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yippee!
Irene, I just knew you would get in this trial somehow! I knew it!
You are in the same trial that I am - every 3 week treatments, weekly visits. The schedule is pretty demanding unless you live close to where the trial is - so I hope it is right in your backyard!
You probably know, the first infusion day is a real marathon. - 90 min infusion time plus observation, vitals and blood draws periodically for 4 hours after that. So bring a friend to bring you food! Also, I don't remember if your most recent treatment included Herceptin or not...if not, you may have a reaction of flu-like symptoms. Plan on vegging! As you continue on the drug, you will feel very good - just like on regular Herceptin.
I remember when you had to fight to get on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial and then jetted off to Italy on vacation. That worked out very well - so you may be onto something with the instant vacation.
One final comment, when I started this trial I asked about why would this work where Herceptin or Tykerb has failed? She told me "because it's different - you are not counting on the Herceptin to kill the cancer (which may have found ways to escape), you are using it to deliver the toxin which kills the cancer. It's like a smart bomb". Irene, you've had such good response to Her2 target therapies, I think this will be another success story for you.
Much much love
chris
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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