HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Sheila · 07-06-2007, 05:26 AM

Eric
I am on Taxol rather than Taxotere with Herceptin and Avastin...the Taxol is very similar, I get it weekly x3 then off a week, they just switched my Herceptin to every other week, and Abraxane every other week...the Abraxane is new and blocks the blood supply to the tumor, the Herceptin has been my backbone in treatment for 4 years. I have had very few effects from the Taxol...did lose my hair after 3 weekly, but no nausea, tired from the premeds they give me, but my counts are good so far....Taxotere hopefully in the same family will be just as easy...although I wonder why no Abraxane, also the same family with minimal side effects....I couldn't get it as the insurance would only pay for Taxol, same effect but CHEAPER...maybe ask about adding the Avastin....my nodes are less than half the size after 3 weekly treatments!
I will be thinking of you and your wife.

07-06-2007, 05:26 AM	#5
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Eric I am on Taxol rather than Taxotere with Herceptin and Avastin...the Taxol is very similar, I get it weekly x3 then off a week, they just switched my Herceptin to every other week, and Abraxane every other week...the Abraxane is new and blocks the blood supply to the tumor, the Herceptin has been my backbone in treatment for 4 years. I have had very few effects from the Taxol...did lose my hair after 3 weekly, but no nausea, tired from the premeds they give me, but my counts are good so far....Taxotere hopefully in the same family will be just as easy...although I wonder why no Abraxane, also the same family with minimal side effects....I couldn't get it as the insurance would only pay for Taxol, same effect but CHEAPER...maybe ask about adding the Avastin....my nodes are less than half the size after 3 weekly treatments! I will be thinking of you and your wife. __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin