I posted awhile back about my 2nd recurrence with liver mets and want to thank all of you that responded to my post. Last Wednesday I went to see what is now my new oncologist in Waco. MDAnderson had recommended weekly navelbine/herceptin as my next course of treatment. The new onc agreed but also said I could consider Xeloda at this time if I preferred. Well, naturally I was at a total loss as to what "choice" I should go with. He implied that since the lesion returned so quickly and grew so large in such a short period of time off the taxotere (3 months) that it might just be that the herceptin may not work for me at all. I must admit I had been fearing that but, decided to go with the N/H at this time. I am curious how many of you that are highly her2+++ did not respond to herceptin. Have any of you gone on to have better results with Xeloda? I was so hoping for a long remission....and now have so many doubts. Thanks for any insight or encouragement.

Linda

How long were you on Chemo + Herceptin the first time to become NED? Then it only lasted 3 months?

I completed 8 rounds of taxotere/herceptin. At that time CT scans showed only a small wedge remaining at the tumor site...they felt sure was only scar tissue. I then went on to to 3 treatments of herceptin solo every 3 weeks. So, apparently the tumor begain its "regrowth" as soon as the taxotere was stopped.

Linda, my lung mets progressed very fast while on Herceptin/Taxol after been stable for 3 months prior. I also tried Herceptin/Navelbine for 2 months. lung mets growth has continued. I am now on Xeloda/Gemzar. No more Herceptin at this time since my onc. says it is antagonistic to Xeloda. If you do go on Xeloda, let me know if you continue on Herceptin. Good luck to you. Believe me I know how hard it is to make these decisions. I didn't want to stop my Herceptin, but I decided to since I my cancer progressed on it. Will keep you in my prayers.

I also have wondered about the effectiveness of herceptin on me, but one thing I keep in mind is that studies show that chemo drugs work better with herceptin. Good luck to you,
Jackie