Stopping chemo?

[Lisa]

Friends,
I have now been on Navelbine/Zometa/Herceptin since mid-Sept. Based on my last CT scans, my onc is considering pulling me off the Navelbine in a few weeks. Yet, there are 3 small remaining tumors on my liver (from many 8 months ago). Have any of you stopped your chemo before you were totally NED?

Love and light to all,

Lisa

[Lolly]

Lisa,
I don't have any answers for you, just thinking about you as I know it's a tough decision for you. You're probably aware that Herceptin alone could possibly continue to shrink the tumors or at least keep them stable so you can take a "break", but still I know it's scary and will be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Love, Lolly

[Patty H]

I haven't stopped chemo yet but my Dr. did say after ahwile he would give me a break from chemo for awhile. It does scare me though. Patty H

[paula r]

stay on the her, its easy to be on & keeps you stable, i have been on it for 5 yrs. & doing well. my dose every 3 wks. good luck!

[Velva]

Lisa, Have you or your onc considered RFA,(radio frequency ablation) to the 3 remaining liver mets?
I do not have liver mets, but I have seen posts on this board of this procedure successfully treating small remaining liver tumors.
I was taken off Navelbine March 2003, after 8 mos. of tx for skin & lymph node mets, cont'd Herceptin & Arimidex. CT & bone scan were clear, but PET showed quite a bit of activity, my onc insisted that it was post-radiation healing on L chest & neck; 1 place by R shoulder blade - this grew & was palpable after 7 months,then skin mets returned after 9 months. Currently on Xeloda, Herceptin & Arimidex.
I don't intend to scare you, because we can respond differently to chemo./Herceptin. Navelbine is one that is harsh on blood counts, so we can't stay on it indefintely. Try not to stress and talk to your onc about your concerns.
Best wishes & hugs.

[Sandy]

Flaxseed oil takes care of my joint and muscle pain I have from the OA and from Taxol. I have friends that take it in the capsules for their joint pain. I also cook with lots of flaxseed and so I am pain free even while on Taxol. Just wanted to share for me it beats taking pills which my body doesn't like. Hugs, Sandy

[jessica]

This time last year, I had endured 8 weeks of Navelbine+Herceptin that was ineffective, then 27 weeks on a clinical trial drug+Taxol that reduced the tumor load in my liver from "multiple, innumerable" to little speckles.My CT scans (every 6 weeks) appeared to be "stable" w/little significant decrease, so my doc took me off tx to give me a "break".The reasoning was that while chemo was continuing to hammer my body, it was no longer causing significant shrinking of the remaining tumor specks AND I could potentially be "stable" for an indefinite period.
I was VERY fearful, but it seemed to make sense.I took 3 weeks of ALL tx, NO HERCEPTIN in that 3 weeks.Unfortunately the follow up scan showed "suspicious activity" in my liver again & my lung.So I went back on tx-Herceptin+Taxol.
After 12 weeks my followup CT scans looked good, but the "speckles" were still there unchanged. I had a follow up PET scan and discovered that those speckles that had been unchanged for all those months were actually scar tissue.That meant I was NED!That was 8 months ago & counting.
I know it's a scary thought, but give your body a break if you & your doc agree it's a good time.Ask about a PET scan & definitely stay on Herceptin.Hope this is helpful.Take good care & keep the faith!
Jessica