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StephN · 04-07-2014, 12:28 PM

Hi SoCal Gal -

Yes, it is difficult to make a decision based on non-committal language from those experts who read our scans. More like they are throwing the ball into our court for patient and onc to dope out a treatment plan. And the more old spots/tumor scars we have the harder it gets.

So, your Dr. Seuss take off is just how it often feels when a choice point is reached. Will the next go round be the "hat trick" we are looking for? Can we switch out a drug and try to get a better read on those spots?

I would go with the rising markers. See what you can do to reverse that trend. They check blood work more often than we get scans, at least in my case.

Per Becky's query, do you have any tumor that could be checked for hormone changes?

All the best wishes coming zipping down the coast targetting you!

04-07-2014, 12:28 PM	#10
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: One Spot, Two Spot, Old Spot, New Spot Hi SoCal Gal - Yes, it is difficult to make a decision based on non-committal language from those experts who read our scans. More like they are throwing the ball into our court for patient and onc to dope out a treatment plan. And the more old spots/tumor scars we have the harder it gets. So, your Dr. Seuss take off is just how it often feels when a choice point is reached. Will the next go round be the "hat trick" we are looking for? Can we switch out a drug and try to get a better read on those spots? I would go with the rising markers. See what you can do to reverse that trend. They check blood work more often than we get scans, at least in my case. Per Becky's query, do you have any tumor that could be checked for hormone changes? All the best wishes coming zipping down the coast targetting you! __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.