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SagePatientAdvocates
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Topic: Prayers requested for Eileen F. Posted: May 20 2011 at 9:41am |
Dear TNBC Foundation Family,
Eileen, thank you for your permission to post this thread. It was very good to talk with you this morning.
Some background-After writing and talking to Eileen since early February I finally met her and her husband for dinner on Monday, at a diner in Northeast Philadelphia. Somehow, this lovely woman is firmly embedded in my soul and I was very excited to finally meet her. I had described myself and Eileen said “I’ll be the one on oxygen.”
We had a lovely dinner together...with a combination of some serious talk but also much, much laughter on a variety of subjects. Eileen has always impressed me with her positive attitude. She is not a complainer and in my experience, is always trying to see the ‘bright’ side of things. Her husband is a very bright, devoted man.
The next morning Eileen had a CT scan done at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and then I accompanied them to see Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli who is one of the country’s leading Inflammatory Breast Cancer specialists. Eileen was planning on starting another round of chemo after the consultation.
Instead Dr. Cristofanilli showed us Eileen’s CT scan which showed a lot of fluid on her lungs, especially. He recommended that she be admitted to the hospital, immediately. This was clearly disappointing news and again I marvel at how Eileen assimilated it. “I am glad they are dealing with this aggressively.” She really likes Dr. C. and feels she is in good hands. Eileen is very bright, has done much research, and is also fighting courageously.
I had plans to go to a conference in MD., so I asked Eileen to do me a favor and to please try to send me some short text messages to let me know how she is doing and she has done that. I am a worrier (in case any of you haven’t noticed that ) and it really helps me to hear from her.
A lot of fluid has been removed from both her lungs and because Eileen was still an in-patient yesterday that could not start her chemo and they are just about to do that now and then hopefully she will be home with her children later today. It sounds like she is in better shape than earlier in the week and hopefully the chemo will do its thing.
I told Eileen a few minutes ago that I wanted to start this thread and was that o.k. and she said “oh, yes, that would be lovely, thank you.” She doesn’t have internet access now and I am hoping at some point she will post on this thread. She has been very open about her condition and has also managed to be supportive of others even though she is battling. How many times have we seen that here? A true hallmark of our wonderful family.
So, dear Eileen, I want you to know that you have been, are and will be in my prayers. Your positive attitude is so inspirational to me. As I told you, when we first met, I truly admire you. I mean that from the depths of my soul.
sending you both my best,
Steve
Edited by steve - May 20 2011 at 10:39am
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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates
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123Donna
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Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 10:58am |
Eileen,
I have been following your story and so admire your courage to fight this disease and also keep us informed. I pray that the treatment goes well and you start to feel better.
Steve - thanks as always for helping others on this forum.
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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sue
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 11:14am |
Eileen,
You are an encouraging woman and I pray you will find relief and have a successful treatment.
Sue
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Dx 7/10, age 53. TNBC left breast, stage I, grade 3, IDC 0.5 cm, DCI 2.5 cm, 0/8 lymph nodes neg. BRCA-. T/C x4 finished 2/09/11, rads x34 finished 4/21/11.
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Debris
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Location: Forsyth,Georgia
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 11:52am |
Eileen,
Sending warm wishes, prayers and hugs ( ) your way for a speedy recovery from this latest issue, and for good results from your chemo.
Deborah.
(Thanks, Steve, for keeping us updated!)
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4/12 Xeloda/Tykerb
2 Carboplatin
12/11 Dx IA
9 Gemzar/Taxotere Dx IBC:FEC
5 Ixempra/Sprycel
2 25 Rad
10/10 BRCA1-/2suv
9 NED
6 Stg4 Grd3 many nodes no Sx/Rad. Taxol/Avastin
06/08 Dx DCIS 0/SN Rads/AIs
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Charlene
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 12:43pm |
Eileen,
I join others in sending prayers for a full and fast recovery. Godspeed.
Charlene
Edited by Charlene - May 20 2011 at 1:39pm
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DX 3/10 @59 ILC/TNBC Stage 1, Grade 2, Multifocal; Lumpectomy/re-excision SNB 0/4 nodes, BRCA-; Taxotere/Cytoxan X4, 30 rads 3/14:NED
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janet c.
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 2:53pm |
Eileen,
I hope you are feeling better since they removed the fluid from your lungs. I hope the chemo kicks the butt out of this cancer and you get better. I keep you in my prayers. Steve is right about your posts always being positive and caring about others. You are a true inspiration. Wishing you the best.
Janet
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dx 12/08 @47yrs.old TNBC stage 2a grade 3, 2.1cm. partial mastectomy sentinal node negative BRACA negative Cytocan/Taxatere x4 radiation 36 or 38rounds
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nmunoz
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 2:54pm |
Dear Eileen,
I will be praying for you and sending you lots of positive energy.
Best,
Natalia
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Natalia, 38 years
Dx TNBC 10/22/08, BRCA1+
Double Mx 11/20/08 with Recon.
3/37 nodes
Rads 7 weeks done 8/09
ACx4 every 2 weeks and Tx12 weeks. Avastin e/3 weeksx10 (Clinical Trial) Done Dec/09
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zoomommy2
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 8:08pm |
Eileen,
Prayers offered that you are more comfortable with that fluid gone for now. I had the PleurX catheter to drain my fluid and then started chemo. I got a terrible infection and spent 8 days inpatient on IV antibiotics. I'm on them at home now for a couple more weeks. Praying you can keep that wonderful attitude.
Lee in Denver
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dx6/09,stageII,gr3,(L)mastectomy 7/09,ACx4,Taxolx7,Avastin study,gall bladder surgery 1/10,4/11 Stage 4, mets to lung, 4/11 Started Taxotere and Xeloda, 5/11 Taxotere stopped, off Xeloda
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Barbi
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 8:16pm |
Praying for you to be able to start chemo and go home! Barbi
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harbin
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 9:35pm |
Eileen, My prayers are with you and get better soon. Harbin
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4/08 dx IDC,stg2,neg. nodes,4xAC,8xTexol& Avastin,BRCA-
3/10 Recurr Chestwall,surgery
6/10 Lung mets
10/10 Parp
05/11 Surgery on 2 lung nodules
08/11 Parp failed
10/11 Cyberknife 1 lung nodule
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Martha
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 9:36pm |
Joining the others to send you healing prayers. Hope you are able to breath easier now, and that your recovery will allow you to receive the chemo you need. Warm Hugs From Texas, Martha
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Dx 10/08;mastect 11/08; T2/N1/M0;TACX6;rads 5-6/09; recur 11/09;recur 3/10; xeloda + Ixempx5;recur 1/11; gem + carbo + iniparib 2/11; BRCA1/2 -; dx prog 1/12; Havalen Mar Apr 12;Abraxane, May-present.
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EileenF
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 11:11am |
Hi Everyone
Steve, thank you very much for meeting with Tom,Dr. Cristofanilli and I last week in Philadelphia. The support from you and Valerie in getting a quick appointment with Dr. C. to diagnois the IBC along with the TNBC was crucial to obtaining the right treatment.
thank you to everyone here for the love, support and hugs; while i could not post last week i was able to read the posts and kept the hugs close. I am very humbled by and grateful for your support. I am back home today after spending a week in the hospitial and having over a liter of fluid removed from each lung. The good news is despite the severe edema in my legs and feet my heart function is fine. if the lungs fill up again they may leave the lung cather in the lung for self drainage similar to what Lee has, but the fear of infection - like Lee is experiencing has them being cautious about this.
the new chemo restarted yesterday along with receiving a blood transfusion which should help all around. Today I am feeling a bit under the weather and fatigued and will have another blood transfusion on Thurs. to help recover. The really good news is we all agree certain areas of the breast redness do not look as angry as prior to the first dose of chemo which hopefully indicates a positive response
I have also heard of a new promising clinical trial coming up in June which has the researchers \at Fox Chase Cancer Center very excited for both TNBC and IBC i dont have any other info but will receive an update on June 7th and will share what I learn
So my good friends, stay well, I hope everyone's treatments get easier and show measurable good results. Keep the hope and support coming
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7/09:IDC,stg 3,Grade3, pos lymph;chemo ACT;12/09 lumpect n lymp disect;1/10 bilat masect/tis exp; rad cmpltd 4/10; 11/10 stg 4 lungs chest axil mets & parp trial;3/11 IBC diag;
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SagePatientAdvocates
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 11:18am |
So delighted you wrote, Eileen..
Prayers continue and thank you for sharing the preliminary information about a new trial with us.
wishing you a peaceful weekend with your family,
Steve
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I am a BRCA1+ grandson, son and father of women affected by breast/oc-my daughter inherited mutation from me, and at 36, was dx 2004 TNBC I am a volunteer patient advocate with SAGE Patient Advocates
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123Donna
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 11:27am |
Eileen,
My prayers continue. Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm glad you're out of the hospital and hopefully feeling better each day. It is indeed very encouraging that the redness has shown some improvement. I believe it's a good sign the chemo is working, even after just one treatment.
I can't wait to hear more about this new clinical trial that could benefit TNBC and IBC.
Hugs,
Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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dmwolf
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 12:28pm |
Eileen, it's so great to hear from you. Your spirit sounds strong, and what great news that the drugs seem to be working. Reduced reddening in the breast is a great sign.
We love you, and are here with and for you every step you take. As always, please feel free to speak your truth: the good and bad; beautiful and ugly.
love, d
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DX 2/08@43 stg II IDC; gr2,0 nodes. Neoadj chemo, first ACx2 (fail) then CarboTaxotereX6(better). Lump, Rads done 11/08; Clodronate. False alarm queen: PetCT lung & TM marker. NED. PBM w/recon 9/10.
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mjhoover@gmail.com
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 1:23pm |
glad you are home and resting eileen...sending get well wishes your way! mj
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7/08 IDC L Br, mast 1/16 node +,St 2 gr 3, 6 rounds TAC
7/10 Mets to lungs, nodes abdomen BRCA-
8/10-1-11Abraxane/Avastin
7 11 3.3 cm tobrain sstem/rt cerribellium WBR 15 rds
Poss trial at MDA after
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sue
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 3:13pm |
Eileen,
Still here with you and praying for your recovery.
Sue
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Dx 7/10, age 53. TNBC left breast, stage I, grade 3, IDC 0.5 cm, DCI 2.5 cm, 0/8 lymph nodes neg. BRCA-. T/C x4 finished 2/09/11, rads x34 finished 4/21/11.
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Shelly Rae
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Posted: May 22 2011 at 12:59am |
Glad your home. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep fighting:) Shelly Rae
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4/09 age 47 Stage 3a, Gr 3,1 node micro ACx4 Tx4 Rads x 33, done Dec.1,2009 NED
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Katastrophe
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Posted: May 22 2011 at 9:06am |
Eileen, glad to hear you are on the mend. All good thoughts coming your way. luv Kat xxx
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Age 49. Stg2 gr3 19mm lump in L/br 1 lymph node in L/br 3/14 lymph nod under left arm full clear bil/mast 6rds Chemo 3wkly 25rds Rad 18rds of Avastin finished treatment on 19th August 10.
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suec
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Posted: May 22 2011 at 2:58pm |
may healing peace be yours
suec
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tnbc 3b: partial mas 5/06; 6 rounds FEC; 36 rad; 05/09-mets to bone; xeloda, avastin, zometa; gemzar & avastin; rads to hips; 8 mo on methotrexate+5fu; 5/11 mets to liver/lung; halevan fails;carb&Abrx
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