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Mets under control - what now?
Hello fellow survivors,
I have lurked since being dianosed with Stage 4 lung mets in June. First, let me tell you how inspirational and informative many of you have been the last few months. When I'm feeling down, I pull up several of your notes about how long you've survived with mets...and I have renewed hope!
A bit about me...diagnosed at age 32 in Jan '99 with stage 2 node involvement. Proceeded with mastectomy, AC + T and rads. I really thought all this was behind me until I was diagnosed with lung/chest node mets in June '06. I was triple negative in '99...now I'm HER2 positive but still ER/PR-.
I just finished 18 weeks of Taxol + Herceptin with good response. Enlarged lymph nodes in clavical and lungs are normal now. My original 'big' 3.5 cm lung tumor is now 1 cm. My CA 27-29 dropped from 300+ to teens after 12 treatments. My onc is calling me in 'strong partial remission'.
How badly I wanted NED!!! I'll admit it weighs on me that there's still a tumor in there. My onc reminds me that, short of a biopsy, he has no way to tell if this contains cancer cells.
My oncologist plans to monitor me with tumor markers and CT scans every 2-3 months. I'll be receiving Herceptin every 3 weeks.
So questions and requests for the group...
When are PET scans ordered? Does this help determine any sooner than a CT when treatment is needed again?
Should I insist on also having the her2 serum tests if CA 27-29 has worked so far?
Is there anyone out there with lung mets who has kept this monster at bay for years successfully? How? I see lots of people with bone, liver, and brain mets, but not too many lung.
Many thanks. Health to all,
Michelle
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