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Joan M · 07-15-2008, 07:12 PM

I've spoken to the intervention radiologist.

Earlier this evening I went for a long walk to the post office to mail a card and he called on my cell.

I felt immediately relieved to finally be making plans.

His office is going to call me tomorrow to schedule another CT scan since it's been a few months since the last one, and also to schedule the procedure.

My only concern is insurance coverage. My insurance is a provider as of April 1 but how they might consider RFA came to me only as an afterthought.

I looked it up on the net and there may be some difficulty related to my being physically capable of surgical resection. That is, the procedure seems to be reserved for those who can't tolerate surgery. I really hope I won't be disappointed now that I've made up my mind.

I'll have to find out more about it.

In any case, I am considering adding Xeloda to the Herceptin as was suggested, just as a precaution. My onc said she starts at 1,000 mg twice a day and if a patient can tolerate that she increases it to 1,200 twice a day.

I think it would be fun to meet in New Hope. I was there on Saturday but ate dinner at Bell's in Lambertville on the New Jersey side of the Delaware in Lambertville, just a few miles from Becky. And Mary Jo, this time we can meet in the middle ... Just kidding.

07-15-2008, 07:12 PM	#8
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	I've spoken to the intervention radiologist. Earlier this evening I went for a long walk to the post office to mail a card and he called on my cell. I felt immediately relieved to finally be making plans. His office is going to call me tomorrow to schedule another CT scan since it's been a few months since the last one, and also to schedule the procedure. My only concern is insurance coverage. My insurance is a provider as of April 1 but how they might consider RFA came to me only as an afterthought. I looked it up on the net and there may be some difficulty related to my being physically capable of surgical resection. That is, the procedure seems to be reserved for those who can't tolerate surgery. I really hope I won't be disappointed now that I've made up my mind. I'll have to find out more about it. In any case, I am considering adding Xeloda to the Herceptin as was suggested, just as a precaution. My onc said she starts at 1,000 mg twice a day and if a patient can tolerate that she increases it to 1,200 twice a day. I think it would be fun to meet in New Hope. I was there on Saturday but ate dinner at Bell's in Lambertville on the New Jersey side of the Delaware in Lambertville, just a few miles from Becky. And Mary Jo, this time we can meet in the middle ... Just kidding. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!