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Vital Info

Name:
MIchelle (michelle67)

Member Since:
April 1, 2011

Location:
near Philly, Pennsylvania

Birthday:
February 28, 1967

Profile:
Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Breast Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer:
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma & Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Diagnosis Date:
November 30, 2010

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 1

Tumor Size:
02

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

ER:
Negative

PR:
Negative

Her2 Status:
No

Lymph Node Involvement:
No

Surgery:
Re-excision Surgery, Lymph Node Removal, Lumpectomy

Chemotherapy:
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
That it makes my kids afraid for me. How it altered me and my life forever. The fact that I'll always be looking over my shoulder for it.

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
To make the most of every moment with my 2 young daughters. That I deserve to be happy every day.

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Don't be afraid to laugh with me. I am still the same person, but my perspective has been altered.

Metastasized? Where?:
No

Cancer Center:
Rena Rowan Breast Center at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer:
Hydrate during chemo, with water and Gatorade.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

None. I found my evil lump while showering, and even after I and my doc could feel it, the mammogram was “clear.” It was then seen on ultrasound and MRI.

NO family history. Genetic tests (BRCA 1 & 2) negative.

During routine scans after breast cancer dx, a mass was found in my head. Turns out in addition to the bc, I have a benign meningioma – a brain tumor. My neurologist tells me these grow slowly and we can zap it with rads later, so I’ll deal with that after I finish chemo and radiation for the breast cancer.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Excisional biopsy of left breast 11/23/10 (1.1cm tumor)
Re-excision to get clear margins and do sentinel node biopsy 12/21/10

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

6 and a half weeks of daily localized treatments. 33 total, with 5 boosts at the end.

Began 6/2/11
FINISHED 7/19/11

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

4 rounds of taxotere & cytoxan every 3 weeks.
Started 3/3/11.
Second round completed 3/24/11; had allergic reactions to both drugs.
Third round done without reactions (super slow drip) on 4/14/11. Fourth & FINAL round completed 5/5/11, and grateful for being finished!!

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

None, I have triple negative breast cancer so hormonal therapies will not help me.

Stats

Posts: 34

Photos: 6

Events: 8

My Supporters: 73

I Support: 84

Comments: 379

MIchelle's Calendar

Upcoming Events

Past Events

Date	Time	Event
May 07, 2012	12:00 PM	Dr. DeMichele 12-month post-tx f/u appt. with medical oncologist @ Rena Ro...
May 07, 2012	7:30 AM	Follow-up (1st post-treatment) breast MRI @ Univ of Penn for Dr. DeMichele...
February 13, 2012	7:15 AM	6-month check-up with radiation oncologist First follow-up with rad onc since treatment ended...
November 30, 2011	11:15 AM	Cancerversary 1 yr from dx...
November 07, 2011	7:00 AM	Follow-up (6 month) scans & check-up Dx mammogram, dexa scan and appt. with Dr. DeMichele at Univ...
September 07, 2011	8:40 AM	3 month follow-up brain MRI ...
August 08, 2011	5:00 AM	F/U Appt. w/Radiation Onc. post-radiation checkup/final(?) appt....
June 27, 2011	10:00 AM	Dr. Angela DeMichele 1st post-chemo oncology appt....