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Vicky · 01-20-2016, 10:56 AM

I started Taxotere, Perjeta and Herceptin, July 7th, 2015. But the side effects of the Taxotere were too much, and we switched to weekly Taxol in November. Yes- the "indefinite," part is the hardest to hear. But two times we've delayed a week, so I could travel, and I have to say it feels like I am managing better- especially after I had my 3 month PET scan at the end of December and was told I had a Complete Response. First time in just under 5 years I've ever had a CR or been NED. So we just reduced the dosage a bit, and will continue on, indefinitely still. Its always reassuring to sign in and see that I am not alone in what I am experiencing and going through.

My saving grace has been a stage iv support group started at my treatment center. We were awarded a grant from the Avon Foundation and meet once every two weeks with a therapist who helps us with whatever we are dealing with at that time- (no cost to us) We also practice mindfulness, meditation, etc., and have created lists of coping strategies, etc. that we all have used. We are a well bonded group and the face-to-face time truly helps see us through.

Peace and love to all~
Vicky

01-20-2016, 10:56 AM	#14
Vicky Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 137	Re: Weekly Taxol for Stage IV I started Taxotere, Perjeta and Herceptin, July 7th, 2015. But the side effects of the Taxotere were too much, and we switched to weekly Taxol in November. Yes- the "indefinite," part is the hardest to hear. But two times we've delayed a week, so I could travel, and I have to say it feels like I am managing better- especially after I had my 3 month PET scan at the end of December and was told I had a Complete Response. First time in just under 5 years I've ever had a CR or been NED. So we just reduced the dosage a bit, and will continue on, indefinitely still. Its always reassuring to sign in and see that I am not alone in what I am experiencing and going through. My saving grace has been a stage iv support group started at my treatment center. We were awarded a grant from the Avon Foundation and meet once every two weeks with a therapist who helps us with whatever we are dealing with at that time- (no cost to us) We also practice mindfulness, meditation, etc., and have created lists of coping strategies, etc. that we all have used. We are a well bonded group and the face-to-face time truly helps see us through. Peace and love to all~ Vicky __________________ 3-16-11 dx IDC 4.4 cm tumor, right breast,HER-2 neu 3+++, Stage III 3-25-11 PET scan shows 3 mets to liver and 1 to spine, Stage IV 4-12-11 start clinical trial of TDM1 infusion 1x every 3 weeks. 6-14-11 CT scan after 3 cycles shows NO liver spots, reduced spinal met from 18mm to 13mm and right breast mass from 4.4 to 4.2 cm. 8-12-11 Mastectomy rt. breast. 10-11 scans reflect stable cancer 12-11 MRI reveals area of concern in brain, CT scan reveals 3mm spot on lung. Watch and wait and rescan in a few weeks. Round 13 TDM1 complete. 2-21-12 Scans reveal progression in lungs with 4 new small mets. Officially off tdm1. Start halaven and radiation for single brain met, 1 spot in spine. 3-13 stereotactic radiosurgery for single brain met. 5-31-12 Halaven stopped due to low blood counts. Start tamoxifen and cont. Herceptin 1x3 weeks. 7-11-12- brain mri shows shrinking brain met and no new lesions. Cont. Herceptin and Tamoxifen 10-2-12 Stable tumor markers. Continue Herceptin and Tamoxifen 4-9-13 progression in lymph node under arm and new lung spots. Stop Tamoxifen. Add Xeloda to Herceptin. 6-10-13 Stereotactic radiosurgery to two new brain mets. Stop Xeloda due to lung mets progression. begin Tykerb 7-2-13. 10-29-13 Begin radiation to my lungs and one lymph node under my arm. Stop Tykerb until completion and then recommence. 1-31-14 Progression in lungs. Oophorectomy performed. 2-18-14 Begin Arimidex and continue Herceptin 7-7-15 progression with spots on colon, in pelvic region, and in lungs. Begin Taxotere, Perjeta and Herceptin. 11-15 Switch to weekly Taxol, and continue with Perjeta and Herceptin. 12-23-16 PET scan shows Complete Response with no new spots. Continue on with TPH indefinitely. 3-16-16 Still no evidence of disease, break from Taxol. Continue on with Perjeta and Herceptin.