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StephN · 01-05-2009, 06:14 PM

My oncologist once again commented on what a role model I am, after another clean scan and normal blood work. Well, I am just trying to be ME!

My last brain scan also showed no signs that the cancer is active there either. I told her I WILL continue to be the exception!

After 7 solid years on Herceptin, the plan right now is to take a 3-month break from my drug - a Herceptin Holiday. She approves and we have a plan for following up at 6 and 12 weeks. Once again going out on a limb - onc says no cure, but I am a long term NED at this point.

One of the reasons I want to do this is to see what might be the effect on my heart and if I can build up some more stamina. My last MUGA was down 9 points and that is the first time. It will be checked again at the end of the 3 months. I am also spending a little more time at my fitness club exercising (now that the snow is finally going away and I can get into the parking lot!).

The drop in MUGA may be due to all the problems I had with my clotted vena cava last year, but no way to be sure.

01-05-2009, 06:14 PM	#1
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Results and plan in 2009 My oncologist once again commented on what a role model I am, after another clean scan and normal blood work. Well, I am just trying to be ME! My last brain scan also showed no signs that the cancer is active there either. I told her I WILL continue to be the exception! After 7 solid years on Herceptin, the plan right now is to take a 3-month break from my drug - a Herceptin Holiday. She approves and we have a plan for following up at 6 and 12 weeks. Once again going out on a limb - onc says no cure, but I am a long term NED at this point. One of the reasons I want to do this is to see what might be the effect on my heart and if I can build up some more stamina. My last MUGA was down 9 points and that is the first time. It will be checked again at the end of the 3 months. I am also spending a little more time at my fitness club exercising (now that the snow is finally going away and I can get into the parking lot!). The drop in MUGA may be due to all the problems I had with my clotted vena cava last year, but no way to be sure. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.