Herceptin or not Herceptin..that is the Question

[geraldine]

Was told Feb this year, I might be coming off Herceptin.
Decision would be based on the fact, I'd been on the drug for over 2 years.

My onc was going to speak to my surgeon and between them they would make the biggest decision off my life!!!

I was told , the cancer could come back, even thogh I was getting Herceptin!!
If they stopped the drug, the cancer might still come back !!
If I kept on with the drug, I might develop a heart condition !!

What's better, being cancer free with a heart defect or fighting cancer for a third time ??

Have worried myself sick these last 5 months and now I'm told to wait another 3........Think I will go and get a stiff drink and contemplate the Meaning of Life unless someone has a better idea

Heeelp !!!!!!
Geraldine x

[chrisy]

Well, I don't know if I have any better ideas... I kind of like the stiff drink and contemplation of life strategy at moments like this! It's not enough to just fight the disease - on top of that we always torture ourselves over the options. I couldn't tell from your posts what tx you have had before; if adriamycin then there is a higher risk of heart damage with Herceptin. Although when this happens, people go off the Herceptin until the heart function is normal, then go back on. Of course, the kicker is nobody knows 100% what will happen with the cancer. There is no data to show that, for early stagers, adjuvant Herceptin is better with more than a year. For patients with mets, standard of care seems to be "indefinite" Herceptin - and I'm hoping to continue on Herceptin alone for a long time - sure beats chemo (and cancer!)
Go ahead and have the cocktail, maybe some antioxidants (in the form of Chocolate) and trust yourself to make the right decision.