HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Disappointed, frustrated, sad, scared and a lil angry...

fullofbeans · 12-19-2012, 12:56 PM

Jessica

I know what you mean about fighting the system, young docs ect.. I experienced it many times.

It seems to me that your priority is to see your family, but at the same time you dont want to end up in ER with SVC synd.

It also seem to me that they(IR/Onc) see the stenting as a delay to the radiation ("the vasculature could collapse even with the stent in" ) not a a contraindication.

Stenting is not a big deal (you are home in the evening) could you have it organised close to where your family is on hollydays in LA for example. Since you are still to see a IR why not organise it there and as soon as you are back you can resume radiation? (i.e do the radiations before christmas and buying more days with your family and doing something that seems needed but seen as a delay)

The mesh of the stent to pushes on the wall of the vein so even if there is a dent that goes with treatment it should continue presing on the vein from what I understand. It seems to me that your symptom warrant stenting now as oppose to a wait and see approach.

I do not know how easy (or not ) it would to organise such thing in the states..

Stay strong, again you are amazing

12-19-2012, 12:56 PM	#24
fullofbeans Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 617	Re: Disappointed, frustrated, sad, scared and a lil angry... Jessica I know what you mean about fighting the system, young docs ect.. I experienced it many times. It seems to me that your priority is to see your family, but at the same time you dont want to end up in ER with SVC synd. It also seem to me that they(IR/Onc) see the stenting as a delay to the radiation ("the vasculature could collapse even with the stent in" ) not a a contraindication. Stenting is not a big deal (you are home in the evening) could you have it organised close to where your family is on hollydays in LA for example. Since you are still to see a IR why not organise it there and as soon as you are back you can resume radiation? (i.e do the radiations before christmas and buying more days with your family and doing something that seems needed but seen as a delay) The mesh of the stent to pushes on the wall of the vein so even if there is a dent that goes with treatment it should continue presing on the vein from what I understand. It seems to me that your symptom warrant stenting now as oppose to a wait and see approach. I do not know how easy (or not ) it would to organise such thing in the states.. Stay strong, again you are amazing __________________ 35 y/o June 06: BC stage I Grade 3; ER/PR neg Her-2+++; lumpectomies Aug 06: Stage IV liver mets: 6 tumours July 06 to Jan 07: 2FEC+6Taxotere; 3TACE; LITT March 07- Sept 07: Vaccination trial (phase 2, peptide based) at the UW (Seattle). Herceptin since 2006 NED til Oct 09 Recurrence Oct 2009: to internal mammary gland since October 2009 missed on Oct and March 2010 scan.. palpable nodes in May 2010 when I realised.. Nov 2011:7 mets to lungs progressing fast failed hercp/tykerb/xeloda combo.. superior vena cava blocked: stent but face remains puffy April 2012: Teresa Trial, randomised to TDM1 Nov 2012 progressing on TDM1 Dec 2012 blockage of my airways by tumours, obliteration of these blocking tumours breathing better but hoping for more- at mo too many tumours to count in the lungs and nodes. Dec 2012 Starting new trial S-222611 phase 1b dual egfr her2+ inhibitor. 'Under no circumstances should you lose hope..' Dalai Lama Last edited by fullofbeans; 12-19-2012 at 01:14 PM..*