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01-05-2008, 03:46 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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People still just don't get any of *it*!
On 1-3-06 was the day I had my MRM. So as far as I'm concerned my cancerversary was 1-3-07. So I mentioned to a few people what a major milestone this was for me with the doom and gloom oncologists I had. I told them I shouldn't even be here if I had listened and believed my doctors. I didn't expect much when I mentioned this to them but not a one of them seemed to care. It was like I told them something so un-important like, "I better go wash my hands". They went right over it like it was nothing. (I'm so happy that they all care that I'm still here and ned so far.)
Sorry...just a bit disappointed in the few people I thought cared.  I know you guys do get *it*. So I can safely post it here. (I'm done whining.)
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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01-05-2008, 04:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Chelee
My Cancer anniversary has overshadowed my BIRTHDAY to me...in a healing way...you are so right, many of them don't get "it"....its because they don't know our pain and our strengths! I bet if they were diagnosed they would get "it".
__________________
"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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01-05-2008, 04:52 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 154
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Cheele,
i totally understand!! On my Cancerversary's i did something special for my self #1 bought a horse #2 bought a puppy #3 bought a car #4 planned a trip to Florida. "they" don't understand. Like Jesus said
"forgive them, they know not what they do" ...
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01-05-2008, 05:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Hi Chelee! Congratulations on your Cancerversary! You are right, most people don't get it. I don't know if they are scared to think about it or it makes them feel uneasy, or what, I don't know. We experienced similar things here, so we do get it. I hope you're doing well. Love, Bill
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01-05-2008, 06:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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Congratulations Chelee!!! We have almost the same cancerversary. I know how you feel about "people not getting it." Even my family. My husband understands, but not the rest. I have been told by some that I thought we had a really close relationship, that I just needed to put all of this behind me and not dwell on cancer so much. I don't wish that they would be diagnosed so they could understand. Sometimes I really feel alone with this. At least I have this group.
Take care, and I hope we can celebrate #4 without a recurrance.
Linda
__________________
Diagnosed 12/23/04
Biopsy 12/28/04
Lumpectomy 1/04/05
IDC, ER-PR-, HER2Neu+++
7mm tumor, Stage 1, Grade 3
6 CAF's
38 Rads
Finished 10/05
"Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up."
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01-05-2008, 06:11 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LI, NY
Posts: 660
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My family gets "it", because they've been through so much with me over the years. My friends get "it," because it seems that the only friends I have left are cancer survivors (the best people in the world). The people that didn't get "it" didn't stick around, and that's okay by me. Seems to me like you need new friends...one's that get it enough to celebrate every cancerversary the way it should be celebrated. Congrats...
__________________
Maryann
Stage IV Inflammatory BC 1/00
Mod Rad Mastectomy 24nod/5+
Adriomycin Cytoxin Taxol
Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs
Radiation - 32 x
Metastatic BC lung/liver 10/04
thorocentesis 2x - pleurodesis
Herceptin Taxatiere Carbo
Femera/Lupron
BC NED 4/05
chemo induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia 5/06
Induction/consolidation chemo
bone marrow transplant - 11/3/06
Severe Host vs Graft Disease of liver
BC mets to lung 11/07
Fasoladex Herceptin Zometa Xeloda
GVHD/Iron overload to liver
Avascular Necrosis/morphine pump 10/10
metastatic brain tumor
steriotactic radiosurgery
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01-05-2008, 06:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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1/3/06 was your first day of "Chelee's Incredible Life, Take 2" - and anyone who skimmed over it can just kiss my booty. And you can tell them that! Congrats Chelee. Keep on rockin' lady!!
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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01-05-2008, 06:59 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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We understand....truly we do.
Dear Chelee,
Ever hear the saying, "Let them walka mile in my shoes?"
You know, sometimes I think that not only do some not get it, they don't want to get it...
I had a close friend say to me, "it is a good thing this did not happen to me, I could never deal with it" I could not help feeling that she meant it
was okay for me, but not for her....people say stupid things in fear, or
do not do the best thing, who knows why, I often think we notice just
who is who after a cancer dx. The strong character or weak character in people will expose itself.
But you must celebrate your cancerverisary, do so by doing something special just for you, or do something special that makes you feel great.
I wish you 22 X 2 more anniversaries.
With Love,
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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01-05-2008, 07:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Happy Cancerversary Chelee, from another Sister who "gets it"! My Surgical Cancerversary is Jan 6 (bilat masts) and will be my 3rd.
Big hugs,Marcia
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01-05-2008, 07:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Someone asked me "Are you going to die?" And I said, "why of course I am and so are you. Everyone dies one day." He never asked me anything stupid ever again.
No - not everyone gets it. But Michelle said it best, they know not what they do.
And my father used to always tell me: "Becky, remember - not everyone is smart"
Love and a hug to you
__________________
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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01-05-2008, 08:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Becky,
Love your statement to that stupid queston...on death. Made me bust out laughing..
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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01-05-2008, 08:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Lol, Becky! That's an awesome new response to alot of situations. Sounds like my Dad, a man of few words, but they were all good.
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01-05-2008, 08:32 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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One of my favorites (from the Blue Collar gang)...
"you can't fix stupid..."
so true, so true!
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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01-05-2008, 08:48 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Hi Chelee,
Oh I "get it" in a major way - Happy Cancerversary kiddo - Enjoy! And may you celebrate many many more.
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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01-05-2008, 09:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: South Dakota.
Posts: 621
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My friends have never had a discussion with me about my cancer. They don't seem to want to discuss it. I, on the other hand, would like to let them know about this kind of cancer, things I have learned, my fears, etc.
One of my friends made the "I could be hit by a truck tomorrow, too" comment when I was sharing a concern about a recent test. I thought, "I'd rather have the odds of getting hit by a truck vs. the odds of cancer recurrance. Would she like to trade?" No, they don't get it.
I felt that if they knew some of the details, they would have a little better understanding of me, and what I might be experiencing. I'm not looking for sympathy at all, but I would like them to have some idea of cancer's impact. But maybe that is impossible,...maybe a person has to experience it first hand.
But instead, it's never brought up. Do they think I am back to the person that I was before? That cancer is a horrible memory from the past, but now it can be forgotten? No, they don't get it. But I do...may I be better for it.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Barbara
DX Oct 02 @ age 52 Stage 2B Grade 3 Mastectomy
"at least" 4.5 cm IDC 1+node ER+61% /PR-
Assiciated Intraductual component with Comedo Necrosis
Her2+ FISH8.6 IHC 2+
5 1/2 CEF Arimidex
Celebrex 400mg daily for 13 months
Prophylactic mastectomy
Estradiol #: 13
PTEN positive, "late" Herceptin (26 months after chemo)
Oct 05: Actonel for osteopenia from Arimidex.
May 08: Replaced Actonel with Zometa . Taking every 6
months.
Accepting the gift of life, I give thanks for it and live it in fullness.
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01-05-2008, 11:07 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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hmmm. ..
Barbara,
I heard that analogy also...next time a "friend" says that to you,
tell them, Yes that's true but I can read the license plate number
on that bus/or/truck/ or whatever vehicle they mention.
People are so silly aren't they, I have considered writing a book
that would have all the stupid things not to say or do to people who
are fighting the fight.
Hmmm could be a best seller!
Hugs,
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
Last edited by Jean; 01-05-2008 at 11:10 PM..
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01-05-2008, 11:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan
Posts: 592
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Congrats Chelee on your first cancerversary! I am happy for you!!!
I know how you feel about others who unfortunately just don't get it. I am truly blessed that I have a few wonderful friends who truly try to understand and support me. However, I have relatives on my husband's side that have not even acknowledged my cancer. It's as if my husband told them, I had a runny nose. It is very, very disappointing, and it hurts. They live on the other side of the state and I haven't had a bit on contact with them since prior to my diagnosis (Aug 2006) and I probably never will have contact with them again. So very sad, my brother does not understand or acknowledge my diagnosis and what I have gone through either.
Wishing you many, many, many more years of NED!
Hugs,
__________________
Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+
Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4
Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin
Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders
Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp
Jun07...Start Tamoxifen
Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25
Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin
Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture
Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly.
Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :(
Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex.
Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks
Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C
Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+).
Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin.
Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction
Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin.
Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin.
Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston.
Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable.
May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up.
May14...PET scan = uterine progression :(
May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.
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01-06-2008, 12:20 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 96
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Happy Cancerversary Chelee!!! May you have many many more!
We get it - big time! I felt as if my life restarted after cancer. I personally think about it as life 'bc' and 'ac'.
Don't let those 'friends' get you down, they are ignorant and if they had cancer you can bet that it would be a big thing for them. I have yet to meet a cancer survivor for whom it was not a big deal.
Hugs,
Patricia
__________________
age 37 @ dx 7/21/05: IDC 1.5cm, grade III, Stage 1c, ER /PR+, HER2+,
7/29/05: Partial Mastectomy
dx 8/15/05: Papillary Thyroid Cancer
9/15/05: Total Thyroidectomy
A/C X 4 DD, 11 weekly Taxol + Herceptin, + 9 mos Herceptin Alone, 36x Rads, Lupron, Aromasin
7/29/07: 2 years NED :)
8/6/07 Oopherectomy (Lupron no more! :-)
Aromasin & Estring plus Synthroid and supplements
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01-06-2008, 10:26 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Happy Cancerversary Chelee from one who understands
I know where you are coming from Chelee- that is why I rely on this board so entirely.
Although my family and my friends are "there" for me, I still feel sometimes people are tired of hearing me complain (which I really do not do often) but still there are times. I have to say that I have been "around" for a good 12 years now- (will be celebrating my 12th year now in a few weeks) which is a very wonderful thing don't get me wrong. But after so many years I think people just get used to it if I can say it that way without sounding sour. To me it's a constant thought in every thing that I do but really what can anyone say.They are supportive but I guess there are times when I have a pity party for myself and think someone should come up to me a say WOW lets have a great big "survivor" party for you. YOU DESERVE IT. I also get those comments once in awhile about well we are all going to die at some point. DUH - but our fate is staring us right in the eye daily.
I dont usually rant on like this Chelee but your post got me to thinking about how I feel sometimes and thought I would use this opportunity to vent a bit of my honest feelings too.
Basically I feel that everyone means well, they just don't know what to say. We are all loved and everyone is thinking about us but there is nothing they can do to save us and I know this must bother them - just be there for us when we need them. They are very scared also. I find myself being the comforter many times instead of the comforted.
So just remember Chelee - we all love you and CARE and so do those around you. I think it's might just be more difficult for them to show.
You take care and enjoy your CANCERVERSARY.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"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."
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01-06-2008, 01:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Enjoy your SECOND cancerversary!
Sending you the best healthy wishes for getting through Canserversary number two. May you see three, four, five and many more after that. Sometimes we suffer in silence, but we can also CELEBRATE our achievements in silence as well. Enjoy yourself for YOURSELF.
No one knows but YOU what your life with cancer has been like. For each it is different, but we will share your joy in passing the TWO YEAR mark as NED. Keep dancing with that guy!
P.S. Many people have NO idea of the importance of getting to TWO years NED for our diagnosis. Maybe you can educate your "friends."
__________________
"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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