This year’s Metsquerade will be virtual due to COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution to two of the Metsquerade organizers. Please continue to purchase tickets to the virtual event and donate as we hope to surpass $1.5 million since starting the NWA Metsquerade in 2016.
Thank you, the NWA Metsquerade Team
5th Annual NWA Metsquerade: October 24, 2020
Honorary Chair Dr. Tim Pluard
Timothy J. Pluard, MD, is a breast medical oncologist with an exclusive focus on metastatic breast cancer and serves as medical director of Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. Under his leadership, Saint Luke’s launched its innovative Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer in 2016, the first center devoted exclusively to improving the outcomes and quality of life for patients with metastatic breast cancer. He is a nationally recognized thought leader on new therapeutics and the multidisciplinary care of patients with MBC.
Prior to joining Saint Luke’s, Dr. Pluard served as associate professor of medicine at Washington University in Saint Louis, and clinical director of breast oncology at Siteman Center, a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
He is a graduate of the Washington University School of Medicine and completed his oncology fellowship training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School.
Faces of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Lisa Cooper QuinnAge: 37, Springdale, AR
Diagnosed stage IV de novo: July 26, 2015
Mets to: bones
Surgeries: hysterectomy, oophorectomy, double mastectomy
Treatments: Letrozole, Ibrance, Xgeva
Kelli ParkerAge: 34, Northwest Arkansas
Dx: with stage 1 IDC 1/5/09, regional recurrence to internal mammary chain and Axilla- stage 3C 9/20/13, 11/12/14- stage IV widespread bone
Mets to: both iliac wings, sacrum, scapula, right femur, T5, T7, right rib
Surgeries: Double mastectomy with expander reconstruction, Silicone implant exchange, Full axillary dissection, Oophorectomy
Treatments: Dense dose adriamycian/cytoxan/taxol 6 months, 5 years of tamoxifen, Taxotere/cytoxan, 30 treatments of radiation and 5 “boosts” to Internal mammary chain, Resumed tamoxifen, Faslodex, xgeva, added ibrance 8/8/14
Mets to: both iliac wings, sacrum, scapula, right femur, T5, T7, right rib
Surgeries: Double mastectomy with expander reconstruction, Silicone implant exchange, Full axillary dissection, Oophorectomy
Treatments: Dense dose adriamycian/cytoxan/taxol 6 months, 5 years of tamoxifen, Taxotere/cytoxan, 30 treatments of radiation and 5 “boosts” to Internal mammary chain, Resumed tamoxifen, Faslodex, xgeva, added ibrance 8/8/14
Denise ChynowethAge: 49, Caldwell, ID
Original Diagnoses: 3/30/07
Mets Diagnoses: 8/27/13
Mets to: lungs and brain
Surgeries: Right mastectomy, hysterectomy, oopherectomy
Treatment: Taxol, tamoxifen, Herceptin and perjeta and anastrozole. Stereostatic radio surgery for brain mets
Norine CrossAge: 36, Bucks County, PA
Diagnosed stage IV de novo: November 5, 2015
Mets to: bones and thoracic spine
Surgeries: oophorectomy
Treatments: Rads for spine, Letrozole, Ibrance, Xgeva
Laura WilliamsAge: 40, Pittsburgh, Pa
Diagnosed stage IV de novo: December 2008
Mets to: bones and liver
Surgery: Lumpectomy
Radiation: Breast and Hip
Treatments: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Lupron, Femara, Kadcyla, Taxol, Perjeta, Zometa
Ginny Arnold SheltonMurfreesboro, TN
Diagnosed: 2/5/15 stage IV bc
Mets to: bone
Treatments: lumpectomy, radiation, perjeta, taxol, herceptin, xgeva, letrozole
Kristi Ward WahlAge: 52, Fort Wayne, Indiana
BC: May 2013
Mets: Sept 2015
Bones, pelvic, lungs, liver, adrenal glands
Surgeries: lumpectomy, 8 lymph nodes removed, inserting/removing power port, 2 bi lateral rods in hips for fractures due to the bone mets.
Treatments: 8 rounds of chemo, 34 radiation, herceptin, Tamoxifen, radiation again to pelvic and both femurs, rehab for a month for hips, Xeloda, Ibrance, letrozole, Faslodex, xgeva, now waiting to start clinical trial!
Lisa BadinerAge: 56, Moved to Parkland Fl from NY on 7/115
Originally Diagnosed: April 9, 2012
DX: Metastatic breast cancer to my spine January 2016
Surgeries: lumpectomy, I lymph removed radiation. Then spinal surgery to remove tumor and stabilize spine ( 4 rods two bolts)
Treatments: radiation, ibrance ( targeted chemo) faslodex and xgevia.
Danielle GoddardAge: 28, Virginia Beach, VA
Diagnosed: Stage III December 8th, 2015
STAGE IV December 17th, 2015
STAGE IV December 17th, 2015
Mets to: bones, liver
Treatments: herceptin, perjeta (on going) 6 rounds of taxotere, currently on Carboplatin, and xgeva injections
Kelly ShepherdAge: 32, Franklin, Indiana
Diagnosed: Stage IV de novo: May 1, 2015
Mets to: bones
Surgeries: other than biopsies & port, none yet
Treatments: Letrozole, Ibrance, Zometa, Lupron, Faslodex
Heather HanlonAge: 41, San Diego, CA
Diagnosed: 2013 Stage 1
Diagnosed: 2015 Stage 4
Mets to: lungs, liver, and bone
Treatment: Herceptin and Perjeta
Rebecca Adam Age: 40, Visalia, CA
Dx: DeNovo 6/18/13
Mets: across chest, in right lung & 6-8 smothering liver (inoperable)
Surgeries: other than inserting & removing port only surgery was oopherectomy 4/2015
Tx: (4) CEF (12) abraxane 1.5 yrs of monthly injections of lupron paired with tomoxafin.
3/2015 letrozol
Mary GoozeAge: 65, Wisconsin--Go Packers!
Diagnosed: stage IV with mets to the bones on June 2014.
Diagnosed: stage 2 lobular in January 2012 and had chemo, radiation and surgery.
Treatments: include Xgeva, Afinitor, exemestane and have been on all three for two years. Actively swimming to bring awareness to this disease. www.onewomanmanylakes.org
Veronica VelazquezAge: 34, Tucson, AZ
Diagnosed: stage iv de novo 2/8/2015
Surgeries: hysterectomy and lumpectomy
Mets to: Bones
Treatments: faslodex, xgeva, Anastrozole ,Afinitor, letrozole, Ibrance
Meghan HallAge: 32, Deltona, FL
Diagnosed Stage 3: August 5, 2015
Diagnosed Stage 4: July 15, 2016
Mets to: most of my lymphatic system, pelvic and right shoulder bones, chest skin wall
Treatments/surgeries: Port placement. 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin, Perjeta, Herceptin. Continued Herceptin until Stage 4 diagnosis. Currently on Xeloda, 2 weeks on and 1 week off, 4 pills twice a day.
Surgeries: Double mastectomy with left lymph node removal (23 removed). 30 rounds of radiation to left chest wall. Craniotomy. Gamma Knife Radiation. 17 rounds of radiation to right chest and lymph nodes.
Diagnosed Stage 4: July 15, 2016
Mets to: most of my lymphatic system, pelvic and right shoulder bones, chest skin wall
Treatments/surgeries: Port placement. 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin, Perjeta, Herceptin. Continued Herceptin until Stage 4 diagnosis. Currently on Xeloda, 2 weeks on and 1 week off, 4 pills twice a day.
Surgeries: Double mastectomy with left lymph node removal (23 removed). 30 rounds of radiation to left chest wall. Craniotomy. Gamma Knife Radiation. 17 rounds of radiation to right chest and lymph nodes.
Andrea DimondAge: 47, Cranberry TWP, PA
Dx: stage 2 in 2011; stage 4 in 2014 with mets to liver only.
Surgery: bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and axillary lymph node dissection. Laparoscopic wedge resection of liver tumor. Oophorectomy.
Treatments: Taxotere and Cytoxan, Tamoxifen, Arimidex. SBRT to liver tumor.
Chandra SwiftAge: 43, Windsor Mo
Diagnosed stage lV de novo: June 2014
Mets to: bones
Surgeries: double mastectomy, hysterectomy, pin in pelvis for a break.
Treatments: Exemestane Xgeva
Katherine ContrerasAge 57, Riverside CA
Diagnosed: 2003-Stage 3 2004-Stage 4
Mets to: bones and distant lymph nodes.
Treatments: mastectomy, TRAM Flap Recon, ATC chemo, 90 radiation, tamoxifen, aromisin, Arimidex, Taxol, Gemzar, Avastin, Faslodex, Affinitor, Femara,
Jennifer HendryxAge: 37, Cleveland, Ohio
Diagnosed stage 4 de novo: April 9th, 2013
Mets to: spine in 3 places, sacrum, hip, liver, and lungs.
Treatments: 20 rounds of radiation, radiation surgery to cervical spine, 16 rounds of Ibrance/Femera, Afinitor.
Mary DomkeAge: 54, Freehold, NJ
Stage 0: November 1996
Surgery: Single mastectomy
July 2006: mets to liver, lung, bone, and brain
Treatments: Whole brain radiation, herceptin, xeloda, zometa, tykerb, Presently herceptin and tykerb, NED.
Nancy K WhiteAge 60
Dx: Dec 29th 2006, stage 3
Surgery/Treatment: Mastectomy, bone scan before starting chemo…cut my hair in readiness to loose it but that day found out stage 4 and lymph nodes 7, and to my bones shoulder, spine and all through back, changed treatments to zometa, femerra,..year later found another lymph node went to another drug ..6 weeks of radiation. 4 years later spread to rib… 4 weeks radiation. Recently spread to hip socket, shoulder socket, another rib. 4 weeks radiation …now waiting to see in October if I might be NED.
Surgery/Treatment: Mastectomy, bone scan before starting chemo…cut my hair in readiness to loose it but that day found out stage 4 and lymph nodes 7, and to my bones shoulder, spine and all through back, changed treatments to zometa, femerra,..year later found another lymph node went to another drug ..6 weeks of radiation. 4 years later spread to rib… 4 weeks radiation. Recently spread to hip socket, shoulder socket, another rib. 4 weeks radiation …now waiting to see in October if I might be NED.
Teresa BosticAge:50, TN
Dx: Feb 2015 Stage IV De Novo
Mets to: left lung, bones.
Treatments: Not a surgical candidate 🙁 Have had chemo- A/C first, now on Abraxane for 15 months, will start radiation soon in response to growth in original tumor.
I’m a single Mom to my 3 yr old great nephew.
Lillie AugerAge: 45
Diagnosed: De novo at age 44, August 2015.
Mets to: bones.
Surgeries: Have had ovaries and tubes removed 3/16. Having left breast removed this Tuesday 9/20.
Treatments: Was on tamoxifen for 3 mo. Am currently on letrozole and Ibrance 9 mo. Get monthly shot of xgeva.
Lindsey SchollAge: 41, Orlando, FL
Initial DX: August 2012
Mets Diagnosis: September 2014
Mets to: right hip, liver
Treatments: adrimycin, cytoxin, taxol, neulasta, with 30 rounds radiation to left chest wall, armpit, and clavicle- then added herceptin, tamoxifen. At mets diagnosis 20 rounds radiation to right hip, taxotere, neulasta, herceptin, perjeta, xgeva, anastrozole. Also added losartan for heart (low ejection fraction due to damage from chemo)
Surgeries: bilateral mastectomies, total thyroidectomy, vascularized lymph node transfer, DEIP reconstruction (+ 3 revision), total hysterectomy (cervix, uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries)
Mets Diagnosis: September 2014
Mets to: right hip, liver
Treatments: adrimycin, cytoxin, taxol, neulasta, with 30 rounds radiation to left chest wall, armpit, and clavicle- then added herceptin, tamoxifen. At mets diagnosis 20 rounds radiation to right hip, taxotere, neulasta, herceptin, perjeta, xgeva, anastrozole. Also added losartan for heart (low ejection fraction due to damage from chemo)
Surgeries: bilateral mastectomies, total thyroidectomy, vascularized lymph node transfer, DEIP reconstruction (+ 3 revision), total hysterectomy (cervix, uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries)
Julie HjorthAge at diagnosis: 35, Farmington, NM
de novo metastatic: October 2014
Mets: Liver
Surgery: single mastectomy, gall bladder removal, liver resection, liver ablation
Radiation: breast
Treatments: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta
Jessica KarabianAge: 32, PA
Diagnosed: stage 2 IDC at 29.
Mets to: bones at age 30.
Treatments: Chemo, radiation, bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and ovaries removed.kadcyla for a year, currently on herceptin, perjeta, flasodex, and xgeva. More scans then I can count….
Dawn Michel Harrington Flores
Diagnosed: 34 stage 0-DCIS mastectomy.
Treaments: Mri’s yearly and mammograms for followup. Stage 4 2014 found by me (lungs, lymph, liver, and bones) Taxotere, herceptin and Perjeta. 2015 brian mets. Now every 3 weeks herceptin and Perjeta.
3 kids 14, 11 and 8. Stage 4 needs more!
Roberta Thomas SzparaPittsburgh, PA
DX: stage II 10/3108 & 31, DX stage iv 02/25/16 @39
Mets to: spine, shoulder, hip, clavicle and pleural lining of lungs.
Treatments: Currently taking letrozole and ibrance
Wife and mom to 9 year old son and twin 3 year old daughters.
Jill StonerAge: 38, Omaha, Nebraska
Diagnosed De Novo: Stage 4 June 2014
Mets to: Bone
Surgeries: since have been oopherectony..bilateral masectomy and lymph node dissection
Treatments: Radiation to chest wall ..neck and auxiliary , Radiation to l3-l5, Letrozole and xgeve
Desarae JonesAge: 32, Montrose, Colorado
Diagnosis: Stage III at 28- July 2012
Mets at 30 – July 2014
Mets at 30 – July 2014
Mets to: bones, lymph nodes, liver, lungs
Treatments: 6 rounds of TAC chemo, double mastectomy, 33 rounds of radiation pre mets. Tomaxifen for a year, 10 more radiation treatments to left hip, Aromasen and Affinitor, 10 more radiation to right hip, Taxotere and Xeloda, Mexican alternative treatment, Clinical trial with faslodex, 10 radiation treatments to base of skull and upper spine, Now on Halaven and getting 5 more radiation treatments to left pelvic area.
Surgeries: Removed ovaries
Kimberlee OwsleyAge: 47, Ft. Wayne, IN
Diagnosis: 2003 stage 3, 2015 stage 4
Mets to: both lungs, spine and pancreas
Treatments: Prejetta, Herceptin and Falsodex.
Surgeries: Left masectomy and lymph nodes, hysterectomy, reconstruction,
Erin Gilmore HoffmanAge: 37, Sterling, VA
BC: August 2013
Mets: February 2015, Left lung and mediastinal lymph nodes
Surgeries: lumpectomy, metastectomy/wedge resection to lung
Treatments: A/C chemo, Taxol + MK2206 (clinical trial), radiation, gemcitabine/carboplatin, pembrolizumab/epacadostat immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial
Tammy Footen PayneAge: 51, Waldorf, MD
Diagnosed: Stage IV de novo (er+/Her2+; mets to lungs) on March 5, 2015 at age 50;
Treatment: 7 rounds of taxotere/herceptin/
Judy HillAge: 56
Date of diagnosis: 2011, Date of metastatic August 2014
Surgeries: Double mastectomy with reconstruction, Pathological fracture of Femur. Radiation to humorous, spine, left femur. Titanium rod placed in femur. October 2015 Femur break, bigger rod.
Treatment: Tamoxifen, Xeloda, Zometa arimidex ibrance Femara now Doxil
Laurie Litzau FiumefreddoAge: 42, Illinois
DX: 2006, stage 1, dx 2011 mets(bone,lungs, brain in 2013)
Surgeries/Treatments: I’ve had bilateral mastectomy w/reconstruction, brain met removed then gamma knife, radiation (10days)to lung met
CHEMO: 2006: AC/Taxol/Herceptin, 2011: Herceptin, T-Dm1, 2012: Xeloda, Tykerb, 2013: (Herceptin / Perjeta /
Surgeries/Treatments: I’ve had bilateral mastectomy w/reconstruction, brain met removed then gamma knife, radiation (10days)to lung met
CHEMO: 2006: AC/Taxol/Herceptin, 2011: Herceptin, T-Dm1, 2012: Xeloda, Tykerb, 2013: (Herceptin / Perjeta /
Cheryl EricksonAge: 42, Cleveland, Ohio
Diagnosed stageIV de novo: October 2014
Mets to: liver (innumerable)
Surgeries: port placement/removal, oophorectomy
Treatments: Taxotere with Indoximod, currently Letrozole and Ibrance.
Alexis RhoadsAge: 37, San Antonio, Tx
Original DX: 3/13, Mets 5/14
Mets to: right tube/ ovary
Treatments: Gemzar
Surgeries: Double mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction; Abdominal mass mets surgery
Stephanie Smith HaakAge: 44, Texarkana, TX
First diagnosed at age 38-found a pea sized lump in left breast which ended up to be stage 3 with tumors in nodes and chest wall.
Surgeries/Treatment: 11 rounds of chemotherapy, double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, 30 radiation treatments, complete hysterectomy and oophrectomy. Went into remission.May of 2015, golf ball sized tumor-had a craniotomy, February 2016 more small lesions in the brain, Gamma Knife radiation. June 2016 tumors on my skull, ribs, liver, spine, and hips, several more radiation. Now on Ibrance, Faslodex, and Zometa. I’ve got a husband and 3 awesome kids, not ready to leave then any time soon!! God bless each one of you!!
Surgeries/Treatment: 11 rounds of chemotherapy, double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, 30 radiation treatments, complete hysterectomy and oophrectomy. Went into remission.May of 2015, golf ball sized tumor-had a craniotomy, February 2016 more small lesions in the brain, Gamma Knife radiation. June 2016 tumors on my skull, ribs, liver, spine, and hips, several more radiation. Now on Ibrance, Faslodex, and Zometa. I’ve got a husband and 3 awesome kids, not ready to leave then any time soon!! God bless each one of you!!
Vicki SumnerAge: 45, Kirkland, WA
Diagnosis: Feb 2010 – Stage III (38 yrs old), Aug 2014 – Stage 4
Surgeries: Mastectomy & Lymph node removal, DIEP flap reconstruction Jan 2012, Oophorectomy Feb 2015
Treatments: 4 rounds – Epirubicin, Cytoxan, 5FU, 4 rounds – Taxotere, 35 rounds of radiation, Tamoxifen, LUPRON, Xeloda (stopped due to toxicity),
Anastrazole , Ibrance (added) , Eribulin – phase 2 trial started June 2016 (stopped due to progression Sept 12, 2016), Xgeva, Abraxane, Percocet for pain
Mets to: liver & bones (femurs, spine – innumerable), Progression of mets in spine, femur & liver, Liver met(s) now 8 cm
Surgeries: Mastectomy & Lymph node removal, DIEP flap reconstruction Jan 2012, Oophorectomy Feb 2015
Treatments: 4 rounds – Epirubicin, Cytoxan, 5FU, 4 rounds – Taxotere, 35 rounds of radiation, Tamoxifen, LUPRON, Xeloda (stopped due to toxicity),
Anastrazole , Ibrance (added) , Eribulin – phase 2 trial started June 2016 (stopped due to progression Sept 12, 2016), Xgeva, Abraxane, Percocet for pain
Mets to: liver & bones (femurs, spine – innumerable), Progression of mets in spine, femur & liver, Liver met(s) now 8 cm
Deborah Savarese KizewskiAge: 55, Denton, Tx
Dx: Nov 98 & Aug 2000 ER/PR + , lumpectomy only both times
50+ mets to: bones in April 2003, Given 6 mths to live, in a wheelchair, couldn’t walk!
Treatments: Tamoxifen daily, & Zoladex & Zometa monthly 2003-2008, TAH-BSO in April 2006: End Zoladex after surgery. Switch tamoxifen to Femara & Zometa to Xgeva. Restart Zoladex 6 mths later. Lt mastectomy July 2008, LymphEdema from surgery & 6 wks radiation. Spring 09 switch from Femara to Xeloda, & end Zoladex, Xgeva started out monthly, then 6 wks, 8 wks, 12 wks…. Xeloda was 1 wk on, 2 wks off til Spring 2014. Past 2 1/2 yrs… 2x per year, labs, scan, onc, Xgeva.
50+ mets to: bones in April 2003, Given 6 mths to live, in a wheelchair, couldn’t walk!
Treatments: Tamoxifen daily, & Zoladex & Zometa monthly 2003-2008, TAH-BSO in April 2006: End Zoladex after surgery. Switch tamoxifen to Femara & Zometa to Xgeva. Restart Zoladex 6 mths later. Lt mastectomy July 2008, LymphEdema from surgery & 6 wks radiation. Spring 09 switch from Femara to Xeloda, & end Zoladex, Xgeva started out monthly, then 6 wks, 8 wks, 12 wks…. Xeloda was 1 wk on, 2 wks off til Spring 2014. Past 2 1/2 yrs… 2x per year, labs, scan, onc, Xgeva.
Amy ThompsonAge: 33, Australia
Dx: 2nd March 2015 stage IV de novo at 31 years old
Mets to: liver and spine, Progression to liver and lungs September this year
Treatments: 8 rounds of Taxol, 26 rounds of Herceptin and Perjeta
Danyelle SullivanAge: 42, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Diagnosed: De Novo Stage 4 in Dec. 2015
Mets to: many spots in spine, left femur, and skull
Surgeries: right mastectomy
Treatments: radiation to about every spot in my spine and am currently undergoing radiation to my skull. I am currently on Ibrance/letrozole combo and zometa infusions.
Bette Lassiter CarterAge: 45, Raleigh, NC
Dx: September 22, 2011 de novo
Mets: bones, liver, lungs, soft tissue
Treatment: Metastatic, ER/PR positive, HER2/neu nonamplified, invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the right breast, Biopsy on 9/20/2011 with invasive carcinoma, PET CT with left scapula, sternum, left L5 transverse process, left sacral/SI joint, left inferior pubic ramus, right posterior acetabular region and possibly left posterior rib cage c/f metastatic disease. Confirmed stage IV, Tamoxifen and XGEVA, Status post bilateral oophorectomy, Femara, Liver biopsy, Fulvestrant/Arimidex, Aromasin + Afinitor, Xeloda, S/p radiation to right breast, S/p XRT to left shoulder, Abraxane. Carboplatin added to her Abraxane.
Mets: bones, liver, lungs, soft tissue
Treatment: Metastatic, ER/PR positive, HER2/neu nonamplified, invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the right breast, Biopsy on 9/20/2011 with invasive carcinoma, PET CT with left scapula, sternum, left L5 transverse process, left sacral/SI joint, left inferior pubic ramus, right posterior acetabular region and possibly left posterior rib cage c/f metastatic disease. Confirmed stage IV, Tamoxifen and XGEVA, Status post bilateral oophorectomy, Femara, Liver biopsy, Fulvestrant/Arimidex, Aromasin + Afinitor, Xeloda, S/p radiation to right breast, S/p XRT to left shoulder, Abraxane. Carboplatin added to her Abraxane.
Erin Coonan SchmidtAge: 35, Newport, RI
Diagnosed: at 27 in 2008 and Stage IV in December 2013
Mets to: Liver & bone.
Treatments: Letrozole 2013-2015, Faslodex w/ Ibrance until 2016. Started xeloda yesterday. Still on zometa
Kylie Aurisch Age: 31, Central Coast NSW Australia
Diagnosed: March 21st 2013
Mets to: liver lungs spine bones brain
Surgeries: Port placement
Treatments: taxotere herception , Xeloda tykerb kadcyla navilbean tamoxifen
15 radiation treatments to my brain, 25 of tomotherapy to the lower spine, 15 x to the neck, 15 to the back of the brain
Alissa ThomasAge: 34, Draper Utah
Dx: stage IV de novo
Mets to: the liver
Surgeries: oophorectomy
Treatments: Ibrance 125 and letrazole since 08/15
Carolyn FernandezAge: 45, Franklin Square, NY
Diagnosed: w/ BC 11/2014
Diagnosed: w/ mets 12/2015
Mets to: my entire spine, left hip and left femur
Surgery: Oopherectomy- no breast surgery
Treatment: Tamoxifen, xgeva, lupron, letrozole
Sondra HopeAge: 31, South African living in Qatar
Diagnosed: age 24 in December of 2009.
4 recurrences with first bilateral mastectomy aged 24.
Diagnosed: with MBC in 2013.
Surgeries: Completion mastectomy and reconstruction 10 weeks ago.
Treatment: Currently on perjeta and herceptin every 3 weeks.
1 daughter aged 4 years old
Lydia KahlerAge: 39, Hooks, Tx
Dx: stage IV triple positive, De Novo Sept 28, 2012 at age 35.
Mets to: Innumerable bone mets to spine, and right hip.
Surgeries: Kyphoplasty to 2 fractured vertebrae right after dx. ORIF of right hip from 4cm lytic lesion. Hysterectomy
Treatments: Radiation to spine, Taxotere, Herceptin, Perjeta every 3 weeks for 13 months. Continued Herceptin and Perjeta for 2 years and 6 months. Currently taking anastrozole as only treatment. Pain meds daily for back and joint pain. I’m one of the lucky ones who didn’t get my hair back.
Justine Oxman-EnglesAge: 50, Upper Moreland, Philadelphia
Diagnosed: July 2004 stage I. uly 2014 I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer.
Surgeries: Mastectomy and chemo, total hysterectomy, 4 reconstructions, trans flap surgery, back surgery.
Mets to: bone, 3 places on my right breast, Reoccurrence In left chest to bone, 2 ribs on left and lymph nodes on both sides in all of them in neck and down to arm pits, L2 vertebrae.
Treatments: Letrezole and have been NED for 2.1yrs, Denosumab.
Amanda Allison GrahamAge: 33, Peoria, IL
Diagnosed: stage 2B February 2013, Diagnosed stage IV January 2015
Mets to: lung
Surgeries: double mastectomy, lung wedge resection
Treatments: radiation, Xeloda, Carboplatin/Gemzar, Halaven
Melinda HobbsAge: 50, Valliant, OK
Diagnosed: Stage 4 MBC on 9/18/15
Mets to: L2 and left Breast
Surgeries: Double Mastectomy on 3/14/16
Treatments: 16 Aggressive Chemo Treatments, 43 Radiation Treatments, Arimidex Daily for the Next 5 Years
Wendi TaylorAge: 46, Bedford, Texas
Diagnosed: orig diagnosis Dec 2011, mets diagnosis Feb 2014
Mets to: lymph nodes, now lungs, bones, colon, abdomen
Treatments: multiple chemotherapy and thoracentesis, scheduled Oct 6 for pleurodesis to stop pleural effusions, starting off label Keytruda (immunotherapy) mid October
Rebecca AdamAge: 40, Central Valley, CA
Diagnosed: 2013 dx DeNovo Er/Pr+ Her2-
Mets to: liver, lung & across sternum
Mets to: liver, lung & across sternum
Tahirah S. Burton WadeAge: 39, Hodges, SC
Diagnosed: Diagnosed Stage IIIC Breast cancer February 25, 2013, ER/PR+, Her2+, Diagnosed Stage IV with Bone Mets to 4 Vertebrae
Surgeries: Bilateral Mastectomy without Reconstruction
Treatments: 25 rounds of radiation to spine, 12 teeth removed in order to begin chemotherapy, 6 rounds of Taxotere, herceptin, and Perjeta every 3 weeks with Neulasta injection the next day, Lupron injection monthly, Femara daily for 6 months, Zometa every 4 weeks, Herceptin, Perjeta, and Zometa regiment, hospitalized for cellulitis, still on Herceptin and Perjeta treatment every 3 weeks, Zometa every 6 months, last scan stable with some regression to lesions in spine
Surgeries: Bilateral Mastectomy without Reconstruction
Treatments: 25 rounds of radiation to spine, 12 teeth removed in order to begin chemotherapy, 6 rounds of Taxotere, herceptin, and Perjeta every 3 weeks with Neulasta injection the next day, Lupron injection monthly, Femara daily for 6 months, Zometa every 4 weeks, Herceptin, Perjeta, and Zometa regiment, hospitalized for cellulitis, still on Herceptin and Perjeta treatment every 3 weeks, Zometa every 6 months, last scan stable with some regression to lesions in spine
Jamie BurchfieldAge: 36, Santa Rosa Beach, Fl
Date of Dx: 9/2014 de novo
Mets: left lung
Treatments: ibrance & femara (current), tamoxifen.
Surgeries: wedge resection in my left lung, total hysterectomy with oophorectomy.
Gina OConnellAge: 39, Alsip, IL
Diagnosed: with stage 4 at the age of 33 in January 2011
Mets: wide spread
Treatments: Navebine, herceptin, Tamoxifen, Taxotere, Lapatinib, Kadcycla. Various radiation treatments for pain. Veterbralplasty to fix a collapsed vertebrae, no other surgery.
Amanda De FiebreAge: 31, Gulf Coast, FL
Dx: Stage III 12/23/13 (age 28), Dx Stage IV with mets to the brain 1/7/16 (age 30)
Treatments: Had AC+THP (16 cycles), Unilateral mx and ALND, 33 rads , 14 cycles Kadcyla as part of a clinical trial, Zoldex+Femara since winter 2014, Abemaciclib clinical trial, SRS+3 cycles of investigational TPI 287, will start Tykerb soon
Surgeries: Crainontomy
Denise lee RobartsAge: 42
Diagnosed: @38 with stage 2, December 2014 diagnosed with stage 4.
Mets to: Spine, New mets to skull. New mets to pelvic.
Treatments: Chemo for 12 weeks, 10 doses radiation, aromasin, affinitor.
Surgeries: Lumpectomy, double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, Feb 2015 hysterectomy new mets to pelvic and pubic bone. Today almost 43 no new mets. Stable. Continue on A/A combo also xgeva once a month for just over a year now. I am er+, pr+, her+. Sone regression in spine. Lesions in skull not visible on scans.
Mets to: Spine, New mets to skull. New mets to pelvic.
Treatments: Chemo for 12 weeks, 10 doses radiation, aromasin, affinitor.
Surgeries: Lumpectomy, double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, Feb 2015 hysterectomy new mets to pelvic and pubic bone. Today almost 43 no new mets. Stable. Continue on A/A combo also xgeva once a month for just over a year now. I am er+, pr+, her+. Sone regression in spine. Lesions in skull not visible on scans.
Kitty DurbinAge: 71, Fort Worth, Texas
Diagnosed: 1/13 de novo, stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer
Surgeries: corpectomy 1/13 removing cervical disc 3 and 6 and replaced with graft and metal, and left breast removed 9/13.
Treatments: taxotere herception and perjeta, zometa and exceva, radiation for 33 rounds on breast site and 7 times on my neck. I will be given Herceptin and Perjeta, Exceva until progression of cancer at which timeI will die if my heart does not give out first.
Christine Molano-BurgosAge: 51
Diagnosed: age 42 with Stage 1 BC, 2008. Diagnosed in 2012 age 46, Stage IV metastatic to numerous bones/scalp.
Surgeries: Bilateral Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
Treatments: Faslodex, Lupron, Xgeva, Xeloda, Ibrance and Letrozole
Damita FreemanAge: 34
Diagnosed: at age 32, Mets from the start. Genetic mutation PTEN gene
Mets to: T11 vertebrae in spine, 7 cm tumor in left breast.
Surgeries: Lumpectomy and lymph node dissection, full hysterectomy and oopherectomy, thyroidectomy
Treatments: 4 rounds of TC chemo, I round of radiation to spine, Xgeva and tamoxifen
WHY WE NEED YOU
Thirty percent of women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer and die. Yet of all the money dedicated to breast cancer research, only 2-5% is earmarked specifically for metastatic research. METAvivor’s goal is to have cancer organizations devote 30% of their research budget to research that will help the 30% of women and men whose cancer metastasizes.
The surest way to save the lives of patients already diagnosed with breast cancer is to find a way to make MBC survivable.
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