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06-11-2008, 10:46 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Never thought THIS DAY would come!
Well, Dear Group, you know that yesterday was quite a hard day for me. Yet it was bitter-sweet. While Lolly's hubby was giving me the sad news I was getting ready for another landmark event in our family.
My grandson number 1 graduated from high school last night. Eight years ago I did now know if I would live to see him get his diploma. He always was a good student so I knew he would graduate, with or without my support and love.
Both of his grandparents on his dad's side passed away from lung cancer so he was missing them very much. I used to watch the two boys many times during their school breaks and summer when I was bald and weak. I would take them to a park or tennis court, set up my folding chair, and let them work off their energy. It was bookstores on wet days.
It was I who taught Marro to use a computer with Windows 3.1 when he was 4. He interviewed me once for a report on "decision making," and there are so many other great memories along the way.
I was really in two minds as I sat in the colliseum last night. Feeling sorry that Lolly would never be present at her grandson's graduation, and feeling very grateful that I was able to attend mine and cheer at the top of my lungs when his name was called.
Life is STRANGE!
__________________
"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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06-11-2008, 11:03 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 161
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Steph, what a great message and I am so PROUD OF YOU, TOO!
Hi Steph,
I just read your message and you gave me chills of love, gratitude and appreciation as I read it. The special memories and devotion you showed to your grandchildren were amazing and I can just picture you nestled in a bookstore on a rainy day with peace and joy in your heart.
Not only have you brought happiness and joy to your family, you have brought it to me, as well. That was beautifully written and I thank you for sharing it.
I am so sorry to hear about Lolly. Her lovely photo always lit up this board each and every time I saw it.
Yes, life is STRANGE!
Still we must keep cheering for one another as you did at your grandson's graduation.
Love to you,
Vicki
__________________
Diagnosed 12/03 at age 53
1.5cm tumor, ER-PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
Stage 1B, Three negative nodes from Sentinel Node Biopsy
Paget's of the nipple, Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma and DCIS of the rt breast
Bloom-Richardson score 8/9, P53+ 60-70%, Ki-67+ 30-40%
Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate lat-flap reconstruction and saline implants, 1/04
Chemo: FAC, five sessions every three weeks Feb.-May 04, then switched to HTC weekly for 12 weeks, June-Aug 04
Zometa every 6 months for osteopenia, started April 09
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06-11-2008, 11:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: OH
Posts: 385
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Yes Steph
most of life's moments are bittersweet. How joyful for you to experience this celebration. I was up all night at the hospital 5 years ago waiting for my grandson to be born. I left the hospital at 8:55 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. visit in another wing (which confirmed that I had breast cancer). At the moment the doctor came in my cell phone rang that my grandson was born. It was a strange, bittersweet day.
What great memories you built with your grandson and I'm happy you got to celebrate.
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06-11-2008, 11:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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so true, Steph, bitter sweet. What a wonderful night to see your grandson reach his goal (and yours). Having read Lolly's son's message makes me think that she poured so much good into her family that it will reap good things for generations to come. Life is strange and sometimes hard to live, but I am so grateful for this very day and the ability to share even the sad times with those I care so much about. May those in trouble get a gift of peace today and a gift of blessings in the days to come. ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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06-11-2008, 02:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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Steph,
I am so glad that you were able to be there. What a wonderful memory for you and your grandson. Here's to many more special events.
Tonya
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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06-11-2008, 02:32 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oregon City
Posts: 856
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Steph:
Congratulations to your grandson. Cheer just as hard and just as loud when he graduates from college.
Personally, I am glad you made it eight years. Otherwise I would have never known you. You are an amazing human being.
Lee
__________________
This happened to Colleen:
Diagnosed in September 2007
ER-/PR-/HER2 Neu+++ 2.1 cm x .9 cm spicluted tumor with three fingers, Stage 2B
Sentinal node biopsy and lymph node removal with 3/18 positive in October 2007
4 TAC infusions
lumpectomy March 2008, bad margins
Re-excision on June 3rd, 2008 with clean margins
Fitted for compression sleeve July 16, 2008
Started the first of two TCH infusions August 14, 2008
Done with chemo and now a member of the blue dot club 9/17/08
Starting radiation October 1, 2008
life is still on hold
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06-11-2008, 02:38 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Congratulations!!!!!!
Hi Steph,
And to think that I was talking to you fifteen minutes before the ceremony was supposed to begin. I developed mets a few weeks before my sons graduation and attended shortly after my brain surgery. For awhile I didn't even know if I would be able to attend. Each moment in our lives seem much more precious.
Thank for being willing to give me some time yesterday. I was just so shocked and upset when I read your post.
Nevertheless, I am happy for you that you were able to enjoy and celebrate your grandson's graduation.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
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06-11-2008, 03:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cordoba, Mexico
Posts: 672
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Dear Steph,
I know how much this means to you, so for that my most sincere congratulations. I bet you'll see him graduate from college. Take care, Love,
Paty
__________________
Dx. June 30th, 2006 at age 43
Lumpectomy rt breast
2.2 cm tumor, 13 nodes all negative
ER-PR+,her2+++
6 FAC
32 Rads
Dx. Lung fibrosis due to radiation
Ended 1 year herceptin in March, 2008
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06-11-2008, 04:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Congratulations, Steph, to you and your grandson! You both keep up the good work.
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06-11-2008, 05:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: moved to Lancaster, Pa in June, 2010
Posts: 576
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Steph, Each milestone that comes and goes, such as my daughter's recent wedding, makes me feel so blessed. I didn't think I would be here for her graduation last year, but I was bald and all. Then came the wedding this past April, again didn't know as things with my health keep cropping up. But there I was with my husband walking her down the ailse. Yes life is bitter sweet and I have found with the bad always comes some good. May you make many more memories with your grandson!
__________________
Debbie in North Carolina
Diag 10/2006-high grade invasive ductal carcinoma- mastectomy L breast
2.5 cm tumor ER/PR pos-Her2+++
4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Taxol
Herceptin every 3 weeks until Jan. 2008
6/18/07 prophylatic mastectomy R breast
8/2007 started aromasin/stopped arimidex (side effects)
12/07 stopped aromasin due to side effects (now what?)
Finished herceptin 1/8/08
started tamoxifen for 2 years then will switch to femera
allergic to tamoxifen started femera 4/2008
June 20, 2008 portacath removed
Learnig to live life to the fullest!
Stopped Femera due to side effects
July 28, 2008 start trial for breast cancer vaccine
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06-11-2008, 07:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Congrats Steph on your grandson's graduation, and for being 8 years out!! Very uplifting news.
I also celebrated 2 milestones since dx -my younger DD graduated high school in June 2007, and this week, on Monday, our older DD graduated from university. When I was first diagnosed in October 2006, I did not know if I would live to see either of these grads - but I did, and am looking forward to many more happy events.
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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06-11-2008, 07:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: WA State
Posts: 199
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Graduation is such a wonderful memory. I'm so glad you were able to be there with your grandson on his special day. I know my youngest son graduated just this last Saturday from HS and I know how blessed I felt to be there to celebrate his achievement.
Best wishes on many, many more special days and memories.
Cindy
__________________
Cindy
L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008
Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!
I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here
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06-11-2008, 11:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Steph,
I am so very happy for you to share your grandsons special day. I wish you many many more years of
special days with your family.
God Bless,
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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06-12-2008, 01:37 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 46
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Steph,
Let me also wish you many more years of such happy highlights in your family. You seem to be a great grandmother and this is another incentive for your to stay there for your grandchildren who are wrapped up by your special love. Wish you to see the children of your grandchildren!
Best,
belle
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06-12-2008, 06:54 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 503
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Very eloquent... congrats to you and your grandson.
maria
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06-12-2008, 07:39 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 943
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Steph, I'm Glad For Your And Thanks For Bringing Us Your Awesome News.
__________________
Robin
2002- dx her2 positive DCIS/bc TX Mast, herceptin chemo
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06-12-2008, 07:44 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Steph-
I'm sorry to hear about Lolly. I don't believe I posted with her but I recall her picture vividly. When I first joined this forum, her posts were one of the 1st one's I read. Just from her picture she seems like a very special person. The solice in this is that she is at peace and may all her memories live on.
Congratulations on your grandson's graduation!!! It is wonderful news. You must be so proud and you have a right to be...
Liz
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06-12-2008, 07:07 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Steph, Congratulations to both you and your grandson. You've both earned it! May there be many other family celebrations that you'll cherish. Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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06-12-2008, 08:39 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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Congratulations Steph! I can't wait for my 2 grandkids to graduate, though I do have a long wait ahead of me.
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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