A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

What a day! Talk about the good the bad and the ugly!

THE UGLY:
Left home at 5am to drive to Chicago in super dense fog, got pulled over by the police...one headlight was out on my VW BUG...glad no one was out to see me in the funeral home parking lot with all the lights flashing!

The GOOD:
Got an Excellent report...I am 2 1/2 weeks into Tykerb with the Herceptin and the palpable nodes in my neck are down to half the size or better...1 prominent is almost gone, the axillary node is barely palpable now and the tightness in the chest, side and throat from all the other enlarged chest nodes is pretty much gone...no more taking the bra off while trying to leave the grocery store parking lot! (I was seriously that uncomfortable).
This should give hope to anyone who has not had this combo...it was worth the fight!!!!!

The BAD / SAD :
Today was a tearful goodbye to my oncologist, who has managed me and this disease for almost 8 years....has kept my Mother a survivor for 23 years, and was more than just a Dr., she was a friend. She has spent her life bettering treatments, outcomes and patients of this awful disease, and is a breast cancer survivor herself! She assisted in pioneering the early clinical trials of Herceptin, and is mentioned in the book, Her 2, The making of Herceptin. She was a Professor of Medicine and a Professor of Oncology, and the Chair Person for the Brian Piccolo Foundation....I will be seeing her collegue, who is amazing, and I am lucky to be getting her, but tonight, I am feeling sad, and yet I know how lucky I have been for the last almost 8 years to call her "MY ONCOLOGIST, My friend."

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Wonderful news, Shelia. I'm celebrating with you. What a great Thanksgiving gift. I know how you feel about your Onc. We do tend to care for the people who are taking care of us.

Tonya

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Fabulous news on your physical report. Looks like Herceptin IS your "cup of tea."

Is your oncologist retiring? I know how hard it was when mine moved to Arizona 3 years ago. When you feel like they have given you your life, it is an unusual doctor/patient relationship.

You are helping write another chapter of drug combinations!

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

I so could hear your heart in your message!!! I'm cheering for your results and am so glad you had your wonderful angel Dr./Friend for all these years. ma

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Ah,Sheila, that was a sweet post. Loved the praise lavished upon your excellent Onc. and friend. Really touched by this and so very glad you are improving. Thank you for sharing.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Very poignant post Sheila. Somehow I pictured you driving a VW bug. I love them and almost bought a gently used one 2 years ago. One main reason we didn't was because of the problem with the headlights burning out regularly... don't know if that is still a problem with them, but it was in the earlier models.

I am so sad that your beloved onc is leaving... you and I can commiserate.

Mine is leaving too, and the day that I found out 6 weeks ago, I felt as though someone had punched me in the chest. I couldn't breathe for about 12 hours. He's not retiring, but is moving away, far away. He is moving his family to a "micropolis" and though I am really happy for them (5 small children and they want them to grow up away from "metropolis" distractions and crime), I am really sad for me. He will be taking a position as Head of Oncology at a regional cancer center, living in a small town of 30,000. He and his wife (who we have bonded with and become second family with) constantly try to sell us on the idea of moving with them, and I can't say that I haven't seriously considered it... We have until May before they leave, so he and I will work out a plan. He may not realize it, but he WILL continue to be my doctor, even if I go to someone else locally for infusions and clinical exams.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Thank you for the beautiful post and picture. I am so happy for your good news and grateful that you have had such a wonderful doctor, who is now placing you in good hands.
karen

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Hi Sheila,

I am sorry to hear about your doctor leaving but thrilled to hear about your response to treatment! That is great news... I am so happy. You made my night!

Take care, Carolyn

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Sheila...I am so happy for you! The "bug" ordeal - well, could have been worse....Your oncologist leaving is sad, yes, BUT you dear sister are doing well....Praise God.

Love and hugs,

Mary Jo

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Sheila,

I'm not Stage IV but had excellent results with the Tykerb and Herceptin trial-my tumor just kept melting away. So happy for you!

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

YAY for the good news! Hard to part with our trusted doctors. When I broke up with mine two years ago, even though it was my choice and the right (life-saving) decision, I was still so distraught that after 11 years I had to go with a more aggressive doc. Stay in gratitude. Chin up. Doors close & a window opens?? What's that expression?? Well, I am so glad for your good combo results!!!!!!

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

I am very happy to read your good news.
Perhaps you can keep in touch with your oncologist once in awhile.
At my first oncologist's request I keep in touch with him 2-3 times a year. He is still very encouraging, enthusiastic and happy to get my e-mails. He always answers my mail within 24 hours. He wrote that he still keeps his Hawaii patients in his heart even though he now lives in Asia.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Hi Sheila
Big cheers from another node girl. So glad this combo is working so well. Are you managing the side effects?? As you know the bean counters won't let us have tykerb here so if push came to shove I might have a big fight to!

Sorry your onc is leaving but sounds like you will be in good hands with the successor

Cheers Ellie

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

What wonderful news Sheila, I'm so happy for you that this combo is working so well:)
I had to change my onc in the past too but I'm now very happy with my new one and hope you will be also.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Congratulations on results. Nice oncologist, but weird hair color. Very handsome man. I am drooling. Keep your wonderful sense of humor, Sheila.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Sheila, I'm so glad you had a good report, and your combo is working so well!

My beloved oncologist moved his family to New Mexico a number of years ago, and I thought I'd have to pack up and go along! He left me in good hands, and so I established a great relationship with my "new man" and think I'm really fortunate to have had two very good doctors.

I have wanted a VW bug ever since I learned to drive in one in 1965! Perhaps the right old one, goofy headlights and all, will come along someday! In the meantime, I'll imagine you tooling along in yours.

Best wishes.

Barb A.

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Shelia,

I'm so happy to hear about the great results you are getting from this combo. You have fought so long and hard - FINALLY something is working for you.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are 'losing' your onc but it sounds like she has left you in good hands.

Keep the good news coming!

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Sheila, that is great news! I can sympathize about how hou feel losing your onc. The surgeon who I trusted with my life and who was like a father to me , passed away almost exactly a year after my bc surgery. It left a huge hole in my heart! I keep his picture in my wallet, to look at when I am feeling down and helpless!!! xo Suzan

Re: A Good Day but a Sad Day
 

Sheila,

So happy to read about your good results! Keep the good news coming! I love the picture. It is sad to be away from someone who has played such a big part in keeping us alive. I pray that you find a very good doctor again and continue your friendship with your previous oncologist.

hugs,
shobha