Jennifer’s Story: Defying the Statistics

Jennifer Bockey
Toledo, OH
Age at diagnosis: 41
Current Age: 48
Subtype: ER/PR+; HER2+

I would love to do whatever I can to help further the awareness and support of Metastatic. Breast Cancer.

I was diagnosed in February 2008 originally at Stage 2b and then in April 2008 with mets following a pet scan prior to starting chemo. I had four lesions on my liver, most of my right ribs, left hip and chest nodes involved. I am Her2 positive and mildly <5% ER positive. I was 41 years old when diagnosed and a single mother to two girls ages 12 and 8.

My oncologist treated me aggressively with six cycles of Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin along with Zometa. After three cycles, she did a pet scan and I was NED. All lesions had resolved. I finished chemo and did the six weeks of radiation. My oncologist actually had to fight to get me radiation as due to my stage the local radiologists did not see it worth the risk. So I traveled to the University of Michigan every day for six weeks.

I also did a year of Tykerb with the Herceptin along with 3 1/2 years of Tamoxifen and two years of Arimidex. I had my ovaries removed in 2010.  I also see a naturalist and exercise faithfully 3-4 times a week.

Today I still get Herceptin every three weeks and Aredia once a year and am still NED. I feel very blessed. My daughters are now 19 and 15. I have been able to work full time throughout my treatment and maintain a fairly good quality of life.