HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - compression fracture.......do a procedure? stage IV

Delaney · 04-24-2012, 05:35 AM

I am stage 4 and had 4 titanium rods inserted in my upper back in Feb this year as mri showed it was near to collapsing, which surgeon said would have left me wheelchair bound or could be fatal. My skin mets reared up shortly after, but my oncologist said it seems that the chemo (lapatinib with herceptin) was just barely keeping it at bay and its time to try a new drug. There seem to be a lot of people who have surgery at stage 4 and have nothing sinister start up so if surgery is necessary I would go for it. I wish you all the best for a positive outcome.

04-24-2012, 05:35 AM	#5
Delaney Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 271	Re: compression fracture.......do a procedure? stage IV I am stage 4 and had 4 titanium rods inserted in my upper back in Feb this year as mri showed it was near to collapsing, which surgeon said would have left me wheelchair bound or could be fatal. My skin mets reared up shortly after, but my oncologist said it seems that the chemo (lapatinib with herceptin) was just barely keeping it at bay and its time to try a new drug. There seem to be a lot of people who have surgery at stage 4 and have nothing sinister start up so if surgery is necessary I would go for it. I wish you all the best for a positive outcome. __________________ Delaney, dx 2008 lumpectomy,mastectomy,a/c,paxitaxol, tyverb 1 yr. dx 2010 mets lymph nodes, skin, lung. start taxotere/herceptin. Stopped taxtere/herceptin, now on tyverb/xeloda. Lung mets shrinking. Back on Herceptin with T/X. Partial response. Skin mets progressing. Radiation scheduled mid february 2011. Spot found on hip - radiation to hip beginning mid February 2011. Now trying Gemzar/Tyverb/Herceptin and Zometa. CT scan Feb 2011 - lung clear! Brain mets (specks) - radiation mid Feb. Brain Scan June'11 - Clear CT Scan June'11 - Good - skin met active - watch and wait. Surgery to remove skin met. Surgery to back 2012, four titanium rods inserted. Skin mets reappear. On Navelbine, not working. 4 week washout, start Myocet for skin and lung mets August 2012. Brain scan clear despte intermittent blurry vision (something hiding? Am suspicious but hopeful. )On we go, glad to be here.