And the answer is. . . .

[Mtngrl]

After consultation with my oncologist yesterday, we both agreed that my next treatment will be Herceptin, Perjeta, and nothing.

CoolBreeze is on that combo, and doing well. (Very well). A friend in my in-person group has been on it for a over a year, and she's stable.

Hopefully the inflammation in my lungs will clear up and the double whammy antibody treatment will kick the cancer to the curb. I'm glad I don't have to get a port just yet, or get more chemo. My Dr. and I both think my strong immune system is an asset that we should deploy. Chemo suppresses the immune system. That can be kind of counterproductive. And most chemos cause lung damage. Maybe this summer I could get some local treatment for the spine met (radiation) and the original tumor (lumpectomy, radiation, or both.) I still have a low cancer load and good QOL.

[Carol Ann]

Amy, sounds like you have a great plan in the works! I am rooting for you! So glad you do NOT have to have chemo.

Carol Ann

[Aussie Girl]

Sounds good. Hope it goes well for you.
I like your attitude!

Aussie Girl

[caya]

Sending big hugs and prayers for you Amy from the Great White North!! Sounds like a great plan, wishing you good luck..

all the best
caya

[Pamelamary]

Sounds good - I think we should always try to avoid the chemo. Good luck with the Herceptin and Perjeta.
Best wishes....Pam

[Joanne S]

Amy, I hope this combo works for you!
Praying for improvement for you!
Joanne

[BonnieR]

" low cancer load and good QOL". Let's keep it that way!
Keep the faith

[JillaryJill]

Love the idea of Herceptin and Perjeta. Cool Breeze's story is quite an inspiration. I remember her saying how tired she was being on so many chemo's. Her last post saying she felt great was so uplifting. Wishing you that same path.

[Becky]

This sounds like a good plan. I know you'll keep us updated.

['lizbeth]

That is great news. I was over at my oncologist's office yesterday talking about Perjeta. He's really impressed more with TDM1. He was concerned about benefits vs. cost with Perjeta.

I'm hoping that more ladies like you all will have wonderful success with treatments that don't include chemo.

Wishing you an amazing result with this combination that lasts, and lasts and lasts . . .

[KDR]

Amy,
That is exactly what I have been doing since last August. I had the recurrence on the liver because the ablation had to be stopped at the first attempt. We took care of that, hopefully for the last time, in January.

You will find this combo among the easiest you've done. I do have neuropathy on it, but that could be residual. I also take Arimidex. Glad your body is getting a much needed chemo break.

Here's to a long go at it, while in the meantime, something even better is found...

Karen

[jacqueline1102]

Greetings Amy,

I think you have a great plan. I have been on Perjeta and Herceptin since August 1, 2012 and so far have no evidence of disease as shown on the Pet scans. I agree about quality of life and low tumor load. I wish you continued luck with your academic pursuits.

Take care,

Jackie

[MaineRottweilers]

Praying that this is the treatment for you, Amy. Best of luck and keep your great spirit!

[Bunty]

I'm happy that you are feeling assured by this combo Amy, as it ticks the boxes, e.g., no chemo! Here's to continuing to have a low cancer load, and good QOL - that's good for us Stage IV gals!
Best wishes
Marie

[phil]

I would be cautious w/ herc/perj., only, if you have had aggressive her2, w / multiple reoccurences. get very regular scans and watch tm's. it was a shock when our friend who had done very well on herc/perj for 2 yrs , had a reocc. of bone mets. and her doc had let more than a yr go by w/out a bone scan , even w/ prior hx of bone mets. our friend was slow to get hip pain checked out for a few months too. she is now getting t dm-1.

[Mtngrl]

Thanks, everybody! I start tomorrow.

Karen--that's the game, isn't it? Stay alive and try to do well while waiting for the next thing.

I had 8 months on TDM-1. It seems I always have progression in the winter. Or after 8 months on something.

I had good results with Taxol/Abraxane, and never had progression while on it. When I was diagnosed that was the standard of care--weekly Taxol & Herceptin for 12 weeks. I can go back to that if I need to, plus all the other chemos.

I've had breathing problems on TDM-1, and lung inflammation in my lower lobes that doesn't "look" like cancer, but almost a year ago a lung biopsy found "scant" cancer cells.

Phil--I don't have tumor markers, so I get fairly frequent scans (like every 3 months). Thank you for the cautionary tale.

I really appreciate being a member of this group. It's so helpful to get advice, feedback, and information from all of you.

Be well. . . .

[Saygoon]

Hope this does the trick for you. I would go for the radiation, it really helped me with my bone mets (4) to my spine. Keep us posted on your progress!

[Mtngrl]

I love being part of this community. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment and/or offer encouragement.

I may be crazy, but I feel like TDM-1 may have been causing a lot of inflammation all over my body, plus perhaps a low-grade, chronic depression. I had my last dose of it on 1/30, and had my first Herceptin/Perjeta treatment on 2/28. I feel a lot better now. My hands had been a little stiff and swollen, and now they aren't. Same with creaky knees. I think my breathing problems are getting better. And I just had a very productive weekend of catching up on school work.

Someday every cancer patient will get treatment customized to his or her particular cancer genetics. Until then, we all have to keep trying to find what works for us.

This would be 'way too hard to do alone. I'm glad I have all of you.