the name of the game for now is...

[Joy]

STABLE DISEASE. I think that is good, right? I will stay on Navelbine and herceptin with a re-evaluation of things in 8 weeks. Which is what I was hoping for, for now. There was glucose uptake in the liver as we knew there would be and we were never sure about the bone spots and they glowed too. And there is section of the lungs that took the glucose as well. We have not been certain of bone and lung involvement, but I guess it is true. Now that being said, those spots on the past many CT's have not seemed to change at all as compared to the liver lesions which react quite a bit to treatments that work and to those that don't. Any thoughts? My lungs have not changed, and I'll confirm with my sister-keeper of the records, in years. So my question has always been, if the liver tumors change acccordingly why don't these weird spots on the lungs?

Anyway, tykerb came up and she thought that March 30th was the date, but it sounded like she wasn't sure what date to believe. And she mentioned doing that with xeloda in the future. She looked at the data from San Antonio regarding Herceptin and Avastin and is hopeful that bigger studies will be done. She said if we need it we will use it, but she wanted a little more data to be put out. She keeps mentioning either Doxil or Epirubicin as good choices, but, and here is where I whine, I don't wanna do Doxil or Epirubicin!

I still want to pursue the SIR spheres, but not sure if it would be done since according to the PET, the liver is not the only site. I just think it still would be a good choice to reduce the burden in the liver.

I still want the disease to go away too.

Bottom line, I'm getting my hair done.


Thank you so much for your thoughts, ideas and your prayers and support.

[Andi]

Joy - I would say stable disease is good. I know you wanted to be able to stay on Navelbine and for now you will. I don't have the answers for your questions, but I'm sure you will receive them from others in the know on this site. I just want to give you all of my best positive wishes, and hope that you will find some combination that will kick those cancer cells in the behind and you get the improvements that you would like. I don't know you personally, but you always seem like such a ray of sunshine on this site. "Keep fightin"

[caya]

Hi Joy,


Stable disease is good - keep up the faith - it sounds like you dr. really thinks things through ... hope your hairdo was good.

Best regards,
Caya

[Carolyns]

Hi Joy,

Stable is good. I hope that you love your new hair cut and have a great vacation!

Carolyns

[kareneg]

I am so happy stable is so good! Get you hair done pamper yourself and know your in my prayers! WOO HOO!

[tousled1]

Joy, stable is good news. It seems to me that your oncologist is really on top of things. Keep up the good work and have fun getting your hair done. You're a great inspiration and your positive attitude is wonderful.

[Lolly]

Repeat after me, Stable Is Good ;)
Are you getting highlights?

<3 Lolly

[Barbara H.]

Hi Joy,
I think we can all relate that you want to be disease free. That being said, I'm glad for you that your results at least showed stable disease. It will be treat a to get your hair done. I enjoyed hearing about your children in your last post.

I am currently NED everywhere but in the bones and the mets are progressing. I am waiting for the results of the biopsy I had a week ago to determine treatment. Navelbine worked for me from last March until December when my CEA started to rise, but it was at least normal. Now its out of the normal range at 5.3 (3 weeks ago) and Navebine will not be an option.

Again, best wishes and I do hope at some point that you get your wish.
Barbara H.

[julierene]

I have had no spots show up on PET/CT and had liver MRI showing a spot. It's hard to tell and hard to figure out what to think about it. It's definetly a science...and PRACTICE in medicine.

[Becky]

I am joyful! Stable is not good - its GREAT!!


Good news and I am so happy for you.

Hugs and kisses

[eric]

Hi Joy,

May you have decades of stable disease!

Eric

[Jean]

Dear Joy,

Everyone before me has said it, but I will repeat,
"Stable is good, great, remain stable for decades"

Sounds like you were reaching for the moon and you got a shining star! Yipee!
Stable is very goooooooooooood!

Hugs,
Jean

[rinaina]

Joy, everyone is right here, they always are right...stable is great news. Here's to a new hairdo. Go out and celebrate your being stable with your new do! Never lose that positive attitude and great outlook. You are an inspiration to many.

[Bev]

Joy, glad to hear you're stable. I'm curious about the doxil and epirubicin. As cousins to adriomycin, which you already have had, I didn't think they repeated these types of regimens.I guess you'll have to ask the onc why she is recommending this over the Herceptin + tx.

Have fun with the haircut, BB

[Shell]

Joy-

The chorus is rising: stable is good! I know what you mean about navelbine vs. doxil or epirubicin. I had E with my initial tratement, so after I came off of xeloda/tykerb, my onc recommended doxil, with avastin and herceptin. I guess it works for some, but it sure didn't work for me... I took 3 treatments, and was supposed to have 4, but wouldn't take it until we cot a CT scan, and it showed progression, so we never did the 4th...

I switched to Navelbine/herceptin/avastin, and felt better on that within weeks. I never hear of that many women on doxil, and perhaps we'll hear some success stories, as there must be somer eason they're using it!!

In the meantime, hang in there, and it's nice to have that family support.

Regards,

[vickie h]

Good Morning, Joy! Stable is very good as the others say. There are still many tratment options out there and since Most Oncs are know treating this disease as a chronic one (like arthritis and diabetes), the word stable is even better. I will go on Xeloda, myself, in a few weeks (just taking a rest for now) to keep any tumors from arising. My Onc thinks that with IBC, you keep fighting it's recurrance with small doses of differnet agents all the time with rests in between since this cancer seems to spread like wild-fire. I had my hair done a couple of days ago and it's amazing how much that helps. Have fun on your vacation! We're leaving for a few days of skiing this morning. Much love, Vickie

[DEBBIE S]

Joy, Yes, that is Great News ...May you continue on this path ... Keeping
that great attitude... Us stage 4'oers know that word is acceptable and
full of hope ... Enjoy your day...

God Bless,

Debbie