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05-10-2010, 04:18 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 8
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Finished Chemo, then...
I finished Chemo on April 29, 2010, and I am still standing (HaHa).
My three tumors, which appeared on the chest after my mastectomy, look and feel pretty much gone.
I am going to get another surgery to remove the skin at my chest, where the three tumors were. My surgeon, first didn't want to do the surgery. Then, he suggested to do biopsy to check if there are any cancer remaining. Finally he agreed to do a limited skin removing surgery. I am getting a second opinion from another surgeon soon. Since my recurrence, I have been feeling that I and my surgeon are not on a same page anymore. I trust my feelings.
The skin removing surgery was suggested by my med onc. The Chemo I was receiving is for systemic, also neoadjuvant (for three tumors on my chest). After neoadjuvant, the area must be treated with radiation or surgery. Since I've already had radiation, my onc won't give me another round. He wants me to get this surgery so that we can lower the risk of more tumors coming back at the same area.
I have been feeling very positive about this surgery. While we were discussing about it, my onc said,"While we haven't found any mets yet, I do everything to try to cure you." He wasn't trying to give me a false hope as using a word "cure." He clearly told me that most of the odds are agains me and I need to live one day at a time. My cancer came back very fast; the tumors grew in the astounding speed. I was preparing the worst in mind because I didn't want to be disappointed if the worst became real. But my onc refleshed my hope, which had got very stale by that time. It's OK to have a good today; it's OK to hope a good tomorrow.
I am in peace now. I hope all of you be in peace also.
Kim
__________________
Diag July 2008,
Aug 2008: Right Lumpectomy with Sentinel Lumph Node Biopsy, IDC Stage IIA, no lymps, 2.8cm, Grade 3, ER- PR- HER2- (CEP17, FISH1.7), Ki-67 60%,
Sep 2008-Feb 2009: AC(6)+T(6) dose den,
March-May2009: Rad 28+5,
Oct 2009: Reg Recu (a skin tumor right on scar line),
Nov 12, 2009: PET CT no mets found,
Nov 2009: Right Modi Radi Mastectomy, 0.7cm, Grade 3, 1/10 lymp posi, ER-, PR-, HER2+++, Ki-67 90%
Dec 2009: 3 skin tumors app on the right chest,
Jan 2010: Taxotele(6x) +Carboplatin(6x) +Herceptin(1yr) every 3 wks,
Ap 19, 2010: PET CT no mets found,
April 29, 2010: finished Chemo, continue Herceptin till Dec 2010,
May 6, 2010: MRI (brain) clear.
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05-10-2010, 08:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bayarea,CA
Posts: 679
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Hi Kim,
I really like your upbeat attitude! The good news is that you are all clear now and herceptin will do its due diligence for you. Wishing you many many NED years!
hugs,
shobha
__________________
DX: 06-30-2007 - left breast -stage IIIB, Her2/Neu 3+++, ER weakly positive, PR-
Taxol+herceptin weekly for 3 months
FEC+herceptin every 3 weeks for 3 months
BRCA 1 and 2 - Negative
Jan 2008 - Bilateral mastectomy, prophylactic Rt. side.
Radiation for 5 weeks
Completed my yr of herceptin on 07-14-2008
Brain MRI - 3/2/09 Clean
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05-10-2010, 03:43 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Kim,
Sounds like you are not just 'standing', but standing tall...
Suegeons and medical oncologists think differently sometimes. I'd think they had talked to each other before giving you their[conflicting] opinions... (must not have communicated too well...)
Be sure to keep us posted...
__________________
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
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IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
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Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
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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)
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"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
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05-10-2010, 05:24 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kensington, CT
Posts: 394
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Kim,
Glad that you got encouraging news. I'm routing for you.
Kris....
__________________
06/08/09 - 55, IDC, IIIA, ER+/PR-/HER+++
Nottingham 6/9 - Grade 2 5.2cm, several nodes
06/23/09 - Neoadjuvant - TCH Herceptin til June
10/07/09 - Finished Chemo
10/27/09 - Mastectomy RB
Path Report: RB No residual tumor pCR,
2 of 15 pos - .5mm largest micromets
12/18/09 - Radiation started (28)
02/05/10 - Finished Radiation
01/11/10 - Started Femara
06/22/10 - Finished Herceptin.. My son's 22nd BD. Hope it's a sign! Hoping for the best.
11/15/10 - Started Walter Reed BC Vaccine trial at
1/04/11 - Sibley Mem. Had to withdraw due to met
01/23/11 - Stage IV - Brain Met 1.6cm 1.7cm
02/03/11 - Gamma Knife (2 fracts to minmize necrosis)
03/01/11 - Gamma Knife
6/11 - Necrosis
7/11 - Necrosis stopped & Tumor progression
8/11 = Now think it's really necrosis
9/11 - Avastin every two weeks -- It's working!! Necrosis is shrinking.
12/11 - Necrosis gone AVASTIN worked.
12/11 - Bone &CT found
Oct '10 - Ran Hartford 1/2 Marathon to Thank Dr. Slamon for Herceptin!
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05-11-2010, 01:06 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Kim,
Glad to hear your good news of finishing chemo.
Reading your signature and your first bc dx. you were her2-..then you had recurrence to the site. Which was her2 positive, well now that you have had chemo/herceptin you have given those cells that were on your chest a good whipping. The surgery will give you another strong stand in kicking any cells to the curb.
Sending you best wishes and please keep us updated your surgery.
Kind Regards,
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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05-11-2010, 01:54 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 8
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Thank you very much Ladies for your encouragement. It's really comforting when it comes from you. It's just nice. I love this!!
Kim
__________________
Diag July 2008,
Aug 2008: Right Lumpectomy with Sentinel Lumph Node Biopsy, IDC Stage IIA, no lymps, 2.8cm, Grade 3, ER- PR- HER2- (CEP17, FISH1.7), Ki-67 60%,
Sep 2008-Feb 2009: AC(6)+T(6) dose den,
March-May2009: Rad 28+5,
Oct 2009: Reg Recu (a skin tumor right on scar line),
Nov 12, 2009: PET CT no mets found,
Nov 2009: Right Modi Radi Mastectomy, 0.7cm, Grade 3, 1/10 lymp posi, ER-, PR-, HER2+++, Ki-67 90%
Dec 2009: 3 skin tumors app on the right chest,
Jan 2010: Taxotele(6x) +Carboplatin(6x) +Herceptin(1yr) every 3 wks,
Ap 19, 2010: PET CT no mets found,
April 29, 2010: finished Chemo, continue Herceptin till Dec 2010,
May 6, 2010: MRI (brain) clear.
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05-12-2010, 09:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Best wishes for your skin surgery. Heal well.
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05-13-2010, 12:38 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
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Re: Finished Chemo, then...
Kim,
Glad to hear you have finished chemo. Let us know how the surgery goes.
Amelia
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