PET scan results

[Pam P]

The pet scan results were good - no new areas of disease. The bone mets - which are quite extensive - some increased, some decreased - so overall 'stable'.

I was very relieved to get that report - yet discouraged that there wasn't a clear decrease from current treatment. What can I say - I'm greedy!

The tumor marker is another story. It was up 90 points from last time. The onc. wasn't concerned in light of my PET results; he said it might be a fluctuation. In my experience 20-25 pts might be a flux, but 90 pts is a warning. My highest was 2375 when I began xeloda, then it went down to 2204 last month & I was very encouraged. Now it's 2295. I am trying to not obsess on this number, but I'm worried that xeloda made an initial impact and now is losing it's effect. Nothing to do about it than wait for the next tm draw next month and see what it is.

I should be - and am - grateful to be doing this well yet as you know this constant 'game' of living from one test to the next is torture.

For today I'll take these achy bones and enjoy the day and I hope all the rest who are waiting on scan results right now get good or great news too. Pam

[whatz]

Great news Pam!!! :-)

[Midwest Alice]

Pam great news. So glad to hear. ALice

[tricia keegan]

Great news Pam, sorry I cant help with your other points but glad to hear all is stable:)

[jml]

So glad to hear the good news!
You deserve it Pam and I hope you can find a way to celebrate
today:)

[StephN]

Stable is good. Thanks for the report.

Is there any way you can have some radiation to some of the bone mets? Was wondering if this might help reduce tumor load.

I have a friend here who is now on her 8th round of targeting bone mets with radiation. This has been pretty successful for her - and has taken place over a span of 8 years. Right now it is for her femur.

[Jackie07]

Thanks for sharing the good report. Keep it coming... And we will keep praying.

[karen z]

So glad to hear that you are stable! You have a wonderful attitude and sense of humor- keep strong.
karen

[Pam P]

Sheila - I don't know if they'd do radiation on my bones - I've never asked and my onc. has never suggested it. I thought rads for my multiple bones mets would be more to reduce a specific area for pain management more than try to get rid of the mets. I don't have severe pain in any one area. I have mets in almost every vertebrae, many ribs, both scapula, both hips and femurs and pelvis so I don't know where they would start to target. I will ask the onc. on my next visit.

[StephN]

Hi Pam -

My friend here has never had as extensive bone mets as you do, but they go after the ones that are most threatening for pain or causing a break. Major bones such as supporting hip, femur and upper arm (forgot the name).

May be worth asking about.

[DarleneM]

Blessings to you, Pam! Way to go in trying to seize the day and enjoy it. After all today --this moment- is really all any of us have anyway.
Darlene

[Laurel]

Oh Pam, such eloquence in your post. You capture the essence of a battle with cancer in your expressive words, "I should be - and am - grateful to be doing this well yet as you know this constant 'game' of living from one test to the next is torture." The wondering and pondering the many twists and turns in the path to whatever outcome is a lesson in mastery of our fears and hopes, of disappointments and acceptances.

I hate cancer for what is wrecks in your life. I weep because I admire you so, and wish I could ease your suffering. And we do suffer though we are not supposed to share, only among ourselves can we admit to fearing the future, wondering about tomorrows.

Thank you for touching my life, Pam. You are amazing in your strength and gentle resolve. I believe you have a great deal more life in you. I am praying that xeloda kicks those ca cells in their butts!

Your fan,
Laurel

[schoolteacher]

Pam,

Glad to hear your news. You are truly amazing.

Amelia

[Barbara H.]

Hi Pam,
I was pleased to her your results, but understand that you would like to lower your tumor markers and reduce your bone mets. I hope that T-DM1 will be available to you soon. It was a miracle drug for me, and I was pain free from bone mets within two days. Unfortunately, I had to stop the trial after two years due to lung inflammation. As far as I know I am the only one who has had that effect. I still may use it in the future with caution. I have been on Tykerb and Herceptin since October, and that combination is also currently working.

Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Sheila]

Pam...in our shoes, stable is good....hoping that stable turns to tumor shrinkage.....we take our good news any way we can....i am so happy for you! Now c'mon TDM-1!!!!!

[Carolyns]

Hi Pam, It is good to get your report. Stable is great news.

I am like you bone mets everywhere. I have only had rads when they endanger the stability of the bone and / or for pain. Had may shoulder radiated about a month ago.

Take care, Carolyn

[Chelee]

Hi Pam, I'm glad your scans were stable...but don't blame you a bit for wanting a decrease in all areas of concern. Is there even a small chance the tumor markers increasing were caused by tumor flare? I had that happen once. Hopefully next month your markers will go down. I'll be keeping good thoughts for you.

You have been at this battle for far too long...your such a true warrior. How I wish you didn't have to deal with any of this! As someone else mentioned...I'm hoping they will get the TDM-1 out for all of us soon...may this be your magic bullet. It's time something really powerful comes your way to kick the crap out of your cancer for good. Sending positive thoughts and energy your way.

Hugs!

Chelee

[Rich66]

How often are you getting Zometa? Research (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=39563) seems to be suggesting potential benefit from more frequent administration.

[Pam P]

Rich - Historically I've received zometa once a month, but right now I'm getting it every 6 weeks. I got it every 6 weeks when I was on zometa before too. It's more of a convenience to coincide with my every 3 week herceptin routine and not have to come in an additional week. I like not have to go near the office if I can avoid it. Do you think asking for zometa in a 3 week dose would be good?

[Joan M]

Pam,

Good to hear that the bone mets are considered stable.

Joan

[chrisy]

Pam, you're right, no new areas is good, stable bone is good - and I agree, take the good news where you find it.

I know what you mean - the battle itself makes one weary...but somehow we keep putting one foot in front of the other BECAUSE we are greedy, for life!

Gordon Gekko aside, that kind of GREED IS GOOD!

Hang on sweetie.

[ElaineM]

Hang in there Pam. You are quite a woman !! Keep going. I hope you find some help for some of the bone mets even though the scan was stable. Take good care of yourself.

[Rich66]

Seems reasonable to try for it as often as you can get it. I'd be curious how your onc interprets the papers in that link. I take them to mean that more frequent dosing can give anti-angiogenic benefits..without the cost or toxicity of Avastin. Regarding convenience, some clinics can accomodate unique schedules by giving after hour infusions by ER folk or on the onc floor in hospitals. I imagine it would be a lower dose so it might go a little faster.