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DianneS
I hope I can answer all your questions...
I see that you were given Herceptin in 2003? I thought it was not approved until 2005, and used for only stage iv before that time? But it looks like, from your diagnosis story that you were only stage I in 2003?
I began Herceptin in the Fall of 2003...I was Stage I when diagnosed in 2002, 7mm tumor, HER2++=, ER- PR-, Negative nodes, at that time, due to sm. size of tumor, chemo was not recommended, and HHerceptin was not yet available for Stage I...and I got 3 opinions! I had a L Modified Radical Mastectomy. I recurred 1 1/2 yrs later while going through reconstruction. I was then considered Stage IV and given herceptin. This kept the mets under control for 2 years, then chemo had to be added to keep me "stable". I have been on a combo ever since.
It is very concerning for me that one can progress from stage I to three or four so quickly and while on Herceptin!
I progressed BEFORE I received Herceptin...I often wonder if i had been able to get it at the beginning, if I would be fighting this now...I will never know!
I thought Herceptin was the 'wonder drug'? I'm wondering if I should even bother with doing treatments at all if this cr*p is just going to keep coming back even with Herceptin?!
Herceptin is a wonder drug, and your chances of recurring are so slim with what is available to you nowdays. See what a difference a few years can make in treatment? If they knew then, what they have learned now about Her2, I am sure I would have gotten chemo, Herceptin...the WORKS! and I would not be sitting here almost 7 years out STILL going for treatments....the reality is, I will always be going for treatments, but it has become a way of life, and I am thankful everyday that I have this life, treatments and all!
Thank you for letting me ask these questions, I hope to hear from you. I am supposed to begin treatment this week....but I don't know.......
This has to be your decision, but if I was in your shoes, I'd take chemo and herceptin, what ever the current recommendations are...you don't want to look back and think, if only I had......
I hope this helps, it is a big decision that each of us must make with knowledge, and power as it is our life we are fighting for!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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