[chrisy]

Oh poo,
I just wrote a perfectly worded response, with all the answers to everyones questions and the last piece in the puzzle of finding a cure for this stupid disease...then my login timed out and I lost the post, so now it's back to square one on all those things!

Couple of thoughts:

Are you sure the "getting worse" in the spine is progression? I have heard that effective treatments for bone mets sometimes initially make things look worse and can even elevate markers. Before changing horses, be sure it's not working.

Re going back to an old combo that works: especially since it never failed and it has been several years, that would seem a reasonable approach. Changing it up for Abraxane might be a fight, but in addition to the tolerability it is also proven to be more effective so you could go at it from that angle, too.

Avastin in theory works best when used earlier in therapy rather than later - so you might also consider doing that now along with the taxane and herceptin, maybe instead of the carbo?

Julie, there are so many options, and good ones, still out there. Do what you're doing - collect information, ask questions, maybe get another opinion then trust yourself to make the right decision.

Others here are struggling with similar "relationship" issues and it is so hard. At this point you don't know how any of this will play out, or for that matter what is 'better' for him. Try not to take on the burden of feeling responsible for his well being - focus on your needs. What may be best for him is to be around a powerful lover of life - like yourself.

hang in there, my friend