Member Information One

June Aspril:
Also known as Junebug, was diagnosed at age 43 on July 15, 1999 with DCIS, micro-invasive/comedo type. Staged with T1/N0/M0, was ER+/PR+ and Her2neu+, cell nucleus aneuploid. August 20, 1999 had bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders. Finished 1999 with chemo.

Janet Bailey:
Diagnosed June 1995 at age 54 with 4 cm tumor, 6/19 nodes positive, MRM with TRAM reconstruction 6/95, ER/PR+. Had CAFx6 followed by tamoxifen.

Karen Baillie:
Married with 12 year old son, Scott. Golden Retriever Maggiemae, Bichon Frise Ted Bear are canine pals. Work as Editor and Research Manager for health care company; graduate of UC Berkeley; MA Communication from Florida Atlantic University.
Breast Cancer Affiliations:
1. National Breast Cancer Coalition (Member Advocacy Training, Wash.,DC 5/00)
2. Y-ME of Arizona (Board Member; Newsletter Editor)
3. Bosom Buddies (Member; Hotline Volunteer)
4. Scottsdale Healthcare Shea LINC Program (Program Co-chair and volunteer; cancer survivors visiting cancer patients in the hospital)
5. Participant in the BREAST-CANCER list-serv online discussion group. 6. Participant in studies: Whel study (Women Healthy Eating and Living, UCSF,U of A); Sentinel Node Study; Women and Depression (UCSF)

"Less than 10 months after my mother died from breast cancer in 2/97, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 1997, a few days past my 48th birthday. After the initial shock of the diagnosis (the C word), I set out to learn as much as I could to make informed decisions about my breast cancer treatment and care.
Diagnosis: Invasive ductal carcinoma nuclear grade 3, sentinel node mapping, MRM with immediate expander reconstruction, followed by a permanent silicone implant. Six cycles of chemotherapy (CMF), currently on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Enjoying chemopause and hot flashes! NED since 1/98."

Jane Bauserman:
She was diagnosed in March 1999, had surgery, and is currently having chemo. There is no evidence of mets, so is now presumed to be NED. "That's another reason doing chemo is so 'annoying' but I want to stay NED so I shall do as I am told -- for the first time in my life."

Sand-i Behrens:
Diagnosed April 1996 with 3.1 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade 3. MRM of right breast with 12 negative nodes, ER-/PR+ and HER-2neu negative. Had chemo of CMFx8 and 37 rounds of radiation. Simple mastectomy of remaining breast in April 1997, a personal choice. No reconstruction. Currently NED.

Jan Black:
Diagnosed Novermber 1, 1999 after spiculated mass was found on routine mammogram. Had lumpectomy on 9/30/99, AND on 10/7/99. Invasive ductal cell corcinoma, 1 cm, node negative, ER/PR negative, Her2 negative, low S-phase. Began AC on November 1 every three weeks x4, followed by weekly taxotere, changed to taxol due to side effects. Finished chemo 4/10/00, followed by XRT. Says she has a great husband, great kids, and has been an oncology RN for 14 years. Considered NED since 9/30/99.

Elaine Block:
Diagnosed by wire localization excisional biopsy while still premenopausal in October 1996, followed by right MRM and tram flap just before 45th birthday in November 1996. Surgery showed a 2.1cm invasive ductal carcinoma with several areas of DCIS, 0/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, S-phase 4, her/2-neu negative. Began CMFx6, had 3 rounds oral cytoxan, switched to IV form half-way through, on tamoxifen since 6/97. Of her TRAM she writes: "I had significant healing problems with the tram due to a partial failure of the flap and had to have substantial debridement, which left a huge hole in the tram. The tram finally healed enough for additional revision surgery in 9/97 after I'd had several infections and courses of iv antibiotics and had undergone 40 2-1/4 hour hyperbaric oxygen txs."

Maria Brent:
Born 7/24/47, diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma in 1998. Lumpectomy in November 1998 showed 5 positive nodes, the tumor was ER borderline, PR positive, HER-2/neu negative, aneuploid, a stage IIb. Had chemo consisting of 4 taxoteres and 3 adriamycins, from December 1998 to to April 1999. Had 35 doses of radiation beginning May 24, 1999. "Began tamoxifen reluctantly 6/1/99. I live in Southern New Jersey." Whether this last bit of information is an explanation or a threat is unclear to your humble editor.

Suzanne Bria:
Suzanne explains herself better than I ever could, so forthwith, in her own words: "I was diagnosed in June 1998 at age 48 after a routine mammogram showed an "architectural distortion"--which an excisional wire localization biopsy revealed to be a .9 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma, Stage I, well-differentiated, ER+ 3/4 and PR+ 1/4. I had a sentinel node biospy which was negative and a reexcision guided by MRI to gain clean margins on the remaining DCIS. I followed this up with 36 radiation treatments but graciously declined Tamoxifen or any additional hormonal therapy. No chemo was recommended. All my treatment was at the wonderful UCSF Cancer Center (Dr. Laura Esserman) which I highly recommend! I now follow a diet of anti-oxidents, phyto-estrogens, and vitamin/mineral/herbal supplements, practice Limerick Therapy, and laugh often and boisterously! I have been NED since treatment. I am a writer, avid hiker, Golden retriever fanatic, and teach English literature and writing part-time at the University of California at Berkeley where I also do some academic advising. I consider myself a breast cancer activist in the making, a teacher by vocation, and a poet by avocation.
I am willing to help breast cancer buddies in a variety of ways, but most importantly through the encouragement of humor and writing for self-realization, communication, and healing. And my Golden retreiver Gemma has an extensive website which she begrudgingly shares with me in exchange for regular supplies of peanut butter biscuits:
http://www.tsoft.com/~gemshums/gemma/index.html."

Jean Brugger:
Diagnosed May 1997, had CAx4 and radiation x30. Had mastectomy to avoid radiation, but had to do it anyway, then ended up getting burned. NED and now on tamoxifen.

Paula Campbell:
Diagnosed at age 58 with DCIS, intermediate grade, September 1995. Wide excision did not get clean margins, 9/95 second wide excision with clean margins. Because of family history had bilateral mastectomy in May 1996, with immediate saline implant reconstruction, and oopherectomy, followed by total hysterectomy in December 1996. No other treatment. Currently NED.

Doris Dietert:
First diagnosed in December 1971 at the age of 22, subsequently had 2 children. A real experienced veteran in reconstruction, Doris had both lat flap and tissue expander reconstructions, with both silicon and saline implants. Second primary diagnosed in September 1995. Had ACx4 and was then once again NED, for a grand total of 27 years NED. This vast experience entitles her to the lofty title of Coach. For a longer account of her experience, click HERE. And to see a beautiful picture of Doris and all her girls at a wedding, click HERE.

Nancy Delaney:
Diagnosed and received MRM July 1994. She writes, "I went into the OR on the basis of a 'suspicious' needle biopsy - but my surgeon was pretty sure it would turn out to be malignant. I opted for a 1-step procedure, 'Just get it out of there!' He found a 7cm tumor and 1 positive (microscopically) lymph node out of 23 removed. He'd said he would try to save my breast if possible but by the time he had clean margins there was nothing left - so the decision was effectively made for me. Looking back, I'm just as glad it turned out that way - I'm glad not to have had radiation. (My three biggest fears were: death, chemo, and lymphedema). I didn't keep a copy of my path report but the jist was that it was very fast growing but relatively un-aggressive. Stage II (which only works if you count the lymph nodes as negative) Only slightly ER/PR Positive and 3+ for Her-2-Neu. I had 6 months of CMF (If I knew then what I know now....) with no radiation or Tamoxifen." Currently NED.

Marilee Downing:
Diagnosed at age 56, left MRM 5/97, invasive ductal carcinoma, 0/26 nodes, lymph nodes were misshapen and matted together, was told that indicated that the cancer had gotten to the lymph nodes but had not infiltrated them. High ER+/PR+, cytosolic steroid receptor levels er 49/194, (greater than 15 indicates endocrine therapy), High S Phase, DNA=Aneuploid, Stage 1, Grade 2. CMF X 6, Tamoxifen for 5 years or more, started 12/97. Strong family history of BC. Mother had left MRM, age mid-30's, had right Radical Mastectomy age mid-60's, 2 years later died from mets to liver. Maternal Grandmother died in her 30's of possible breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Maternal Great Grandmother died age mid-70's of BC, one sister diagnosed age mid-60's, still living.

Nancy Dyson:
Diagnosed in 1991. Famous for her irreverence and her fudge. When last heard from--she and her husband are wandering around the country in their spiffy RV--she was still NED.

Annette Flattery:
Diagnosed July 1995, thus achieved 5 years NED, and DISH status, in July 2000.

Pat Hansen:
Writes: "Inadvertently born in Honolulu just prior to Dec. 7, 1941, now living in California. Drafted in April 1998 in between Easter in San Francisco and the Marthon in Boston.. (Any excuse to travel. Miami, si; Habana, por que no? If you ride, run or drink, call me - will provide complete support crew anywhere in the world.)
Neo-adjuvent 4x AC to reduce 4 cm tumor (hey, that wasn't there YESTERDAY!), lumpectomy in August 98, followed by 4x Taxol and 38 rads. On Tamoxifen since February 99. NED, or else. Oh yeah, the Paxil is working miracles."

Anne Holmes:
Right MRM and AND 12/1999; IDC Stage II, Grade II, 9/16 nodes +ve; ER/PR+ve; Chemo: Taxotere trial on arm with Adriamycin x3, Taxotere x3, CMF x3 2/2000-9/2000; rads 9/2000-10/2000; Tamoxifen for five years 16/9/2000-; mild LE in upper arm & chest wall; Her2Neu -ve (test done 2004). With changes to staging I am now Stage IIIA because of my node involvement.

Hilde Horvath:
Diagnosed in March 1997, DCIS, high grade comedo, had MRM March 14, 1997 with immediate tram flap reconstruction. Other breast reduced to match in later surgery. Her tram left her with some problems, so although she loves to walk this activity is curtailed to "when the belly lets me." She also reads, especially mysteries, and travels whenever possible. Her family includes a husband, 2 daughters, 3 sons and 2 grandchildren. She works at the Rutgers University Department of Animal Sciences as Secretary to Equine Specialist and Specialist in Animal Sciences.

Jacqueline Keuning:
Born June, 20,1959. One husband, two stepsons and two sons, all boys 4, 5 years apart. Diagnosed Jan. 2004 at age 44 with 0,6 cm IDC, some DCIS, Sentinel Nodes clear, ER+, PR+, HER2+, grade 3. Treated with lumpectomy and radiation. On Zoladex and Arimidex doing fine (well, ok, so far, so good).