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Kim in CA · 09-07-2007, 07:45 PM

Ten years ago when I had my Stem cell procedure, it was the most agressive treatment available, and that's what my doctor said I would need to fight my agressive type of BC.

When I recurred a little over 4 years later, we were of course devastated. The stem cell procedure was so tough on me that I thought for sure I would be cured. I didn't know how much more chemo I would be able to withwstand, if I ever were to have a recurrence. Luckily, I was able to tolerate the Taxotere and Herceptin that brought me back to NED! If only the Herceptin had been available to me in the first place.

I understand that they no longer do Stem Cell procedure for BC because it wasn't shown to be any more effective than other more conventional therapies. I still keep telling myself that it was worth all that I went through because maybe, it just bought me a little more time until the Herceptin was available.

All I know is I'm still here and VERY grateful!

Kim

09-07-2007, 07:45 PM	#7
Kim in CA Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: California's Gold Country Posts: 404	Ten years ago when I had my Stem cell procedure, it was the most agressive treatment available, and that's what my doctor said I would need to fight my agressive type of BC. When I recurred a little over 4 years later, we were of course devastated. The stem cell procedure was so tough on me that I thought for sure I would be cured. I didn't know how much more chemo I would be able to withwstand, if I ever were to have a recurrence. Luckily, I was able to tolerate the Taxotere and Herceptin that brought me back to NED! If only the Herceptin had been available to me in the first place. I understand that they no longer do Stem Cell procedure for BC because it wasn't shown to be any more effective than other more conventional therapies. I still keep telling myself that it was worth all that I went through because maybe, it just bought me a little more time until the Herceptin was available. All I know is I'm still here and VERY grateful! Kim __________________ Diag. Feb 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes +. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin. 5/1997 Hi Dose Chemo w/ Stem cell rescue. Spent 4 weeks in isolation ward. Then 6 weeks radiation. 9/2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 mos Taxotere/Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stop Taxotere & add Femara . 11/2002 liver resection to remove spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED! 7/2003 Tumor markers rising add Xeloda Disastrous reaction, 8 days hospital, but tumor markers came back to normal! June -Dec 2004 UW Vaccine Trial. 7/2005 MRI single 11mm brain met 8/2005 Gamma Knife. Brain MRI @3 months NED! 2006-2011 brain/body still NED 8/04/11 Taking Herceptin break, will monitor with tumor markers. 6/20/12 Tumor markers begin to rise. CA15-3 is 31.3 and Her2 Serum is at 17.1 Decide to repeat in one month. 7/23/12 CA15-3 now 49.3 Her2 Serum 26.8 8/6/12 Back on Herceptin CA15-3 now 76 Her2 Serum now 49 11/7/12 Add weekly Taxotere for 4 cycles 2/2013 Stopped Taxotere added Perjeta. MRI shows approx. 50% reduction liver mets. CA15-3 still elevated @ 55. Will continue on just Herceptin & Perjeta. November 2014 Continuing on Herceptin, Perjeta, and Femara indefinitely. Guess I'm NED again, but watching those tumor markers carefully! Dec. 2015 PET scan reveals mass in perirectal area of abdomen.biopsy confirms. Still Her2+, but no longer ER+. Bye bye Femara Jan 2016 Begin Kadcyla March 2016 PET scan shows tumor now barely visible, still NED everywhere else. 2016/2017 continue Kadcyla November 2017 brain MRI reveals small focus of T2 hyperintensity with possible 4mm enhancing nodule. Short term follow up MRI suggested. Stay tuned...