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Old 01-22-2009, 05:27 PM   #1
Faith in Him
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Muga keeps going up

I don't understand why my muga score keeps going up. Before starting chemo two years ago it was 55. My last muga two days ago is 70. How can this be if herceptin is hard on the heart? The Oncology nurses did not have an answer. I know this is good score but I wonder what it means. I don't think that it would mean that herceptin is just not effective. I don't think that has anything to do with it. I'm just curious. I am not taking any supplements except a multi-vitamin.

I'll ask the onc next time I see him.
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DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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Old 01-22-2009, 08:28 PM   #2
Cannon
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I think this qualifies as "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Are you exercising more than you were, or have lost weight, or eating healthier - I think any of these things can help your MUGA.
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Dx 8/06 Age 43 Stage IIIA multifocal throughout breast, largest tumor 5 cm, grade 3, comedo, ER+PR+HER+++
Neoadjuvant A/C 4X Dose Dense
11/06 Bilateral Mastectomy (no choice on the right, my choice on the left)
Taxol+Herceptin weekly x12, continuing with Herceptin, finished one year in 12/07
33 Rads
Femara for 5+ years, staying on (started with Arimidex, switched after about a month, much happier)
Abnormal brain MRI shows no cancer, but "extensive white matter diease" - unknown cause
BRCA negative - lots of cancer in my family
survivor of thyroid cancer
also have Crohn's disease
CT and bone scan say NED as of 5/13
dx with severe cardiomyopathy 5/12 (likely due to chemo and Herceptin), ejection fraction in low 20's, now up to 40, went to 50, latest read 12/13 is back down to 35
1/13 Acute pancreatitis - are you kidding me?
9/13 started Humira for Crohn's. starting to have some energy again
B12 and Vit D both needed supplementation
Cataracts in both eyes noted 6/12 - surgery in the next 2-4 years?
4/14 Kidney stones/blockage/infection - related to Crohn's Disease
5/14 My aunt passed away - she was diagnosed after I was with Stage I - not Her2+, then Stage 4 for about one year
6/14 Scans - still NED, thank God. However, broken rib (I didn't notice) lots of bone degeneration osteopenia/osteoporosis. I also still have cardiomyopathy secondary to chemo.
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Old 01-23-2009, 08:45 AM   #3
Colleens_Husband
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I just had a conversation with Colleen's oncologist about Muga numbers 2 days ago. Minor fluctuations of 5 points or more are generally considered insignificant. You can be tested in the morning and the same afternoon be tested again and have a score 5 or 6 points different.

Also, as Cannon has said, better diet, more exercise, losing weight, and having less stress can help raise the score.

Anyways, since a score of 50 or less may disqualify you from taking Herceptin, you are going in the right direction. A drop of 15 points is what you really need to avoid.

Lee
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This happened to Colleen:

Diagnosed in September 2007
ER-/PR-/HER2 Neu+++ 2.1 cm x .9 cm spicluted tumor with three fingers, Stage 2B
Sentinal node biopsy and lymph node removal with 3/18 positive in October 2007
4 TAC infusions
lumpectomy March 2008, bad margins
Re-excision on June 3rd, 2008 with clean margins
Fitted for compression sleeve July 16, 2008
Started the first of two TCH infusions August 14, 2008
Done with chemo and now a member of the blue dot club 9/17/08
Starting radiation October 1, 2008
life is still on hold
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Old 01-23-2009, 09:22 AM   #4
Faith in Him
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Thanks. It is good to know that my change in diet/exercise may be the cause.
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DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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