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Lolly · 08-07-2007, 08:21 PM

Odette, I'm so glad the news is not terrible, and actually "sorta" good. The small increase and the one new node is a bit worrisome though. I can only tell you that if you and your oncs decide to think about switching chemo's from Xeloda to a new, possibly also synergistic chemo in combo with Tykerb, that my onc conferred with a research doc friend of his and then suggested Abraxane for me. It's been working well so far, but if I were to experience progression he would again suggest switching to a new chemo to add to Tykerb.
Tykerb, like Herceptin for many of us, apparently needs a chemo that has synergy to be most effective.

But overall, your news is so great, and perhaps it doesn't hurt to "wait and watch" for a while longer before changing course.

<3 Lolly

<3 Lolly

08-07-2007, 08:21 PM	#5
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Odette, I'm so glad the news is not terrible, and actually "sorta" good. The small increase and the one new node is a bit worrisome though. I can only tell you that if you and your oncs decide to think about switching chemo's from Xeloda to a new, possibly also synergistic chemo in combo with Tykerb, that my onc conferred with a research doc friend of his and then suggested Abraxane for me. It's been working well so far, but if I were to experience progression he would again suggest switching to a new chemo to add to Tykerb. Tykerb, like Herceptin for many of us, apparently needs a chemo that has synergy to be most effective. But overall, your news is so great, and perhaps it doesn't hurt to "wait and watch" for a while longer before changing course. <3 Lolly <3 Lolly __________________ 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.