skin mets onc visit

Dear All
Hope it is good day for you. I have just returned from the onc - seems to think the bumps are more skin mets - so Navelbine has stopped ( only after 3 weeks or one cycle should we have given it more time). I have to be re staged again ( just did this 6 weeks ago) and then to the surgeon on Monday for another biopsy. We have talked before about the possibility of major surgery - as they keep coming back only round the scar line. This would involve cutting a large piece of skin off anf then a skin graft. It sounds horrible and what if one bump comes back just poutside the scar - but then maybe it will work. What to do - help me please. Seems Xeloda is the next choice but I don't know if this is very successful either.

love
linda

Hithere, I am the opposite to you, Xeloda worked first on the skin mets near my original scar site but I got another lot down the side of my neck as well as a stubborn lump on my neck wouldn't go the the Navelbine and Herceptin got rid of the both. I guess it is just trial and error because I now have another lump on my neck which was radiated and now trying Herceptin and Carboplatin. I know the Xeloda was hard on my feet and thumbs, I had the maximum doses and had to cut back I couldn't walk for a couple of days. Hope this helps.

Hugs Lyn

Dear lynne
Thanks for the reply. I am hoping the xeloda works for me too. Any consoloations with this like hair growth maybe. I am teary today and feel hopeless but am trying to get back to face it again. Thanks again for reply

love
Linda

This can be very confusing. Each one of us is different. I had a bight red, itchy, burning rash which started from 2 spots near the scar line and extended over most of my chest. Then I started with nodules at the end of the scar line working its way up the scar. This happened during the time I was trying the Herceptin/Navelbine (6 treatments ) then Xeloda for 2 cycles, Miltex for 12 weeks. This covered a period from May to Dec. and the rash was getting worse. We know the first 2 treatment combos didn't work and the Miltex (topical solution from Germany) we think slowed it down but it had progressed too far. I went on Herceptin, Taxol and Carbo and after 2 cycles of a total of 12 weekly treatments it was all gone with clean biopsies! Its a matter of getting the right combo to work. Of these combos the last one that worked was the best for me to tolerate with the least side effects. I don't know about surgery to remove these I know radiation doesn't work perhaps, some have had good luck with it but then everything needs to be burned to the bone!. I wish you good luck in what ever you decide to do. This was my second recurrence for skin mets. My last bone and cat scan was clean so I was dealing only with the skin mets which means its in the lymphatic tissue. Its such a guessing game once we have done the protocol to find the right combo. You will be in my prayers. Hugs, Sandy

Dear Sandy
Thanks for the reply. I am so pleased your combo is working as I know how hard it has been for you.
I hope xeloda works for me - but i guess there are others after that.

love
linda

Dear Lindaw,
I am sorry that you feel so down right now, but keep hope because there is a combo that will work for you. I am on xeloda & herceptin for 2nd round of skin mets and making progress, just not fast enough (I'm not very patient). If this doesn't Knock them out , next will be Carboplatin Herceptin, & possibly Taxol. I've had so much chemo over the last 4 1/2 yrs. surprized I don't gloe in the dark! Hang in there. Hugs & happy thoughts coming your way. Velva

My thoughts and prayers are with you. It's been really rough for me dealing with these skin mets. Regards, Carol

Hi there, I have to agree with glowing in the dark, I have been doing this since 1998 and I go through fazes where every car I get in and drive breaks down and I end up walking, last time it poured down rain and I had just got my bad news as well, they say rain is god's tears, well we both had a good sob that day.

Hugs Lyn