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Sheila · 12-15-2007, 06:36 AM

Christine and I went to the Genentech advocacy luncheon yesterday and there was much talk about the Avastin...the Dr.s who work for Genentech are basically claiming it is getting a "bad rap" while the advocacy groups are saying this drug needs more trials and testing due to the adverse cardiovascular side effects...they don't want massive women dying from strokes to give them a better outcome on Breast Cancer...it got quite heated...very interesting. I did however find it odd that Genentech listed hypertension and cardiovascular events as a rather low side effect...less than 18%, which they considered low. No mention of nosebleeds....Chrissy and I both laughed as we both sat there last night trying to tame bloody noses.
I did receive the official word while down here that my insurance, BCBS is no longer paying for mine, so i misses my first dose the day i came here!

12-15-2007, 06:36 AM	#14
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Christine and I went to the Genentech advocacy luncheon yesterday and there was much talk about the Avastin...the Dr.s who work for Genentech are basically claiming it is getting a "bad rap" while the advocacy groups are saying this drug needs more trials and testing due to the adverse cardiovascular side effects...they don't want massive women dying from strokes to give them a better outcome on Breast Cancer...it got quite heated...very interesting. I did however find it odd that Genentech listed hypertension and cardiovascular events as a rather low side effect...less than 18%, which they considered low. No mention of nosebleeds....Chrissy and I both laughed as we both sat there last night trying to tame bloody noses. I did receive the official word while down here that my insurance, BCBS is no longer paying for mine, so i misses my first dose the day i came here! __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin