Encouragement needed

[Maggy]

I have just finished my chemotherepy 4 treatments of AC and 4 treatments of Taxotere. I have 3+ Her2neu at 90%. I am about to start radiation and then Herceptin. All the information I have been reading regarding this type of cancer seems to have a poor outcome. I realy need to hear some positive feedback. Are there good results for Her2neu patients with long term survival. I would appreciate some good news.

[Pam P]

Maggy - You can read about many many women on this site who are surviving for years. Herceptin is a great drug for those of us with her2+. You are lucky to be able to get it right away. Recent tests have shown that it cuts down the chance of recurrance by a high percentage. I know others will also write --- there is much to be positive about. Pam

[MGordon]

Maggy -

The fact your HER2 status is so positive actually gives you a treatment option that you might not have had if it was lower or negative. As I hope you will see as you continue to use this board, Hercpetin has made a significant impact on the treatment of your disease and the longer a product like Herecptin can hold your disease in check the better the odds are that our genius doctors/oncs will actually find a cure!

Mel (spouse of Lisa)

[pgill]

Maggy,

I am a bit behind you (I've only had 2 chemo cycles and will have 8 before surgery and radiation) but I think we are very lucky because we have the Herceptin option. I am taking herceptin every week and my tumor is shrinking by the day. I am in a clinical trial to get the herceptin before surgery and will have different chemo than you, but the process seems similar for most of us. I recently read in a research article that "Herceptin has change the prognosis from poor to good! " Now that's something to celebrate. We are here at the very right time.

I am also participating in a research study on how exercise improves cancer outcome. There are many recent studies that daily aerobic exercise can improve survival by up to 40%. So you might consider adding an exercise component to your day. I walk for 30 minutes and do the elliptical machine, but you could just walk in the neighborhood. Many of the people that come start with as little as 10 minutes and build up. It really makes a difference in how you feel.

You might also want to view the video at www.thesurvivormovie.com. It is a wonderful way to view cancer.

Have some great days!
Peggy

[Becky]

Don't be discouraged. Even without Herceptin (and we have it now), many women do well and experience no recurrence. Now the prognosis is even better with Herceptin.

Have faith in yourself and care for yourself well. Eat a whole foods/low fat diet and exercise. This also can give you an edge and this is something you can control yourself. Log in here too. I have been reading on this site for many months before I had the courage to write. These are great folks with tremendous courage. If nothing else, our commonality brings us together to fight for each other.

Best regards

Becky

[Maggy]

Thank you all so very much for your encouragement. Now that my chemo is over I will begin my exercise routine. Before being diagnosed I used my treadmill 30 minutes each day and was physically fit. I have always eaten well and been a good weight, I turned 40 last year, this disease does not discriminate. I am fortunate to have found this site we can all support each other.

[Steph N]

Well, Maggy -
You seem to be another of the fit and well-fed women that have come face to face with the cancer beast. Most of us on this board are better than average fitness, with reasonable weight. So, there seems no way to give ourselves an edge against cancer, as a preventative!

Herceptin is our "edge" now and many of us are here that were given very poor prognosis and short life-span prospects in the recent past.

One thing to keep in mind is that we are writing a new book for Her2 positive patients. That is the beauty of this web site - we all write it together as we navigate through our various cancer stages and try to live our lives.

I am now stage IV for almost 4 years and have been maintaining on Herceptin for over 3, disease free, with exception of 2 brain tumors this Jan. that Gamma Knife radiosurgery seems to have killed off. I have a good quality of life, and am exceeding the expectations of 3 years ago.

In the long run, I have hope for many more good years ahead.

[Lolly]

Hi Maggy, glad you found the board and welcome! I've been Stage IV since January 2001, and maintain an excellent quality of life with the help of Herceptin. You're lucky to get Herceptin now, as those of us Stage IV'ers had to wait until recurrence put us into Stage IV before we could get it. The great hope for you "early birds" is that Herceptin now will make the difference. So glad you and others like you have found us and are posting your stories, as it gives us inspirition to keep going, participate in trials, and do whatever we can to help our Her2 community live longer and better lives!

<3,
Lolly

[al from canada]

Hi Maggy,

Congrats on your success to date.

Here's the thing about stats: the ones you read now are stats from data collected over 10 years ago, which is OK except for one thing: herceptin therapy is less than 10 years old! I've been part of the board for about 1-1/2 years and I can only think of 3 women who have died: Mary, Jerry, and ???; I can't remember names.

So, lets talk about stats: 200 - 300 members = around 1% per year mortality. I wonder if any of the other stage 4 support boards can boast numbers like this.

There is a real danger in drawing conclusions the way I just have without iron-clad documentation however; I'm sure you get the point I'm trying to make.

DON'T believe the stats, they're antiquated!

Have a great weekend,

Al

[MGordon]

Just a quick note to echo Al's thoughts.

Lisa and I look a statistics as a "necessary evil" to base a decision on, but after the decision is made just throw away the stats and have faith in yourself and your healing team.

Hope this helps...

Mel (spouse of Lisa)

[Pat]

Adding to Al & Mel, What i see as the missing factor in all the numbers statistics etc. is the "person".... what they're made of, the support around them, How they handle this whole ordeal. The women posting here all seem to have an outstanding/winning attitude and that goes a long way in battle.

My wife was diagnosed in January, we've finished chemo, well into Herceptin and will begin radiation July 12th. She is doing very well I truly admire her, she is tough and has a great attitude.

Pat (Lorene's spouse)