HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-08-2008, 08:43 AM

My very excellent onc was immediately receptive to my request for the ELISA (?ELIZA?)HER2 serum bld test. It was done last Jan. I was normal. Forget the #. It was covered by my insurance company.

My new onc who is brilliant and highly informed/cutting edge, knew of the test but seemed to feel THERE ARE TOO MANY FALSE POSITIVES. He was concerned that he and I would be running tests and worrying unnecessarily were I to add regular serum bld tests to my ev 3 mnth panel of tests.

I know if I pushed, he would accede to my request, but now I am unsure. Same w/the hype about getting the ovarian cancer bld test. In that case, b/c of so many false positives, I go ev 6 mnths for transvaginal pelvic sonos, to assure myself that my ovaries are beautiful.

I must say that I have learned that hearing those words is the most joyfully complimentary pronouncement I have ever received. Also, 5 yrs back, I wound up w/the need for a hysteroscopy (in office) followed by a D&C, fibroidectomy, polypectomy, laparoscopy (in the outpatient clinic of the hospital) and then biopsy of course. These matters had to be checked out and all was well. I would not have found this is an ordinary GYN check I don't think, but even so wasn't scheduled for that for another 6 mnths.

It is all very bamboozling. Would really appreciate some concrete answers to the false positive issue. Anyone?????

Andi

09-08-2008, 08:43 AM	#22
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	What To Do??????????? My very excellent onc was immediately receptive to my request for the ELISA (?ELIZA?)HER2 serum bld test. It was done last Jan. I was normal. Forget the #. It was covered by my insurance company. My new onc who is brilliant and highly informed/cutting edge, knew of the test but seemed to feel THERE ARE TOO MANY FALSE POSITIVES. He was concerned that he and I would be running tests and worrying unnecessarily were I to add regular serum bld tests to my ev 3 mnth panel of tests. I know if I pushed, he would accede to my request, but now I am unsure. Same w/the hype about getting the ovarian cancer bld test. In that case, b/c of so many false positives, I go ev 6 mnths for transvaginal pelvic sonos, to assure myself that my ovaries are beautiful. I must say that I have learned that hearing those words is the most joyfully complimentary pronouncement I have ever received. Also, 5 yrs back, I wound up w/the need for a hysteroscopy (in office) followed by a D&C, fibroidectomy, polypectomy, laparoscopy (in the outpatient clinic of the hospital) and then biopsy of course. These matters had to be checked out and all was well. I would not have found this is an ordinary GYN check I don't think, but even so wasn't scheduled for that for another 6 mnths. It is all very bamboozling. Would really appreciate some concrete answers to the false positive issue. Anyone????? Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...