[Lani]

If you could get it Herceptin DM1 would be treatment for you as it is a toxic agent directed by a smart bomb ie, it would not affect any cells other than those bearing excessive her2 receptors.

The reason they don't like to do surgery when patients are on chemo as there is an increased risk of bleeding (the platelet forming cells are affected by the usual "carpet-bombing" chemo which affects ALL rapidly proliferating cells INDISCRIMINATELY), increased risk of infections (the white blood cell forming cells are also rapidly proliferating cells) and decreased would healing and bone healing (ditto--inflammation and scar formation and later remodeling require rapidly proliferating cells)

Herceptin DM1 does not fall in that category and should not theoretically put you at risk for increased bleeding, increased infections or decreased/delayed healing. Could Dr. Slamon make an argument for that in your case in order to get you into a Herceptin DM1 trial? Could Dr. Eckhardt concur?

Could your HMO make an exception based on the extraordinary circumstances you find yourself in?

If you remember, when I last posted I asked if you were so much risk for fracture why hadn't they put you on crutches?

Always best to look two steps (with or without crutches) ahead!