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Old 06-29-2010, 03:51 PM   #1
Faith in Him
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Chemo questions

I posted this on the IBC forum but didn't get any responses, so I'll try here.

My onc wants to put me back on Xeloda even though I have no signs of the IBC rash, no symptoms, and my last scan was clear. His thoughts are I am young and why change what was working. I had a chemo break for surgery.

I am due for another scan but even if that is clear; he wants me on chemo.

I don't understand why I can't just stay on Tykerb. Hate the thought of being back on chemo.

Any thoughts?
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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 06-29-2010, 06:18 PM   #2
Darlene Denise
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Re: Chemo questions

Maybe you could ask about going with Tykerb and Herceptin instead? I have heard that this combo works well in the IBC setting. It would give the cancer a double whammy and give you a chemo break.

Just a thought. Hope it works out for you!!!

Darlene
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01/14/08 2 AC TREATMENTS-NOT WORKING
02/04/08 13 TAXOL, CARBO, HERCEPTIN TREATMENT-EXCELLENT RESULTS!
05/12/08 HERCEPTIN EVERY 3 WKS
08/22/08 BRAIN METS! 8 <5MM
09/17/08 CYBERKNIFED BRAIN METS
10/20/08 BRAIN METS SHRINKING
12/29/08 BRAIN SCAN SHOWS 1 LESION GONE, 7 SHRINKING & STABLE, 1MM ? SPOT
01/16/09 LIVER REOCUR-XELODA/HERCEPTIN
03/02/09 BRAIN SCAN 2 LESIONS GONE, 5 STABLE, 1MM ? SPOT STILL A ?
3/27/09 REGRESSION OF 2 LIVER LESIONS XELODA & HERCEPTIN
06/08/09 STUPID BRAIN HAS 3 LESIONS
06/29/09 CYBERKNIFE
07/01/09 LIVER REGRESSION NO NEW METS
07/07/09 TYKERB XELODA HERCEPTIN
11/11/09 GEMZAR/HERCEPTIN FOR LIVER PROGRESSION
03/22/10 BRAIN MRI GOOD-3 SMALL NECROSIS LEFT FROM ORIG 11!!
03/26/10 CHANGE TO NAVELBINE/HERCEPTIN 3 LIVER LESIONS PROGRESSING IN SIZE
05/21/10 NAVELBINE/HERCEPTIN WORKING!
07/19/10 GOOD BRAIN MRI
08/20/10 LIVER PROGRESSION
09/08/10 TDM1 - NASHVILLE TN
01/10/11 LIVER RESPONDING TO TDM1
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Old 06-30-2010, 04:01 PM   #3
tricia keegan
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Re: Chemo questions

I'd have the same feelings with a clear scan too!

Maybe tykerb alone or with herceptin would help?
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Old 07-15-2010, 01:34 AM   #4
Jackie07
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Re: Chemo questions

Tonya,

Have you and your oncologist reached a consensus?

It looked to me that he's just trying to get you to resume what you were on before the tram/flap. But once you've enjoyed the chemo 'holiday', you don't want to go back to the harsh stuff.

How are you feeling right now? It probably will take a while to recover from the surgery. Take it easy now and let us know how it goes.
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Old 07-15-2010, 05:21 AM   #5
Leslie304
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Re: Chemo questions

Hi Tonya,
I would be hesitant to go back on Xeloda unless there was an obvious reason to do it. I would question your onc more. Does he have a strong belief that the cancer is not gone. Xeloda as a preventive sounds harsh to me. If it were me, I'd be very hesitant. I'm sort of in the same situation as you and my MSKCC onc has not suggested such a harsh drug as a preventive measure. Keep us posted. Leslie
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3-15 Age 48 -found lump
Dx 4/15/09: IBC Stage III w/extensive lymph node involvement HER2+++
5/1/09: Adria/Cytoxan for x 3-no response
6/12/09: Taxol/Herceptin for 1 tx -no response
6/24/09: added Carboplatin to T/H x 3 - no response
7/09 -added F5U -no response
7/29/09: Herceptin/Xeloda/Tykerb no response
8-18-09: 2nd opinion at MDA - IDC not IBC! First Onc disagrees,
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4/4/14 - stopped Xeloda/Tykerb one cycle early. Liver enzymes high!
4/20/2010 Clear PET Scan!! NED
6/10/2010 - Finished Herceptin11/8 - Brain METS! CRAP! WBRT only option given. Four mets, separate locations in brain, no SRS
12/10 - Herceptin/Tykerb/Xeloda
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Old 07-15-2010, 05:49 AM   #6
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Re: Chemo questions

I like Darlene's suggestion of adding herceptin to the tykerb and I' d ask the onc about that. Like Jackie said, perhaps your onc. is trying to get you back to the same treatment as before your surgery. If so I'd ask how long he would keep you on xeloda/tykerb with clear scan? How do you tolerate the xeloda? If your scan is clear and resume xeloda could you go with a lower dose?
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Old 07-15-2010, 02:26 PM   #7
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Re: Chemo questions

Faith, I agree with the others that Tykerb/Herceptin would be a good combo to try.
You might also want to think about getting a 2nd or even 3rd opinion on your situation...I find that always helps. These decisions are never easy ones. Keep us updated.

Chelee
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Old 07-15-2010, 04:31 PM   #8
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Chemo questions

I would get a second opinion. Meanwhile I think Tykerb and Herceptin might be a good idea. Good luck.
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Old 07-15-2010, 06:39 PM   #9
Faith in Him
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Re: Chemo questions

Hi y'all,

I think I'll bring up the Tykerb/herceptin combo when I met with Dr. Onc on Friday. I will also see my second opinion Onc at UCSF soon.

I have a CT scan next Friday the 23rd. Praying for NED. Here we go again with the worry, anxiety and grumpiness. My poor husband!
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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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