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	| View Poll Results: At what stage were you initially DX? |  
	| 0 |      | 2 | 2.17% |  
	| 1 |      | 26 | 28.26% |  
	| 2 |      | 28 | 30.43% |  
	| 3 |      | 27 | 29.35% |  
	| 4 |      | 9 | 9.78% |  
	
 
 
	
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		|  09-13-2011, 04:36 PM | #1 |  
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				At what stage were you initially diagnosed?
			 
 Hi...and the follow-up  question for the other poll...because I couldn't figure out how to post 2  questions at once. (LOL)Denise
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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		|  09-14-2011, 12:34 PM | #2 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Its telling me I already voted in this poll but was dx at stage 2b and yes to the second question...complete change in libido! 
				__________________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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		|  09-14-2011, 06:42 PM | #3 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Stage 2B to be exact. 
				__________________ "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06 17 Years NED <>< Romans 8:28 
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		|  09-15-2011, 08:27 AM | #4 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Hmmm...Stage 3 is still the most common answer...interesting...scary...but interesting.
 Denise
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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		|  09-15-2011, 08:54 PM | #5 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 i was diagnozed at 2b    |  
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		|  09-16-2011, 01:52 AM | #6 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 I was initially diagnosed at stage I with no lymph node involvement (Hubby felt it 30 hours before scheduled annual mammagram). 4 years later, I was diagnosed again at stage IIB ('To be or not to be, that's the question!    after the shadow on the mammagrams had been misinterpreted as 'scar tissue'. Wish they had told me then I'd have requested for an ultrasound. But that's 4 years ago. So I continue to cross my fingers (and toes  
				__________________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; 09-16-2011 at 01:54 AM..
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		|  09-17-2011, 07:59 PM | #7 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 2b...even though I understand the only diff to 3 would be tumor size, when there is lymph node involvement. 
				__________________Diagnosed:  Feb  2010 @ 46 yrs old
 Invasive Ductual Carcinoma, left
 2/28/10 Bilateral Mastectomy (tissue saving for future reconstruction)
 3.2 cm 2/18 +lymph nodes
 Stage 2b; E+/P+/Her2 +++
 Nottingham score grade 2
 Ki67 30%
 3/2010 A/C 4 DD/2wks
 5/2010 Herceptin/Taxotere 4D/3wks
 8/2010 Herceptin until May 2011
 Tamoxifin 20mg
 9/2010 RAD 34 treatments
 Pet scan Aug 2010 clear
 Port removed July 2011
 Bone scan, chest MRI 12/11 clear
 Vaccine trial began Oct 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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		|  09-18-2011, 01:43 PM | #8 |  
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				Join Date: Dec 2009 
					Posts: 562
				 
		 
		 
		
		 
		
		
	
		
	
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Stage IIa.Five months after completing herceptin, I was dx'd stage IV.
 
 I had back pain so they did scans, which showed nothing.  A few months later, the pain was still there so the doctor repeated the scans.  Found liver mets.
 
 Nobody knows what the back pain is - but it's not cancer!  I am grateful to it because we found my mets before they were all over the liver.
 
				__________________  http://butdoctorihatepink.com 
08/17/09  Dx'd. 
Multifocal/multicentric IDC,  largest 3.4 cm, associated ADH, LCIS, DCIS 
HER2+ ER+/PR- Grade 3, Node Negative
 
10/20/2009:  Right mastectomy, reconstruction with TE 
12/02/2009:  Six rounds TCH, switched to Taxol halfway through due to neuropathy 
03/31/2010:  Finished chemo 
05/01/2010:  Began tamoxifen, the worst drug ever 
11/18/2010:  Reconstruction completed 
12/02/2010:  Finished herceptin 
05/21/2011:  Liver Mets.  Quit Tamoxifen 
06/22/2011:  Navelbine/Zometa/Herceptin 
10/03/2011:  Liver Resection, left lobe.  Microwave      ablation, right lobe - going for cure! 
11/26/2011:  C-Diff Superbug Infection, "worst case doctor had seen in 20 years" 
03/28/2012:   Progression in ablated section of the          liver - no more cure.  Started Abraxane, continue herceptin/zometa 
10/10/2012:  Progression continues, started Halaven, along with herceptin and zometa.  
01/15/2013:  Progression continues, started Gemzar and Perjeta, an unusual combo, continuing with herceptin and zometa 
03/13/2013:   Quit Gemzar, body just won't handle it.  Staying on herceptin, zometa and perjeta.   
04/03/2013:   CT shows 50% regression in tumor, so am starting back on Gemzar with dose reduction, staying with perjeta/herceptin/zometa.  Can't argue with success! 
05/09/2013:  Discussing SBRT with Radiology due to inability of bone marrow to recover from chemo. 
06/07/2013:  Fiducial placement for SBRT 
07/03/2013:  Chemo discontinued, on Perjeta, Herceptin and Zometa alone 
07/25/2013: SBRT (gamma knife) begins 
08/01/2013: SBRT completed 
08/15/2013: STABLE! continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa 
06/18/2014: ***** NED!!!!*****  continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa 
01/29/2014: Still NED.  continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin.  Zometa lowered to every 3 months instead of monthly. 
11/08/2015: Progression throughout abdomen and lungs. Started TDM-1, aka Kadcyla. Other meds discontinued. Remission was nice while it lasted.
 
5/27/18:  Stable. Kadcyla put me right back in the barn. I have two teeny spots on my lungs that are metabolically inactive, and liver is clean. 
 
I’m beating this MFer. I was 51 when this started and had two kids, 22 and 12. Now I’m 60. My oldest got married and trying to start s family. My youngesg graduates from Caltech this June. My stepdaughter gave me grandkids. Life is fantastic.
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		|  09-19-2011, 05:33 AM | #9 |  
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				Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 CoolBreeze,Wow!! Hard to believe that a story can be scary, and up-lifting at the same time!  I'm amazed that  your body was so in tune with what you need...and just wouldn't stop "trying to warn you".  Good for you!  I wish you all the best in fighting those liver mets!
 Denise
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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		|  09-30-2011, 05:24 AM | #10 |  
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				Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Come on...don't be shy...answer the poll question!More data gives us a better picture of what's really going on.
 Help us all out!
 It's anonymous...and it only takes a few seconds.
 Denise
 Sorry, all of you who got this, and already completed the poll..sort of preaching to the choir...sorry.
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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		|  09-30-2011, 07:45 AM | #11 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 461 views and only 56 people voted.ohkaaaaaayyyyy....
 yu can lead an HER2 horsie to water but I see very few of them trying to help us know our disease better.
 Why the coyness people?
 
				__________________fall 2008:  mammo of rt breast worrisome so am asked to redo mammo and have ultrasound of rt breast.I delay it til january 2009 and the results are "no cancer in rt breast. phew."
found plum sized lump in right breast the day before my dad died: April 17th 2011 . saw it in mirror, while i was wearing a top, examining my figure after losing 10 lbs on dr. bernstein diet.
diagnosed may 10 2011
 
mast/lymphectomy: june 7 2011 , 5/20 cancerous nodes.  stage 3a before radiation oncologist during our first mtg on july 15th says he found cancer on the lymph node of my breast bone. Now stage 3b.  
her2+++, EN-, PN-. Rt brst tumors:3 at onset, 4.5 cm was the big one                       
chemos:  3fec's followed by 3 taxotere, total of 18 wks chemo.sept:  halfway thru chemo the mastectomy scar decides to open and ooze pus. (not healed before chemo) eventually with canasten powder sent by friend in ny (illegal in canada) it heals.
radiations :although scheduled to begin 25 january 2012, I am so terrified by it (rads cause other cancers) I don't start til february, miss a bunch, reschedule them all and finally finish 35 rads mid april. reason for 7 extra atop the 28 scheduled is that when i first met my rads oncologist he said he saw a tumor on the lymph node of my breastbone. extra 7 are special kind of beam used for that lymphnode. rads onc tells me nobody ever took so long to do rads so he cannot speak for effectiveness. trials had been done only on consecutive days so......we'll see.....  
10 mos of herceptin started 6 wks into chemo. canadian onc says 10 mos is just as effective as the full yr recommended by dr. slamon......so we'll see..completed july 2012.
Sept 18 2012:  reconstruction and 3 drains. fails. i wear antibiotic pouch on my job for two months and have 60 consecutive days visiting a nursing centre where they apply burn victims' silver paper and clean the oozing infection daily. silicone leaks out daily. plastic surgeon in caribbean. emergency dept wont remove "his" work. He finally appears and orders me in into an emergency removal of implant. I make him promise no drains and I get my way. No infection as a result. Chest looks like a map of Brazil. Had a perfectly good left breast on Sept 17th but surgeon wanted to "save another woman an operation" ? so he had crashed two operations together on my left breast, foregoing the intermediary operation where you install an expander. the first surgeon a year earlier had flat out refused to waste five hours on his feet taking both boobs. flat out refusal. between the canadian health system saving money and both these asses, I got screwed. who knows when i can next get enough time off work (i work for myself and have no substitute when my husband is on contract) to get boobs again. arrrgh.
 
I have a blog where I document this trip and vent.
www.nora'scancerblog.blogspot.com  . I stopped the blog before radiation. I think the steroids made me more angry and depressed and i just hated reading it anymore
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		|  10-01-2011, 10:35 AM | #12 |  
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 2B in 2004 |  
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		|  10-04-2011, 06:54 AM | #13 |  
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				Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 I LOVE your avatar photo!Is that your daughter?  She's lovely!  And how sweet of her to want match mom!
 Love to both of you!
 Denise
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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		|  10-08-2011, 05:49 PM | #14 |  
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				Join Date: Oct 2005 
					Posts: 823
				 
		 
		 
		
		 
		
		
	
		
	
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 I was Dx'd Stage 3A in 2005.  
				__________________Vicki
 Texas
 Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
 MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
 IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
 5+/16 nodes
 Stage III A
 Grade 3
 ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
 Ki67 78%
 Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
 28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
 Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
 Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
 Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
 August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
 October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
 PET Scan July 2007
 Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
 Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
 Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
 PET/CT Scan 6-2008
 Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
 PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
 August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
 6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
 DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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		|  10-12-2011, 09:01 PM | #15 |  
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				Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oregon 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 I was DXd 2b April 2006. On your poll, I put a dot in 2...so I hope that registered. 
				__________________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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		|  10-15-2011, 06:49 PM | #16 |  
	| Senior Member 
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Anyone else? |  
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		|  10-16-2011, 04:19 AM | #17 |  
	| Senior Member 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Doylestown, ohio 
					Posts: 334
				 
		 
		 
		
		 
		
		
	
		
	
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 At diagnosis they said I was 2a, after sx 1c. Tumour was smaller than it showed on mri since there was a 2nd lesion that was benign and adding a shadow to original tumour making it appear bigger. Neither showed on the mammogram and I am scheduled for a mammo next week, scares me since it wasn't full proof before. 
				__________________DX Sept 30 2010 at the age of 49. Oh crap! 1.5 cm idc, stage 1 grade 3 er/pr+, her2+ no lymph nodes, mastectomy Oct/10. Started 6 rounds of TCH Dec/10 and will continue herceptin until Nov /11 and just started femara.
 Stray kitten found my lump while I was playing with it. It is now my pet and my dog is not real happy about that.
 Mammo good
 last herceptin 11/21/11 YAY
 reconstruction 12/09/11
 Chapter closed 12/10/11, hopefully, fingers crossed
 Bone scan, chest xray, clear
 04/27/12 Expander removed, implant put in, ahh sigh of relief, much more comfortable
 Sept 30, 2014, 4 years NED
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		|  10-16-2011, 02:26 PM | #18 |  
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				Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New jersey 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 In 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 1, IDC, but it was not Her2+.In 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage 2, Her2+, IDC.
 
				__________________6/2007-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L breast
 6/2007-partial mastectomy, L breast: stage 1 invasive carcinoma, estrogen +
 7/2007- Removed sentinal lymph nodes....all negative. 33 radiation treatments, followed by tamoxifen
 5/2011-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L. breast again, estrogen/progesterone negative. Nobody used the words Her2+ yet.
 8/18/2011-travelled to Texas (I live in NJ) for bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with DIEP flap. 3 days later, left breast turned blue...had emergency surgery to unclog vessel and try to save the flap. 24 hours after that, had another emergency surgery... took a vein from my left arm and re-routed it to the breast. Saved the breast flap but went into congestive heart failure because of all the IV fluids. Spent 10 days in ICU...8 days on a ventilator. Traumatic experience!!! Then was told it was actually Stage 2, Her2+, and I would need chemo.
 Now back in NJ.
 10/11/11-port was placed
 chemo starting in about 2 weeks
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		|  10-17-2011, 04:25 PM | #19 |  
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				Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 2B in January 2011 
				__________________1/24/11 - 2B 2.2cm er+pr-Her2+++
 lumpectomy (LB) - clear margins
 2/7 nodes +
 4/5/11 - Tax,Carbo, Herceptin started 1x every 3 weeks for 6 treatemnts and will continue Herceptin for 1 year
 
 
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		|  10-18-2011, 05:35 AM | #20 |  
	| Senior Member 
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs 
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				Re: At what stage were you initially DX?
			 
 Patz64,Yikes!  While my recovery from DIEP flap surgery has not been a walk in the park...it's nothing like what you've endured!  I hope everything else goes smooth as glass.
 Once you know what types of chemo you'll be having...you may want to check back here for advice on managing side effects.  Knowing what to expect might help prevent some discomfort.  God knows, you've had enough of that!!!
 Stay Strong!
 Denise
 
				__________________1/11-needle biopsy
 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
 11/11 radiation x28
 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
 6/8/12 Return to work :)
 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
 7/10/12 last Herceptin
 7/23/12 Brain Mets  %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
 8/10/12  Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
 8/23/12 Back to work
 12/20/12  Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
 1/12/13  2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
 7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS  I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
 8/26/13  Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
 9/9/13  Brain MRI - fingers crossed
 “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ”   – Cavett Robert
 
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