HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Post-treatment options for ER/PR- Stage 3

Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-15-2007, 05:26 PM

Hi Val!

I so agree w/yr perspective -- taking PREVENTATIVE MEASURES to continue to fight the bc, now tamed but maybe lurking. As you can see from my signature below, my oncs have recommended I remain on longterm chemotherapy for the rest of my life (as of '98 w/met bc). At first I was downcast, remembering my experience w/4Adria+8CMF. I didn't want to live that way forever. But then came Herceptin and I can keep this up far into the future. I get regular ECHOs to be certain it's toxicity isn't messing with my EF, etc. I have a drippy nose and frail, thin, splitting nails. I am fatigued but have supplements that make me perky. I have dipping red bld cell counts but again my supplements I believe are helping me hold my own. TO "SUPPLEMENT" OR WAIT is a thread that lists my saviors.

I've been busy all day, it's 8PM and I'm still alive and alert and sending my love and prayers to all my Soul Sisters. I went shopping in Target (bought toys for my Calif babies coming to stay w/me for 3 wks Aug 1, worked on my book, visited my Boca babes (3 grandkids) and had dinner w/them, and am still going. Couldn't have done that prior to these new supplements I've added that give ENERGY to my chemo-induced anemic Self! I'm guessing the Taxotere, which annihilated my multiple liver tumors over nearly 9 mnths, messed w/my bone marrow some, w/permanent scars. But the Herceptin has kept me STABLE, NED all these yrs and I believe sustains me!

I've moved from the ev wk schedule to the triple dose ev 3 wks (since '01) which is great. Val, I never heard of your regimen. Is it insurance co related, saving $$$$$$????????? Or is it based on studies?????? Whatever, I pray it is your key to success. I swear, PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE is the key to remaining STABLE, without recurrance. And Herceptin is a truly easy way to go. Sending loving, healing energy to all my super Soul Sisters always... ANDI

07-15-2007, 05:26 PM	#5
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	Preventative Measures Hi Val! I so agree w/yr perspective -- taking PREVENTATIVE MEASURES to continue to fight the bc, now tamed but maybe lurking. As you can see from my signature below, my oncs have recommended I remain on longterm chemotherapy for the rest of my life (as of '98 w/met bc). At first I was downcast, remembering my experience w/4Adria+8CMF. I didn't want to live that way forever. But then came Herceptin and I can keep this up far into the future. I get regular ECHOs to be certain it's toxicity isn't messing with my EF, etc. I have a drippy nose and frail, thin, splitting nails. I am fatigued but have supplements that make me perky. I have dipping red bld cell counts but again my supplements I believe are helping me hold my own. TO "SUPPLEMENT" OR WAIT is a thread that lists my saviors. I've been busy all day, it's 8PM and I'm still alive and alert and sending my love and prayers to all my Soul Sisters. I went shopping in Target (bought toys for my Calif babies coming to stay w/me for 3 wks Aug 1, worked on my book, visited my Boca babes (3 grandkids) and had dinner w/them, and am still going. Couldn't have done that prior to these new supplements I've added that give ENERGY to my chemo-induced anemic Self! I'm guessing the Taxotere, which annihilated my multiple liver tumors over nearly 9 mnths, messed w/my bone marrow some, w/permanent scars. But the Herceptin has kept me STABLE, NED all these yrs and I believe sustains me! I've moved from the ev wk schedule to the triple dose ev 3 wks (since '01) which is great. Val, I never heard of your regimen. Is it insurance co related, saving $$$$$$????????? Or is it based on studies?????? Whatever, I pray it is your key to success. I swear, PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE is the key to remaining STABLE, without recurrance. And Herceptin is a truly easy way to go. Sending loving, healing energy to all my super Soul Sisters always... 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...