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Lolly · 01-29-2008, 07:33 PM

I just want to let you know I'm thinking of you.

Herceptin has not necessarily "failed" you. I was in remission from Stage 4 progression for over 2 years, on Herceptin maintenance, and when I recurred my onc added Navelbine for 6 months and I was in the clear again for almost a year. As you can see from my profile below, I've been on Herceptin plus or minus chemo for over 6 years, and just went off it in December only because there's no data on interaction of Herceptin with Avastin which is one of the 3 I'm on currently. Some of us need chemo added to Herceptin to keep the mets at bay, and many of us have been at this balancing act for years. Talk this over with your onc, along with the clinical trial. If the trial doesn't help you possibly you could go back to Herceptin with chemo for awhile. Or if the trial seems iffy, and your onc agrees, try Herceptin/chemo for a bit to see if you get a response.
Much depends on the extent of the progression.

<3 Lolly

01-29-2008, 07:33 PM	#7
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	I just want to let you know I'm thinking of you. Herceptin has not necessarily "failed" you. I was in remission from Stage 4 progression for over 2 years, on Herceptin maintenance, and when I recurred my onc added Navelbine for 6 months and I was in the clear again for almost a year. As you can see from my profile below, I've been on Herceptin plus or minus chemo for over 6 years, and just went off it in December only because there's no data on interaction of Herceptin with Avastin which is one of the 3 I'm on currently. Some of us need chemo added to Herceptin to keep the mets at bay, and many of us have been at this balancing act for years. Talk this over with your onc, along with the clinical trial. If the trial doesn't help you possibly you could go back to Herceptin with chemo for awhile. Or if the trial seems iffy, and your onc agrees, try Herceptin/chemo for a bit to see if you get a response. Much depends on the extent of the progression. <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.