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conomyself · 11-18-2012, 07:36 AM

Hi Sandy,

I'm so sorry you are having this happen to you. It's such an incredible shock, and yes, I agree, very scary. I'm glad you caught it early. It seems that for most people, myself included, the scariness becomes less with time.

As far as the cost for the Herceptin, most cancer centers have a social worker who may be able to help you with options. Also, Genentech, the manufacturer, has a website for assisting people with this:

http://www.genentech-access.com/herceptin/patients

I don't know if this applies to your situation, but Herceptin and chemo drugs are sometimes not handled like other prescription drugs you get from a pharmacy. For example, my prescription drugs require a copay, but my chemo/Herceptin, benadryl, etc., which are administered in the chemo room have no copay.

You're strong, you can do this!! We'll be here for you!! (((Hugs)))

11-18-2012, 07:36 AM	#4
conomyself Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 111	Re: invasive ductal carcinoma Hi Sandy, I'm so sorry you are having this happen to you. It's such an incredible shock, and yes, I agree, very scary. I'm glad you caught it early. It seems that for most people, myself included, the scariness becomes less with time. As far as the cost for the Herceptin, most cancer centers have a social worker who may be able to help you with options. Also, Genentech, the manufacturer, has a website for assisting people with this: http://www.genentech-access.com/herceptin/patients I don't know if this applies to your situation, but Herceptin and chemo drugs are sometimes not handled like other prescription drugs you get from a pharmacy. For example, my prescription drugs require a copay, but my chemo/Herceptin, benadryl, etc., which are administered in the chemo room have no copay. You're strong, you can do this!! We'll be here for you!! (((Hugs))) __________________ 7/30/2012 Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 8/3/2012 CT scan mets to liver (major!!), lungs, spine, and skin 8/8/2012 Biopsy results: invasive ductal carcinoma ER+/PR+/HER2+ amplification 4.8 (whatever that means) 8/13/2012 Brain MRI (clear); bone scan verified CT scan 8/14/12 started Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin, 2 rounds (added Neulasta after 9/4 treatment) 9/4/12 CA 15-3: >3000 9/15/12 CA 15-3: 840 9/15/12 started Taxotere/Perjeta/Herceptin, 4 rounds (no Neulasta) 10/29/12 CT scan showed dramatic improvement in all areas - largest liver met 2.5 cm, largest lung met 10 cm 12/17/12 Started Perjeta/Herceptin, 2 rounds 12/17/12 CA 15-3: 17 Yay!!! 1/21/13 CT scan showed improvement - largest liver met 1.9 cm, largest lung met 2 mm 1/29/13 CA 15-3: 12 Started Herceptin only 3/12/13 CA 15-3: still 12 yay!! Back to Perjeta/Herceptin 3/29/13 CT scan more improvement - largest liver met 1.2 cm, some lung mets disappeared! 3/7/14 started Tamoxifen 6/27/13 - 1/2015 CT scan stable Began a diet of only single ingredient foods and went nearly NED excepts for some tiny lung spots - ask me if you want to know more... 1/2015 - 1/2017 CT scan stable