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Joan M · 12-12-2007, 07:58 PM

Kim,

Great results and just in time for Christmas.

Your point about infusion rates is a good one. I was taken off Herceptin in October after only five treatments given every three weeks, because my muga score dropped from 70% to 57%.

My onc didn't like more than a 10% drop and says that's the guideline for discontinuing Herceptin.

I'm going to check into my infusion rate.

My treatments were really quick, I'd say in about an hour.

I took Herceptin when I had early stage bc weekly for one year, and those treatments were about 30 minutes long. I never had a problem with my muga scans. They were always in the mid-60% range.

Perhaps since I was on Herceptin before the onc nurses are just cranking up the drip feeling that I tolerate the drug well. Also, I never had any noticable side affects.

My last two treatments I was out in a jiff, and perhaps that affected the drop in my muga score.

12-12-2007, 07:58 PM	#8
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Kim, Great results and just in time for Christmas. Your point about infusion rates is a good one. I was taken off Herceptin in October after only five treatments given every three weeks, because my muga score dropped from 70% to 57%. My onc didn't like more than a 10% drop and says that's the guideline for discontinuing Herceptin. I'm going to check into my infusion rate. My treatments were really quick, I'd say in about an hour. I took Herceptin when I had early stage bc weekly for one year, and those treatments were about 30 minutes long. I never had a problem with my muga scans. They were always in the mid-60% range. Perhaps since I was on Herceptin before the onc nurses are just cranking up the drip feeling that I tolerate the drug well. Also, I never had any noticable side affects. My last two treatments I was out in a jiff, and perhaps that affected the drop in my muga score. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!