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06-08-2007, 08:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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update - whoops forgot to post this on the main forum!
<HR style="COLOR: #aa8799" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Hello friends,
I just had my 6 week scan (Pet/CT) and the results are NO new little nasties and the 2 lesions in my liver are EXACTLY stable. Dr. Rugo called that a "GOOD SCAN" and although I would have loved to have had it all miraculously disappear, I am happy to say it looks like the Tykerb/Avastin has the CANCER STOPPED DEAD IN IT'S TRACKS!
Considering that it is not chemo, Dr. Rugo said she thought it was early to expect shrinkage as the lesions have a structure of their own. As a very wise person once told me, if your oncologist is happy, you should be happy! So I will continue on the trial, next scans will be in another 6 weeks. I'll be hoping for even better news then.
For those interested in side effects, I pretty much sat there saying, "nope, nope, nope..." to the list of various symptoms attributable to these agents. This combination is very tolerable.
I have a pattern of, well, needing to be near a bathroom 1.25 hours after taking the Tykerb, but then that's it usually. Lucky for me there's a nice rest stop in exactly the right location on my 1 1/2 hour drive to UCSF!
The pimply rash I had at first is no more, and the main concern now is to watch my blood pressure, as Avastin can elevate this. I monitor it daily (ok, sometimes I obsess and monitor it every 10 minutes) and so far it is not in the danger zone although it does spike in the am. Who knows, maybe it always did this!
One more thing, as I told you earlier, I was number 6 of 6 in this trial at UCSF, but they have now been approved for 15 - so come on in, the water's fine!
Much love
Chris
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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06-08-2007, 08:37 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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That's awesome news Chrissy. I'm happy for you.
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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06-08-2007, 10:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Shingle Springs, CA - near Sacramento
Posts: 295
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Yay Chrisy!
Hi Chrisy,
I love that this is working for you! I am so glad to get your post, I had been wondering how you were doing. Thanks for the update. I noticed you posted to the So. Cal. get together, but I think there are a number of us in No. Cal., maybe we could get one started too?
Have a great day!
Donna
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06-08-2007, 11:15 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 301
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Chrisy-
That's great news - congrats!
regards,
__________________
Shell
init diag 3/17/03-stage IIIC
ER-/PR-/HER2+++
CET x4 neo-adjuvant
lump & SNB 8/03
CET x2
radiation and herceptin/navelbine 11-03-1/04
1st reoccur to lymph nodes 8/04
complete axillary dissection 12/04
herceptin/taxotere til progression (lungs) 3/05
xeloda w/out lapatinib trial 6/05
lapatinib/tykerb added 4/06
ended trial 8/06 due to progression
doxil / avastin 11/06-12/06 - wasn't working
navelbine/herceptin/avastin 12/06/3/07 - progression
gemzar/carboplatin/tykerb 4/07
mri shows extensive mets to bone in pelvic area 6/07
switched to abraxane (3 on/1 off) + tykerb 6/07
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06-08-2007, 04:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Chrisy
I am so happy for you...celebrate...it will continue to get better....get that liver back in order and we'll toast with a cosmo!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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06-09-2007, 07:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Great News
Chrisy,
I was so happy to read your post - I've been wondering how you were doing.
Great news.
All the best
Caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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06-10-2007, 12:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Chrisy, All things considered that sounds like great news! Just the fact that it has totally stopped the cancer is fantastic. Can't wait to see what you scans show in another six weeks. If its working this good in such a short time...I can only imagine it kicking some serious behind by then. (Positive thinking here!) 
I am glad to hear this combination of drugs is doable and you have timed everything out to where it works out for you. Thank goodness for rest stops...they DO come in handy.  (If there is a will...there is a way.) As to your blood pressure it really might be your norm. I know I've always heard blood pressure is higher *early* in the morning. But its good to check it to make sure. I am so glad you are doing ok and hanging in there. I can't wait to hear the good news from your next scan. Keep us updated.
Sending warm healing positive thoughts and prayers.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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06-10-2007, 02:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 37
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Chrisy,
GREAT NEWS!!!! Aways glad to hear about good results. That's good that you have very few side effects. Keep us posted on your new scans. Hugs
Kacey
__________________
dx 9-13-05 MRM (lt)on 9-19-05
IDC stage llb grade 2 3/24 nodes+
ER/PR- Her2+++
Groshong placed 10-13-05 and chemo started
TCH x6 and continue Herceptin for one year every 3 wks
Rads x 33 (at the end of chemo) finished 4-01-06
20 months NED
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06-10-2007, 11:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Chrisy,
You put a huge smile on my face to read your great news.
Wishing you continued great scans....
hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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