Perjeta - leap of faith

[chrisy]

Well, I am sitting here watching the last few drops of a Perjeta IV!

Then a loading dose (again) of herceptin...

The leap of faith is that it really is, as the clinic staff assured me and dr Rugo, authorized by my insurance! I have not received anything either way so I'm nervous, but I believe things will work out. But I will be there with those who sat there afraid to open their EOB for sure!

This was really good news since I can't receive chemo with the gaping surgical wound in my leg. I can get started with the Perjeta and herceptin and then we will add in taxotere when the wound heals. The combination of the two antibodies has some published data showing efficacy of the combo after herceptin resistance.

In the meantime, yesterday I got a contraption called a wound-vac which is basically a little vacuum that you wear and has a tube going into the wound dressing which sucks the fluid out and presumably speeds the healing process by drawing the good healing stuff to where it is supposed to go. In my case there is not a lot of drainage, so the thing makes a constant sound of someone sucking a straw to get the last bit of a chocolate shake! You know the sound:)

Wish me luck on the new combo, and that the insurance actually will come through!

[tricia keegan]

Oh sending lots of good wishes to you Chrisy, must admit I'd hate to hear those sounds from the wound vac though but needs must!!:)

[StephN]

Hey Chris -
Those Leaps of Faith just keep on coming. But this sounds like a winner for you - and I think the Good Doctor knows whereof she speaks. Otherwise she will get an even bigger water canon and blast them again!

If you don't have much drainage from your leg wound, maybe you won't need that leetle contraption for very long. Sure hope not.

Maybe the leg problem can slow you down long enough for the drugs to do their work!

[yanyan]

Good luck with the new treatment Chrisy ! I am very happy to hear that you finally got Perjeta !! As for the insurance part, don't worry too much about the EOB if the nurse has assured you that it was authorized. I don't think any clinic would run the risk of losing $$$ for unauthorized services so you are all covered :)

[JennyB]

Chrissy so glad to hear you are having the infusion as for the leg it was always my favorite sound as a child but as a mother a bloody annoying one! I hope it does it's thing fast and returns you to calm

Jenny

[KDR]

YESSS! What else can I say!! You are gonna be good! (Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary today, so I'm giving his quote the stage).
Love you,
Karen

[Becky]

I am so happy you started with the Perjeta and all my fingers and toes are crossed that your wound heals rapidly.

[NEDenise]

Yay! That sound is music to my ears! I just know it will do its thing quickly and you'll be able to complete your cocktail sooner, rather than later.

Look out NED...here she comes!!
Sending a warm hug...
Denise

[Redwolf8812]

It will all work out. I just know it. God is good.

[Mandamoo]

Go Chrisy!

[caya]

So happy for you Chrisy - Hooray for Perjeta!
Sending you big hugs from Canada and wishes for success!

all the best
caya

[Pray]

I'm also hoping and praying all will go well Chrisy. Gods blessings to you and your family.

[Ellie F]

Good wishes winging there way to you. Hope the wound improves very soon. Thanks for sharing this new part of your journey
Ellie

[Lori R]

Chrisy,
That is fantastic news about gaining access to Perjeta!! What a perfect combo to use while your leg heals.

Thinking of you and send all the best....Lori

[michka]

This is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD news Chris! I am so happy you got started and hope it will work real fast. (even hoping that you will need nothing else). I also hope you will get rid of the stubborn wound. Michka

[sassy]

All good things!

Kick Butt Chrissy!!!!

[suzan w]

This is great news, Chrisy. Although the wound vac does sound a little gruesome...I hope it sucks its little brains out!!!!!

[Kim in DC]

Yeah Chrisy,
I'm praying for you!

[chrisy]

Kim,I was just thinking of you! Hope you're doing well...

[Paula O]

Hooray for this great news!

How are you feeling today, Chrisy?

Paula

[chrisy]

Im hungry. I need a full time personal aide to bring me stuff! Seriously, feeling pretty good and it's good I am hungry because I am under several ultimatums to get my weight up (new for me!) and eat LOTS of protein to help the healing process. But it's suh a pain ( literally) to haul my (tiny) butt to the kitchen and get breakfast!

[Paula O]

>Im hungry. I need a full time personal aide to bring me stuff! Seriously, feeling pretty good and it's good I am hungry because I am under several ultimatums to get my weight up (new for me!) and eat LOTS of protein to help the healing process. But it's suh a pain ( literally) to haul my (tiny) butt to the kitchen and get breakfast!

Hey, that's wonderful, Chrisy! I count that as an answer to specific prayer that you would get your appetite back and able to avoid the appetite stimulants. :)

Paula
P.S. A handy dandy trick is for your husband, before he's off to work, to leave a cooler with cold food items and thermos with warm ones next to where you are camped out and you can "graze" all day as you are able.

[StephN]

You sound MUCH more chipper today! So glad.

All the good wishes to "kick butt" on the cancer and leg wound may have gone a little too far if you are now needing to GAIN some weight!!! Guess we will have to use some different terminology in our wishes for continued good progress on both fronts (and not backs, etc).

Sounds like any side effects from the Perjeta are quite mild, which is a blessed change from some of the other
treatments in the recent past.

Yes, protein is necessary - my onc told me to eat an egg once a day while on chemo, especially in the morning after a long period at night of not eating. Kick start my day he said. I am sure you have some shake recipes too.

Keep the good news coming.

[alicem]

So GLAD to hear you are starting on perjeta. Hope your leg wound heals QUICKLY!!

Sending love!!

~Alice

[Becky]

Another option is to make smoothies and use some of the body builders whey protein in them. Although I never used it, it is in my house because my husband does (it helps with his hypoglycemia). He only uses one scoop a day because you need to work up to 2 scoops. None the less, he puts it in milk and says its delicious. He uses "Body Fortress" brand in vanilla flavor. Blend some up with greek yogurt (has more protein than the regular kind) and frozen berries (any kind) and/or bananas. This can be a snack or part of breakfast.

Thinking about you all the time.

[KsGal]

Im so happy to hear your news, and that you are healing up. ((hugs))!!! Keep on keeping on...I know you've got this. In with the new drug, out with that nasty cancer. Lots of prayers and positive energy coming your way.

[chrisy]

Becky- protein shakes are definitely in my arsenal! I have a few standard ones, but experiment a LOT, sometimes good, sometimes bad. My standard is basically my liver detox salad ( carrots, lemon juice, EVOO) with vanilla whey protein and usually some beet and fruit. But of course I also need my chocolate fixes, so I have versions using chocolate flavored whey with bananas or raspberries or other stuff...

I love love love my vitamix!

[StephN]

Hi chris -
Looking in for an update.

Still getting the Perjeta?

How is that gol derned leg, anyway? Hope it is cooperating and healing quick smart!

That is what I am telling my back/leg - you are going to get better quick smart! Love that Brit expression.

[Pam P]

Best wishes on the wound healing quickly and well. That drainage system for wounds is new to me. Amazing. Hope you are having choc. malt too.

I will cross my fingers on the insurance for perjeta.

[Laurel]

How you hanging in there, Chrisy? Still famished? Still healing nicely? Just wanted you to know I am thinking about you. How often do you get the Perjeta administered?

[SoCalGal]

Thinking of you, too. I seem to have lost my funny bone. Perhaps someone ate it?

[chrisy]

Flori, I think, choked on it while eating some Cambodian food. Hope you get it back soon. Cuz you jus too funny girlfriend

[chrisy]

I got my second Perjeta infusion tuesday, And "yippee" some taxotere to boot. Just as I was getting some eyebrows. But, first priority is to regain control over the cancer and the chemo holiday caused by my surgical,issues wasn't much fun anyway.

Also had a scan monday which showed comtinued progression, I expected it would, having been basically untreated for a month and without chemo for nearly two. Tumor markers also shot up in the last three weeks so that has me worried but hopefully those too will head backin the right direction

The leg is healing well fortunately since we're gonna slow that down with chemo. But the wound vac is amazing, the suckers get smaller day by day and it may be good we might be able to discontinue that.

I even catch myself walkingoff withiout my crutches!

[StephN]

DEar Chris -
So glad to hear your leg is healed enough that you can haul out the big guns again. Taxotere kicked my behind but good, so I hope they give you a more measured dose, more often.

Don't like to hear tumors growing, but hopefully it was not a lot.

I have to laugh at your comment about forgetting to use your crutches. I am starting to do that with my walker. But after a couple of steps my left knee wants to give out and I "wake up."

[mmoons]

Chris,

Get that leg finished healing so you can use it to KICK CANCER'S A$$...! sorry...got a little excited there.

If I were with you I would blend you a banana pineapple frothy protein somethine...! :-)

Looking forward to reading more good news.

Maureen

[Mary Anne in TX]

Chris, so glad you're getting back on the right track again. Sending good wishes your way.

[Laurel]

Chiming in to say I am happy you are tolerating the Perjeta. I get it about the danged taxotere. That stuff de-woolies us in a hurry, but it does seem to corral Her2 which you need at the moment. It is terrific news to hear the leg is coming along so well! Have you been able to get a few pounds back on your frame? You sound perkier.

[chrisy]

Tuesday my oncologist told me I didn't look as skeletal as I did when they admitted me for the first leg surgery...I would have been perfect for Halloween, eh? Still tethered to the wound vac, which is indeed a miraculous piece of equipment if a bit inconvenient...and another week of IV antibiotics self administered through my always accessed port. I have so much stuff attached to me I feel like a Borg. Ah well, resistance is futile, and now that we've added chemo back into the mix, hopefully the wounds will continue to heal and the cancer will start to retreat!

Got slapped down by the visiting nurse (and my hubby) for overdoing it on the leg this week. I do agree, two tripS to SF and then sitting at home AND running to the office to do work on the computer did not make for a happy leg...

[karen z]

Hi Chrisy,
Yes, take care of that leg.
Glad to hear that you are able to get the treatment you need now and you sound super good.
Take great care.
K

[NEDenise]

Chris,
Thinking of you and praying for more good news...as those meds start to work their magic again. Stay strong, and baby that leg.
Hugs!
Denise