~Ssshh~I Think I Am Still Asleep....

[Believe51]

Well Friday's chemo went better than expected for My Mighty Oak. As you all know I am a bit demanding and have trained our nurses to know this!! (LOL). Our nurse Aileen came skirting over to us and handed me Ed's bloodwork, she was crying. As I read the tumor markers, I too cried while Aileen rubbed my back. She lovingly grasped the top of my head and kissed it softly, hugging me for what seemed an hour. Although it has only been a month on the A/C combo his numbers went down 45%!!! When Ed read the results tears flowed from his eyes, he has not seen a drop in these numbers since March 2007!! In fact, they have been increasing since then and are worse than they were at diagnosis!

I am drunk with happiness!! Right now I will consider this combo effective but will not rest easy until he is in NED. Baby steps!! Last year before the Taxotere/Herceptin stopped working he was almost at normal range so thus my hesitation. It is what it is and his numbers are dropping, Thank You GOD!

For the newbies on the board, tumors markers are not always used depending on what kind of breast cancer and what kind of patient. Tumor markers are sometimes not even used in certain cases. Some of my girlfriends are in normal range with the markers and the cancer is full-blown, with markers never rising at all. ED is tumor marker sensitive and we use the markers as a tool. He responds better to radiation than to chemo, the thing with radiation is he has Inflammatory BC and we cannot do his entire body.

Keep the prayers coming. I will continue to command the rest of our miracle. Ed will keep up the great work. Again Friends, thanks for the prayers and well wishing>>Believe51

[tousled1]

Marie,

What wonderful news to hear on a Monday! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this combo continues to work for Ed. He certainly dserves a break after all he's been through. You and Ed remain in my prayers.

[Jean]

Oh Marie,
You made me smile, just loved hearing Ed's results.
Tears of Joy!
Will continue to keep Ed in my prayers.
Also your Mom.

Hugs,
jean

[Believe51]

How can you cross your toes when I cannot even walk straight!! LOL. How are you feeling?? I know you have a respite from chemo, but how is KATE?? Sending Love and Prayers>>Believe51

[kareneg]

Oh Marie,

I am crying those Happy Tears what an awesome feeling it is seeing the numbers drop like that! YOU GO ED!!!!!!!!! And you Ed and Mom are always in my prayers!

[caya]

Marie,

Great news to start off the week. I am praying that those numbers keep dropping until ED becomes NED.

all the best,
caya

[suzan w]

That is indeed great news. An early holiday gift, eh?

[Vanessa]

What wonderful news. I am so glad Ed's tumor markers are dropping. I will continue to keep you, your mighty oak, and your mom in my prayers. Best wishes.

[nitewind]

Marie, my sweet friend, I think all of us needed some happy tears from you. I'm crying along with you. We've been storming heaven for your Mighty Oak for quite a while now, it's about time for some great news.
We love you both very much
hugs and give Ed a hug from me
Susan

[MJo]

I agree with Suzan. This is a gift for the holidays, and the New Year!! All the very best to Ed...

[tricia keegan]

Marie what fantastic news and I'm truely happy for both of you as we go forward to a new year, I hope this is a sign of all good things to come to both of you.

[Mary Jo]

Oh Marie,

What happy news. It makes the "journey" so much easier for Ed and you knowing that although your "mighty oak" doesn't always feel well (which makes you feel sad I'm sure) it is worth it as he is responding to the treatment. Yahoozee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND a HUGE ------------------ THANK YOU GOD ------------------ I shout Heavenward.

Sending love and hugs,

Mary Jo

[Joanne S]

I'm delighted to hear that great news!

Hope and prayers for continued improvement,
Joanne S

[Lolly]

Marie, it's so wonderful to hear your good news. Christmas came early, eh?

<3 Lolly

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Marie I am so happy for Ed. I know how important it is to go in and hear some good news for a change.

Keep up the good work Ed.

MERRY XMAS

[Mary Anne in TX]

A blessed gift for you and Ed. So deserving, so wonderful, so fun to hear your news. I pray those numbers keep heading south. Lots of love to you both. ma

[TriciaK]

I am so happy for you and Ed, Marie!!! We will keep the prayers and positive thoughts winging your way! Hugs, Tricia

[Debra]

Well Marie your the second happy post I read today! Keep them coming everyone! Things seem to be going in the right direction and only good thoughts that they will continue to do so!

[Joan M]

Marie,

This is wonderful news for you and Ed! And a great Christmas present.

Joan

[sassy]

What wonderful news just before Christmas. Santa seems to be coming early for some of us!

[dhealey]

I see Santa has been to see Ed too!! That is wonderful news, will continue to pray for you both.

[chrisy]

Marie,

I SO love how you can make me laugh AND cry with one little (for you) email! You are so amazing.

So glad to hear things are finally headed in the right direction.
Much love
Chris

[Soccermom]

WONDERFUL WONDERFUL news! So happy for you
both!
Marcia

[hutchibk]

OMG! That is fantastic Marie! Please send ED my heartfelt high five for a job well done... (and I wonder if the Herceptin stopped working back in the spring, or if it was just the taxane that stopped... that's what my onc thinks, that Herceptin is still an option for me at some point in combo with something else, later on if needed, but we don't need to think about that right now. That is also what I learned at the Mets Conference at MD Anderson a month ago... that the taxanes can run out of steam sometimes, but the Herceptin may still have a valid application in the future for a patient who has already had it, just in combo with something else...)

[Believe51]

Brenda, when our oncologist went to Dana Farber and used Ed as a fine example of IBC/Male Her2+++BC, one thing they talked about were the 'turbo' drugs, the newest Tykerb and Herceptin. I questioned WHY?? If neither of them worked for him before why would you all think these would later?? Their answers were the same as what you just mentioned. Cancer is sneaky and rather smart as it can mutate or 'outsmart' chemotherapy. The Taxotere ran a wonderful course as he was almost there in NED but eventually it ran out of steam; the Tykerb never worked. These drugs are still a great option in the future used in combo with other meds. We also started to take action in case this was happening again where treatment was missing a tiny part of the puzzle. Ed has stopped the Tamoxifen (proven to be the best option for male bc) and is now taking Faslodex (poor thing the shot in WHAT butt??)

We are petitioning for more clinical trials here with these drug combos for the state of RI. Ed was used as an example of little response to treatment of his IBC. See girls, in his own way he too gives back to help others fight their fight to just like you! (of course he does it for himself too but explains it is for others just as much). I do not like to talk about the "What If's" but in case the A/C fails we are already setting up our next course of action. First we will be getting more pathology and bloodwork to see if a mutation has occurred, then off to the next recipe. Try-Try again right??

For right now IT IS working and like I said his numbers after 2 treatments dropped 45%!! Dropped 45%!! Sorry...it sounds so good to say I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a dream. It better not be either, I never woke up from the news he had cancer and I better never wake up now that these numbers are getting better!! LOL! Thanks for the love and support, I know we could never do this without help from you Fine Friends. Not to mention we have learned things here that NO ONCOLOGIST could ever answer. You all rock!!!>>Believe51

[lilyecuadorian]

sorry I miss this post ...but I take this news from you (Marie and Ed) like a Navidad gift ...for me ...I 'so happy I need these type of news (gift) this time ...My tree is waiting for more gift like this one ......45% is great ..

[LAURIE]

I am so excited to hear, of this great news. A/C is a powerful combo. I could feel and almost see the tears of happiness flowing. Congrats