Not the news I was hoping for...
 

Hi friends,

HEY, My liver's back!

I got the results of last week's PET/CT scan, which was done to clarify and get more information on the new recurrence in my liver.

The good news (I guess!) is that the left lobe of my liver, which the original scan reported appeared absent, is back! The not so good news is, there is a 3.5x2.3cm lesion there, in addition to the 1.5cm one in the right lobe. That actually makes sense, as with my previous recurrence the left lobe was pretty much "completely involved"

So, although I enjoyed my little boat trip on "de-nile" , I guess it's time to add some bigger, or at least different, guns. I've got a couple of more hoops to jump through first, but I expect to start on a clinical trial of Tykerb + Avastin next week. I will be under the care of Dr. Hope Rugo, so I know I am in good hands. In her words yesterday, I lose nothing by trying this combination which could work for some time...and then I STILL have all the chemo options. Yippee!

So, although I'm a little discouraged (My heart really sank when I got that news), I'm not ready to quit yet!

Thanks for all your support.

Chrissy

I am so sorry to hear that both sides of your liver have decided to be a pain...you have such an upbeat attitude....I know you will show them who is boss! Heres to the Tykerb Avastin cocktail....may it remove the invaders and send them packing!

Sorry to hear the news. Hold your chin up high, you and your smiling picture are an inspiration to a lot of us here. Thank you for sharing,we are all here to support you.

Ah, Chrisy, the "Trip down De-Nile" is one I'm quite familiar with~ Sorry it's back to the old grind, but like you say, it's good to have options. As long as we have options, we have hope! Hang in there, and KUDOS for entering this trial, it's so important to find which agents are going to work best with Tykerb! We will all benefit from your experience, so keep us posted, and best best wishes.

<3 Lolly

You are 'whole' again ...
 

Dear Chrisy -

Glad they "found" the rest of your liver! What a hoot ...

Just not the part about it containing tumor. You could have done without that I am sure.

Having one of the "Superstar" oncs is a great comfort and takes you into this new round of treatment with a good measure of confidence. That is the only kind of med onc I will have and they have done right by me so far.

Remember that the liver is one of the easier places to treat, and the proposed regimen sounds like something I would consider wholeheartedly if my cancer kicked up again.

Chrisy - I'm sorry to hear your liver is acting up. With your positive attitude and good medical guidance from your oncologist, I'm betting on you and that you will get this under control. You are in my prayers!

Chrisy,

I hope the news about your liver isn't going to keep that smile of yours down. I am hoping the very best results from your new treatment. Can they really take that pesky lobe out surgically so that it really disappears?

As a side note, my ENT's office called today to schedule a scan of the thyroid I had removed in December. I told them to check with the pathology department.

Chrisy,

I'm so sorry to hear your news. I'm praying that the Tykerb/Avistan will do the trick. And, as you said there are plenty more chemo cocktails out there.

Chrisy,

I am so sorry for your news. You will be in my thoughts. Best of luck to you.

Hopeful

"escaping" tumor on the loose
 

One of the things I love about my onc is the way she expresses things. She said of this new activity in my liver "Well, it looks like it's escaping the Herceptin". Well, let's hope we can recapture it, punish it, put it down and get back under control!

Chrisy

I haven't been on this site very long, but I've enjoyed your postings and your sparkly smile makes me feel cheered whenever I see it.
Best of luck with the road ahead...I'll be thinking of you, and sending good thoughts all the way across the ocean from here in sunny London
Caroline

Dear Chrisy,

You are always so courageous and always have such a beautiful positive attitude. I am sorry that you have to deal with your liver. But I am
pulling for you and praying that Tyikerb/Avistan will kick it right out.

Sending you prayers and hugs,
Jean

Sorry to hear about your recurrence Chrisy - but it sounds like you and your onc. will fight it with everything out there.
Good luck with your new treatment plan.
Caya

Chrisy,

Shoot! Not the news we were hoping for exactly. Your terrific attitude will get you through this bump in the road. I hope NED finds you very soon. Kill the beast!

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

Chrisy:
Good luck with this new treatment. It sounds like it won't be too hard to tolerate -- much easier than standard chemos. Lots of positive liver thoughts from up north of you.
Linda

Hi Chrissy! I see no quitter in that wonderful face of yours! Discouraged for a bit, but nothing but fighter in you! I so hope that this is just the right mix for you to reclaim your good health and NED. Wishing you sweet dreams and a powerful battle won! ma

Chrissy,

I am sorry to hear of your recent recurrence. I wanted to share some very encouraging news. I am currently on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial and a women in our group who has liver mets just had her first scans at 6 weeks. In just 6 weeks her liver mets reduced by 50%.

Hang in there! Here's to the tykerb/avastin cocktail and another NED.

Lori

Hi Chrisy,

Oh, you doll! Your smile and your positive spirit absolutely lift my spirit and put a smile on my face.

Yes, this beast is tough and it sure can knock us on our A _ _!!!! BUT we can kick back and knock it flat on it's A _ _ too and I know you will do just that.

I said a prayer for you as I was typing this and ask the Lord to bless you with His strength and Peace as you go along your journey.

Hugs to you Chrisy,

Mary Jo

I am so sorry that the monster came back. I just want to wish you well and a speedy recovery. ((((Hugs)))

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You have the strenght and courage to move on!
________
ZOLOFT LAWSUIT INFO

Hope
 

Hi Crissy,


I am sorry to hear about your latest adventure. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are in very capable and experienced hands. I met with Dr. Rugo when I was first diagnosed and she gave me the impression of being a true warrior type woman. I chose to go with another onc at CPMC for personal reasons (nothing to do with her at all) and am still happy with that decision, but I know that she is one of the best there is and hopefully help you capture and punish that sucker!

Hugs,
Patricia

I am so sorry about your setback, but I am hopeful that you will win this battle with your new regimen. Best wishes and I will keep you in my prayers.

well...no...
 

it doesn't sound like news one would hope for. i'd like to know where your liver went for that time. if it takes another vacation maybe you can go with it! I'm sorry this thing reared it's ugly head again. And I know how you feel and, ick!

I'm excited about the plan you have and that you are in great hands with Dr. Rugo. I hope you will continue to share the process with us. WE need to know how you are doing and what you need.

I'm thinkin' that now that you and NED know each other better that maybe he won't be so shy next time and you two can ROCK OUT!

love to you!

forgot
 

Dear Chrisy,

Well my heart just aches for you. I know how dissapointing it is when that fickle NED just dissapears. Here's hoping your treatment gets rid of those spots asap. Sounds like it will be a do-able regimine and I will be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. As Joy said, What about RFA, as well?

When it comes to this beast, "Show No Mercy!"

Love Kim in CA

Chrissy, you are a fighter and will fight through this also. I am sorry you are having to go through this. You are in my prayers ..sherryg683

Stay positive!
 

Dear Chrisy. I hear you sister, am on the some boat...my tumor on the rt lung is growing back and i may have to start some type of chemo -again- but hey!! as long as there are drugs available to us, we just have to keep on fighting!!!!

I'm praying for you, Chrisy. Hang in there.

interested in how your trial goes
 

Chrisy: I'm very interested in how your avastin/tykerb trial goes. I'm about out of options (tykerb/xeloda only worked for a few weeks before I got necrotic bowel and had to stop), and I just stopped an experimental phase-II trial of HKI-272, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor from Wyeth because my lung mets exploded while I was on it for a month.


i'm considering avastin/gemcitabine/cisplatin as my last-ditch effort. I've heard great things about hope rugo too. the lapatinib was the only thing that I ever responded to, so here's hoping it works well for you,

Theresa

Go get em Chrissy, just a blip in the road as a nurse said to me. Good Luck in the trial. xo Ceesun

Chrissy
Sorry to hear of your news,I to belive in you .Keep the faith and the spirit.You will be in my prayers.

Sorry to hear , all my encouragement from London, it sounds like the type of drug cocktail I would consider myself too if my liver mets came back, I like the way your oncologist thinks!
StephN is right there are many options for the liver,

Best wishes
Kxx

Chrisy, I have faith in Tykerb as a miracle drug that indeed can knock down the her2pathway. I think your oncologist has made a great choice in Avastin and Laptinib combo. Many thoughts and prayers sent to you; keep the faith. I think positive fibrations and thoughts help your body fight the fight. Visualize and know that you are winning the battle.