Bios of BC Survivors

jewelya

My Name is Julia and I am 36.

Dx on 10/18/2002
3cm (30mm) mass in my Left breast
positioned at 11 o'clock

Path rpt:
Invasive poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma (IDC)

High Nuclear (3) Grade
High Atypical (3) Mitotic Index:
30 mitoses/10 high power field
Focal tumoral Necrosis (dead cells starving)

Estrogen Receptors (-)
Progesterone Receptors (-)
HER 2/neu (+)

1st Oncologist appt on October 28th
2nd Oncologist appt on November 6th
3rd Oncologist appt on November 14th
4th oncologist appt on November 26th

2nd Surgeon appt on November 7th
3rd Surgeon appt on November 14th
4th Surgeon appt on November 21st

Chose 4th Surgeon to put in PORT on December 5th
Chose 1st Oncologist to start Chemo on Dec 17th

Sunshine430

My name is Stacey.

Dx'd, wow, a year ago, TODAY, 10/22/01.
1st Chemo: 11/12, last 2/7/02
Mast: 3/11/02
Rad: 4/8/02 - 5/22/02

Diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (locally advanced)
Stage IIIb
High Grade
Tumor size (after chemo) 10 cm
ER/PR+

DebbieB

My name is Debbie and I am 46.

Dx on October 31, 2001 age 45
2.4 cm mass in Left Breast just under nipple
discovered thru BSE
no history of any cancer in family - I'm 1st!

Path Report:

IDC, Stage II, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER+, nodes negative

Treatment:
Lumpectomy & 9 nodes removed 11/26/01
4 - AC Chemo 12/27/01 - 3/14/02
34 Rads - 4/15/02 - 5/31/02

yvonne_jones

My name is Yvonne
Diagnosed on 10/19/01 IDC
Lumpectomy on left breast, 2 cm at 9:00
4 rounds of AC
30 rounds of radiation
Cannot tolerate Arimidex nor Aromasin

Have lingering aches and pains from the drugs

1st mammogram since 1 yr of action came back OK on 10/10/02

Yvonne

Susievanroo

My name is Sue and I am 53.

Mass found by mammogram 8/15/02.
No family history.
Biopsied on 8/19/02.
Diagnosed on 8/23/02.

Invasive ductal carcinoma, poorly differentiated.
ER/PR +
HER2 -

Modified radical mastectomy and lymph node dissection on 9/17/02.
Tumor was 5.5cm.
21 lymph nodes removed, all positive.

CT scan of abdomen clear.
Bone scan and PET scan showed abnormalities.
Supraclavicular lymph node biopsied and positive for cancer. Probable bone mets too, but experiencing no symptoms.

Starting aggressive chemo today, also bisphosphonates for the bone mets.
Ellence and taxotere.

Oncologist says he will put me on Arimedex later.

nancymarie

My Name is Nancy and I am 44 and I live in Colorado Springs.

Dx on September 5, 2002 with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2B.

5 cm mass in my right breast and another satellite tumor near by.

Had a masectomy on 9/11.
Chemo started on 10/11 (adriamycin/cytoxan)
followed by the Taxotere cycle.

Was hoping to be in a clinical trial for Herceptin, but got put in the "control" arm (regular chemo) of the trial.

High Nuclear (3) Grade
estrogen/progesterone negative
HER 2/neu 3+

cal1

Hi My Name is Cindy,
I was dx April 23, 2001.Age 45 w/no family history and 2 older sisters
core biopsy
small lump right under right nipple not detected by mammogram.
May 6, 01 Lumpectomy an SNB 7 nodes 1 pos.
no clear margins.
skin spareing Mastectomy right side
5 axillary nodes all clear with clear margins.
Cat Scan- Clear Bone Scan- Clear, Muga scan
Tumor 2.5
Stage 11B
ER+
4 X A/C Chemo June -Aug 31, 2001
No Rads
9/30/01 Tamoxifen 5 years
Reconstruction finished 9/5/02

[This message has been edited by cal1 (edited October 22, 2002).]

penguinrea

My name is Maria and I am 52

Was misdiagnosed in 4/20/1999 (was on mamo but was not told.

Dx on June 13, 2000
4-5 in. mass in left breast (before Chemo)
Chemo: 7/3/2000 - 9/25/2000 (4 cycles)
Mast: October 10, 2000
Stage: IIIA

High Family History - Mother @ age 39, Sister @ age 50, (passed away).

Ct scan showed tumor in belly, had removed on 8/31/2000. Had hystercomy(sp)

Bone scan clear

Had Chemo after Mast. on 10/20/2000 to 2/25/2001.

Recurrance: Dec. 19th same breast 3 small tumors (one lymph node)

Taken out: Dec. 21st as out patient

Rad: 1/5/2002 to 3/10/2002

Reconstruction saline implant on 4/29/01, nipple done on 9/10/01

Tracie

Hi my name is Tracie, I'm 33,from New Orleans
As most of you know, I don't have breast cancer. So, sometimes I feel like I don't belong here with you ladies. And then I read all of your replies to my posts, and I KNOW THAT I AM WELCOME!
Strong family history of bc:
1. maternal grandmother (deceased)
2. mother's sister (bc with metastatic disease)
3. and my BELOVED MOM

I am my Mom's support-person, and thank God for all of you, my support-people!
Tracie

UPDATE 6/26/03
Breast cancer has claimed the life of yet another family member. My Nanny (mom's sister) passed away this month. The cancer had spread to her brain and spinal fluid.
Breast cancer has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old, with my grandmother's initial diagnosis. I have watched it destroy 2 very dear family members, and I am scared for my Mom. Scared of the future. This wretched beast just latches on and won't let go!
It's been a part of my past, it's part of my present, and I'm afraid that it will be a part of my future!

jcmcardle

Tracie,
Thank God you are there for your Mom. A friend of a friend is at stage iv - prognosis is not good and has never been for a 2nd opinion (chemo's aren't working). I said to my friend yesterday - somebody has to take charge because maybe another doctor can help her. She said her daughter is finally taking her for 2nd opinion (afraid it may be too late).
Anyway,
Carmelle in Connecticut
45
dx same day as Kathy (10/08/01) - my sister's bday.
Had lumpectomy 10/80/01
Had 2nd lumpectomy 11/6/01 with SNB
clear nodes, clear margins, er/pr+
stage 1 dcis + invasive (8mm)
radiation Jan - Mar 10/02
tamoxifen since April
sister diagnosed 6 months before me (1.3 cm idc) - had chemo + rads is er-

pagrh

My name is Pat and I am 54

Mother passed away at 56 from BC.

Found mass BSE September 28, 2001
Lumpectomy October 18, 2001

IDC, moderately differentiated, 2.1 cm, Stage 2, Grade 2

Wide excision November 6, clean margins, SNB, 3 nodes, negative

ER/PR +

4 rounds A/C November 30 - February 1 (day before my birthday..being done was my best birthday gift ever)

33 Rads March 5 through April 18

Took myself off Tamoxifen after 3 months due to unbearable pain. Decided against replacing with Arimidex.

Addition: 2/03
Decided I owed it to myself to try Arimidex Nov,2002. Worse results than with the Tamox. Onc says I am first ever in his practice unable to handle both.

jennbuker

I'm Jenn and I'm 32.

Dx with DCIS in L breast on Aug 7th (surgical biopsy).

Mammogram on 9/15, came back normal!

Second surgical biopsy on 9/20 confirms DCIS.

Double Mastectomy with full reconstruction on 9/30. Pathology came back, all DCIS removed from L breast, none in R breast.

YEAH!

Kathy_R

San Jose, California
Diagnosed April,2002 IDC at age 55
Lumpectomy
Clear Margins
Lymph Node Disection 11 Nodes, all clear
2.5 cm
Stage IIB
Grade 3
ER/PR-
Her2 -
Strong Family History, Mother, Grandmother, Great Aunt, Daughter

4XAC, 33 rads
Completed treatments Mid September
Considering genetic testing and prophylactic double mastectomy

Married 36 years
Daughter 31-Currently undergoing treatment for BC
Twin Sons 29
Grandaughter (Grace Elizabeth, the light of my life) 3 months old
1 Shepard mix dog, Montana

AnneW

Hi, I'm Anne and I live in Santa Barbara County, CA. I'm 45.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma dx'd at age 44 on 2/26/02. Stage 1, Grade 1, ER+, Her2-.

Lumpectomy, SNB failed, so 16 nodes removed, all negative.

Treatment=radiation for 33 days.

Currently having trouble with Tamoxifen due to fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. Awaiting "Plan B."

Anne

Sprite

I'm Kathy(53)
found lump under rt nipple-mid Aug 2001
mid Sept. mammo neg
Dx 10-08-2001 during biopsy/Rt mod rad mast
IDC 5.5cm 4/13+ lymph nodes
er/pr -, her2/neu-
Bloom-Richardson score=7(equivalent grade 11/111)
a/c x 4, 12/07/01-2/08/02
taxotere x 12, 3/01/02-5/17/02
rad 7/11/02-8/22/02
I feel like I've been to my first 12 step meeting, and I'm ready to take it to the next level...
I have husband of 30 years, 3 grown kids, 1 grandson here(18 mos) and one waiting for end of Feb to come out and meet us.

SeaMaiden

My name is Debi and I'm 48.
I live in the Eastern Suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.
I am married with one daughter, age 19.

Dx at age 46 on May 18, 2001
DCIS & Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Left Breast, 3:00 Position
No Family History

Lumpectomy May 25, 2001
.8 cm (8 mm) tumor
Grade 2, Stage 2A
ER+, PR+, Her2+
17 Lymph Nodes removed - 1 positive

Started Chemo July 6, 2001
4 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin
followed by
4 rounds Taxotere
Finished Chemo Dec 18, 2001

Started on Tamoxifen Jan 1, 2002.
Pre-menopausal prior to chemo, but periods stopped after first Taxotere treatment. Now in "chemo-pause".

Jan 22, 2002 through Mar 4, 2002
25 Rads + 5 "Booster" Rads to surgury site

I didn't discover this website until after I had finished treatment, but the women here have provided tremendous emotional support in my efforts to move beyond breast cancer. There is comfort in knowing that you're not alone.

yvonne_jones

Hi Tracie,
I am so glad to meet someone from LA. on this board. I live in Marrero and my chemo doc is Dr. Seiler. Rads doc was Dr. Kraus. Both of them operate through West Jefferson hospital. Dr. Seiler also had an office in NO. Who is yr mother's doc.

Write to me about it.

Yvonne

Nicki

My name is Nicki age 45, live in Central Valley Cali.

Core biospy 8/22/02.
Chest x-ray -, bone scan -, Ultrasound abd -. Lumpectomy 9/9/02 lymph dissection OP.

Pth report:
IDC 2.6 cm. Grade 3 tumor clear margins, lymphatic vessel involvement. 11 nodes neg.
ER -,PR -, HER -. Stage IIa.

AC x 4, Taxotere x 4, rads 6 wks.
First AC 10/04/02.
No family history.

Married, blended family 2/2, one granddaughter.

Everyday is a great day to be alive.

woodsy33

Hi, my name is Emily. I am 44 years old and live in Rochester,NY. I was dx 1/29/99 at age 41 on my baseline mammogram. The only family history at that time was my father's sister. However, in October 2000 my Mom was dx also.

Path report:

1cm invasive ductal breast cancer
Grade II
Moderately differentiated
ER+PR+
HER2-
1 out of 8 nodes positive
Stage II

I opted to join a clinical trial for my treatment. I had a lumpectomy followed by 8 months of chemo. I had 12 treatments-- 4 Adriamycin, then 4 Taxol and last 4 Cytoxin followed by 33 rads and Tamoxifen.
When my periods came back even though I was on the Tamoxifen I opted to have an oophorectomy in August 2001.

rddeslippe

Hi my name is Debbie

i was diag. june 5, 2001
Masectomy on the 8th
3 out of 6 nodes pos.
6 rounds of cmf,followed by 25 rad treatments.
I had idc.
4.5cm

iodine

My name is Dotti, 59, married 34 years, 2 adult kids. Small town in E. TN. No family hx of bc.

Dx. by routine mamm. w/ follow up ultrasound end of Sept. Core bx, positive for Grade II, invasive, just a bit less than 2cm.
mast. with attempt to save nipple 10-4-02. Expander inserted with this surg.

Tests are all neg.(estrogen neg. is not a good thing) and will get 2nd opinion and repeat tests in 2 weeks. Surgeon and onc. have said probably no further tx!!! but will wait for testing to be repeated. (got this news a few minutes ago. Yippee!

Go for appt. to sched redo of mast suture lines tomorrow.(just didn't make it with the nipple).

12-12-02 : the first path.dept. said the estrogen and progesterone were Neg., the retest by another lab showed Pos. estrogen. Then the lst lab retested and got Pos. Made a world of difference in treatment recommendations! I chose Tamoxifen, since the estimated benefit of A/C (chemo)was only 1-2%.
Since I won't take chemo I hope to have my reconstruction completed by Spring '03.

it's a *shiny* day

Shirlann

I'm Shirley, age 67, 3 OLD boys, 48, 43, 41 and 5 grandchildren.

I had a 2mm & 3mm medullary cancer.
Negative nodes, ER- and HER 2-

Lumpectomy and rads.

Just fine ever since. Bone scan last May showed nothing.

Rib pain is about all I have left.

I am 4 years dancing with NED (No Evidence of Disease) They thought I had lymphoma, and I was glad it was BC! Sighh

Oh, I need to tell you that I haven't told already that my mom's best friend is 44 yrs post double mastectomy with Cobalt (all they had) and is living alone, doing great, a contract bridge player and is 92. In my bible study we have one gal who is 22 yrs. post, one 17 and one 9 and me. So do not be discouraged. Not one of the gals in the bible study had said a word until I mentioned my cancer. There are lots of survivors.
[This message has been edited by Shirlann (edited October 23, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Shirlann (edited October 23, 2002).]

Georgia

My name is Renee, I'm 42 and I live in Augusta Georgia. Two daughters, 18 and 12.
No family history.

DX 8/22/02, Invasive Lobular
Mast. 9/3
Node involvement 6 of 30
2.2cm tumor, Grade 1, ER/PR+, HER2-
CT Scan clear

Start chemo tomorrow (10/24)
6 rounds of CEF
5 weeks rads to follow

Cathy

Cathy 44 - diagnosed 11/16/01 at 43

6 cm IDC tumor

4 rounds CAF, 2 rounds of Taxotere - had to stop at 2 rounds due to severe neutrapenia fever and qulity of life issues. (Side effect queen)

MRM 5/7/02 - tumor shrunk to 1.9 cm
7 of 11 positive nodes

30 rads

Had round 3 of 4 Taxotere yesterday. (We know it worked to shrink the tumor) With the neulasta shots added it has been more tolerable this time in that the onc has kept me out of the hospital. I just got stronger pain meds this time for the pain and am hoping that does the trick. Will finish chemo on 11/13/02.

Starting to think about reconstruction but docs say I'm not a candidate until April due to rads - but I'm ready to start the research. It seems like the MRM was the easiest part so far so I'm thinking the recon won't be so bad.

Married, live in Houston. 5 children and 6 granchildren. Only the youngest 2 kids live at home - 16 yr son and 19 yr daughter. The youngest grandbaby was born on Oct 1st and I get my first peek of him on November 2nd when his family moves back to Houston. YIPPEE!!!

Rae

Hi. I'm Paula and I'm 57. I live on the Central Coast of California.
Dx - Sep 4, 2002 (found during yearly routine mammogram)
Lumpectomy - Sep 16 - SNB failed (0/12 nodes -negative (margins not clean)
Re-excision - Sep 24 (margins clean)
infiltrating ductal carcinoma - 1.1 cm - grade 3
Estrogen receptor - +
HER-2-NEU - negative

start chemo next Tue - Oct 29 (4 rounds A/C)
followed by 6 weeks rads (5 x's per week)

I'm scared as I wait for chemo to start - I go from nervous energy to becoming immobilized and spinning my wheels. I read these message boards often for help and support and thank all of you for being here.

[This message has been edited by Rae (edited October 26, 2002).]

LP

Hi, I'm LP and I'm an alcoholic.......no wait, wrong board! <just kidding>

I'm LP, soon to be 54 (thankfully) and in Virginia.

Annual mammogram, two ultrasounds and one MRI with dye injection revealed 9mm mass in upper inner quadrant of right breast. Well differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma, tubular type. Surgical margins clear with closest margin being lcm. ER & PR+, HER2/neu negative. Pathologic T1BN0M0 <whatever the heck that is>

3/11/02 lumpectomy with margins clear.
4/17/02 sentinal node biopsy 9 nodes removed, all clear.

33 radiation treatments with last five being boosts....only problem was allergic reaction to tape covering x's and o's and they were yukky! In my second month of taking Arimidex....only 58 more month to go :-)

Have gained 4 lbs. since this all began <yuk> and increased one bra size! Hubby is happy....lol.

[This message has been edited by LP (edited October 24, 2002).]

mplscello

Hi, my name is LeeAnn.
I just turned 36, live in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN with my 2 cats.

Dx on 10/19/01 (I found a lump a couple of months earlier, was 35 so hadn't had mammograms yet)

Poorly differentiated Invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast, 4x2 cm tumor, 4 positive lymph nodes of 9 taken
High Nuclear Grade 3
er+(weak)/pr-
Her2+
Stage IIb
(Richardson grade 8)

Left mastectomy on 11/1/01

4 rounds of AC, 12 rounds of Taxol
(11/29/01 - 5/27/02)

Prophylactic (don't ya love that word) right-side mastectomy on 4/25/02 with reconstruction on both sides

Started Tamoxifen 7/1/02
33 rounds radiation, 7/8/02 - 8/15/02

Still waiting for 2nd stage reconstruction with permanent silicone implants... flipped a coin a couple of days ago and discovered I was going to survive! Didn't know what else to do as I drive myself crazy wondering what I should be changing/not changing in my life to make sure this doesn't come back.

JBC

Jane, age 44, live near Dallas, TX with husband and 3 kids, ages 14, 13, and 10.
Had thyroid cancer 4 years ago, no family history of BC.

Two masses found on mammogram 8/6/2002.
Diagnosed 8/21/2002 by core biopsy.
SNB 9/4 with 8 nodes removed--all negative!
Left Simple mastectomy 9/13 with immediate reconstruction (lat dorsi flap).

Two different tumors by tissue type, but both Grade 3, approximately 1 cm, and ER+.

Started 4 rounds of A/C on 10/10, to be followed by 4 of Taxotere, then Tamoxifen.

MB

Hi I'm Marg
Diagnosed January 2002
Mastectomy with node clearance 7 February 2002. 15 nodes taken - 5 positive. DCIS 4.7cm lump, clear margins. ER+
Chemo March to August 2002
Rads September/October 2002 - finished last week.

At the moment I may still be a little weak but feel great!

Zooz

I'm 38 (37 at dx). I have two kids, 7 & 9. I live in NH.

My lump was 1.5 cm, ER/PR +, Her-2/neu +, grade II, Stage I, no nodal involvement.

I found my lump in the shower (shoulda left it there! hee hee) on 1/30/02.

Mammogram/ultrasound on 2/1/02.

Core biopsy 2/18/02.

Official dx of invasive ductal carcinoma 2/22/02.

Lumpectomy/SNB on 4/2/02, I had dirty margins all around, so opted for mastectomy (5/24/02) with immediate reconstruction (tissue expander).

4 rounds A/C 6/19-8/21/02.

Exchange of expander with saline implant 11/1/02. Yippee!

[This message has been edited by Zooz (edited October 24, 2002).]

Sprite

Zooz
I love your line about leaving your lump in the shower. I tried to leave mine in the bedroom where i found it and the fucker just kept following me around!
k