vickie h update

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your support and prayers for my beautiful wife, Vickie. She has been suffering and not posting because she is worried about the others here. She is one of the most compassionate and unselfish people I have ever met.

Today she was at the hospital and Dr.'s office all day today receiving fluids as she has been very sick. They wanted to admit her, but she is fighting that and giving it her all to stay home. Tomorrow she sees a social worker and today there was talk of Hospice. I am overcome with grief at the thought of losing her. She has been my rock for 33 years, my philosopher for as long as I can remember, my best friend and advocate forever.

I don't know where to check on the TDm1 triAls, but if someone could dirrect me I will get her there somehow, anyhow. She is standing strong and holding onto her faith and hope and her humor. In the midst of all of this, she was more concerned about missing a meeting for the Homeless, which she is heavily involved in helping and raising awareness about.

Please pray for her tonight...she so loves you all, each and everyone of you who have been on this journey together all these years.

Vickie's loving Husband,
Cap

[Laurel]

Cap,

It will be an honor to pray for your valiant, Vickie. I am so very sorry to hear she is suffering. I read her post to our dear Marie (Believe 51) earlier today and I knew she was facing her own trial.

I will pray you are able to find a way to a TDm1 trial and that Vickie has a restful night. I will also pray you have peace in this storm.

[Carolyns]

Dear Cap,

I am sorry to hear the news about Vickie. I will send extra prayers your way. Below is a link to clinicaltrials.gov. That is where the list all of the trials.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=T-DM1

Best wishes, Carolyn

[Patty F]

Cap
I am so sorry to hear about Vickie. She is on my prayer list.

[Jackie07]

Hi,

Please let Vickie know that we are praying for her.

[Yorkiegirl]

Cap I'm so sorry to read your post. Many, many prayers going out for Vickie. I pray that there is a treatment out there for her.

Sending lot's of love, prayers and many hug's.

[Leslie's sister]

I haven't been on the boards too much lately and just read some of Vickie's posts. She is a compassionate and caring person. That is very obvious in all of her posts. I will pray for her tonight and in the days ahead.

God Bless!

Lisa

[caya]

Hi Cap,

Sending lots of prayers and big hugs to Vickie from Canada.

all the best
caya

[ElaineM]

I am very sorry about Vickie. I will keep my fingers crossed for her. By the way, I posted some information you both might be interested in. Please go to Vickie H trailblazing to read it. Take care. Hugs to Vickie from Hawaii.

[lexigirl]

Dear Cap,

Thank you for coming here to let us know how Vickie is doing. I am sorry that she is not doing well. I am very hopeful that she will regain strength to continue tx. Please give her gentle hugs from all of us.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lex

[Mary Anne in TX]

Cap, thank you for taking time to let us know about Vickie. She is one very special human being! She has always seemed to glide through life on her faith and love. She has inspired me so many times and it hurts to know that she is in such a fierce battle.
I hope you get an answer about the TDM1 trials quickly.
Knowing how Vickie treasures her family, I know that you will stand strong by her now. Please, please let us know how things are and most of all let Vickie know that she is so loved and appreciated. It's not time to protect us, but to let us love and support her through this storm.
Love and prayers to each of you, ma

[Mary Anne in TX]

Cap, I checked my clinic's web site for clinical trials and found a good list. See if this will help.
Go to www.stoh.com (http://www.stoh.com)
then to clinical trials
then to clinical trials database
then to breast cancer
Each trial gives the contact person and location.

Hope this can help find something quickly for Vickie.
ma

[WomanofSteel]

Prayers coming your way for Vickie. She is a caring person and I hope she is feeling better soon.

[Shobha]

Praying deeply for our dear Vickie. God bless her and guide her to the right combination of drugs to win this battle!

hugs,
shobha

[Terri B]

Cap,

I'm heart broken for you. I wish there was more to say. Tell Vicki that I'm praying for her.

From one Yankee fan to another.

[Patb]

Adding my prayers for Vickie. I love her spirit and
hope she finds a trial.
patb

[Bill]

I'm praying for you and Vickie, Cap. I hope she can get into a trial. Please tell her we said hello, and we are with her and you.

[Faith in Him]

Please let Vickie we love her and that we are praying for her. She is a wonderful person. Her spirit is just beautiful.

Tonya

[Jean]

Dear Vickie and Cap,
My prayers will be said for both of you.

Jean

[SoCalGal]

Cap,
Please tell Vickie I send her my love and prayers for healing. Flori

[Sheila]

Cap, Keeping both you and Vickie in my thoughts and prayers that you can get her into a trial soon....sending our love to you both.

[mmoons]

Cap,

Last year when I came to this site for the first time, your Vickie wrapped her virtual arms around me and supported me and cared for me! Please give her my love. I hope she feels the outpouring of prayers coming her way from everyone here. My heart is broken to read your post. She is so incredibly special. My love to you both.

Maureen

[chrisy]

Hey Cap,
Thank you for the update, you and Vickie are most definitely held in prayers. I cannot imagine how hard this is for you.

Check into T-DM1 trials, I believe Chelee is working to get into one at (I think) UCLA. I'd suggest calling there, or calling Genentech as the listing of locations on the clinical trials website is NOT accurate or complete. Or push her oncologist to find trials for her.

The first priority is of course to regain stability in general with her health issues. Not only for the obvious reasons, but also because this is necessary in order to qualify for trials.

[Ellie F]

Hi Cap
I am so sad to hear that Vickie is now so poorly. I cannot believe it. When I joined the board Vickie inspired me to carry on and look for other treatment options, which I did. Please search for a trial for her and please don't let her give up.
Ellie (England)

[Unregistered]

Thank you all for your prayers. Vickie is doing better today and we are looking at trying to get her to M.D. Anderson or Idaho (there is a TDM1 trial there. Her chest is bandaged now from all the bleeding skin mets, but she is such a trooper. Her sister is here with her and she is happy. She is not giving up by any means. Her strength amazes me more every day. I will keep you updated, but please know how much she loves all of you and cares deeply for your well being and peace.
Cap

[schoolteacher]

Cap,

Thank you for letting us know how she is doing. It amazes me her concern for others in the community while she is going through this. Please let us know if she gets into the trial or goes to MD Anderson.

I am glad she is better.

Amelia

[StephN]

Dear Cap -
Thanks for letting us know about Vickie.

My new mantra: Vickie, Idaho. Vickie, Idaho.

Hope you are in touch with Tolley there. She is the coordinator. I hear the trial will close soon so do not waste a moment on this.

They are just opening a brand new building and are in process of moving, so hope this will not slow you down.

P.S. From our experience with Vickie here, it is just like her to put concern for others ahead of her own plight! It is HER turn ...

[Mary Anne in TX]

Cap, thanks so very much for letting us know how Vickie is today! She's getting lots and lots of love and virtual hugs each day from her sister warriors!
I'm surely praying that she gets to where ever she needs to be to get the bestest help possible.
Tell her again how much we love her. ma

[lexigirl]

Thank you for the update, Cap. I am so happy that Vickie has her sister visiting and is in good spirits. That is good medicine there! I am hopeful that a trial will work out very soon.

Love,
Lexi

[Jackie07]

Thanks for the update. Please convey our love and prayers to Vickie.

[Joan M]

Cap,

I'm praying for Vicki, that she will find a trial.

Carolyn provided a link to the T-DM1 trial. You can also ask Vicki's onc to speak with a doc at your facility that handles trials, which can help out.

Joan

[margiermc]

My prayers are with your wife, Vickie. This is scary for me, I am newly diagnose - age47, DCIS, then liver met, all in 3 month. Now, just NED and scared. She is a fighter and God bless her - I wish I someday gain this kind of courage - I'm just lost for words, new to all this - sorry, it's a heartache for me and my family - god bless, margie

[Chelee]

Cap, some how I missed this. Vickie is such a sweet, caring, compassionate, loving woman & I so hate hearing this news. She has always seemed to have so much to deal with, yet was always finding time for all her Her2 sisters...including me. She is such an amazing and inspriational woman. I don't think there is any of us here that wouldn't do anything we could for her. I'm glad she hasn't given up and is ready to push onward. If anyone can do it...Vickie can...especially with the love and support of you by her side.

Chrisy is right...I do know of two TDM1 trials that Dr. Slamon told me about. But this study is only for patients with Metastatic Her2-Positive Breast Cancer who have not received prior Chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Which I fit into since all I've had is TCH when first dx. There seems to be quite a few TDM1 trials which is making it difficult for many of us patients that are trying to find one that we can be accepted in. Please tell Vickie I have her in my thoughts & prayers daily. She really so special...tell her I send all my love. (Hugs coming your way Vickie!)

Chelee

[Mary Anne in TX]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_4_16.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZCxdm994YYUS) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_8_14.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZCxdm994YYUS) for our sweet Vickie today! ma





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb112&pp=ZCxdm994YYUS (http://www.smileycentral.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb112_ZCxdm994YYUS&utm_id=7920)

[michka]

Cap, hug Vickie for me and tell her she is in my thoughts. I hope you can find a way to get her in a Trial. Love to both of you. Michka

[Midwest Alice]

I vote for Idaho! Love and hugs Vicki. Prayers for you and your family

[Unregistered]

Thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes.
We are in touch with Tolli up in Idaho for the TDM1 trial and if all goes well, we will be flying up there next Friday or the following Monday. We are waiting for the results of her brain MRI and ekg, as well as some blood tests that should be in today. If she passes these, she will be in the trial for sure. If not, her Onc in Santa Monica has a phase I trial (sounds a little sketchy) she can start with Alimta. Right now we are plahing the waiting game. Her Onc up here, where we live wants to put her on Herceptin/Tykerb but non of her Oncologists are looking at long-term survival at this rate. We are praying for anything we can get.
Her skin mets are pretty extensive, open and weeping from all the necrotic tissue. I never knew IBC could look like this and it has me worried.
She misses all of you so very much and talks about you everyday. She just hasn't had the strength to use the computer, but she prays for all of you daily. You have become her family and her hope and her dear friends. She speaks of you in such loving terms and cares for you so deeply.
I will keep you posted and as soon as her anemia gets better, she will be here to talk to you again. Right now, she is on pain meds and sleeps a lot.
Please keep her in your prayers as you are always in hers.
Cap

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Cap! I wish that you didn't have to write this message but one of recovery! Vicki's heart is so big and so very kind, we miss her terribly here each day. Please let us know the results of the blood work and which treatment she will be on. I keep praying for Vicki and believing with all my heart that she will conquer this awful disease one more time. Much love to you both, ma

[StephN]

Dear Cap -
I am still chanting that mantra - Vickie, Idaho, Vickie, Idaho.

There is a topical cream that has helped a lot of women with skin mets called IMIQUIMOD. I learned about a trial that is using it with Abraxane here in Seattle at the Tumor Vaccine Group open house I attended last night. The doctor in charge says that those with extensive skin mets don't do as well, but that cream is used off label.

Still the best results I have heard about with skin mets is the T-DM1. GO, Vickie! Pass those criteria with flying colors.

[TriciaK]

I feel so much concern for you and Vicki. She has been such a warrior and such an example to all of us. Please remind her again how much she is loved and how we are all praying for you both, and please let us know as much as you can how she is doing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you to find what is needed to help her. Hugs, TriciaK

[WomanofSteel]

Keeping Vickie in my prayers. Hope things work out for the best.

[Unregistered]

Good Morning Vicki and Cap!
Wanted to say hello and that I'm surely thinking about you guys.
Much love and lots of prayers.
ma

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your prayers. We just got back from Idaho, where Vickie was the last one enrolled in the TDM1 trial there. She had her first treatment on Monday and she is feeling ok except for fatigue. I believe one of Steph N's friends is going there also. We are definitely praying this works, but if for some reason she doesn't respond, we are ready to live out her life with some quality of care.
She so cares aBout all of you and talks about you like she would a trusted family. Her pain meds are sustaining her and we will know more soon. She misses you all and can't wait to get on the computer again and talk to you.
Again, my sincerest gratitude for your love and kindness.
Cap

[Jackie07]

Thanks for the update. Glad that she got in the TDM1 trial. We will continue to pray for her.

[Mary Anne in TX]

I'm believin' sooooooo BIG that it works like a charm!
Luv to U both, ma

[Faith in Him]

Thank God she is in the trial. I'll continue to pray for her.

Please give her my love,
Tonya

[Midwest Alice]

Prayers for Vickie and so thankful she is in this new trial. Sending a hug.

[SoCalGal]

Hi Cap,
Thanks for keeping us updated. Sending prayers to you and Vickie.

[StephN]

WHEW!!
What good news that our (and your) dear Vickie made it under the wire. I knew they were swamped with requests, so I am glad you did not wait any longer.

Now for the REAL test of this drug. It has done well with so many others who used treatment after treatment. This bodes well for Vickie to have a chance to fight back while regaining some of her strength.

Love and hugs to her.

[Ellie F]

Hi
I am so thankful to God that Vickie has got in the trial. Please send her my love and my sincerest hope that this drug does the trick!
Ellie

[Rich66]

Please keep in mind that treatments of the past might might work again if reintroduced in a metronomic fashion. Leave no tool behind.

[Leslie304]

Hi Cap,
Vickie has become a dear friend to me. I 'met' her when I was first diagnosed and somehow was drawn to her posts. We soon started emailing privately and I have appreciated her friendship. She tells me often how grateful she is to have you in her life. She is an extraordinary person. I tell her often but wanted to tell you as well, that she is never far from my thoughts and she is in my prayers nightly. I hope the TDM1 trial gives you both the renewed hope that you are so desperate for. I'll be thinking of you. Thanks for posting an update, I was worried as I haven't heard from her lately. Please give her a warm hug from Leslie in New Jersey.

[Chelee]

Hi Cap, if you see this please tell Vicky I said hi and I wish her all the best! I hope this trial is working it's magic on her...no one deserves it more. Vicky is such an awesome, loving and compassionate person and I so want the best for her. I will continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. When ever you have a chance please update us.

Sending my love!

Chelee

[Unregistered]

Vickie is on her way to Idaho for treatment number 2. In two weeks time, after her first treatment, she was able to remove all her bandages. Her bleeding has completely stopped and she is almost off the pain meds. Her tumors are shrinking already and some are drying up. She has had a lot of fatigue and a bit of blue days but so far, so good. She will be posting soon when she returns home but she wanted me to tell you all how much she misses you and loves you. She has literally gone from the clutches of Hospice care to this trial and the results so far are amazing. Please keep her in your prayers. You are her sisters and she values your friendship and love. You are always in her heart.
Thank you for your support,
Cap

[Mary Anne in TX]

What a tremendous gift your news is Cap! I'm so excited that the treatment is working for our girl! Please add just one more hug for me! Luv and continued prayers to you both, ma

[Midwest Alice]

Wonderful news!! Thanks be to God Vickie! Answered paryers

[Patb]

What wonderful news. Vickie is in my prayers and
thoughts daily.
patb

[lexigirl]

Thank you Jesus!! Awesome news!! I am thankful that Vickie is responding so well to her tx! I hope each tx shows better and better results quickly!

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[Chelee]

Hi Cap, I literally teared up when reading your post. I can't tell you how happy I am to hear such good news after only one treatment. What amazing results so quickly. I pray her body adjusts some to this trt so that the fatigue might lesson some for her. I will continue to keep her in my prayers. Let her know how much we love her...miss her...and are pulling for her. You two take good care and thanks so much for the update. This TDM1 seems to be doing great for so many...can't wait till more of us have easy access to it. You both hang in there.

Chelee

[StephN]

Dear Cap and Vickie -
I am overwhelmed with joy at this wonderful news. This is truly a positive sign for Vickie. With his amount of healing, hopefully she can gain more of her strength in the next few weeks.

Halleluia!

[Gerri]

Dear Cap,

This is such fabulous news!! I am so happy for Vickie, and of course her loved ones. HOPE is a powerful gift, and you have just given that to so many here.

[Jackie07]

Thank you so much for the wonderful update! Please thank Vickie for us - she's such an inspiring warrior - and let her know that she's in our prayers.

[Ellie F]

Thank you for such wonderful news. I have been praying so hard for Vickie and can't stop the tears rolling down my cheek.Please tell her that I am thinking of her and remembering her kindness to me.
Ellie

[juanita]

sending prayers and positive thoughts!

[StephN]

Dear Vickie and Cap -
Want you to know you are thought about, and all best wishes for a healthier new year to come. My prayers are sent your way for continued response to the new treatment.

Peace, joy and understanding.

[Chelee]

Hi Vickie & Cap, Just wanted to let you both know I continue to keep Vickie in my thoughts and prayers. I hope shes contining to get a good response and that the side affects aren't to hard on her. Please let her know she is thought about and how much we love her.

You two have a very Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring you improved health and much happiness. Again, always in my thoughts & prayers!

Chelee

[Unregistered]

Thank you all for your good wishes and love. I read your emails to Vickie almost everyday. She has been such a trooper and has now been able to remove all of the dressings over her right breast and back as the bleeding has subsided. She is extremely tired these days and I've never seen her this low on energy. Some days she is in bed almost the entire day, other days she forces herself up and takes small walks or visits with friends. All in all, she is doing much better as far as the mets (we think). Last week she had a Passport put in because her other port is covered by tumors and they could no longer access it.
We go back to Idaho on the 28th of this month and on January 18th she'll have a ct scan to see if this is working. Please continue your prayers for her. She cries when she thinks of all of her wonderful sisters and brothers here, tears of joy for your friendship and compassion. Please know that not a day goes by that you are not in her heart and prayers. Have a very Merry Christmas, Hannuka and Kwanza.
Much love from our family to all of you,
Cap

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Vickie and Cap! It's the incredible courage and love you two share with each other and all of us that touches me so this Christmas season. I see that picture of Vickie at the beach in my mind and think of her as strong, busy and so full of life! Much love to you both along with many prayers for Vickie's treatments to kick in gear and work it's magic. May the angels surround you all this holiday season. ma

[Ellie F]

Hi Cap
Would love to have an update of how Vickie is doing if you have time
Love Ellie

[Midwest Alice]

Dear Cap, So happy to hear the news. Please give Vickie a hug and tell her I love her. She was my first friend on here and she is so important in my journey. She is so strong and I am so proud to call her my friend. She has now traveled for treatment 2 and praying the treatment helps heal her body.

[tricia keegan]

Sending hugs and good thoughts to Vicki that this treatment works:)

[schoolteacher]

Hope you and Vicki are doing well.

Amelia

[Shobha]

Continuing to pray for great results for Vicki!! Thanks so much for keeping us posted!

shobha

[Unregistered]

So sorry I haven't been back to update you. Vickie and I are meeting with a Hospice nurse next week just in case. We will know more about what lies next after she goes to Idaho with our daughter on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Dr. Tezcan wasn't sure that this treatment is working but will have the option of adding perzatumab or something like that to her next treatment on Tuesday. She gets a CT scan on Monday and we will know so much more then.
IT has been hard to get her to eat much of anything as her appetite is waning. She's lost a lot of weight but she stays hopeful even when it is hard for her to get out of bed. She so misses all of you, your birthdays, your encouragement, your compassion. She truly loves you as her sisters. She has not posted because she gave her lap top to one of our grandsons for Christmas. She has a notebook but can't get it to work.
as soon as I get it up and running she will be posting to all of you. Thank you for your prayers and love. She will be posting by next week again.
In the meantime she sends you all her love and prayers. You mean the world to her, each and every one of you.
Cap

[StephN]

Thank you, Cap. We very much appreciate any news.
Fervent prayers coming to Vickie for a resurgence of appetite and scans that show she is improving.

Years of treatment can just wear a body out. We got news of a 100-year-old family member's passing just this evening. He was in his home and managing his own life til the end.

[Chelee]

Cap, I'm so glad you had a minute to give us an update. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Vickie...she really is such a special Her2 sister. We all love & miss her so much.

When she first started this TDM1 trial it sounded like it was doing a good job. I hope the scan shows that it's been doing more then they think for Vicki? Maybe adding the perzatumab will to the trick & get her stable again. I just wish she didn't have to go thru any of this...my heart goes out to her.

I'm just so sorry to hear Vicki isn't feeling better. But I still have so much hope that they can turn this around. I sure hope she can get some food in her...I know how hard it can be during treatment. You guys have probably tried everything over the yrs of battling this...but has Vicki tried Ensure? It has to be "cold" though. That's the trick! It's just a thought.

I know you and the entire family are going through alot right now but we are so thankful for the updates. Tell Vicki she is always in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending a big hug for Vicki! God bless you all.

Chelee

[WomanofSteel]

Cap thanks for the update. I am so sorry that Vickie is having such a tough time of it. Meanwhile we are praying for her. She means the world to us too.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Vickie! Now, isn't it just like you to give your lap top to your grandson! I'll bet you've always been the good fairy in your family! Sending you tons of love and prayers again today! I'm wishing for quick miracles for you all! luv ya muchly, ma

[schoolteacher]

Cap,

Thanks for the update on Vickie. She is a warrior.

Amelia

[Unregistered]

Thanks Cap for the update on Vicki. I come here to this site just to see how she is doing. Please tell her she is in my prayers daily. She is such a warrior after 6 years with IBC. Most people with that disease never get this far. She is truly inspiring to all of us.
Best wishes,
Randi