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Brenda, When I was 1st dx they did a baseline PET/CT before I started chemo. Since finishing chemo I've had at least another three. In fact my most recent one was 7 months ago. So to deny me now when I am presenting with symptoms is inexcusable. A MRI is really expensive so I know my onc and primary will tell me "no" to that too. A CT is the cheapest way for them to go.
As to tumor markers "yes" I have those every 3 months. CA27-29...mine are usually at 15. I did noticed this last time they were at their highest since finishing chemo which is 26. (And that is still well below the reference range so it didn't concern me much.) They have slowly been climbing the last 2 visits...which is a first for me.
Chelee
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DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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