was probably in a different place than you may be. I do know of other younger women who have successfully had children after cancer.
I have had problems with the radiated area since 2004. At times it acts up and my skin reacts. It's slower to heal but I am so thankful for everything that I'm OK to deal with that and anything else. My veins are forever shot but as long as I notify anyone who attempts a needle in me first it's ok.
I think anyone can attempt aggressive treatments as long as they don't have any other underlying problems with the heart, circulation, lung function etc that could affect it. I guess younger women should be less likely to have these health issues. I think that it tends to be more aggressive and advanced in younger women when found. We are not scheduled for yearly mamo's so it's unlikely to show its face early.
Good luck with everything. I wish the best for you!
Hugs ~ Ruth
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[/SIGPIC]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diagnosed 6/03 nursing daughter
Dose dense A/C 4x
Modified rad mast 8/03
IDC; 3 cm; 10+/16 nodes; ER/PR-; Her2+++
Weekly taxol w/Herceptin (off label) 12x's
40 weeks Herceptin
Radiation 33x
Reconstruction w/ implants 05 & 07
NED
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