new treatment of gemzar/carboplatin + tykerb

[Shell]

I started on gemzar/carboplatin yesterday w/ tykerb to be added as soon as the paperwork is approved.

This is my 4th regime in the metastatic setting, so needless to see most all hopes are pinned on this. My shortness of breath is very bad, but I muddle through (it's daunting to muster the wherewithall to get out of bed, yet I'm the troop camping mom and we're going camping this weekend for the girl scout camporee). This conflict has been present for a long time. To most outsiders, I'm out and about working full time as a law partner, participating in town events, etc., but my family (husband especially) sees the opposite side of this, as I come home exhausted and just want to sit on the couch. My husband has taken on so much extra.

I'm contacting a counselor to help speak with our girls (ages 9 and 11), so hopefully things will continue to go as smoothly as possible in that regard.

I read Lani's latest article (but being non-medical of course understood next to nothing!! - you ladies who can interpret these are AMAZING in my book!!) of the issue of the four genes spreading cancer to the lungs - I am sending the article to my onc, but wonder if this means that there would be no harm in adding cetuximab (erbitux) and celecoxib (celebrex) to my regime - any thoughts anyone??

In any event, will keep you posted as my next infusion will be next week, with I think a week or 2 off after that. My understanding is we need to see results VERY quickly.

Finally, I've called Wyeth re the HKI-272 trial - one disqualifying factor is "more than 4 prior cytotixic regimes". I don't know what that means - from my signature can anyone tell me whether that's me?

Regards,

[Andi]

Shell - I'm sorry that you are having these troubles. My prayers are with you that this combo will work for a very long time!

[Lolly]

Hi Shell; I can't tell from your list whether you'd be disqualified based on prior chemo rounds, however if you call the trial coordinator (usually a contact number or e-mail is listed on a trial), that person should be able to tell you.
I'll be sending good thoughts that this new combo will knock things back.
It sounds like your life is full, and I know we survivors are determined to live as fully as possible, but it might be time to cut back a bit and conserve your strength so you can focus on yourself at this challenging time. It's hard to do this, I know, but something to think through.
Keep us posted on your new combo, and again, good thoughts and wishes going out.

<3 Lolly

[Becky]

Shell


You never say if you are hormone positive or not. If you are not, maybe you should get a met retested. In a small study (only 12 women), 30% changed from hormone negative to hormone positive. Maybe you are one of those and an antihormonal would work for you now. The Celebrex and Eribtux are a good idea as Cox 2 and Her1 blocking might really, really help. Until the Tykerb comes, maybe your onc can also add Herceptin.

You have had 4 cytotoxic regimes (by the way) but you should call about the trial anyway because you have had taxanes a couple of times and maybe that won't "count".

My thoughts are with you. Big hug and have a nice weekend - stay out of the rain Sunday (I don't live that far from you and we are going to have another Nor'easter).