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Chelee · 10-22-2009, 01:16 PM

Lots go great feedback here...thanks! I tried to reply yesterday but lost my reply...it tried to make me sign back in again?
I did see my onc and she and COH onc really think Navy beans, Herceptin, Zometa is the best way to go. They both seem to think I have to have chemo added and they don't understand why Dr. Slamon made the suggestion he did. (Well I do!) I think some of this is exactly what Becky said....it's hard to get Tykerb with Herceptin alone. I think Dr. Slamon is the only one that realizes how serious a problem I have with my lungs/pulmonary issues...thats his biggest concern. Also my Dad died at 36yrs old from massive heart attack. He was very concerned about me after physical exam and with good reason.

My onc wants to start me on wkly Herceptin, Navelbine for 6 months. She said if I tolerate it ok wkly I can always switch to every 2 wks or even 3 wks. She said PET/CT in 3 months to see if its working? I only did my 2nd dose of Herceptin yesterday (Wed) because when I start trt I need to start on a Monday or Tuesday for this to work out at home. So I am tempted to call Dr. Slamons again...I'm frustrated that both onc don't seem to understand Dr. Slamons recommendations on Herceptin/Tykerb, Zometa? I always think it comes back to cost/insurance companies especially since I'm in a HMO. (Or I could add the Faslodex in the mix as Becky suggested...another good option that hasn't been mentioned.)
Who knows I may change my mind by next Tues...I thought she would just go with what Dr. Slamon said.

Chelee

10-22-2009, 01:16 PM	#12
Chelee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 2,511	Re: Decisions...what to do? Chemo related? Lots go great feedback here...thanks! I tried to reply yesterday but lost my reply...it tried to make me sign back in again? I did see my onc and she and COH onc really think Navy beans, Herceptin, Zometa is the best way to go. They both seem to think I have to have chemo added and they don't understand why Dr. Slamon made the suggestion he did. (Well I do!) I think some of this is exactly what Becky said....it's hard to get Tykerb with Herceptin alone. I think Dr. Slamon is the only one that realizes how serious a problem I have with my lungs/pulmonary issues...thats his biggest concern. Also my Dad died at 36yrs old from massive heart attack. He was very concerned about me after physical exam and with good reason. My onc wants to start me on wkly Herceptin, Navelbine for 6 months. She said if I tolerate it ok wkly I can always switch to every 2 wks or even 3 wks. She said PET/CT in 3 months to see if its working? I only did my 2nd dose of Herceptin yesterday (Wed) because when I start trt I need to start on a Monday or Tuesday for this to work out at home. So I am tempted to call Dr. Slamons again...I'm frustrated that both onc don't seem to understand Dr. Slamons recommendations on Herceptin/Tykerb, Zometa? I always think it comes back to cost/insurance companies especially since I'm in a HMO. (Or I could add the Faslodex in the mix as Becky suggested...another good option that hasn't been mentioned.) Who knows I may change my mind by next Tues...I thought she would just go with what Dr. Slamon said. Chelee __________________ 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.