HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Sheila · 12-26-2005, 01:09 PM

Welcome to our group...I have to agree with Cheryl, Herceptin as a minimum would be in order to prevent recurrence...there are many of us Stage IV girls on this board who were stage 1 at diagnosis, with no positive nodes and small tumors...unfortunately Herceptin was not available then for newly diagnosed, we had to wait to be stage IV having had mets to be eligible....you are lucky that you can get it now and hopefully prevent becoming stage IV...I would get another opinion from another oncologist. Also, even with neg. nodes, the size of your tumor would generally recommend at least 4 cycles of chemo, although this is changing now also...I would definitely seek another opinion or 2...it is your life you are dealing with.
Feel free to post any questions here...there is always someone on this board who has been there!

12-26-2005, 01:09 PM	#4
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Welcome to our group...I have to agree with Cheryl, Herceptin as a minimum would be in order to prevent recurrence...there are many of us Stage IV girls on this board who were stage 1 at diagnosis, with no positive nodes and small tumors...unfortunately Herceptin was not available then for newly diagnosed, we had to wait to be stage IV having had mets to be eligible....you are lucky that you can get it now and hopefully prevent becoming stage IV...I would get another opinion from another oncologist. Also, even with neg. nodes, the size of your tumor would generally recommend at least 4 cycles of chemo, although this is changing now also...I would definitely seek another opinion or 2...it is your life you are dealing with. Feel free to post any questions here...there is always someone on this board who has been there! __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin