Jeff, I think you and Roben can take encouragement from your onc's agressive approach to this disease. It is frightening to have to move from one regimen to another, but I know some of the others here who've fought off major mets have had to experiment with different combo's, so hang in there and stay strong.
Avastin and Abraxane are a potent combo, and I've included a link to a report from 2006 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium which summarizes the latest info on treating metastatic bc.
Also, if you haven't read Lani's post regarding continuing Herceptin in the face of disease progression, it may provide some food for thought. Best wishes to you and Roben. <3 Lolly
Developments in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Report from the 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
http://professional.cancerconsultant....aspx?id=39013
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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