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Barbara H. · 02-08-2006, 06:56 PM

Dear Aquinas,
I was treated in 98 with with AC and Taxol, and radiation. I was stage IIb/IIIa. In May of 04 I was stage 4 with mets though out liver/lungs/lymph and in the brain. (one 3cm left pre-frontal cortex.) The headaches are what clued me in that something must be wrong. After I had my craneotomy at the end of May followed by sterotactic surgery, my ocologist decided to give me Herceptin alone to see if how I would respond. He later told me that he did this because my daughter's wedding was in July. By the end of the summer my markers were normal and have stayed that way. My brain met seems to be gone, but I had to have surgery at the end of November for Necrosis. That was a real scare and the post operative inflamation as still not subsided. I have to have another MRI in March. Quality of life is important to me because I teach third grade full time, and I want to continue as long as I can. Herceptin alone allows me to do that. I did not take time off 8 years ago when I had chemo, but it was not easy teaching the week after my treatment. I don't think I could keep it up when and if I need chemo again. Because of my response, my oncologist has offered herceptin alone to two other patients for various reasons. Because stage 4 can only be managed, and is not curable at this time, each case has to be handled individually. I do believe the immune system also plays a large part, so it is important to keep that part of the attack working as well as possible, and chemo compromises it. On the other hand, there are times it becomes necessary to keep us going longer.
Best of luck with your decisions, continue to come to this board for advice, and I'm sure you will find the best treatment plan for you. Above all, don't take it too hard that you did not receive many responses. There are times when I know that I should offer my thoughts, and I am just too tired after a long day at school and work to correct, and curriculum to plan at night. I also feel guilty about not searching and learning more about the biological and chemical research involved, but again, I just don't have the time to explore it, and am grateful for those on this site who do.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

02-08-2006, 06:56 PM	#6
Barbara H. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 951	Dear Aquinas, I was treated in 98 with with AC and Taxol, and radiation. I was stage IIb/IIIa. In May of 04 I was stage 4 with mets though out liver/lungs/lymph and in the brain. (one 3cm left pre-frontal cortex.) The headaches are what clued me in that something must be wrong. After I had my craneotomy at the end of May followed by sterotactic surgery, my ocologist decided to give me Herceptin alone to see if how I would respond. He later told me that he did this because my daughter's wedding was in July. By the end of the summer my markers were normal and have stayed that way. My brain met seems to be gone, but I had to have surgery at the end of November for Necrosis. That was a real scare and the post operative inflamation as still not subsided. I have to have another MRI in March. Quality of life is important to me because I teach third grade full time, and I want to continue as long as I can. Herceptin alone allows me to do that. I did not take time off 8 years ago when I had chemo, but it was not easy teaching the week after my treatment. I don't think I could keep it up when and if I need chemo again. Because of my response, my oncologist has offered herceptin alone to two other patients for various reasons. Because stage 4 can only be managed, and is not curable at this time, each case has to be handled individually. I do believe the immune system also plays a large part, so it is important to keep that part of the attack working as well as possible, and chemo compromises it. On the other hand, there are times it becomes necessary to keep us going longer. Best of luck with your decisions, continue to come to this board for advice, and I'm sure you will find the best treatment plan for you. Above all, don't take it too hard that you did not receive many responses. There are times when I know that I should offer my thoughts, and I am just too tired after a long day at school and work to correct, and curriculum to plan at night. I also feel guilty about not searching and learning more about the biological and chemical research involved, but again, I just don't have the time to explore it, and am grateful for those on this site who do. Best wishes, Barbara H.