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Old 01-07-2011, 03:39 AM   #1
Gift
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Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Hi

I'm new to this. 38 years old from Thailand.
Diag Jul'10 Stg3 with PR/ER pos, Her2 +++
3 rounds of Chemo (red color series), tumor did not reduce after the 3rd time. Dr then switched to Herceptin .. After 3 times of Herceptine, tumor shrinks until lumpec could be done on 12 Dec 2010. 17 from 22 nodes are positive.
I am now on Taxoltexe, Caboplatin (every week due to my low WBC), and Herceptine (every 3 weeks)
Radiation will be scheduled next.

My prognosis is rather lonely here in Thailand. Local articles are mainly on the tragic side e.g. Her2 positive patients have lower survivor rate than Her2 negative ones, etc.

Having come to this site brings me back to life and give be lots of hope. Thanks to all of the contributions written before.

As Her2 positive breast cancer was listed as poor prognosis, any ideas from anyone if we are still unlucky when Herceptin is available?
May I say that we turn to be lucky persons to be able to get Herceptin ???

Gift
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Old 01-07-2011, 04:41 AM   #2
Trish
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Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Gift, there are lots of reasons to be hopeful. Certainly Herceptin has really improved the outlook for HER2pos cancer but there are also other treatments available if need be such as Tykerb and TDM-1 (which is Herceptin combined with a chemo drug that just targets the cancer and not other cells.) TDM-1 is not yet widely available but hopefully in a year or two it will be should you need it.However you have good reason to hope that your treatment may be the end of the cancer for you.There are many knowledgeable and better qualified people who often monitor this site so don't feel alone. One of my oncologists said that HER2pos is beginning to have a better prognosis than other forms of breast cancer thanks to these drugs. Certainly those "tragic stories" are less common these days. I agree we are very lucky to have Herceptin. Good luck with your journey and don't feel alone.
Trish
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5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004
6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006
oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006
liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007
Herceptin,
3/2007
Taxol + Herc
1/2008
Herc alone
4/2008
Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008
Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008
Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008
Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008
Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010
Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010
Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010
Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010
Abraxane
12/2010
Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011
Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011
Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011
Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011
Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
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Old 01-07-2011, 11:23 AM   #3
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Welcome aboard. You are not alone. You have found the best her2 place on the internet. Drop by anytime. Take care.
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Peace,
ElaineM
12 years and counting
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48247
Lucky 13 !! I hope so !!!!!!
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52807
14 Year Survivor
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57053
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." author unknown
Shared by a multiple myeloma survivor.
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Old 01-07-2011, 10:34 PM   #4
Gift
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Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Trish and Elaine

Thank you for your kind messages.
Trish, you've been through a long way on this path. May I ask you if there is any day you feel down and don't wanna fight? Sorry to be direct ... I have that kind of feeling from time to time.

Gift
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Old 01-08-2011, 06:43 AM   #5
Mary L
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Red face Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Gift, I just wrote to you on the other message. Yes, in many ways we are lucky to be Her2+++. Herceptin has save so many womens lives. It is normal to feel down and lonely when you go through cancer and cancer treatment. You have this site now with many other women and a few men who will understand what you are goiing through and how you feel. Drop in often to chat and let us know how you are doing. Best wishes. Mary L
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Mary L from PA Diag: Oct 2003 w/6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, IBC stage IIIB. tx A/C followed by Taxotere(only able to have 2 tx, allergic), mastectomy, 3 0ut of 7 positive nodes. 35 rads. Recurrence 9 months later, skin mets to mastectomy site. Tx Carboplatin/Herceptin. Stayed on Herceptin almost 5 years, had 3 more recurrences when I had to stop Herceptin due to my ejection fraction getting too low. Herceptin stopped and ned 3 years in Oct. 2010.
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Old 01-08-2011, 11:49 AM   #6
NanaJoni
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Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Gift - try to remember things before you had a cancer diagnosis. You had those bad days then, too, only now it's multiplied by a thousand - but still there are good and bad days. I had 2 tumors - one was triple negative and there is not much to do after chemo and radiation but wait. The other tumor was HER2+++ so I am doing Herceptin for the year period which will take me til June. I am so grateful for any and all treatment options and will fight with all the weapons that I can. But those bad days still happen - I let my grandchildren keep my spirits up most of the time. Good luck and keep coming to this sight. These ladies are the best.
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Joni -64 yrs old -
3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast
3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated
3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear
3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side
4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides
5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo
07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side.
07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin
08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont.
12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks
4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc.
5/2011 - NED!!! port out.
8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED
7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed.
2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.
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Old 01-09-2011, 02:38 AM   #7
Trish
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Re: Are we Her2 pos lucky with Herceptin?

Gift
I do sometimes get demoralised and sick of the treatment but I am actually very fortunate to have a really supportive family. My husband, young adult and teenage daughters, sisters,brother, (90 yr old) father, nieces and friends all do whatever they can to make the journey easier. I live in a safe and peaceful country with a relatively well funded medical system (I have my complaints but on the whole it is responsive and affordable). So even though my cancer is problematic I am blessed in other ways and so far the cancer has had suprisingly little impact on my quality of life.
It would be a lot harder if I had a young baby and had to face the challenges you have. I can tell ,though, from your extraordinarily good English and your grasp of the cancer-related issues that you are intelligent and well educated. They will be your strongest assets. I hope you also have family and social supports to help you.
I remain hopeful that I will manage and survive this cancer but I am realistic so my motto is to "Hope for the best but plan for the worst". I like to mentally explore the worst case scenario and have a plan to manage that. I then revert to hopeful mode. It is a lot easier when your youngest is 14 not an infant though.So don't be down on yourself if you have dark days but do keep doing what you are to give yourself and your baby the best possible chance of a good life. I think of you often and hope things get easier for you. I really do admire you.
Trish
__________________
5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004
6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006
oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006
liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007
Herceptin,
3/2007
Taxol + Herc
1/2008
Herc alone
4/2008
Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008
Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008
Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008
Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008
Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010
Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010
Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010
Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010
Abraxane
12/2010
Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011
Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011
Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011
Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011
Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
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