Need Advice on Chemo

[Patty D]

Hi Ladies. I need some advise from you seasoned gals who may have had this combo. I was dx with bone mets Dec '04- had 4 inj of Faslodex which I failed. My CA27-29 has gone from 50 to 168 over the past 7 months My recent Pet San showed continuing progression in spine and ribs with one lymph node involment in my chest. The CT did not pick it up so I am guessing it is really small. My my onc wants to put me on Gemzar. I am already getting weekly Herceptin and monthly Aridia. My chemo nurse says Gemzar is the least toxic in terms of side effects. I have no problems with the Herceptin.
I will be on a 2 week on-1 week off schedule.

I have several questions-#1- Does this sound like the best combo for this?
#2- how bad were your side effects and how long would they last? It seems there is not much recovery time in between each dose. I have scheduled it so I can receive it early enough in the week so hopefully I will recoup enought to enjoy my weekends .
I would appreciate any feedback. I am trying to stay hopeful that even though the Faslodex failed , this will do something in terms of keeping the wolves at bay. Thanks for your input. God Bless. Patty

[Patty H]

I have bone and lung mets. The easiest for me was navelbine, but it quit working. The gemzar wasn't awful but I did have flu like symtoms for a couple of days each week. My Dr. works on quality of life and I didn't like two days down a week. So now I am on xeloda. So far feeling good. I also have zometa every 4 weeks for my bones. Patty H

[Denise in PA]

Hi Patty,
In January of 2004, I had a 9cm tumor in my liver, and numerous 2cm ones. I went on a Phase 2 clinical trial of Gemzar/Hercepin. On a three week cycle, I had both on day 1, then Gemzar alone on day 8, then day 15 I was off.
After 9 months of the treatment, my liver is now showing NED, so I have had NED for 6 months and am now on Herceptin only.
This was a very easy combo for me. I had a little nausea the evening of treatment, and my hair thinned out. That was it-no other problems.
Gemzar was my miracle drug and I sure hope that it works for you.
Good luck!
Denise in PA

[Brian]

Dear Patty:

My wife had a 7cm lung tumor and several tumors in her liver. After 8 weeks of herceptin and Gemzar she had a complete response to the drugs. She had RFA on the residual tumors in her liver, but a biopsy of one showed no living cancer cells. She was on Herceptin alone for almost two years and remained NED for that period.
My wife had a recurrance in the scar tissue of her lung tumor in January and the top portion of her lung was removed. She remains on herceptin and her onc has added Gemzar to the treatment over the last few months. Her last set of scans were clean and she is again NED.
Gemzar has few side effects for her. She suffers fatigue, constipation and a few other mild symptoms. Her blood counts are affected but she has been placed on Arancep for her counts. We hope that after 6 months of this we will be back on Herceptin alone.

Good Luck,
Brian