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Old 09-24-2014, 09:08 AM   #1
Pattymack
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End of my strength

After so much waiting, I finally had lumpectomy on 9/3/14. Pathology report said that there were 2 tumors found, margins in many places were negligible, and that the cancer is grade 3. Met with surgeon again Monday, we are awaiting the results of my Myriad genetics panel, and then will determine whether I go directly back to surgery, or have chemo first. There are so many horrible things happening in my life right now, I feel almost like I am cursed, and I just have nothing left in me to fight with. I am not a quitter, but I don't know how to find the strength to face all of the medical stuff again, let alone the very critical illness of my 6 month old granddaughter, and the process of unexpectedly having to find a new place to live, and a Mom with alzheimers who is just draining every ounce of strength that I have. Help.
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Patty

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Diagnosed 6/12 with kidney cancer and thyroid cancer
8/12 Had a partial nephrectomy
10/12 Had thyroid removed
6/14 Suspicious spots in mammogram, repeated, determined to need stereotactic biopsy
6/30/14 Biopsy done, came back positive
7/14/14 Second biopsy and MRI done
9/3/14 Lumpectomy done.
9/10/14 Path. back, margins not good, 2 unknown tumors were found, tumor is grade 3, ER+/PR+/Her2+++
9/15/14 Full Myriad genetic panel began
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Old 09-24-2014, 10:26 AM   #2
AlaskaAngel
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Re: End of my strength

Pattymack, that would overwhelm anyone.

Advice is easy to give, harder to take. But here it comes:

1. Be very open to accepting help, and actively look and listen and ask for any until you get some.
2. Delegate whatever you can.
3. Even if your "list" of things to be done ends up with just a few things checked off by the end of the day, that's progress and give yourself credit for ANYTHING that gets done. Perfection is nice in good times, but let your goals be something you can hang onto.
4. Being organized helps to make each step go faster.
5. Some things WILL go "right".
6. I'm glad you are here asking. There are lots of people here who have questions like yours and others who have found some answers to share.

Hugs,

A.A.
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Old 09-24-2014, 10:43 AM   #3
Jackie07
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Re: End of my strength

Hi Patty,

So sorry what you've been through. There's a Chinese saying describes exact the situation: "It rains overnight while one is having a leaky roof."

I had had a similar situation 23 years ago (Oct. 13 - almost to the date!) when I lost my job while recovering from my first brain surgery. I thought it was the end of the world ...

11 years later, I lost another hard-earned full-time job just a year after three shots of GKRS (Gamma-knife Radiosurgery)to control the three new growths.

Two years after that, I was diagnosed with Her2 +++ breast cancer.

Then after completing the treatment and losing two more full-time jobs, I was diagnosed with a recurrence just before a new job offer. I took it because we needed the money. So I faced another humiliating 'non-renewal' notice a year later.

That was six years ago.

Please contact your local United Way and the social worker of your hospital. Contact Leagal Aid and /or any other agencies that might provide any kind of help in your residing area. Call your local Republican Party / Democratic Party headquaters (There's a mid-term election going). Call your local newspaper/radio station ...

Hang in there. Help is on the way. You just have to believe it and get as many people involved as possible.
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Old 09-24-2014, 12:20 PM   #4
BonnieR
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Re: End of my strength

Patty, often friends say "let me know if I can help". So DO it! Have a list of things. Like sitting with your mom, bringing some food, giving you rides. Whatever would help you
And find social worker support
Most important, just do the next thing in front of you. The things that matter. Take it a day at a time. Don't project too far ahead and get overwhelmed. First things first
Keep the faith
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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
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Old 09-24-2014, 01:15 PM   #5
suzan w
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Re: End of my strength

I am so sorry that you are having to go through all of this. All I can do is send cyber hugs.
__________________
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!!
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Old 09-24-2014, 01:22 PM   #6
linzer
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Re: End of my strength

I'm so sorry that you are in this spot. I know that it is difficult enough to have to deal with the cancer without having to manage other very stressful things on top of it. A while back we thought my son was going to get a devastating dx and I nearly lost it. It feels like adding insult to injury. LIke others said, please try to find help whether it is emotional or people actually doing things for you. I hope that you can find the strength again. You will be in my thoughts. Linda
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Old 09-24-2014, 06:28 PM   #7
europa
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Re: End of my strength

When I was diagnosed everything collapsed. I had no work, I had to support myself and my 18 month old and my relationship became very toxic and I found myself in a custody nightmare...all while I was going through taxol. It was Hell. I had moments where honestly, I wanted to die so that's my life would cease. But then a client told me this: you're in boiling water right now, you are going to have to wait until it cools.
I took that to heart and made an appointment with a therapist. It saved me. I still see her every two weeks and yes, the water has cooled. It took some time, but it finally cooled.
It will cool for you too. Just take it day by day and if you can seek help.
__________________
DX 10/2011
PET Scan + MRI 10/2011
Lumpectomy 11/11/11
Stage 2B +++ ER+(10%), PR+(5%), HER2+++(1 positive node, 1 micromets to second node)
AC started 12/2011 ended 1/2012
Taxol + Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks ended 4/2012
30 zaps of radiation done 6/2012
Tamoxifen 6/2012
every 3 weeks of Herceptin for another year.
Metformin Trial 8/12
10/12 MRI- CLEAR
01/13 BRAIN MRI- CLEAR!
01/13 Neck MRI- CLEAR!
FINISHED HERCEPTIN 1/9/2013...Woot Woot
Starting Walter Reed Vaccine Trial 2/13
CT Scans + ultrasound of abdomen CLEAR-5/13
02/2015 through 11/2015 emergency D&Cs for Tamoxifen induced uterine polyps which caused uncontrollable hemorrhaging
12/2015 blood clot to left leg caused by Tamoxifen. No longer taking it. On Xarelto, a blood thinner
12/2015 Ablation to prevent hemorrhaging from potential issues with Tamoxifen residue in my system
1/2016 continuing journey without hormonal therapy. Reevaluating the option of a hysterectomy and oopherectomy.
4/1/2018 2mm stroke. Yes, stroke! No cause ever found but they believe it was a migraine that went bonkers and created a tiny clot. No deficits. I was back to normal with 24hrs. Now on baby aspirin for life.
7/27/2018 hysterectomy and oopherectomy
01/07/2019 Mastectomy and expanders put in
3/22/2019 Vtach, almost died. Cause unknown.
7/22/2019 New perky boobs put in
7/21/2020 Off of all drugs but a baby aspirin because of the stroke in 2018.


www.mychemobag.org
www.facebook.com/mychemobag

8 YEARS NED
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Old 09-24-2014, 07:23 PM   #8
Nurse4u2day
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Re: End of my strength

PattyMack I'm so so sorry that not only have you had to deal with major past medical issues bet yet again you are facing another major health crisis along with a grandchild with an illness and a parent with Alzheimer's it all seems to much for one person to have to endure.
I have had my own share of other major life issues including a child that they thought had Leukemia at the age of 1... The big difference is that I had time to take a breather in between crisis. I'm so sorry that you have this piled up on you at once. As others have said there are times I too thought death would be easier then dealing with this cancer ( and I'm as mentally as strong as they come) .
Please seek out help where and when needed. Take each problem one step at a time . Don't overwhelm yourself with things that can truly be put off until another day. And whatever you do don't forget how important you are to those who love you.
Tamara
__________________
]11/13 Dx IDC left breast
11/19/2013 Inflammatory Breast Cancer stage 3c grade 2 Er- Pr- her2+++
Node involvement suspected based on CT
12/13 port placed
12/13 neoadjuvant DD AC xs 4 rounds started
02/14 taxol/herceptin started every week xs 12 rounds
Herceptin for 1 year
Ki67=23%
BRCA1&2 negative
5/06/14 last round taxol/herceptin. Chemo done!!!
5/07/14 clear CT scan
6/11/14 Bilateral Mastectomy Done
6/15/14 8mm tumor post chemo. Removed by bmx
6/15/14 lymph nodes 0/9
6/15/14 officially Cancer Free
7/11/14 emergency surgery to left breast . Wound refused to heal and broke open. New TE placed
7/28/14 emergency medical procedure now to right breast( post op 6 weeks mastectomy ) wound opens.
8/25/14 - 10/07/14 Radiation
11/24/14 CT of Brain clear
01/23/15 One year Herceptin Complete
02/04/15 Diep done
5/01/15 1 year Ct scan- mass in thymus
6/23/15 repeat CT mass in thymus still present
6/30/15 biopsy thymus 7/03/15 mass Benign! Diagnoses Thymic hyperplasia rebound ( chemo at fault, no long term health effects)
7/08/15 phase 2 diep
11/23/15 phase 2b ( reconstructive surgery with lipo)
03/05/18 Vinnie Myer 3 D nipple tattoos complete.
11/19/2018 5 years since Dx of IBC stage 3c remain NED.
11/19/21- 8 years today I officially remain NED and in 12 days I will be having a lymphnode transfer to help decrease some mild lymphedema! Still working, living life and soon to see a day I thought never would happen and that’s becoming a grandparent June 22nd.
11/19/2023 - 10 years since diagnosis and I remain NED
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Old 09-25-2014, 05:56 AM   #9
Pattymack
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Re: End of my strength

Thank you for all the encouragement you sent. It is really hard right now, I do think at times that if I curled up and never woke up, it would be OK. I trult don't mean it, but it is honest, raw feelings. If it weren't for my family, life would not be worth this battle, but I'm trying my best because I am watching my 6 month old granddaughter fight for her life, how can I do any less?
__________________
Patty

_________________

Diagnosed 6/12 with kidney cancer and thyroid cancer
8/12 Had a partial nephrectomy
10/12 Had thyroid removed
6/14 Suspicious spots in mammogram, repeated, determined to need stereotactic biopsy
6/30/14 Biopsy done, came back positive
7/14/14 Second biopsy and MRI done
9/3/14 Lumpectomy done.
9/10/14 Path. back, margins not good, 2 unknown tumors were found, tumor is grade 3, ER+/PR+/Her2+++
9/15/14 Full Myriad genetic panel began
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Old 09-25-2014, 01:50 PM   #10
tricia keegan
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Re: End of my strength

I'm sorry Patty and know you'll find the strength to face all this one day at a time, you have a lot to live and fight for!
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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!
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Old 09-25-2014, 02:37 PM   #11
BonnieR
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Re: End of my strength

Europa reminded me of a saying " when you're going through hell, keep going"! What else are we to do. And it does get better. Promise
Keep the faith
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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
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Old 09-25-2014, 09:41 PM   #12
Pray
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Re: End of my strength

Sounds like you have an awesome little fighter in the family! Its awesome to see you gain strength from such a little warrior. I'm praying for your whole family. Gods blessings all around. His Peace.
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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
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Old 09-25-2014, 09:44 PM   #13
Cat
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Re: End of my strength

What wise women on this board!
I am sorry you are dealing with all this. I too have my hands full right now and have wanted to find a tree to crawl under but I heard a saying " you never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have" I probably heard it here somewhere where all these wise women hang out. Family makes a big difference, hang in there.
Cathy
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3/06 DX stage III er-pr-her2+++ breast, 1+node
age 49 and 364 days
3XAC 4X taxol and herceptin continue herceptin one year
bilat mastectomy w/TRAM
32 rads
9/08 recurrance 4 sternal nodes
mediastinoscopy, able to remove 3
taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin, x6
continue herceptin indefinately
5/10 recurrance in same node/area
mediastinoscopy, removed nodes
added tykerb
27 rads
10/18/10 PET shows inflammation no active disease
8/2011 recurrence one right mediastinal node, xeloda and proton radiation to node.
D/C xeloda due to toxicity
12/5 PET scan clear
2/2012 colon blockage, breast cancer
(never thought it could go there! thought I was constipated)
start abraxane, herceptin, continue tykerb
10/2012 Kidney ablation (renal CA!)
3/2013 CT and biopsy R kidney (BC met to R kidney)
4/4/2013 Begin Kadcyla
7/30/13 Craniotomy cerebellar mets, 1.7cm 3cm
Sept 4-6 post op cyberknife
Sept 23 ablation right kidney (blow up pesky breast ca met)
Oct headaches MRI Oct 10 (only surgical changes ! Yay!)
Short of breath. CT, pulmonary function, echo
New crap in right lung heart good. Pooh!
12/13 DC kadcyla. Begin halaven
2/14 MRI brain NED Yay!
4/3/14 CT mostly stable but breast mets r kidney growing
4/16/14 ablation right kidney again
Continue halaven, tykerb
dc halaven gemzar?
2nd opinion May 14
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Old 10-20-2014, 08:13 PM   #14
v-ness
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Re: End of my strength

Others have posted about crushing blows during cancer. I hope that it helps you feel less alone, that there are those of us here who know what it's like to be in the throes of a complicated and seemingly unending hell. I too can relate. I lost my father to a stroke and had to help my devastated mom. 11 months later my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, dying 10 weeks later. And then of course i got diagnosed with breast cancer. At the end of my treatment my mom died of ovarian cancer no one knew she had. And even in remission it has not ended. My sister is a raging alcoholic now and i constantly fear her death. And all the stress scares me, will it make the cancer come back? It's so hard to understand why some of us are seemingly cursed at every turn. People say "you're so strong", but a) what choice do you have? And b) others would have given anything to survive the fight. We owe it to them and ourselves to see it through. You just go on. You rest, then pull yourself up by the bootstraps and go on. Be good to yourself, let others be good to you, and look for all the good there still is, all around.
__________________
8/09 - IDC 1.8 cm triple positive, lumpectomy left breast
10/09 began chemo (taxotere & carboplatin) and weekly herceptin.
1/21/10 finished chemo, continued on herceptin every 3 weeks until 10/2010.
2/10 began 7 wks of radiation
6/10 mom dies of primary peritoneal ovarian cancer
8/10 got my last remaining ovary out
10/10 mammogram all clear
3/11 MRI shows 5 'spots' in right breast, largest 1 cm unidentifiable on US
needle biopsy proved the largest to be old inflamed cyst -phew!
7/10 switched to Arimidex
8/9 switched to Femara - allergic to arimidex
Femara made me lose hair quickly so switched to Aromasin
Aromasin made my hair fall out too and the bone pain was too much.
back on Tamoxifen 1/2013.
blood clot from trains and planes 5/2014 so on coumadin per onco for as long as i am on tamoxifen
tamoxifen was supposed to be up with my 5 yrs in may but my boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer so i am staying on tamoxifen indefinitely because i want some ammo against BC, given the stress. lost my husband in only 10 wks in 2007 to stage 4 esophageal cancer.
cancer's screwing with another man i love
2/2016 - 6yrs in remission, off tamoxifen and off coumadin - yay!
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Old 10-20-2014, 09:12 PM   #15
Pamelamary
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Re: End of my strength

Dear Patty,
Sorry to hear that you are having difficulties. Some of the others have given you good advice. I can only say hang on in there, and send cyber hugs from Australia.
Best wishes..... Pam
__________________
Diagnosed 2004: Lumpectomy - 2 tumours, both grade 1 infiltrating duct carcinoma, about 12mm. ER+,
C-erbB-2 status 3+.
Clear margins, no nodal involvement.
Radiotherapy, i year Tamoxifen, 4 years Arimidex.
Rediagnosed 2012: Multiple bone metastases.
3/12: began on Marianne trial - T-DM1 + Pertuzamab/Placebo.
5/12:Unexpected development of numerous bilateral liver mets. Came off trial.
Started Docetaxol/ Herceptin + Zometa.
8/12:Bones stable +major regression in liver (!)
9/12:Can't take any more Docetaxol! Start on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. Cross fingers!
Changed to Denosumab.
11/12: Scan shows stable - yay!
11/13: Still stable :-) !!!
1/16: All stable, but lowered calcium, so switched to Zometa 3 monthly.
2/19: Happily still stable on Herceptin, Letrozole and 3 monthly Zometa.
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Old 10-21-2014, 08:20 AM   #16
Catherine
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Re: End of my strength

Dear Patty, Thank you for your honesty. Our site has been an orr out of the boiling water for all of us. The loving advice that others have posted is so true. When you have time and energy reread the posts and soak up the support. You have every right to feel as you do. you deserve to put yourself at the top of the list of who gets attention first. Please stay in touch. So sorry for the hell you are going through. May health and life get better soon for you.

Hugs,Catherine
__________________
Catherine


Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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Old 10-21-2014, 11:48 AM   #17
Carol Ann
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Re: End of my strength

Hi Patty, I just wanted to join with what the others here have said and let you know I am thinking of you too, especially as the site has been down for awhile. Please post when you're up to it. I am so sorry for everything you are going through.

Carol Ann
__________________
July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts.

Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies".

Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow.

Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed.

Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed.

Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH.

March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY!

March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks.

March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :)

April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm

May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :)

June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia

Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin!

Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy.

Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend.

Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT!

January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:03 PM   #18
embur102
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Re: End of my strength

Holding you in healing love and light, patty.
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R unilat Mx 5-25-2012 (no reconstruction)
Stage 2B, Grade 3, Her2+++, Er + (15%), Pr -
4.2 cm, 2/14 nodes +
3 AC, 4 T/H
Zoladex 4 months
Oophorectomy Feb 2013
AI daily
Herceptin every 3 wks until Sept 2013
Gamma Knife June 2014, 2 cm brain met
Liver mets Oct 2014
Taxotere/herceptin/perjeta-CLEOPATRA trial Nov 2014-Mar 2015


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Old 10-21-2014, 09:19 PM   #19
SusanN
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Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 265
Re: End of my strength

Patty...I CANNOT even imagine what you are going through...BUT, know I'm praying for you and asking God to give you much strength and peace in the days ahead...sending you HUGE HUGE HUGS!!!
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10/18/12 Found pea size lump right breast
11/7/12 Biopsy
12/14/12 Lumpectomy
1/4/13 Rexcision, NO CLEAR MARGINS!! :(
2/11/13 Mastectomy with Expander Placed
2/15/13 INFECTION at Mastectomy site...emergency Surgery!!! Expander removed :(
DX: DCIS, IDC, Stage 2a, 2.7cm, 1/5 nodes positive
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Old 10-22-2014, 09:45 AM   #20
Pattymack
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Posts: 9
Re: End of my strength

I really appreciate all the kind words and support, it means a lot. It all doesn't seem to matter so much right now, my granddaughter that I referred to in my original post is in the battle of her short little life, and if I could lay down my life to make her healthy, I would in an instant. She has been diagnosed with hyperinsulinism, a very rare congenital condition that is kind of like the opposite of diabetes, but not exactly. She has been sent from here in central Illinois to Philadelphia, where the best doctors in the world for dealing with this condition are, and even they are unsure how to help her. Ultimately, they will have to remove 98% of her pancreas, she will have to live on a feeding tube pouring sugar into, while she slowly becomes diabetic and will have to take insulin. It will be a constant balancing act to weigh and count every morsel or drop that goes into her, praying that as an active baby, that she doesn't pull the feeding tube out, because her sugars plummet so fast, she goes into dangerous seizures. All the while, this precious baby has the most beautiful, angelic smile on her face, and absolutely charms every one who comes in contact with her. If you would like to look at her story, my daughter has it on "caringbridge.org", her name is Adalyn Renken. Please kepp her in your prayers.
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Diagnosed 6/12 with kidney cancer and thyroid cancer
8/12 Had a partial nephrectomy
10/12 Had thyroid removed
6/14 Suspicious spots in mammogram, repeated, determined to need stereotactic biopsy
6/30/14 Biopsy done, came back positive
7/14/14 Second biopsy and MRI done
9/3/14 Lumpectomy done.
9/10/14 Path. back, margins not good, 2 unknown tumors were found, tumor is grade 3, ER+/PR+/Her2+++
9/15/14 Full Myriad genetic panel began
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