To Lisa

[Lolly]

Here it is, I cancelled my e-mail that appears on the member profile; have to ask Joe to change that but they've been so busy with all the new features I'm waiting till things calm down a little...anyway, I'll also go to my account and send you a note!
hugs,
Lolly

[Lolly]

I typed it in the e-mail address field when I responded, thought you would just click on my name to get it...however, I also did e-mail you today, so hope it went through!
Hugs,
Lolly

[Ruth]

Lisa,

I have read many of your posts and I think that you have been very positive and upbeat. I however read the same thing Paul did in this post line. It seemed like you were negative on women who were fighting to get Herceptin even at the very earliest stage. It may have not been your intention but that is how it read to me. I know that Herceptin is not as effective as they hoped on all the women that take it. I think all of us realize that. Just like we realize that all of us don't respond to chemotherapy 100% of the time. However, we don't know if we are one of them unless we try. The research that has been released with neoadjuvent Herceptin & chemo is so outstanding that I wish that I had done that. These women know that the Herceptin worked for them. It is my hope that after this trial concludes Herceptin will be available to all early HER2+ BC patients...should they want it. I think one thing many women want is for it to be a drug like Tamoxifen, that lasts 5 years. I truly don't believe this will happen. I think it will be accepted as a drug for one year or less in the earlier stages.

My husband is an attorney and we have had this discussion of "off-label" prescribing medications-specifically Herceptin. He says that we live in a very litigious society. It would not be unheard of for a lawsuit to be filed against Genetech, a persons primary Onc., etc should someone have an adverse reaction to the drug when it is prescribed off label. People have sued for much less.

I think the decision of whether Herceptin should be prescribed off-label is between an Onc. and the patient. I don't believe that an Onc. is not a "good Dr." should he/she not prescribe this drug. Some want the data to back it up, some don't want the risk of being sued and some feel that a patient doesn't need it. It is a risk for everyone involved. If someone truly feels that they need Herceptin and their Dr. doesn't feel comfortable giving it, then they should get a second or third opinion. I think that we all come to these boards to hear of the latest research, stories of hope and ultimitely what other women are doing in their fight against this disease. Herceptin may not be the answer to every woman that takes it but since it has been to a significant amount of people I certainly can understand trying to be in line to receive it. The benefits in my opinion far outway the negative.

[Ruth S]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the compliment...I hope that my head stays on the right track!

I live outside of Athens, GA (home of University of Georgia) in a area growing with the Atlanta urban spread. I have yet to find locally too many other HER2+ ladies. I am talking to one by phone (she was recently diagnosed stage 3b) but she is not ready yet to leave her home or venture out too much. I am sure she will get to that point as we all do.

I really enjoy reading your posts. Where do you live? Are you interested in organic foods?

Have a great day! Ruth

[eric]

no pardon necessary...stage IV with mets to lungs and liver. currently 4 weeks on gemzar/herceptin.