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Lolly · 05-14-2007, 04:28 PM

Joy, I know your level of anxiety right now as I went through the same thing recently in my transition from Herceptin to Tykerb. Herceptin, even with a new chemo(Gemzar) added, wasn't keeping the nodes in check and I could feel them growing

My onc was also in transition to a new center so until he was established I was being seen by one of his former partners who was reluctant to "rock the boat" too much.

Long story short I was on an ineffectual combo for 8 weeks, then nothing for 2 weeks when my onc stopped my treatment and ordered scans. I was fairly unnerved when I finally started weekly Abraxane. I got 2 treatments under my belt and was feeling some improvement in symptoms when we added Tykerb. After just 12 days on the combo I can report that the enlarged nodes are definitely shrinking. Big sigh of relief.

You have my sympathy for sure, but I just want to assure you that it will probably be ok in the long run, because it’s clear to me from my experience and from what others have reported when a new treatment is working, the right combo at the right time can have a very dramatic effect on this disease.

Hang in there, keep fighting for Tykerb, and keep us posted…
<3 Lolly

05-14-2007, 04:28 PM	#6
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Joy, I know your level of anxiety right now as I went through the same thing recently in my transition from Herceptin to Tykerb. Herceptin, even with a new chemo(Gemzar) added, wasn't keeping the nodes in check and I could feel them growing My onc was also in transition to a new center so until he was established I was being seen by one of his former partners who was reluctant to "rock the boat" too much. Long story short I was on an ineffectual combo for 8 weeks, then nothing for 2 weeks when my onc stopped my treatment and ordered scans. I was fairly unnerved when I finally started weekly Abraxane. I got 2 treatments under my belt and was feeling some improvement in symptoms when we added Tykerb. After just 12 days on the combo I can report that the enlarged nodes are definitely shrinking. Big sigh of relief. You have my sympathy for sure, but I just want to assure you that it will probably be ok in the long run, because it’s clear to me from my experience and from what others have reported when a new treatment is working, the right combo at the right time can have a very dramatic effect on this disease. Hang in there, keep fighting for Tykerb, and keep us posted… <3 Lolly __________________ Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation. Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.