HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - New Mass--I have Questions

Andrea Barnett Budin · 06-26-2007, 05:34 PM

Don't panic. I too have heard of fat necrosis. Scar tissue maybe? See my story in my signature. It is my understanding that if you are resistent to Herceptin -- Tykerb was made for you. + there is some bld test now that shows if you are going to be a poor Herceptin recipient. I went on in '98 before they had that. Obviously, it is my magic bullet. But I attended a lecture a few wks ago where they mentioned the Tykerb working for those who weren't responding to Herceptin.

Don't jump the gun. No one has said Herceptin is not for you. It is so hard to be vigilant and proactive and involved and not become crazed, but that is what you must do. Please let us know how this goes. You have my prayers for a simple answer and the joy of being STABLE. With loving energy... ANDI

06-26-2007, 05:34 PM	#2
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Fat Necrosis Don't panic. I too have heard of fat necrosis. Scar tissue maybe? See my story in my signature. It is my understanding that if you are resistent to Herceptin -- Tykerb was made for you. + there is some bld test now that shows if you are going to be a poor Herceptin recipient. I went on in '98 before they had that. Obviously, it is my magic bullet. But I attended a lecture a few wks ago where they mentioned the Tykerb working for those who weren't responding to Herceptin. Don't jump the gun. No one has said Herceptin is not for you. It is so hard to be vigilant and proactive and involved and not become crazed, but that is what you must do. Please let us know how this goes. You have my prayers for a simple answer and the joy of being STABLE. With loving energy... ANDI __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...