HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Vaccine Clinical Trial, may not be able to go

candlegranny · 11-29-2011, 06:37 AM

I was told I will be getting vaccine, no placebo stuff. one of our sisters on here went to this trial. I talked to the doctor by phone . she said the trial was in phase 2 and very small only 20 participants.
I picked this trial cause I was off herceptin more than 3 months and NED and qualified. iti s over a period of 4 months i think. I would have to go for 8 days in a row, then once a week for 4 weeks then back again for the 8 days. this is over a 4 month period.
My husband and family members are concerned about what will be put into me (cancer cells ) i dont think that is the case.. but still concerned. when i asked my doctor about clinical trials at the end of my treatment, his response was "we gave you the standard treatment and it worked, what are you looking to prove with clinical trials?" he didnt think i needed anything further. then we started hearing about the vaccine. I guess I just wanted to do anything I could to prevent it coming back (My oncologist said the chances of return is 50%) I can deal with that..I will be on the side of the good 50%! that is better than 85%-15%. when you feel good, and look good it is easy to forget momentarily what could be lurking in the back ground. I jsut wanted to do something to try to help me fend off the cancer should it ever try to return. alot of mixed feelings over clinical trials. Now my sitter situaton for thursday has come up with some obstacles and I just wonder if this could be a sign that i need to just stay home and use the plane tickets we bought to go on a "fun weekend" somewhere in the future. Sorry to ramble on but I think, more than anyone, you guys can identify with my anxiety over this. I am thankful for all the positives I have. alot of clinical trials are taken advantage of when there is no other alternative. this vaccine trial is different, but scary too. My husband agrees with some of you - let others be the guinea pig. I value all your thoughts and input. have to decide something to day so my husband can take off work or i can cancel airline tickets... thanks!! Bonita

11-29-2011, 06:37 AM	#5
candlegranny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 151	Re: Vaccine Clinical Trial, may not be able to go I was told I will be getting vaccine, no placebo stuff. one of our sisters on here went to this trial. I talked to the doctor by phone . she said the trial was in phase 2 and very small only 20 participants. I picked this trial cause I was off herceptin more than 3 months and NED and qualified. iti s over a period of 4 months i think. I would have to go for 8 days in a row, then once a week for 4 weeks then back again for the 8 days. this is over a 4 month period. My husband and family members are concerned about what will be put into me (cancer cells ) i dont think that is the case.. but still concerned. when i asked my doctor about clinical trials at the end of my treatment, his response was "we gave you the standard treatment and it worked, what are you looking to prove with clinical trials?" he didnt think i needed anything further. then we started hearing about the vaccine. I guess I just wanted to do anything I could to prevent it coming back (My oncologist said the chances of return is 50%) I can deal with that..I will be on the side of the good 50%! that is better than 85%-15%. when you feel good, and look good it is easy to forget momentarily what could be lurking in the back ground. I jsut wanted to do something to try to help me fend off the cancer should it ever try to return. alot of mixed feelings over clinical trials. Now my sitter situaton for thursday has come up with some obstacles and I just wonder if this could be a sign that i need to just stay home and use the plane tickets we bought to go on a "fun weekend" somewhere in the future. Sorry to ramble on but I think, more than anyone, you guys can identify with my anxiety over this. I am thankful for all the positives I have. alot of clinical trials are taken advantage of when there is no other alternative. this vaccine trial is different, but scary too. My husband agrees with some of you - let others be the guinea pig. I value all your thoughts and input. have to decide something to day so my husband can take off work or i can cancel airline tickets... thanks!! Bonita __________________ Mammogram Sep 21, 2009 everything good and clear DX jan 19,2010 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Grade 2 Age 56 modified radical masectomy on LEFT side 29 Jan 2010 2.7 cm 18/31 nodes mets to just above collar bone ( 2 nodes showed in PET) ER- PR - / Her2 +++ (IHC) Stage 111 C ki-67 60% nottingham score 7 A/C chemo mar 22,2010 DD herceptin & taxotere DD june 1,2010 finished taxotere july 12, 2010 finished herceptin 16 May 2011 PET Scan 9 Aug 10, cancer in neck is gone! NED 33 Rads completed 1 Oct 2010 PET/CT Scan 6 Jan 2011 NED PET/CT Scan 3 Aug 2011 MUGA 59% 3/22/10 -63% 9/23/10 - 51% 1/4/11 - 55% 2/17/11 - 50% 8/3/11 26 Aug 2011 NED 20 Feb 2012 NED 5 Mar 2012 PORT OUT 12 July 2012 DIEP breast reconstruction 23 Aug 2012 NED 15 Nov 2012 new breast tweeked and natural breast uplifted and implant added 17 Feb 2013 NED 27 mar 2013 lipo suction to add fat cells to new breast in hopes for needed adjustment. "Don't spend your time worrying about when or how you are going to die, spend your time figuring out how you are going to live today". ~Elizabeth Edwards.