My Medical History

My Medical History

1997 (age 45) - Diagnosed w/Stage II (I think) Breast Cancer, 4 positive lymph nodes

1997-98 Modified Radical Mastectomy, 6 chemo treatments (mostly Adriamycin), 33 radiation treatments

1998-2001 Tamoxifen pills

2001 Lung nodule found on routine chest x-ray.  Open lung surgery resulted in Stage IV diagnosis.  Post-surgical doctor visit the day after 9/11. Prognosis of 2-5 years

2001-08 7 years of remission!! on Arimidex pills

2008 Lung nodule found on routine chest x-ray (again). PET scan showed multiple tumors in both lungs.  Lung needle biopsy resulted in 8-day hospital stay due to collapsed lung.  Faslodex shots for about 2 years. 
   
2009 fractured rib diagnosis due to rib pain

2010 Rib pain diagnosed as metastatic tumor.  10 radiation treatments stopped pain. Back on Tamoxifen for several months.

2011  Wheezing and coughing - tumor in bronchial tube partially removed by interventional bronchoscopy.

2011  3 new tumors on liver. Vertigo symptoms - tumor in cerebellum (brain) and L1 bone (spine). Stereotactic radiation on brain and spine.  21 weekly chemo treatments of Taxotere with Decadron (steroid). Extreme shortness of breath...        Fluid around lungs and heart from chemo toxicity, had needle thora-centesis to remove fluid from pleura (space outside of lungs).

2012  Tumors on liver gone, pesky bronchial tube tumor (The Wheezer) persistently growing. Took Xeloda pills for 6 months. Wheezer under control.  New tumors in brain and pelvis. 

2012 July Gamma Knife radiation on new brain tumor. see more by clicking on Gamma Knife Treatment

July 25, 2012 Started new chemo - Eribulin/Halavan

2013-March Taking a break from chemo after nearly 2 years of it.  Pelvis tumor disappeared, others showed 'no progression', L1 bone showing new growth (healing). 

2013-May  Started new chemo - Gemzar - as tumor markers were going up steadily and I had started wheezing again. Very low white blood count is making me rather tired on 5/31/13, but very inspired to write, write, write.  This chemo didn't do anything for me but zap my platelets and white blood cells.

2013-June  One brain tumor grew and bronchial tube tumor (the wheezer) has grown slightly. 


2013 July Gamma Knife radiation on 2 brain tumors. This is the third July in a row that a brain tumor either showed up or got bigger.

2013 July Started ANOTHER chemo called Ixempra. More hair falling out.   

14 comments:

  1. This list of cancer diagnosis certainly seems forboding enough. But thankfully I'd already read your other entries so this list, for me any way, had lost it's sting and seems anticlimatic. When I think of you Maggie I think of a gentle Purple,flower, blowing this way and that, always beautiful, always bending, never breaking. The peace and rest you speak of goes against conventional wisdom. But then you are anything but conventional. Perhaps the place of love and shalom is afterall, far more powerful than many warriors. I send blessings of more and more peace, more and more rest. Be pickled and saturated in agape love. May every minute reap blessings everlasting. sue

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  2. WOW! What a story. Keep at it...just keep going like the Energizer bunny! You will be on my list of prayers....the power of prayers and faith in God works.

    Rose

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  3. I have witnessed you endure many challenges dear friend. You are a true source of inspiration. It is evident that each experience has provided a new insight into your journey. Truly you are being guided and protected. Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom. Thank you for valuing the gift of life and for sharing your love, talents and strengths. Keep planting seeds.
    Love ya, Dez

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  4. Maggie, I so admire the woman you are! I love your strength, courage, determination, and choices. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You do need to write a book :-) hugs, Cindy

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  5. Hi Maggie,
    What a inspiration you are to me. Your wonderful attitude, " Not Me I'll Keep Fighting. "Not Me Iam Not Going to Use This Medicine This Time". Iam so glad you are sharing with everyone.I have told so many people about my friend Maggie, so many times, spending hours with you in meditation,prayers for friends and "Drumming". You cross my mind so much.
    Take care Maggie,
    Love Ya,
    Pam

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  6. Thank you, Maggie, for sharing your most personal journey. Your spirit is being guided to enlighten those of us whose are still struggling with who we are and are still trying to "fill our own cup" so it can runneth over. You are touching and changing the lives of many by telling your story of change and hope. May we all heed your insightful words of loving ourselves and the healing power of love. You are prayed for and thought of often. May you continue to heal and your journey be a long one.

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  7. Thank you for the support and prayers. With love,
    maggie

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  8. Maggie,
    So glad we have reconnected after all these years. You are a true inspiration and I am so proud to call you my friend.
    Love, Diane

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  9. I am happy about the Facebook "blessing", too. Thank you for being there for me, always. With love,
    maggie

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  10. Dear Maggie, I'd like to congratulate you on your blog. While this is the first time I've commented, I've been here all along, pondering your entries, silently, in the background. You write beautifully and honestly. Recounting and sharing your story takes strength and courage. It is evident that you are an inspiration to many. Today, I read your blog on journaling and will make note of it as a reference if, and, when I feel the need to begin writing. Thank you Maggie for sharing your story and knowledge with all of us. Your Friend, Janet

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  11. Janet - thank you so much, my friend. <3

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  12. Maggie, you continue to be a blessing and inspiration to so many people...you and god are just not done yet!
    Blessings,
    Shari Froelich

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  13. INDEED! Not done yet! it's exciting when you think about it! love,
    maggie

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  14. Maggie McDees life. I praise your strength and courage, you are a great women with wonderful thoughts. I look up to you and read every word you write, your amazing. God Bless you, I will be praying for you. Janet Hamilton

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