not good scans

[dawn]

Got my results; 6 spots on my liver. switched to xeloda and Herceptin, staying on aredia.
Don't know how to feel about this. I have two small children. I AM GOING to see the graduate. I think it's still sinking in. But now I know for sure Im facing a long hard road. I know you've girls have been there done that. Would love to hear your stories of hope.

Thanks

Dawn

[Jackie07]

Dawn,

Skip had started a thread just this month asking for 'liver' stories:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43762&highlight=liver+mets

If you look up the 'long-time survivor' thread, you'll find many members who have either gotten rid of their liver mets or have them under control.

Here are three of our sisters who have successfully treated their liver mets, brain mets... etc.

Kim in CA

*Diagnosed Feb. 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5/36 nodes positive. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds AC, then High Dose Chemo with Stem cell rescue, then 6 weeks rads.

*Sept. 2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 months Taxotere and Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stopped Taxotere and added Femara .

*November 2002 liver resection to remove suspicious spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED!

Andi BB
(http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/clip_art/gstres/anmls/animals-butterfly%5b/IMG%5d'95)'95 (http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/clip_art/gstres/anmls/animals-butterfly%5b/IMG%5d'95) post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...

'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission

StephN
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!

[Pam P]

Dawn, I am sorry to hear this news. Not what you wanted to hear. I can't remember what you were on just prior to this, was it just aredia as your signature says for bone mets? Xeloda and herceptin are a powerful combo and hopefully in a few months on this you will clear out those liver mets. I did very well on X/H for a long time. I had a hard time with hand/foot issues but otherwise felt good. You can do very well on this so keep up the hope and plans for seeing your kids graduate. Pam

[ElaineM]

Please try to stay positive. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Others are long term survivors. You can be too !!!!!!!!

[flynny]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this new challenge. You will be there for your children's graduation! I hope this combination does the trick.

[michka]

Dear Dawn
I am sorry to read you have to go through another treatment. But you are right. This is a battle you can win like others did and and see your beautiful children graduate. Keep strong. Hugs. Michka

[dawn]

Thank you ladies so much. This is such a down day for me Im trying to absorb all this info and get on my feet for when my kids get out of school. you have all given me so much hope.

I will keep you updated on what is going on.
Thank you

[schoolteacher]

Dawn,

Sorry you have to go through this. Hope you get to feeling better. You are in my prayers.

Amelia

[kk1]

Hang in there Dawn, for me Xeloda and Herceptin have been a great combo. This combo has kicked my liver mets out everytime and for many of us relatively easy to take.

[Ellie F]

Hi Dawn
So sorry you are having to face this but hoping that this combo will do the trick.

Ellie

[Shobha]

Hi Dawn,

Adding my prayers and wishing you speedy NED status again!

hugs,
shobha

[Karen Wheel]

Sending you positive energy from Italy ---

FORZA! (stay strong!) as they would say here. You have beautiful childern to look forward to lots of years with them - and seeing them graduate! Hang in there!

Karen

[fullofbeans]

Dawn,

My best wishes, I had 6 liver tumours diagnosed in 2006 and I am NED now.. various approaches seems to have worked with people on this board. One thing I would say is to go for an aggressive approach because you are young, if you can remove mets directly (operation or laser) a way or another, do it! that's my view.

[PinkGirl]

Hey Dawn (fellow Canuckian)

You can beat this!!! Check out Andrea Barnett Budin in the member's
list. Andi had EXTENSIVE liver mets ... knocked them out and then
stayed on Herceptin for 10 years .... now she's off Herceptin and doing great.

I know you will too. How are things on The Rock?

[Laurel]

Dawn,

StephN has a great liver mets story one that involves the use of milk thistle and chemo. PM her for info. She has posted about it previously. Perhaps a site search for milk thistle will turn up her posts.

Hang in there. Praying for you!

[dawn]

Pink Girl,

Things on the rock are beautiful Another wonderful day. Only had the skidoo out 2x this year, It's going in the garage next week. Can you believe it the Rock hardly had any snow. Thanks for the advice I'll check it out. Thanks Laurel and Full of Beans. I don't know what I'd do without you guys on these boards.

Dawn

[chrisy]

Dawn,

I had way more than 6 liver mets, that was back in 2004. They can be beaten back. I've done so twice (haven't tried Xeloda yet). I liked KK1's comment "kicked them back every time" and would also consider local options (RFA, surgery whatever) if and when that becomes a reasonable choice based on your situation.

Even though sometimes you have to suit up for battle more than once, you have that beautiful family as a powerful motivator. You can see your kids graduate and become wonderful strong people.

I know it is so discouraging every time a treatment fails. But you will do what is necessary - in this case moving on to another and hanging on long enough for science to catch up with it.

Take care,
chris

[Joan M]

Dawn,

Sorry to hear about your liver spots. Have you ever considered radiofrequency ablation?

RFA is done commonly in the liver for primary liver tumors, and perhaps you could speak with an interventional radiologist about it, especially if the mets are only in the liver. Other women on this board have done liver RFAs, as well as cryoablation, which freezes the tumor instead of burning it.

Oncs generally don't mention RFA. They want to give you chemo instead. But in some cases, local procedures are beneficial, but oncs tend to ignore that.

Joan

[dawn]

Thanks guys,

Im going to mention to my onc when I speak with him next week. Starting Xeloda on March 8th, hoping I can kick these back for a long time. Im open to any suggestions out there.

Thanks
Dawn

[Pam P]

I thought of you yesterday while at chemo. I saw Liz there yesterday getting here weekly herceptin. Liz had liver mets over 3 years ago, did 8 months of chemo (sorry i don't remember what) and now she has been NED ever since. Xeloda could do that for you.

[tricia keegan]

I'm sorry Dawn, a friend of mine did manage to have all her liver spots shrink and had a great response to treatment. I hope you will also. xx

[dawn]

Thank you pam,

I it lifts my heart when I hear of post like that. May God, let me join the NED parade, for my kids.
Dawn