her2 levels
 

I haven't posted in a while as I was having computor problems. Here's an update. I finished the clinical trial for beast cancer vaccine in December. I have decided to switch oncologists because my present one was not sending the clinical trial doctor records from my visits and I found out there had been no dictation done from my last 3 visists, being a nurse I found this unacceptable. I also have a place along the scar line of the prophylatic mastectomy site that appears to be a skin met. This is very close to my sternum and near the site of the original tumor from the opposite side. My onc did not want to biopsy, felt we should just watch it. It is getting larger. Anyway I have an appt on Friday with the new onc. The Doctor I work for routinely checks tumor maker blood tests for me as my onc wouldn't do that either. My concern is the her2 level has jumped 4 points and is the highest it has ever been. Anyone else ever have this to happen? I will discuss this with the new onc, but am freaking out a little. As I said I just finished getting the 6 vaccines for the clinical trial, perhaps I didn't get the actual vaccine. I would appreciate any insite and thank you for letting me ramble. I get so disgusted with myself because I feel like I can never relax where my health is concerned. Thanks, Debbie in North Carolina

Debbie,

My HER2 levels since my masectomy on April 16, 2008 have been 8.9, 9.8. 11.9, and last November 8.7. I was taking chemo through the last three. Like you I was worried about this too.

When they started going up, Joe e-mailed Christine's doctor, and he told Joe to let me know as long as they were in the normal range-not above 15 I was o.k. This helped me greatly. I also felt better when they had gone back down.

Please let me know how things are going. I really am interested in the information from the trial. If I do not get into the trial I have applied for, then I will consider the trial you particpated in. Do you have to be within six months of chemo to get into the trial you have just participated in?

Amelia

Amelia,
You have to be no longer than 6 months out of treatment. Meaning chemo and herceptin. I just finished up my 6 vaccines. Tolerated them well, only had slight itching at the injection site for about three days after getting the injection. Praying I got the real thing. Best of luck to you getting in the trial you applied for. The one I was in is being conducted out of Walter Reed Hosp in D.C. They have seven sites in the US conducting the trial. The one I was on was using the AE37 and GP2 peptides and was a Phase II trial.

Debbie