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~ Anne’s Story ~
In early 2003, my dear friend Anne, found a lump in her breast. She underwent a double mastectomy
and six rounds of chemotherapy. The day before her surgery she emailed me to say she was going for one last bike ride. She
wanted to “feel the wind on her face.” Her cancer returned a year and a half later in her hip and spine. Anne
and her husband, Chris, have three boys Alex, 6, Kyle, 9, and Colin, 14.
Not so many years ago, Anne would have
been sent home to get her affairs in order. Thanks to breast cancer research and treatment with the new drug Herceptin, Anne’s
cancer isn’t growing and her pain is gone. I believe that somewhere a breast cancer researcher is working on a treatment
that will cure Anne. She leads a relatively normal life—or at least as normal as one woman can, living with four regular
guys. She is my miracle friend. I never ride my bike without saying a thank you prayer for the privilege of feeling the wind
on my face.
In writing to support Lynn’s efforts to raise money through the Janus Charity Challenge in connection
with the 2005 Ironman Triathalon, here is Anne’s story in her own words:
I never thought that “my
story” would include breast cancer. As an active and healthy woman, this was furthest from my mind! But my life thread
now weaves in visits to the Sutter Cancer Center for weekly Herceptin treatments. At times my diagnosis seems surreal, and
it scares me to the very core, but it also gives me a renewed strength and sense of self.
My story “ends”
with the conviction to keep the breast cancer research alive so every dollar, every minute, every discovery brings us closer
to a cure. The reality of my situation is that without the current research breakthroughs that have happened in the last 5
years, I would not be doing as well as I am today. Breast cancer research brings daily miracles and hope to survivors, family
members, and friends, and I am hoping, with your support, the miracles never end!
The middle of my story sustains
all my days because my blessings are infinite. I thank God for each day and every yesterday, and have faith that love, strength,
and medical discoveries will make a better tomorrow. Each day I am a Survivor!
Add to the mix my husband, Chris!
He is an amazing man, standing by me, for me, and ahead of me throughout all of this, keeping my sense of humor and hope alive.
His dedication and love are endless. When I was first diagnosed, I told Chris that I was determined to stick around to ensure
he raised our children properly :-). Even though I know he would do a great job, I want to be around for all the excitement!
My three sons still treat me as if nothing is wrong, and remind me that life is to be lived each day! We are surrounded by
devoted and supportive parents, siblings and their spouses, nieces, nephews, and extended family members who bolster us, and
surround us with boundless love. With our families out-of-town, our friends have humbled us in their out pouring of prayers,
support, love, and kindness.
My oncologist, Dr. Sayegh, and all in the medical community who have assisted in my
diagnosis and care, have my endless gratitude for their wisdom, expertise and compassion.
This story began when
I discovered a lump in my left breast during a self-exam in November ’02. The battery of tests and biopsies determined
that the left breast needed to be removed, and I had decided on a prophylactic mastectomy for the right breast. I didn’t
want to live “waiting for the other shoe to drop”. And as a Libra, I like things balanced! I finished chemotherapy
in August ’03 and chose to skip the reconstruction process.
In July ’04, I experienced extreme back
pain and a round of x-rays showed nothing. The pain returned a few months later, and more scans showed metastasized cancer
in my spine and left hip. This time around, I was without the same energy to form my attack again. Lynn helped to research
& arrange 2nd, 3rd opinions, getting my films, slides, and took me to the next round of tests and scans. And through her
optimism, I gained the energy to forge ahead. She, along with many others, is living proof angels exist on earth!
Oct' 2006 - I currently receive weekly treatments of herceptin, montly treatment of zometa, and am on aromasin.
I get a PET scan every 3-4 months to track the cancer activity level. A chemotherapy drug is added to the mix when my cancer
activity begins to increase. My cancer is treated as a chronic disease and my treatment regimen is geared to give me the best
quality of life, as if I am running a marathon.
I am constantly doing research on the web, eat as much organic
foods possbile, have eliminated alcohol, sweets & caffene, take 4 - 2oz wheat grass shots (from Jamba Juice) a week, and
have begun a supplemental "CAM" regimen. CAM - Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Hopefully this will add to
the length of my marathon!
July, 2007 After almost a year with no chemo treatments and just
hormone therapy, I just started Tykerb (daily)/Xeloda (3200 mg/day; 2 wks on/1 wk off). The drugs come in tablet form, and
so there are no trips to the Cancer Center for awhile other than my oncologist appts. My bone mets are stable..yea! but the
node in my chest is acting up and there is another small spot showing on the PET scan. B/c I have wheezing, coughing, and
tightness in chest along with PET results, we are changing treatment with the hope the chest node goes away! September, 2007 The PET/CT scan showed that my
chest node was gone!!! So that means the xeloda/tykerb regimen is working! Experincing pain in lower
back, so am doing 20 rounds of radiation. Side effects of xeloda/tykerb are becoming less as we try to get the correct
dosage and timing. December 2007
Awaiting results from most recent PET/CT scan, but am feeling pretty good. The xeloda/tykerb regimen is working (one week
on and one week off for xeloda of 2000mg, and 1000mg daily for tykerb). Had a month of radiation in my spine between Oct and
Nov. This PET/CT will show the results of that. Looking forward to another year!
January
2008
The results from my PET/CT scan are in! I am NED...nothing showed up. First
time in 5 years! It is a great anniversary present since I was diagnosed 5 years ago this month. I hope that I can keep
it up. Will continue with same treatment for forseeable future. May 2008
My April PET/CT showed that the spine tumor was acting up again..the little devil! So off of tykerb &
xeloda, back on herceptin and this time with navelbine. Weekly visits to the cancer center again, a few deep breathes and
ready to go.
January 2009 I have had
3,yes count them 3 good PET/CT scans in a row! I am still on herceptin and navelbine, weekly; still taking aromasin daily,
and zometa quarterly. I am blessed, grateful, and full of heart. And oddly enough, sometimes more scared than usual. I
don't think the fear will ever leave completely, but I try not to let it control me, and ask that it be removed from my heart.
My oncologist is moving to Oregon (if anyone in or near Corvalis OR needs an excellent oncologist, look up Antoine (Tony)
Sayegh!), but I am staying in the same medical group and will meet my new oncologist next month. He comes with rave reviews,
so I am confident in my choice. Onward and upward!
March 2010 After meeting with Dr. Melisko
at UCSF (another amazing onc!) in February, it was agreed to stop the navelbine, keep herceptin and add 1200 mg of tykerb
(lapatinib). I had a PET/CT that showed increase in my nodes in the right hilar region (but my bones are NED!!!! - you
have to love that guy ha ha!), so that is the reason for the change in meds. I have had tykerb before with xeloda and
in taking it again, I keep a chance of participating in a future clinical trial if needed. So started tykerb beginning
of March - 4 pills a day - and 3 week dosage of herceptin. So far so good re the side effects :-)... will get a PET/CT
again in about a month to see how the herceptin/tykerb combo is working. Have more energy now that I am off navelbine
which is a treat and a blessing...just hope this new combo is giving the 1-2 punch! Thoughts
as a Survivor As a survivor, and from my experience, I offer the following: I firmly believe in this information laden day and age, that we need to be a strong advocate for
ourselves, by knowing our bodies, trusting our instincts, and learning how to be comfortable in pursuing answers.
-First
and foremost is finding doctors with whom you feel comfortable discussing your cancer and specific needs and whose
knowledge, judgment and expertise you trust.
-Secondly is to ask as many questions as you need until
you are comfortable in how your treatment is progressing. This may mean getting a second opinion regarding your diagnosis
and/or treatment.
-Thirdly, after initial treatment has ended ask your doctor of the viability of getting
a baseline PET/CT or bone scan.
-Fourthly, after completing treatment, if you experience a constant
pain, or a pain which increases in magnitude, see your doctor immediately.
-Lastly, once diagnosed you
join a sisterhood of thousands of women and unfortunately, you will never have the bliss of living your life without the question
of cancer. You will need to be aware of your body, you will question what used to be routine aches and pains. However, you
can make your life more meaningful, more positive by finding out what is important to you, and live your life accordingly!
Faith is bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark. Invasive Ducutal Carcinoma
5 tumors left breast largest 2+cm
Bilateral Mastectomy
No reconstruction
Her2/neu +++
ER+/PR+
Oophorectomy (ovaries out) 10/04
Radiation Nov-Dec '05 left hip
Radiation Oct-Nov '07 L5 pedicle in spine
Treatments since '03: 6 rounds A/C, taxmoifen, zolodex, faslodex, armidex, aromasin, 9 months taxotere, 2-1/2 years herceptin, zometa,
xeloda & tykerb, herceptin & navelbine, heceptin & tykerb. Check out my one of my hubpages I have Breast Cancer...It doesn't have me! |
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