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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!
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
Check
out my one of my hubpages I have Breast
Cancer...It doesn't have me! |
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