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Barbara H. · 04-22-2008, 04:21 PM

Hi Joy,
I think you will love this trial. You won't lose your hair, and it is very tolerable. Everyone that is on it at the Dana Farber in Boston is doing well. At least that is what my oncologist said the last time I asked about it. I really feel for most HER2 mets patients it is the best weapon and most tolerated weapon we have right now. I don't have hand and foot issues, or GI issues, hair issues, or all the side effects I hear from the other drugs. I am in the stage I trial and am therefore receiving a higher dose than the stage II trials. In spite of this, I am able to live my life and work full time. My first infusion was long, and I did have chills and side effects from that one, but I still went on with my life. The part of the trial that I don't like is that it is weekly, and I have to have so many scans. I don't believe in them because my tumor markers are accurate for me, and I used to only get scans when they started to increase.

I hope that you get into this trial and that it works for you. I'm sure you will have many more problems going into menopause.

As far as your relationship goes, I can not really give you advice. You need to talk it over with your friend, and maybe not think of marriage yet until all this treatment has settled. My thinking is to at least keep the companionship, but I don't really know the real state of the relationship. Nevertheless, considering what you are going through could but a strain on any new relationship. In addition, your elevated blood pressure could just be from all this stress. I am always treated right after school at the end of the day. When I arrive at the Dana Farber my pressure is higher than I like it. By the time I leave, it is usually quite low.

Best wishes and keep us updated.

Barbara H.

04-22-2008, 04:21 PM	#3
Barbara H. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 951	MCC-Herceptin DM1 Trial Hi Joy, I think you will love this trial. You won't lose your hair, and it is very tolerable. Everyone that is on it at the Dana Farber in Boston is doing well. At least that is what my oncologist said the last time I asked about it. I really feel for most HER2 mets patients it is the best weapon and most tolerated weapon we have right now. I don't have hand and foot issues, or GI issues, hair issues, or all the side effects I hear from the other drugs. I am in the stage I trial and am therefore receiving a higher dose than the stage II trials. In spite of this, I am able to live my life and work full time. My first infusion was long, and I did have chills and side effects from that one, but I still went on with my life. The part of the trial that I don't like is that it is weekly, and I have to have so many scans. I don't believe in them because my tumor markers are accurate for me, and I used to only get scans when they started to increase. I hope that you get into this trial and that it works for you. I'm sure you will have many more problems going into menopause. As far as your relationship goes, I can not really give you advice. You need to talk it over with your friend, and maybe not think of marriage yet until all this treatment has settled. My thinking is to at least keep the companionship, but I don't really know the real state of the relationship. Nevertheless, considering what you are going through could but a strain on any new relationship. In addition, your elevated blood pressure could just be from all this stress. I am always treated right after school at the end of the day. When I arrive at the Dana Farber my pressure is higher than I like it. By the time I leave, it is usually quite low. Best wishes and keep us updated. Barbara H.