Herceptin Treatment

[Annemarie]

Here is my story. At 31 was diagnosed with Stage 3b (5/00). In 10/01 and 11/02 had single lesion brain mets. Followed by craniotomy and RT. NED since. I found Christine's story on the web. Since finding this site I requested to find out my her2 status. I am her2+++. I asked my oncologist for Herceptin. He said he only gives it for active mets and mine is not active.

So today I went to the head of oncology at a teaching institution. He said this first he would give me Lupron and Femara or another one from this class. He would start me on that. He thinks Herceptin is a reasonable choice but is concerned a bit about cardiomypathy. He wants to get my met tumors tested for er/pr status and I think her2 status of these mets but I am not sure. So he seemed to say first line hormones and then maybe Herceptin. I told my primary oncologist about the conversation. He recommended I go to one more oncologist at Sloan and then we can site down and talk. What do you ladies think? Anyone from Sloan Kettering on Herceptin who is NED?

[lauren]

How about seeing an oncologist at one of the other NYC Cancer Centers? Columbia? NYU? I don't hear good things about the atmosphere at Sloan Kettering. I have been very happy with Columbia and received Herceptin there for early stage breast cancer.

[Annemarie]

I have agreed to go to an oncologist who specializes in bc. He gave me a name of someone he respects. So if the Dr. agrees with Herceptin it will be easy to get Herceptin. If not then I will pursue those Drs. you mentioned. I will find a Dr. who will give it to me no matter even if it means finding a new Dr.. I prefer to stay with this oncologist and get on Herceptin.