INFUSING Perjeta as we speak!!! I am blessed

[Sheila]

Got a call late yesterday that Perjeta (Pertuzamab) was approved by my insurance as medical necessity...I am getting the first infusion as I type this....the first infusion is 840 mg over 1 hour and then they must observe you for 1 hour. After this, every 3 weeks I will get 420 mg every 3 weeks over 30 minutes...there is no difference for height and weight, it is straight dosing for everyone. I am the first to get this in Chicago at RUSH medical center, so there was lots of celebbrating today by me and the nurses....I feel very blessed to be given this drug, and will receive it with Herceptin every 3 weeks. I must see the cardiologist monthly, due to a very low lvef. I feel like a pioneer...I was first with Haloven too, and it did well...hoping this is a success!!!!!

[Joan M]

Yes!!! Sheila, this is fabulous news!!! xo Joan

[JillaryJill]

Sheila, I have to admit sometimes logging onto this board scares me because we build relationships with other survivors, and when they are going through tough times...it is a worry. I have been worried about you and I am so glad that this option came through for you. I saw some posts about getting a 2nd onc involved...but you have the best and now insurance approval of this drug that just got approved by the FDA...you are a pioneer...I hope you realize what you are doing for other survivors and our daughters and grandaughters. All I can say in Thank You and God Bless You as you move forward with this new treatment.

[michka]

Sheila, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy. Now I will hope for excellent results.
Michka

[msmanuf]

Can someone please tell me does all HER2+ matastisize? I am so scared.

[msmanuf]

Congratulations. You give me hope.

[KaiM]

I am so happy to read this today!!!! Yeah Sheila, this makes my day, such wonderful news. Now may the healing begin!

[jml]

Yaaaay! You are a PIONEER among many other amazing, wonderful things!
Congratulations:)

Keeping the Faith~

Jessica

[Vicki revised]

Yea!!! Omg--this is so exciting and encouraging! Hopefully this is your magic bullet!

[ElaineM]

Count me in on the celebration. I am there (in spirit) celebrating with you and the nurses.
Happy dances, hugs and high fives all around !!!!
You rock pioneer woman !!

[Lori R]

Sheila,
Amazing!!! Thank you for much for blazing trails for us and keeping us posted along the way.

I hope you have a smooth trail ride and get to the destination called NED.

Lori

[MJsHusband]

Great news! I'm glad the insurance company came through for you. You are an inspiration for everyone on this site.

[KristinSchwick]

Oh Shelia- what a wonderful thing to hear! I am so excited for you! Thank your oncologist for me!

[MikeF]

Hey there fellow Illini I pray this has good results for you. Im glad to hear your insurance cooperated.

[Ellie F]

Wonderful news. It makes me so happy to hear this today.
Hugs
Ellie

[Unregistered]

Congratulations! This is my first post to this forum. I am having problems getting CIGNA to approve perjecta for me. Did you have to do a special appeal? I am running out of eoptions and am very desperate. I have extensive liver, brain, lung, one , lymph ode and leptomenginal mets. I feel time is running out.

[Shobha]

Sheila - great news! Wishing you great results!

[Mtngrl]

Sheila,

I've been praying for this for you. I hope it is your dream treatment.

[Pmoore]

Wonderful news!

[NEDenise]

Sheila!
I have been praying so hard for you!! This is simply WONDERFUL!
I don't know whether the tears are tears of joy, or relief...but they're all for YOU!!!! God is so good!
And you, my friend are incredibly strong and brave!
Sending a BIIIIIIG HUG!
Denise

[Mandamoo]

Oh yeah Sheila - you pioneering great! May this be the one.

[Redwolf8812]

Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers!

[Mary Anne in TX]

Fabulous News!

[rhondalea]

Well, Sheila, I felt a weight lift when I read your post. I so hope that this one is *the one*. You've really earned a break.

Rhonda

[KDR]

YAY, Sheila! This is wonderful news! And to be the first at your facility--you are truly a pioneer!
Take care and best of luck-
Karen

[chrisy]

OH, OK I GET IT NOW. The way to wipe the grin off my face (from Jessica's post) was to have my jaw just drop to the floor with a big WHOOP, WHOOP!!!!!

Now my co-workers wonder what I've been up to.

I knew if anyone could do it, you'd be the one to bust the perjeta/insurance wall!!!!!

So happy - now let's get it kicking butt....

[KsGal]

YES!!!!!! You go, pioneer woman!!!! :) You are amazing! What a good day it is today to come to the site and read these posts. Im all smiles.

[JennyB]

Yay well done both you and your insurance company for their sensible reasoning!!

It really is good news day xx

[Sheila]

Thank you all for all the encouragement...feeling no difference tonight, no side effects..just tired, but that could be that my LVEF is between 19 and 20.....guess that is why I am tired...I see the cardiologist on July 10th, so I am sure he may up my meds...until then, I keep walking a mile a day..slow, but a mile!

[dawny]

Oh Sheila, that is fantastic news! Thank you our pioneer lady!

Dawn

['lizbeth]

Sheila,

am so happy for your pioneering infusion of pertuzumab today. I hope it clears up those nasty little cancer cells and prevents them from ever coming back . . . can't wait to hear more about how it goes.

[Laurel]

Oh Man! I sign on and see Jessica's wonderful news and now yours! Sheila, I am so stinkin' happy I just cannot stand it! Oh, may this be the magic bullet for our sweet Sheila. Thank you God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bunty]

Sheila, I have tears of joy reading your post. You are amazing, and I send you much love and hope.
xxxx

[nsebesta]

Shelia - I am so happy for you - you are amazing to me - God bless you!

[caya]

Sheila - I am doing the happy dance up in Canada!! so thrilled for you!!

all the best
caya

[Becky]

Oh, I am so thrilled. Hugs and kisses all around.

[Ceesun]

Sheila....Yes, Yes, yes, best wishes on this combo...you deserve the best outcome. Praying. Ceesun

[Pray]

Thank God! I'm so happy for you Sheila! You are an awesome roll model fighter. You go Girl! Hoping and praying for you all goes well! Peace my friend!

[Hopeful]

Sheila,

Best of luck with your new treatment plan.

Hopeful

[Patb]

Haven't been on in awhile but what good news to
find. This is wonderful and I pray it is the answer
for you. Take care and rest and be happy.
patb

[lkc Gumby]

Dear Sheila, I don't post often, but am always in awe of your strength and grace.
I am beyond thrilled for you. May P be the magic bullet for you. If anyone deserves this , it's you.
God Bless!

[tricia keegan]

Just wanted to say hi and let you know you're in my thoughts Sheila!:)

[Jackie07]

Congratulations! Sheila. Wondered if you are the first one getting Pertuzumab (= Perjeta.)

[fullofbeans]

This is amazing news i'll kep my finger crossed that it wil bring you to ned or at least stables for years to come well done again Ms Pioneer!

[sassy]

Never doubted you would be blazing yet another trail!!

You go, Sheila!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vicki revised]

So what is your new treatment plan? How many rounds, how often, and has your herceptin dosage/schedule been adjusted? Is neutropenia an issue as it is with taxotere? I'm very hopeful, if needed after August scan, this may be an option.

[ammebarb]

That is absolutely wonderful news! Hope it gives you spectacular results. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.

Barb A.

[karen z]

Sheila,
This is the best best news. And you are awesome (I swore I would never use that word but you ARE awesome).
k

[Emelie B]

So thrilled for you and your family. I hope this is "the one!"
Emelie

[hutchibk]

All I can say is YAY! PBs are on the way! (hehe)

[Gerri]

I am so happy that you didn't have to wait for this new drug. What an amazing medical team you have in your corner. I hope and pray that this really does the trick for you Shelia!

[Barbara H.]

Hi Sheila,
I was so worried for you and overjoyed when I read your post. I was in the car in Michigan where I was visiting my mom at the time. You have been in my thoughts and I really hope that Perjeta works for you. I will never forget how helpful you were to me when I was trying to get my insurance to accept the Herceptin/ Tykerb combination. Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday week.
Kind regards,
Barbara H.

[schoolteacher]

Oh Shelia,

This is the first time I have seen your post. You have given me Hope again. I have to get my doctor to resend my information to my insurance health nurse along with a letter for off label use.

Has the medicine helped? My HER2 level is 195.5. I really need this medicine. Are you taking the medicine with chemo and Herceptin?

Amelia

[Jean]

Dear Shelia,
I just read your posting - I am weeks behind .....
but I was so very happy to read it. You have always been a trend setting that's for sure.
I am sending you my best prayers and wishes.

Huge Hugs,
Jean

[Sheila]

Amelia, since I have only had one infusion, it is too early to tell, I actually don't see any improvement yet, so I am hoping for a big change after the next infusion that will be with Herceptin next week. I am not getting it with chemo, butmmaynask the onc. To add it in.....so far no side effects. sending prayers that this will be given to all who need it, and that it will be a successful treatment for those of us who are running out of options.

[mmoons]

There once was a lady named Sheila
Who was a wonderful healr’
To say she has a big heart
Is only the start -

Because her great traits go on and on

She shows us all how it’s done
And oh how we’ll cheer when this battle is won

For now we send prayers, wishes and cheers
And plan to celebrate with her for dozens of years

Sheila, you are so brave and terrific and strong
That you got sick is so very wrong
And I know right now you are glad you don’t have to hear me singing this like a song…

Okay, okay...sorry. I just wanted to come up with a unique way to say what we all are saying and feeling. Yeah for this new regime which is the winner!! Praying hard for the great news that I know you will be sharing with us soon.

I have been in Northern Michigan and so out of touch. But you are always in my heart.

Love,
Maureen

[Midwest Alice]

Shelia, I just poped in to see how everyone is doing. Such great news on your new treatment.!! you are ahead of the field. Best of luck with this new drug, Alice

[StephN]

Dear Sheila -

Sending positive thoughts for some visible sign that Perjeta is working.

Amelia - You also have my prayers that you will be able to get this drug ASAP.

Forge ahead, brave ladies!

[Delaney]

Sheila, best of luci. You seem to have been blessed to always have good doctors.

[Delaney]

Of course I meant 'best of luck!!!!!!!!'

[Unregistered]

Hi i have Cigna too and they approved my perjeta- herceptin and taxol combination . I am being treated at Stanford, i think it gets approved faster if you get it in big hospitals than clinics. Im so thankful and blessed to get this, i feel great, i hope everyone needing this drug gets it ! God bless us all!