[AmyE]

Hello 'lizbeth, & everyone-
update to my last post: after passing the blood (HLMA?) typing and the other requirement they wanted from a former biopsy. They were totally okay with my monthly infusion of Herceptin, now after I'm thinking I'm ready to start- the coordinator from the University contacts me and tells me the FDA will no longer allow breast cancer patients in the study unless they have been 30 days without treatment! (this study is funded by the Dept. of Defense) My oncologist who originally thought I'd be a good candidate, doesn't want to take any risk by pulling me off Herceptin- I have bone mets and am stable at this time. I was told at first they were allowing people like myself, but now the FDA isn't allowing it. How disappointing! They don't know when there will be another study like it in my area, know I should start looking in the near vicinity like Chicago. The university affiliated with my hospital does much research, but who knows when/if another will come along I qualify for, work full time with kids & don't have hours to research! Love getting my hopes up to be let down....trying to stay positive. My friend gave me this article from Dec.'11 Newsweek, really hopeful about cancer vaccinations but started off with depressing stats about b.c. metastatic patients. Taking years for approval to get this stuff in the final approval! (does make me wonder
if the FDA drags their feet for some reason....to keep the cancer industry going)

Amy