HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Cancer secret to success?! Finding your match!

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-07-2013, 05:29 PM

If you haven't already -- please check out this propellor head discussion on finding the right chemo match for your particular cancer. Test it in a lab, not on you (needlessly)...

Tumor Profiling Lab Tests - HER2 Support Group Forums

Lots of good info here... And there... Stuff your doc won't tell you...

Yes, it's not for prime time, but frankly when Herceptin was fast-tracked out of clinical trials, cause women were being given 3 mnths to live and this was a viable possibility -- Herceptin was in its infancy too! And -- it's saved many lives!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am one!

Thank you Dennis Slamon. And the newer versions of Herceptin might work for those for whom Herceptin did not match their tumor's characteristics!

I was in uncharted waters and there were no studies to ask, How long do you stay on this? Or answer many of my questions. I moved ahead with faith and certainty anyway.

10-07-2013, 05:29 PM	#34
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	Re: Cancer secret to success?! Finding your match! If you haven't already -- please check out this propellor head discussion on finding the right chemo match for your particular cancer. Test it in a lab, not on you (needlessly)... Tumor Profiling Lab Tests - HER2 Support Group Forums Lots of good info here... And there... Stuff your doc won't tell you... Yes, it's not for prime time, but frankly when Herceptin was fast-tracked out of clinical trials, cause women were being given 3 mnths to live and this was a viable possibility -- Herceptin was in its infancy too! And -- it's saved many lives!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am one! Thank you Dennis Slamon. And the newer versions of Herceptin might work for those for whom Herceptin did not match their tumor's characteristics! I was in uncharted waters and there were no studies to ask, How long do you stay on this? Or answer many of my questions. I moved ahead with faith and certainty anyway. __________________ 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...