Karyn
09-09-2004, 01:47 AM
Hi Everyone
My mom had her appt with the dr today and he again explained the CT results (that it was a mixed picture and although they are not +ve that the new spots are cancer, they think they are). Her old tumours in her liver have shrunk, but they are now worried about the 2-3 new spots that have appeared. So she has been taken of the Taxotere (as they believe it has done what it can) and she is now going to do 6 weeks of Herceptin (alone), and then another scan to see if the Herceptin is working. The dr said if the spots start to grow, then she will be taken off Herceptin and put on another chemo. I asked why go off the Herceptin, and he said as then it would be apparent that its not working. I have a hard time believing and understanding this, and its my first instinct to fight that if things don't improve in 6 weeks, that she go on another chemo WITH Herceptin. Has anyone else had to switch chemos while on Herceptin to fight/clear their mets? From what I have read from other posts and from research it seems that Herceptin seems to work best in conjunction with chemo. Would I be right to fight this (if he wants to take her off Herceptin), or should she just try the chemo alone? My other question is for any canadians out there- the dr also said that in Canada you can only recieve Herceptin for a year regardless if it is working or not. I know i am jumping ahead abit, but this seems crazy, if it is working, why not continue on. The dr claims it is toxic to the heart, and that benefits have only been shown for a year. I think alot of people on this site would disagree, as would I. Again, we will fight this decision when it happens. My mom is currently being seen at Princess Margaret in Toronto, incase anyone is wondering, as I know we should possibly get a second opinion, but apparently we are seeing one of the best oncs in the city, plus with our system, I am not sure of how to go about finding another dr. Anyways, just looking for some insight.
Thanks Again
Karyn
My mom had her appt with the dr today and he again explained the CT results (that it was a mixed picture and although they are not +ve that the new spots are cancer, they think they are). Her old tumours in her liver have shrunk, but they are now worried about the 2-3 new spots that have appeared. So she has been taken of the Taxotere (as they believe it has done what it can) and she is now going to do 6 weeks of Herceptin (alone), and then another scan to see if the Herceptin is working. The dr said if the spots start to grow, then she will be taken off Herceptin and put on another chemo. I asked why go off the Herceptin, and he said as then it would be apparent that its not working. I have a hard time believing and understanding this, and its my first instinct to fight that if things don't improve in 6 weeks, that she go on another chemo WITH Herceptin. Has anyone else had to switch chemos while on Herceptin to fight/clear their mets? From what I have read from other posts and from research it seems that Herceptin seems to work best in conjunction with chemo. Would I be right to fight this (if he wants to take her off Herceptin), or should she just try the chemo alone? My other question is for any canadians out there- the dr also said that in Canada you can only recieve Herceptin for a year regardless if it is working or not. I know i am jumping ahead abit, but this seems crazy, if it is working, why not continue on. The dr claims it is toxic to the heart, and that benefits have only been shown for a year. I think alot of people on this site would disagree, as would I. Again, we will fight this decision when it happens. My mom is currently being seen at Princess Margaret in Toronto, incase anyone is wondering, as I know we should possibly get a second opinion, but apparently we are seeing one of the best oncs in the city, plus with our system, I am not sure of how to go about finding another dr. Anyways, just looking for some insight.
Thanks Again
Karyn