New to the Board

Stephanie B. · 11-28-2006, 04:06 PM

I am new to this board but not to BC. I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA BC in December of 2004. I was scared to death. I had a 5 year old son and a four month old daughter who needed me. I underwent a lumpectomy, followed one week later with a mascectomy. I underwent chemo and radiation followed by 6 months of Herceptin. My first PET scan in Jan of 2005 showed some small spots on my liver that went away with chemo. My doctor followed up with a scan every 6 months. After I finished my Herceptin in April my doctor put me on Tamoxifen. Everything was going great until my last scan in October - the spots on my liver were back. My doctor followed up with a blood test and my tumor markers were up to 88. Now for the GREAT NEWS! My doctor took me off of Tamoxifen and restarted Herceptin weekly for four weeks. I just got my last blood test results and my tumor markers dropped to 52.7. My doctor is going to continue the Herceptin for another month and do another scan and blood test. If everything keeps going well I can stay on the Herceptin for a while and not have to repeat the chemo,

HERCEPTIN REALLY WORKS!!!!!

saleboat · 11-28-2006, 05:48 PM

Wow, that's really great news. I wish you all the best and continued success on Herceptin.

Jen

sunny Lisa · 11-28-2006, 07:26 PM

Hi, I am also new to the board and to BC. I totally understand your feeling of needing to stick around for your children. Leaving my daughter is my biggest fear. I am so happy to know the Herceptin is working. There is hope.
Lisa

Vanessa · 11-28-2006, 09:25 PM

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your success. I also had liver mets, but they have been gone for at least the last 3 months thanks to Taxotere and Herceptin. Best wishes to you.

VirginiaGirl · 11-29-2006, 05:08 AM

Vanessa,
I'm really glad to hear you're doing well on herceptin & taxotere. I've been doing hormonal approach w/ herceptin but have not responded to it and now have a spot on my liver. I'm due to start taxotere today, 1 x every 3 weeks w/herceptin schedule. My onc gave me choice of taxotere or navelbine to combine, I went w/ taxotere just because it's better known, and I figured I'd try the more severe drug while I'm still strong and functional. Were you also given that choice? And, of course I'm curious, how long after you started did you loose your hair? Thanks!

Heart Sutra · 11-29-2006, 05:53 PM

That is great news!

Thank you for telling us about it, we certainly appreciate it.

-----Kevin and Sue-----