Redwolf8812
11-21-2012, 11:51 PM
Praise God for more positive feedback. The oncologist wants to continue with current treatment (since it's working) until my scans on the 7th. We'll then make a decision on the liver ablation or next treatment. If we do the ablation and it's successful I may not need more chemo right away. And if I do need more chemo it might be something less toxic. I am having problems with neuropathy in my feet. Another option is the TDM1 EAP, although she seemed pretty confident that TDM1 will be approved VERY soon, and without the restriction that pertuzumab had. I was relieved that she was so open to ablation. Thank You, Sweet Jesus, for options!
After meeting with her, I went in for chemo. Did pre-meds, taxol, and then the carboplatin. About 20 minutes into the 30 minute infusion of carbo, my pulse skyrocketed and my chest tightened. When I'd take a deep breathe I'd wheeze and feel the need to cough. So, it turns out I had developed a classic allergic reaction to carbo. Thank the Lord for those nurses. They were ON. They picked up on it way before I started feeling the physical symptoms. Anyway, if we were decide to stay on the carbo, I could still get it, but it'd be over a 24 hour period in the hospital (they de-sensitize it). I was fine within an hour of stopping the carbo and receiving benedryl, thank God.
The tumor reduction could very well be due to the taxol and carbo, especially since BRCA cancers respond so well to platinum chemos (carbo). It could also be that I'm receiving the parp inhibitor (veliparib) and not a placebo and that's also helping. Veliparib is for BRCA cancers and my oncologist, who is the head of the BRCA research center at UPenn wants to eventually have patients only on parps, kind of like some are only on hormones, or only on herceptin. But they're just starting out with these trials, so it probably won't happen in my lifetime. However, I have 3 children, not to mention many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and I pray this benefits them!
None of what I'm on targets HER2neu but since herceptin and tykerb sort of failed me, 2 of the oncologists at Penn felt that the BRCA may be what's "driving the cancer train" and since this trial popped up at the same time, I went on it.
BRCA cancer can evidently use the carbo, after responding so well, to eventually mutate and grow. This may be the point where I'm at. Scans will tell. Praying for God's truth in those scans, though!
Happy Thanksgiving!
After meeting with her, I went in for chemo. Did pre-meds, taxol, and then the carboplatin. About 20 minutes into the 30 minute infusion of carbo, my pulse skyrocketed and my chest tightened. When I'd take a deep breathe I'd wheeze and feel the need to cough. So, it turns out I had developed a classic allergic reaction to carbo. Thank the Lord for those nurses. They were ON. They picked up on it way before I started feeling the physical symptoms. Anyway, if we were decide to stay on the carbo, I could still get it, but it'd be over a 24 hour period in the hospital (they de-sensitize it). I was fine within an hour of stopping the carbo and receiving benedryl, thank God.
The tumor reduction could very well be due to the taxol and carbo, especially since BRCA cancers respond so well to platinum chemos (carbo). It could also be that I'm receiving the parp inhibitor (veliparib) and not a placebo and that's also helping. Veliparib is for BRCA cancers and my oncologist, who is the head of the BRCA research center at UPenn wants to eventually have patients only on parps, kind of like some are only on hormones, or only on herceptin. But they're just starting out with these trials, so it probably won't happen in my lifetime. However, I have 3 children, not to mention many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and I pray this benefits them!
None of what I'm on targets HER2neu but since herceptin and tykerb sort of failed me, 2 of the oncologists at Penn felt that the BRCA may be what's "driving the cancer train" and since this trial popped up at the same time, I went on it.
BRCA cancer can evidently use the carbo, after responding so well, to eventually mutate and grow. This may be the point where I'm at. Scans will tell. Praying for God's truth in those scans, though!
Happy Thanksgiving!