Metastatic/Recurrence -Follow up

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dlk220
dlk220 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Follow-up to my first msg. I am new to this site,so just figuring out how to use it. Thanks to all for your kind replies. I originally had lumpectomy (Jan. 2001), radiation, & chemo. Was stage 1, grade 3, node neg., ER/PR neg., HER2 neg. Am now Stage 4; had surgery last week with 11 positive axillary nodes removed. Scans show nodules on lungs. Since I am ER/PR neg., have not been able to take tamoxifen or any hormone treatments. Right now am in process of getting second opinion, but looks like my only option is weekly Taxol. Thanks again to all for your thoughts & prayers. Trying to keep the faith!
God Bless,
Diana

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  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
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    I know it sounds crazy, but look up Indole-3 Carbinol and ask your doctor about it. God would not lay an affliction on us without a cure. I just know that in my heart. Go to www.pdrhealth.com use the link 'drug information' then 'nutritional supplements' and see what the Physician's Desk Reference says about this drug. It is effective even against ER- breast cancer. It has been proven to work better with Tamoxifen and actually makes tamoxifen more effective. I know you won't be on tamoxifen, but even though not as much, this I3C still destroys tumor cells. Hope this helps. hummingbyrd
  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #3
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    I had lumpectomy same time you did - jan 2001 and also have recurrence diagnosed in August but obviously going on before that time. Spine, lungs, liver - haven't check brain yet.

    I am surprised that you had nodes removed now. did you have the sentinel node procedure with the lumpectomy. Taxotere is supposed to be better by a little than taxol - and then there's navelbine and xeloda etc.

    I am on herceptin as of last Monday - tom'w another and then navelbine will be added in a few weeks - this is by my direction - oncologist wanted to do navelbine and herceptin together first time.

    Unlike Hummingbyrd - God bless her - the optimist - stage IV is stage IV - remission is possible but.... not indefinitely.

    I have to look now for your other message. I swear one dose of herceptin and my memory is already fading.

    Good Luck,Jean
    ---and keep in touch with us.
  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 23
    #4
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    I'm stage three, 23 nodes involved, mets to liver and spine. Had chemo for seven months - then faslodex and zometa for six months. Scans showed small leison in liver, went on Navelbene for eight weeks. No change save for several more small leisons. Am now on Taxotere and Carboplatin for eight weeks. The doctor said that I should regard my condition as chronic - cancer will never go away, but there will always be something else to try. And by the by ---it was Tamoxifin, taken as a cancer preventative, that caused it in the first place. Stage three - stage 4 --don't give up. there are more good days than bad ahead, I swear. And we can give each other lots of support and encouragement. Let us know how you are doiong. Badger
  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #5
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    badger said:

    I'm stage three, 23 nodes involved, mets to liver and spine. Had chemo for seven months - then faslodex and zometa for six months. Scans showed small leison in liver, went on Navelbene for eight weeks. No change save for several more small leisons. Am now on Taxotere and Carboplatin for eight weeks. The doctor said that I should regard my condition as chronic - cancer will never go away, but there will always be something else to try. And by the by ---it was Tamoxifin, taken as a cancer preventative, that caused it in the first place. Stage three - stage 4 --don't give up. there are more good days than bad ahead, I swear. And we can give each other lots of support and encouragement. Let us know how you are doiong. Badger

    I think tamoxifen fueled my cancer too - read that sometimes it reverses itself and acts as estrogen. Doc says Nooo, he does not think so - just stopped working - I believe more what you and I most definitely experienced.

    BTW, I was on Femara for a short time and the progression in the spine and elsewhere was a sight to behold. Two herceptin treatments down - my choice to delay navelbine for a few weeks more.

    How are you feeling tho' on an average day with constant chemo. I find I tire very easily so never get much done - well, I am enjoying doing more reading but like to be moving occasionally too - for my circulation!

    Good Luck to all of us in recurrence.
    Jean
    I don't understand your stage 3 - distant mets as we have is IV. But it still is serious.
  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 23
    #6
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    jeancmici said:

    I think tamoxifen fueled my cancer too - read that sometimes it reverses itself and acts as estrogen. Doc says Nooo, he does not think so - just stopped working - I believe more what you and I most definitely experienced.

    BTW, I was on Femara for a short time and the progression in the spine and elsewhere was a sight to behold. Two herceptin treatments down - my choice to delay navelbine for a few weeks more.

    How are you feeling tho' on an average day with constant chemo. I find I tire very easily so never get much done - well, I am enjoying doing more reading but like to be moving occasionally too - for my circulation!

    Good Luck to all of us in recurrence.
    Jean
    I don't understand your stage 3 - distant mets as we have is IV. But it still is serious.

    Jean - i don't understand the Stage 3 thing either, but that's what the doctor said. And both the breast doctor and the oncologist are very sure that the cancer was fueled by the Tamoxifin. I don't have a lot of fatigue yet - tomorrow will be my second round of taxotere and carboplatin - we'll see how that goes. A friend of mine is on her sixth go-round - and she's a docent (guide) with me at a local art museum. Desn't miss a meeting nor a tour. So we can do it. Badger

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