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Julie,
Great question and one most of us mets girls ask or think about at some point. I have been dealing with bc for 20 years and I just turned 52. The first bc I had spread to the lymph nodes and I did CAF. The second bc 9 years later was treated by a mastectomy alone in the other breast. 8 years later I had mets and those were discovered 2 1/2 years ago. I went to 3 treatment centers and was going with the big guns first based on the first treatment center's advise. Upon visiting 2 other major bc centers that ONLY treat breast cancer it was decided (by all) that we had time to try the least life changing options first. The timing was perfect because the hormonals stretched out treatment until something new (Tykerb) was available. I made it 2 years in treatment without losing my hair or missing life as a single mom raising a young boy while working full time.
This past March I had a set-back and had to go to Abraxane and Carbo (Carbo for 1 cycle only). For now I am on Abraxane, Herceptin and Zometa. I missed work for one month and lost my hair...but this is 2 years later and prior to this I had only been on Gemzar for 6 months. Now I am back on track working full time, taking vacations and happy that school is about to go back in session (do all mom's feel guilty about that?). Life is good.
So far no one knows the answer to the sequence of drugs for each individual or all of the doctors would agree. My doctor believes that sequence of drugs should work to allow the best quality of life while keeping the cancer in check - when the situation permits this option. Unfortunately not everyone's situation permits that option. Also different doctors have different opinions on sequence and some believe in using the big guns first. Who knows??? That is why we must weigh in and do what we think is best.
I feel confident with my decisions because I thought long and hard about them and then took a leap of faith. That is all I could do because I am in uncharted territory....we all are. If I had gone with the big guns first I would have backed up that decision too. We all make the best decision that we can and hope for the best...
Best of luck to you on your journey.
Love, Hope, Peace, Carolyn
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