Profile for momof3girls

Member Since: March 28, 2008
Last Login: April 18, 2008
Location:
Occupation:

Biography

Diagnosis

Diagnosis:	Dx 6/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Diagnosed:	June 21, 2007
Type:	Invasive or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
Recurrent?
Metastatic?
Stage:	Stage IV
Lymph Nodes Removed:	3
Positive Lymph Nodes:	0
Tumor Size:
Tumor Grade:	Grade 3 or high grade
Hormone Receptor Status:	Tumor does not have estrogen or progesterone receptors
HER2/neu Status:	Tumor does not have an excess of HER2/neu receptors or genes

Recent Posts by momof3girls

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 18, 2008 12:46 pm

Just diagnosised with metastic cancer-

Soffee,

I am so sorry that you are in this stupid club. I was originally dx in Feb 05 with stage 2 bc triple negative. I was dx with lung and bone mets in June 2007. I cried for so long and went into a great depression. I was writing letters for my children and barely got out of bed. Give yourself time to grieve. I am a little older than you. I was 34 at the time of my mets dx. But I understand how you feel like your life is over. It's really not. This is not 10 yrs ago. There have been so many advances. There are new great wonder drugs out on the market. It is more like a chronic disease. Yeah it is a sucky chronic disease and this whole situation sucks but your life isn't over.

I have been on Abraxane and avastin since June. I am able to take care of my kids and cook and take care of the house. I could even goto work but I am a stay at home Mom. There is life after this dx. Give yourself as much time as you need to be depressed. It is perfectly natural. Get a second opinion from another dr. I am not sure where you are located but there are people from all over the world on this board. I am sure somebody can give you a good reference for a dr near you. Good luck to you.

Stephanie

Dx 6/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 16, 2008 12:24 am

Avastin & Xeloda or second opinion

Lemonld,

Have you asked your dr about the avastin/abraxane combo? I am on it and I know of a lot of triple negatives on it who are getting a good response. My regimen is 3 weeks on and 1 off with the abraxane and every other week with the avastin. Don't worry about what your onc thinks. His opinion is not more important than your life. I know that it is a hard decision but I would definitely get a second opinion. It wouldn't hurt to get another dr involoved in the decision process. I was very resistant to getting a second opinion and now I am very glad that I did. My new dr is much more aggressive then my old dr. Your only loyalty should be to yourself. Good luck to you,

Stephanie

Dx 6/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 11, 2008 12:12 pm

Yep its confirmed lung mets

Hi Joanne,

I had a lung met and bone mets. Please please please do not take the wait and see approach. If that is the route that your dr wants to take get a new dr. I am on avastin abraxane and zometa. It is really working. My lung nodule as of last Pet is gone and my bones are greatly reduced. I understand that you don't want to feel like crap but I have tolerated this really well and I have talked to many people who also have tolerated it well. I am able to take care of my kids and do all of the stuff that I would normally do. Please be proactive you will feel much better knowing that you are doing something to kill this beast.

Stephanie

Oh by the way, I am also a triple negative

Dx 6/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 9, 2008 08:26 pm

How long on Abraxane?

Bonnie,

I sure know how you feel. I am starting my 12th or 13th round of Abraxane and Avastin tomorrow. I am losing count I have been on it for so long. It does take alot out of you to have to goto the dr every single week. I am also 3 on and 1 off. I LOVE my off week. I call it spring break. I am starting to get some nueropathy in my hands and feet. My dr gave me an extra 2 weeks off one round ago. That seemed to help some. I also know how you feel with the food issue. I can't really taste anything anymore. I am also a thick chick and you would think that I would stop eating, but I just keep shoveling it in. I used to like spicy food but I can't tolerate it anymore. Anything the least bit spicy brings tears to my eyes. It is very frustrating but you have to think of the long term. That is how I get through it. Of course I do throw a pity party from time to time. Mine was yesterday and today I feel much better. I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Stephanie

Dx 6/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 8, 2008 11:28 am

Now my dog has cancer....and I start chemo tomorrow

Cheryl,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Last year, right around the time I was being redx, my dog was dx with adrenal cancer. The vet said that it was very aggressive and that he would not have long. We were devastated. We decided not to treat him with surgery because the dr said that it probably wouldn't help and it would cause him pain. He was abused as a puppy and we didn't want to have any more pain. He died on our back lawn, literally as my onc was calling to tell me that the cancer had spread into my bones. I already knew that it was in my lung. I still feel guilty for being so aggressive with my cancer and leaving my poor dog high and dry.

The truth is, dogs don't have the life expectancy of humans. His 1 to 2 years is 10 to 20 for you (at least). I understand how you feel, I still feel that way myself alot of the time. Cancer sucks and what it does to our emotions sucks even more. Try not to correlate your recovery to your dog's battle with this disease. You are meant to be here on this Earth for alot longer than your dog. It is a hard reality to accept and I know if somebody told me this last year, I would have told them to go blow it out their A#$.

I wish you lots of luck and strength on your journey.

Stephanie

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 6, 2008 10:18 pm

Could this be a side effect from Taxol or Avastin?

Michelle,

I am on Abraxine and Avastin and I do have trouble with my voice sometimes. I also have pain in my throat alot. Not all the time but I will have it for a week and then it will go away and then I will get it back a week later. It does hurt to swallow food. Not usually liquids. It is usually food that causes me pain. I hope this helps.

Stephanie

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Apr 5, 2008 12:29 pm

Door #1, Door #2, or the donkey?

Hi Badboob,

I was dx with lung and bone mets last June. I have been on the Abraxine, Zometa and Avastin combo. I have been really pleased with it. My lung met is gone and my bone activity keeps decreasing. I have been on it for 10 months and I am starting to get some neoropathy. All in all, I can't complain. I am able to take care of my 3 kids and get them everywhere they need to be. I guess that I am partial, but I highly recommend this treatment. I have read a lot of posts from people who also are having positive responses to this treatment. Good luck to you. I am sure that whatever treatment you choose will be best for your cancer.

Stephanie

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Mar 31, 2008 02:17 pm

Need information for a friend dx'd with lung mets.

Hi Vicky,

I was dx with lung mets almost a year ago. I am on abraxine and avastin. I also have it in my bones so I am on Zometa for that. My lung met is gone but the cancer in my bones lingers on. All in all I have a great quality of life. Hope this helps.

Stephanie

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Mar 28, 2008 02:47 pm

Ladies Please Help Me,I feel Like it's crunch time..

Zarowny,

I have never posted on this board before but I saw your post and had to respond to you. I am also BRAC1+. Have you heard of the force board? It is a website dedicated to BRAC1 and BRAC2 cancers. YOu can find it at www.facingourrisk.org. I have found it very helpful. I also wanted to let you know about a trial going on right now called the parp inhibitor trial. It is showing alot of progress in BRAC + cancers. I know that it is going on in the US but I am not sure about Canada. IF there is a way for you to get to the States I think that this trial could really help you. I know that I am a stranger but I am close to University of Pa hospital where I know that they are offering this trial. You would be welcome in my home. I also have a time share that I never use that I would be more than happy to let you use. I know that I sound crazy but this could really be an option for you. I don't want you to miss the oppurtunity because you can't afford to travel to the states. I am also stage IV and I am only 35. Us stage IV's have to stick together and look out for each other. I wish you only the best of luck.

Stephanie