[Margerie]

Just got back late last night. This is University of Washington's Phase 1 trial of their DNA plasmid-based Her2 vaccine.

For anyone that is interested- eligibility criteria include her2+, completed therapy (chemo, rads, major surgery) and Stage IIIA-IV NED. Hormone therapy, herceptin and bisphosphonate therapy are allowed concurrently.

You go a total of 7 times over a 15 month period, tests, vaccinations (3), followup.

Anyway, they treated me very well. The first day is the longest and I had my own room with hospital bed, TV and a bun warmer- well it was a heating pad on the bed and it felt great.

Patricia Fintak is the coordinator and she can be contacted at (206) 543-6620 or paf3@u.washington.edu

Here is a link to this study overview- they are starting other trials soon
http://depts.washington.edu/tumorvac/trials.php?t=109

And a special someone on this board was nice enough to meet me for lunch and give me a tour of Seattle. It was lovely! Thank you Stephanie!

I wanted to "pay it forward" so to speak for all the gals before me that tried herceptin.

Like I always say- are we there yet?