met to bone

[beverly]

I am new to this board and it has been helpful already. I was orig. dx in july 2002. I had 2 tumors right next to each other, both sm but still any size is too big for cancer in my opinion. I chose a masectomy. 7 of 12 nodes pos. ER- her2 3+++ and was just dx with met to bone. I will be getting a port a cath in about 10 da. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions for me in this new adventure? I had my firt treatment on 5/26 of Herceptine/Navelbine, and Aredia. So far I am doing well. No up chucks like before. I am wondering if I will lose my hair again but it actually is a minor concern. Living is the biggie.

[Lisa]

Welcome to that club we all hate to join. But you'll find great support here. I, too, was diag with liver and bone mets in Sept. after 3 1/2 years "clean." I've been on Navelbine/Herceptin/Zometa since then and although it wasn't an easy road the first few months, I'm strong again and the cancer is leaving. I had stomach issues (not really nausea) and felt like I'd been hit by a Mack truck for several weeks. In addition, my hair thinned so badly, I shaved it. Yet I've heard this combp is usually well-tolerated. Perhaps it was my very sick liver. At any rate, please feel free to e-mail me personally if you'd like. I went through lots of side effects and lots of treatments for them. (Also, am SO glad I have a port!)

Love and healing light,

Lisa

[Lolly]

Hi Beverly,
I am on Navelbine/Herceptin for the second time, for a second recurrence to lymph nodes. My hair thinned the first time, too soon to tell if it will again. I also had stomach issues, like Lisa, but am now on an acid blocker and haven't had too much trouble so far. Hope you do well on it and it does the job for you.
Love, Lolly

[beverly]

Thanks, Lolly. I haven't had the nausea that I had with the AC and Taxotere when I had my initial treatments. So far this is seeming easier. We'll see as far as long term how that plays out. I have had some gastro rummblings that have not been pleasant including the major blow out while I was getting the drug, I had uncontrollable diarreah. Very distressing and humiliating. I have no dignity left. Hopefully that will not happen again. Have you had any problem like that?

[Mary Stewart]

I had DCIS in 2002 and had a double mastectomy. Also had a preventive hysterectomy (including ovaries out) I'm BRCA1 positive. Was told I was cured. Here I am 2 years later with bone mets and a few small brain mets. They did gamma knife radiation for the brain mets and they are under control thus far. I started on arimidex (cancer is ER+) and herceptin & navalbine (her2+). I am tolerating the herceptin and navelbine very well. Only 10% of people lose their hair with navalbine and the only side effect I'm having is some fatigue. Hardly any side effects from herceptin. I will take this for 6 months every week and then go to herceptin only every 3 weeks and will stay on the arimidex. Best of luck to you.