HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

StephN · 07-07-2007, 12:07 PM

Dear Joe -

As you know, Herceptin has been a marvelous drug for me in keeping my aggressive cancer at bay.

Began Herceptin weekly in combination with Taxol & Navelbine early January of 2002. Achieved NED in July of 2002 and stayed on Herceptin on the 3-week dose since that time.

Only effects I notice are some extra fatigue the evening and day after my infusion. Mild runny nose, but not constant. Can't attribute any other side effects to Herceptin as I had so much chemo and feel most other problems like the leg cramps are due to damage from taxanes.

My MUGA has remained stable and I have another in 2 weeks.

07-07-2007, 12:07 PM	#4
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Long term for me Dear Joe - As you know, Herceptin has been a marvelous drug for me in keeping my aggressive cancer at bay. Began Herceptin weekly in combination with Taxol & Navelbine early January of 2002. Achieved NED in July of 2002 and stayed on Herceptin on the 3-week dose since that time. Only effects I notice are some extra fatigue the evening and day after my infusion. Mild runny nose, but not constant. Can't attribute any other side effects to Herceptin as I had so much chemo and feel most other problems like the leg cramps are due to damage from taxanes. My MUGA has remained stable and I have another in 2 weeks. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.