Just need to write something
 

So I am nervously awaiting my wife's tumour marker result. I usually can't wait for the Doc to call. But can't seem to have the nerve to pickup the phone and call them this time yet.

Linda's treatment history:
10/2008: Fulvestrant, Femara, Herceptin
04/2008 - 09/2008: Herceptin and Exemestane
01/2008: Oophorectomy
01/2005 - 4/2008: Herceptin (readded) and Femara
07/2004: It returned again via several small nodules in the lung
10/2002: NED (via CT and CA27.29)!
10/2001 - 01/2005: Femara, Fosamax
12/2000 - 10/2001: Herceptin and Navelbine
12/2000: lung metastatic was diagnosed (a few small nodules)
02/1998 - 12/2000: Daily Tamoxifen
05/1997 - 04/1998: Modified Radical Mastectomy, many many cycles of chemo
regiments (CAF,Taxol, Carpoplatin, Thiotepa, Navelbine,
Taxotere), including HDC, and radiation
05/1997: First diagnosed with BC stage 3A, ER+, PR+, HER2 +,
poorly differetiated, nuclear grade 3.
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ser_online.gif http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/report.gif http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...c/progress.gif

Definitely can relate to what you're feeling. Don't forget to breathe.

No need to rush to get them right now unless you are checking for a reason. These markers, if she is marker sensitive, will tell you how to proceed whether it be 'relief' or 'further action'. As a caregiver these things have a habit of causing more stress than we already have. Waiting for this, waiting for that, testing....then waiting for results. It is enough to make a sane person crazy. I am so pleased that you needed to talk and you came to your family.

Linda's history is long and her quest to conquer this beast must be tiring for her too. What is happening that she needed the tumor markers checked? Routine?

Please know that I will be wondering how she is doing and praying that things will work out. She will be in thoughts so when you find out what is happening please update us. Prayers to you too, what a blessing it must be that her husband is such an Angel. You two have each other and as simple as that may sound to some, it is all you need. Keep trudging forward and be kind to yourself.

Right now my husband is in spinal radiation for a reoccurence of BC to the spine. On 12/19 he had yet another Gamma Knife procedure. We know he is having a problem right now and I do not even care about his markers. In his situation markers are useless at the moment because we know he has things going on. The markers would not help us at this second but after radiation and follow up MRI of brain & spine we will get another set of markers. We have to check them every 3-4 weeks.

Please let us know how Linda is as soon as you get a chance. I am hoping that this is just a routine for her and that there is nothing happening.

Just need to write something
 

I am sending positve vibes your way for you and Linda.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other even if you have to do it slowly.

Thank you for all the support. After 10+ years I still didn't do any better in waiting for result. Though I was more nervous this time, since Exemestance failed her after a few months, and we just switch to Fulvestrant. Anyway, the nurse calls back and CA27.29 is about the same as before. So at least the disease is stabilized. I've been spending time updating my battle plan with the latest data from numerous conferences (2008ASCO, 2008SABCS, 2008ESMO, and cases). In case it's of use to someone with similar disease characteristics. The list is an ordered list. Keep in mind that there's no trial for the sequence, though there are data for each combination. AND of course I am not an MD.

Best wishes,

Nguyen

• 6mg of generic Estradiol therapy :
• Lapatinib + Capecitabine ;
• Lapatinib + Trastuzumab
• Bevacizumab + Trastuzumab (or Lapatinib)
• Nab Paclitaxel + Bevacizumab (plus Trastuzumab?)
• Bevacizumab + Fulvestrant (or Letrozole)
• Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab OR Lapatibib + Pazopanib
• Trastuzumab-DM1
• All chemo combination (Oral Vinorelbine and ? OR Trastuzumab+Paclitaxol+Gemcitabine?)
• Metronomic chemotherapy with a biologic