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StephN · 09-01-2005, 11:41 AM

Patty, I know what it is to be in a small trial with very little data. The treatment you are following has even MORE results than I had when I joined a trial for aggressive, hard-to-treat mets.

You CAN be one of those responders. I found out that I was a responder, but only one of THREE in a study of 20 women. This means that there were actually three of us who had a COMPLETE RESPONSE, and a few more who had enough response to delay progression of their disease.

My med onc told me when my brain mets were discovered that only TWO of us complete responders were still in that category three years out. He did not consider my brain mets as a breakdown in my response, as chemo and herceptin do not cross the blood/brain barrier. He felt that I would beat those two tumors and be back on track.

Interesting reaction, huh?

I had no idea if I would make it when I joined that trial as the sixth patient enrolled, but I tried to have faith in my body and my treatment. I called on support from my ancestors and remembered a greatgrandmother from the 1650's who had 10 children and lived to be 90 in Connecticut! I asked that those genes be activated to give me the strength I needed.

That may sound goofy, but in times like that we want to know what we are made of! You've got some good genes, I am sure.

09-01-2005, 11:41 AM	#3
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Patty, I know what it is to be in a small trial with very little data. The treatment you are following has even MORE results than I had when I joined a trial for aggressive, hard-to-treat mets. You CAN be one of those responders. I found out that I was a responder, but only one of THREE in a study of 20 women. This means that there were actually three of us who had a COMPLETE RESPONSE, and a few more who had enough response to delay progression of their disease. My med onc told me when my brain mets were discovered that only TWO of us complete responders were still in that category three years out. He did not consider my brain mets as a breakdown in my response, as chemo and herceptin do not cross the blood/brain barrier. He felt that I would beat those two tumors and be back on track. Interesting reaction, huh? I had no idea if I would make it when I joined that trial as the sixth patient enrolled, but I tried to have faith in my body and my treatment. I called on support from my ancestors and remembered a greatgrandmother from the 1650's who had 10 children and lived to be 90 in Connecticut! I asked that those genes be activated to give me the strength I needed. That may sound goofy, but in times like that we want to know what we are made of! You've got some good genes, I am sure.