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04-03-2007, 04:00 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 12
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Need help with Herceptin
Hello,
I am so glad I have found this group.
It's has been almost 2 and half years since I was first dignosed with stage I (0.9cm, 19 node negative, ER+,PR-, HER2-) bc on my right side. I had a mastectomy, I started with tamoxifen. I thought I was cancer free and I had made plans for so many things, until 2 weeks ago...
My doctor found another lump on my left side, and it turned out to be cancer again. What a pain.... I had another mastectomy, the tumor size is still small (0.8cm) and there is no lymph node invlovment (23 nodes negative), however, this time both ER/PR are negative and HER2 is positive (IHC 3+). I was told that this type of cancer is much more likely to comeback than my previous one and Herceptin can significantly lower that risk. Unfortunately, my medical plan does not cover the expensive drug and my financial means doesnt give me the choice of moving to a plan that covers it either.....
I feel stuck and terrified....I wonder if there is any way I can receive herceptin treatment without the hefty price tag...
Can you help?
joyluck
08/04 DX right side stage 1, mastectomy, 0.9cm, 19 nodes negative, ER+, PR-, Her2-,
08/04~ now : on tamoxifen
03/23/07: DX left side Invasive Ductual Casinoma
03/27/07: Mastectomy, 0.8cm, 23 nodes negative ER/PR- Her2+ (IHC 3+)
seeking treatment now...
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04-03-2007, 04:25 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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a thought
Have you looked into Genentech's prescription program-they may help with the cost. The patient advocate foundation may help too. You can google those and see if you may qualify. Sometimes I do crazy searches on line like "financial help for herceptin". Sorry if you already tried these. Thinking of you.
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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04-03-2007, 06:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Joyluck, here's a link to Genentech's web page for assistance with access to Herceptin:
GENENTECH: Commitment to Patient Access
http://www.gene.com/gene/about/views...ent-access.jsp
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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04-03-2007, 09:25 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 12
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Thanks
Thank you so much!
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04-03-2007, 11:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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You're very welcome. So sorry you have to go through this again, but it helps to know you're not alone...we're all in this together. Let us know how it goes with your quest!
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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04-04-2007, 06:04 AM
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#6
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Guest
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If Lolly's and Joy's sites don't help, write back and let us know. I'm sure if we all put our heads together we can figure out some way for you to get help. Good luck!
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