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Lolly · 01-09-2008, 10:39 PM

Karen, I agree with Kate that Taxol/Carbo are a good combo. I'm on a triple right now that is Taxol,Carbo/Avastin week 1, Taxol week 2, Taxol/Avastin week 3, rest week 4. I've finished one cycle and just started the second cycle today. But even after just the first cycle we've seen improvement in my affected lymph nodes and chest wall skin lesions which have been very stubborn since last spring.
I was on Gemzar/Herceptin for almost 2 months last spring, but it was pretty hard on my counts. I was supposed to have it weekly but only got it every other week due to low counts. It kept the lesions and nodes stable but I wanted to see shrinkage and so did my onc, so we switched gears. I think if I had tolerated it better and been able to stay on schedule, it may have been more effective for me. Discuss strategy with your onc about keeping keeping counts up, and it could well be different for you. Other than low counts, it was very tolerable, no naseau, some tiredness, some thinning hair, but not bad. Best wishes, sending good thoughts to you

<3Lolly

01-09-2008, 10:39 PM	#23
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Karen, I agree with Kate that Taxol/Carbo are a good combo. I'm on a triple right now that is Taxol,Carbo/Avastin week 1, Taxol week 2, Taxol/Avastin week 3, rest week 4. I've finished one cycle and just started the second cycle today. But even after just the first cycle we've seen improvement in my affected lymph nodes and chest wall skin lesions which have been very stubborn since last spring. I was on Gemzar/Herceptin for almost 2 months last spring, but it was pretty hard on my counts. I was supposed to have it weekly but only got it every other week due to low counts. It kept the lesions and nodes stable but I wanted to see shrinkage and so did my onc, so we switched gears. I think if I had tolerated it better and been able to stay on schedule, it may have been more effective for me. Discuss strategy with your onc about keeping keeping counts up, and it could well be different for you. Other than low counts, it was very tolerable, no naseau, some tiredness, some thinning hair, but not bad. Best wishes, sending good thoughts to you <3Lolly __________________ Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation. Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.