Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

According to one of my oncologists herceptin has really changed the HER 2 prognosis radically, and it is actually likely to have better outcomes than non HER 2+ types. Not sure if I believe him but....Tykerb is also a HER2 targetted therapy that has been good for me. I wish I could have had Herceptin when my cancer first appeared, so I'm very glad it is an option for her. All the best to you, your wife and your little ones. Trish

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Just wanted to give a quick update. My wife did a follow up PET/CT yesterday. First TCH was done on Aug 9, a second on Aug 30, and third will be on Monday. The numbers related to the isolated liver mass....
First PET/CT Aug 5
SUV 10.8
Size 3.7 x 3.2

Second PET/CT Sep 15
SUV 5.0
Size 2.3 x 2.0
We're thrilled by this improvement. I'm assuming this is "normal" to see such shinkage after chemo does its job (dropping by just over 50%). Another CA 15-3 was drawn yesterday, so results will be in soon.. (started at 1003, dropped to 527 as of Aug 30)
On another note, hair finally gave out, 35 days after first chemo, so fully shaved yesterday and amazing real human hair wig was already ready and put on. It looks better than her old real hair! (for those in the Southern California area: we highly recommend Piny of Beverly Hills. Google him).
Thanks all for the continued support, kind words of encouragement, and resources.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Wonderful news! thanks for sharing.

Hugs

Jacqueline

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Fantastic news! It can definitely help having a beautiful wig too!

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Wife just completed 4th of 6 TCH treatment. Ran tumor marker tests on the day of treatment and it dropped nearly 70% in the last month.

CA 15-3
1003 as of 8/3 (first reading)
527 as of 8/30
334 as of 9/15
102 as of 10/11 (effects of first 3 regimens only, 3 to go)


Keep the positive vibes flowing!

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Wonderful news! I'm so happy for you.

Love

Jacqueline

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Great news! See, that stuff really works.

Thanks for the frequent updates - we're all wanting to follow this with you.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Just a quick update...
CA 15-3
1003 as of 8/3 (first reading)
527 as of 8/30
334 as of 9/15
102 as of 10/11
47.9 as of 10/2
It's amazing to see this tumor marker go from over 1000 to under 50 after 4 cycles of TCH! Thank you all for the continued support. After the final cycle later this month (11/22), we will be weighing the next steps. Currently it's looking like some form of liver resection is being considered, then deal with a single mx. Discussion of even continuing some Xeloda before a surgery has been brought up as well.
Anyone with experience here, please let us know your thoughts.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Wondeful news!! I wish I had had my tumor markers drawn that often. Mine have remained around 36 (tested every 3 months). I'm so glad your wife's have dropped to dramatically.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Just a quick update on my wife's tumor marker improvements (CA 15-3)

1003 as of 8/3/2010 (first reading pre-first chemo)
527 as of 8/30
334 as of 9/15
102 as of 10/11
47.9 as of 10/29
25.3 as of 11/22 (considered "NORMAL"!! Amazing to be down from 1000+. This only takes first 5 of 6 cycles into effect).
December 13 will be next full restaging.. hopefully that liver met will be gone. Then meeting with liver surgeons to discuss options...

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Looks like you had alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. And an early Christmas present too!
Keep the faith.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

That's AWESOME!!! So happy for you and your family!!! As for the Xeloda, is your wife getting radiation after her mastectomy? I had Xeloda after surgery and together with radiation. I got a low dose and it was very tolerable.

Wishing for continued success for your wife!!!

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

No radiation current in the plans. Thinking we may want to avoid Xeloda/Tykerb since it seems the only recruiting TDM-1 trial excludes those who have previously used Xel/Tyk. Would be a shame to disqualify from a trial if possible.

Thanks for the kind words, our family is thrilled so far to see the markers down nearly 98%!

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Great News!!! Happy hoidays to you and family. Mary L

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

All this great news is awesome! Yes, you can!

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Hi everyone, sorry for no recent updates, but returned to the office today after being out for the last few days doing updated scans... GREAT NEWS!
First PET/CT Aug 5
SUV 10.8
Size 3.7 x 3.2
Second PET/CT Sep 15
SUV 5.0
Size 2.3 x 2.0
Third PET/CT Dec 10
SUV 2.0
Size 1.3 x 0.4

Fourth PET/CT Feb 7 ***
SUV "Negative"
Size 7mm (residual scar?)
Tumor markers all "Normal", no PET activity... although the term wasn't used, this must mean "NED" (right?)

So after 9 cycles of TCH, it's time to go to 'only' Herceptin, and add the Tamoxifen.
There was a discussion about possibly entering the trial which randomized adding lapatanib (Tykerb) to Herceptin (no Xeloda). I'll check the other forms for discussions on that topic. If anyone reading this has insight, let us know.
Thank you for all the support the last 7 months.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear your good news.

Amelia

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

It's been a while since I've last posted an update... but not for any other reason than life has returned to a level of normalcy.

My wife's last 13 months of scans, including a PET/CT, bone scan and brain MRI done in the last 30 days were all "normal".

So this single liver metastisis has decided it's had enough and doesn't care rear it's head anymore (knock on a giant Sycamore tree).

Happy new year to all.

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Great to hear this news - I'm looking forward to the "same" update for the next 40 years or so, ok?

Re: 32 year old w/ HER2+++/Mitral Valve Prolapse & Herceptin???
 

Great to hear this news. I remember your initial post very well especially how young she was with 2 small children. I hope she remains well forever.
Hugs
Ellie