Vaccine 1

schoolteacher · 02-03-2009, 01:04 PM

I am sorry about not posting earlier. I took my first HER2 Intracellular Domain (ICD) Peptide-Based Vaccine on Friday, January 30th. I am scheduled to take the next vaccine on February 27th.

My arm turned red some, and some bumps from where the vaccine was given occurred. The vaccine consisted of three shots. I had a wonderful research nurse, and the shots did not hurt at all. I took a nap after the vaccine. On Saturday, I felt like my body was trying to fight off a cold or the flu. I felt fine by Sunday and worked three hours.

All the people at the University of Washington working on the vaccine trial were wonderful!

I want to thank everyone who prayed and sent blessings that I would be accepted.

Amelia

Laurel · 02-03-2009, 06:26 PM

Thanks for being in the trial, Amelia. I know we do trials for ourselves as well as for all present and future bc sufferers! Glad to hear you tolerated the med well.

Debbie L. · 02-03-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks, Amelia, for your contribution that may help others. Of course, I hope that it will help you, also. But my personal sense is that while vaccines hold promise (and probably no harm), we're not quite there yet ...

I was enrolled and ready to do the intake on a vaccine trial several years ago, but GSK cancelled. I remain hopeful about this approach, but my hope is not (yet) for those of us currently participating.

Love,
Debbie Laxague

Jackie07 · 02-03-2009, 07:26 PM

Amelia,

A friend of mine gave me the book Head First written by Norman Cousin before my first brain surgery in 1990. The medical field had just start getting the clues of how 'positive thinking' helps patients going through treatment and improves outcomes.

They found the 'happy enzyme' in our brain that boosts our immune system and helps countering diseases. I think endorphine was mentioned in the book.

Since then more 'discoveries' have been made.

I am sending positive thoughts your way - keep your endorphine boosted.

schoolteacher · 02-04-2009, 05:18 AM

Jackie, Debbie and Laurel,

Thank you so much for the kind words. I am number 17 in this trial. They will accept 52 people. If I understood the doctor who did my physical exam, the differenence in this phase of the trial and the other is I am taking Herceptin with the vaccine.

Maybe Michelle will respond and let us know if she was taking Herceptin when she did the first phase of the trial.

I will take my Herceptin the day before I get the vaccine. It will be interesting to see how my body responds to the vaccine this second time. It had been two weeks since I got my Herceptin this time.

Amelia

Jean · 02-04-2009, 08:27 AM

Amelia,
It is very brave of you to support the trial and I thank you. Through trials we continue to learn so much. I am sending you positive thoughts - please keep us informed.

Kind Regards,
Jean

schoolteacher · 02-04-2009, 11:05 AM

Thank you Jean.

You have helped me through this journey from the beginning, and I really, really do appreciate your support. The doctor said, "It could take up to five years to publish the results." Hopefully, it will not take that long.

Amelia