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Hi Jojo
Hmmmm....just lucky I guess!
I was sent to Dr. Rugo for 2nd opinion in 2004, and decided I wanted her to guide my treatment. I was treated and "owned" by my local oncologist, who is terrific, and continued to see Dr. Rugo a few times a year (usually after a scan!) for follow up. Yes, they both "knew" so I never felt the least bit adulterous! lol.
I actually AM very lucky; they were willing to work in concert - this is not always the case, unfortunately. I loved this arrangement because my local onc was able to monitor me much more closely and the office was much more personl (and a 10 minute drive!). But I also had access to a top doc on the cutting edge in research.
In April after the cancer recurred, I entered a clinical trial that is run at UCSF by Dr. Rugo, so at least for now, my squad of experts is in an a role reversal - with Rugo as my "treating" oncologist and I see my local oncologist just to keep him in the loop so he doesn't forget me!
My impression is that it's pretty common to get the 2nd opinion, less common to do continued periodic follow up as I did - but I wanted to keep my toe in the door there, which turned out to be a good decision for me.
Or maybe I'm just high maintenance...
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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