Okay, so after 2 years I finally post my inspiring story and I guess it still is, but I went for re-staging and really hoping for NED, but didn't get it. I have a couple of new small spots on the liver, a spot showing hypodensity and another spot that has progressed. My lung nodules may also have grown slightly although all of my reports have showed them to vacillate between 4-5mm. So I have been on herceptin, femara and zolodex. Doc suggests swithcing femara for aromasin continue herceptin (of, course!)And rescanning july 12th. If there is any growth she wants to look at a taxane (again) and carbo. I'm feeling very whiney in saying that I don't want to do chemo a 3rd time. I have loved the herceptin/hormonal treatment.

So my question to anyone is can NED still be achieved? Even with this stinky news? Any success stories with hormonal (aromatase inhibitors)? Prayers? Encouragements?

Love Joy

Joy,

I know taxol/carboplatin/herceptin knocked the crap out of my liver mets (largest 6.8 cm) in 11 weeks (of weekly treatments). I have been continuing this treatment as a precautionary measure since there was a small line remaining and we weren't absolutely sure it was scar tissue. At any rate I have completed 31 weeks and do not have any ill effects. I would highly recommend it - the carboplatin is extremely synergestic with herceptin. Give it a whirl - ps my hair thinned and only reached the noticeable stage after 5 months of this treatment. Actually, I finally shaved my head and it's got a good 3/4" of new growth even though I am still on treatment - go figure. Best of luck.
Kitty