I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to check in and post an update.

Got my new power port last Monday, and had my 12th weekly Taxotere 2 days later.

That last Taxotere really slammed me, so I'm taking a chemo break and will just continue with Herceptin, and as of yesterday, we've added Perjeta!

The good news is that I was able to get the Perjeta through Genentech because my insurance company has denied coverage.

This couldn't have come at a better time because my last MRI of my liver on Friday, showed reduction of the mets, but not I'm not NED yet.

My tumor markers have come way down too. The Her2 Serum is now at 9.0 yeah! and the CA15-3 is at 43.

So, I'm getting there.....but am praying that the Herceptin and Perjeta will not let things progress while I take this much needed chemo break.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me and maybe your toes too!
Kim

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

Super great news on getting Perjeta. Genentech does have a good reputation for helping us get drugs when the insurance people drag their feet.

How do you like your new port? Is it about the same size as the old style one?

Now get on your beloved horse and take a victory lap!

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

And the winner...
for clevesest thread title on the HER2 sight...goes to...
KIM in CA!!!

Congrats on getting the award...but more important for Perjeta. Can't wait to read more good news in the near future!
Rest, and then go get 'em!
Denise

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

Kim,

I agree with Denise! When I read your "I've been deported" I thought, "oh no! What did she do?" You know how to get us to read your post.

I am really glad to hear Genentech is helping with the Perjeta. That is a wonderful blessing. I hope your SEs are not too wicked with that stuff. Please keep us posted and good luck with it!

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

WHAT?!?
UGH, I Take a few days off from the boards and now I see my beloved alter ego in California is back in the saddle fighting off mets when here I am in Connecticut blissfully bragging about you to my oncologist about how long you have been NED!!
I knew your markers were on the rise but I didn't realize your set back was so significant!!
Kim, why did they put you on Taxotere when your mets returned? And why Perjeta? (vs Tdm1 ? ) Or is it the same? Details please!!
Have you had tumor profiling done on your biopsy?
My new nodule in my lungs has shown NO activitiy now between the last two scans and I have NEVER been sensitive to tumor markers; so of course they are of no help to me. I am hanging on with Herceptin only and giving some thought to just excising the one lung nodule.
I am so glad you are OFF the Taxotere now - I am sure it won't take you - the master of Zen and nature's energy - any time at all to get back in the saddle. You go sister - I love your zest for life and your optimistic attitude. YES you will get back to NED. Please stay with us and keep us posted on how the Perjeta works out.
Love and Hugs,
Kim (from CT)

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

Ha ha ha ladies,

Glad my title "gotcha"!

A little levity goes a long way sometimes, in keeping all this cancer stuff manageable.

To answer your question Kim, I was actually the one that suggested going back on the Taxotere after it was apparent that being back on the Herceptin alone was not bringing my tumor markers back down.

Back in 2001/2002 the Taxotere brought me to NED when my liver was fully engulfed with tumors. It wasn't til near the end of treatment that the side effects became really bad. I didn't even lose my hair back then, just thinned quite a bit.

I also thought about the TDM-1, but since it has only just been approved as of yesterday, I would have had to travel quite a ways to get treatment at a faciltiy doing the expanded access. So, I asked my doctor to pursue getting me approved for the Perjeta.

As it turned out, the Taxotere has been a real "bugger" for me this time. So, I'm taking a chemo break and just doing the Taxotere and Perjeta for now.

We will be discussing the game plan going forward when I meet with my new oncologist after we've made the big switch to Kaiser on March 1st. I already had a
consultation with her before we made the decision to change health plans, so am feeling confident that she will guide me in the right direction.

So.....stay tuned,

Kim

Re: I've Been Deported! (and re-ported and my liver met updates)
 

I will stay tuned and thank you for those updates!

God willing, Perjeta will be the magic bullet for you - and
it stands to reason it will. I just brushed up on its actions and
it seems to work like a more potent Herceptin - which you have been
very responsive to.

Well, in any case please keep us posted.

Love Kim (from CT)