TDM1 not for everyone
 

Hi there,
Just got back the results of a scan - now have mets in the liver as well as bones. Not good! And of course, now I am off the clinical trial after only 3 cycles. Looks like I will be starting on Herceptin and Taxotere next week, so i guess I'll finally find out what "real" chemo is all about!
Feeling numb..... Pam

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Hi Pam - so sorry to hear you have progression - that really sucks.
There are still great options to try. I am wondering if they have biopsies you mets to see what the her2 and hormone status is? I can change from the initial tumor and therefore maximal treatment can change - just a thought that may be worth following through. Will you still be at Peter Mac? Are you on denosumab for your bony mets?
Hang in there - the right combo may just be what you try next.
Amanda x

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

I'm sorry, Pam. That's so disappointing.

We all wish there were one magic bullet. But don't lose hope.

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Pam - I feel for you, its so disappointing having what you hope will be a promising path just bomb out. Fighting this disease ain't for sissies. And I agree, I wish there was a magic bullet that would work for everyone, for a long time. But do not lose heart, there are many other weapons in your arsenal. The ones you have chosen are super effective - and may not be as "bad" as you fear.

hang in there

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Hi, Pam,
None of us know how long a drug is going to work for, but the good news is you might re-visit T-DM1 in combination with another drug at some point in the (very near) future.
I am really sorry about your let-down, and I know firsthand how that feels. But, hang in there, good things are happening.
Karen

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Karen just said everything I wanted to say. Hang in there.

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Thanks Amanda - I had a bone biopsy before starting any treatment, which showed ER+ and Her2+++. The CT report says the liver mets would be hard to biopsy at this stage. And I don't want them any bigger! Still at Peter Mac, where i was first treated in 2004. Have been given Zometa, which is annoying, particularly in regard to what Rick said about lack of studies on the transfer from one to the other. But for now, I will just be happy to find something to stop the beast.....
Best wishes... Pam

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Oh, and thanks to everybody for the good wishes!

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Cancer sucks! And to have progression while on the newest hope for us Her2+ must really be hard to deal with.

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

I am so sorry to hear you have progression. Please know you are in my prayers. Gods blessings to you and your family.

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

I am so sorry to hear about you scan, indeed Tdm1 is indeed not an answer for many. Taxotere is hard but certainly works for many especially if you never had a taxane before. Indeed some for of zometa/bi phosphate for bone to look at. Stay strong

Re: TDM1 not for everyone
 

Seems like an endocrine agent might be worth adding in. Were some good results of Tykerb + Femara.