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Barbara H. · 08-19-2011, 02:38 PM

I was diagnosed in 1998 at a later stage than you and didn't recur to stage 4 until 2004. That was 6 years later. I knew about Herceptin and requested it but it was not available to me. When I recurred the cancer was everywhere including a 3 cm tumor in my brain. I had surgery and was only given Herceptin to make my life tolerable because my daughter was married two months after I recurred. Three weeks after I was given Herceptin I was NED. One and a half years later I recurred again in the bones. Navalbiine and Zometa were added for about a half a year. Then I took a break from Dec. to Sept. to get into the T-DM1 Trial. I was on that trial for two years but had to stop due to a reaction. T-DM1 put me into total remission, and I remain in remission with Tykerb/Hercepitn. I have a good quality of life and continue to work.

I really believe that if I had been given Herceptin from the beginning, I may not have have progressed to Stage 4. Of course I am not a doctor, but with your family history I would fight hard to receive Herceptin. I find it to be an easy drug. It is targeted therapy and therefore has few side effects for most people. You should not lose your hair with Herceptin.

Best wishes,
Barbara H.

08-19-2011, 02:38 PM	#43
Barbara H. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 951	Re: HER2 learning more is it a bad thing? I was diagnosed in 1998 at a later stage than you and didn't recur to stage 4 until 2004. That was 6 years later. I knew about Herceptin and requested it but it was not available to me. When I recurred the cancer was everywhere including a 3 cm tumor in my brain. I had surgery and was only given Herceptin to make my life tolerable because my daughter was married two months after I recurred. Three weeks after I was given Herceptin I was NED. One and a half years later I recurred again in the bones. Navalbiine and Zometa were added for about a half a year. Then I took a break from Dec. to Sept. to get into the T-DM1 Trial. I was on that trial for two years but had to stop due to a reaction. T-DM1 put me into total remission, and I remain in remission with Tykerb/Hercepitn. I have a good quality of life and continue to work. I really believe that if I had been given Herceptin from the beginning, I may not have have progressed to Stage 4. Of course I am not a doctor, but with your family history I would fight hard to receive Herceptin. I find it to be an easy drug. It is targeted therapy and therefore has few side effects for most people. You should not lose your hair with Herceptin. Best wishes, Barbara H.