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CourtneyL · 08-17-2011, 04:24 PM

Well there is good news and there is bad news. Being as how I am a glass half-full type of girl, I will start with the good news.

First, my tumor markers have begun to come down since I started Ixempra in June for progression to the soft tissue and lungs. Hooray Ixempra! Keep kicking butt!

Second, last week's brain MRI showed that the two brain tumors I had that appeared to be outside the brain tissue itself have disappeared completely! That's right. After only 5 Intrathecal treatments, these tumors are gone! Miraculous!

The bad news is that the two brain tumors I have deeper in the brain tissue are now bigger - they have doubled in size since May with the largest being 1 cm. And there is also a new 4 mm tumor in the brain - for a total of three.

Fortunately, I already have Gamma Knife scheduled for this Monday, August 22nd and these suckers will be blasted to oblivion once again. Now we'll just need to find a way for me to stop getting these darn things. Its getting really old. I don't like being a frequent customer at the Gamma Knife office.

Thank you as always for your continued love, support and prayers. The ladies of this board have made and continue to make my journey all the more bearable and even enjoyable.

08-17-2011, 04:24 PM	#1
CourtneyL Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 260	Intrathecal Herceptin Update Well there is good news and there is bad news. Being as how I am a glass half-full type of girl, I will start with the good news. First, my tumor markers have begun to come down since I started Ixempra in June for progression to the soft tissue and lungs. Hooray Ixempra! Keep kicking butt! Second, last week's brain MRI showed that the two brain tumors I had that appeared to be outside the brain tissue itself have disappeared completely! That's right. After only 5 Intrathecal treatments, these tumors are gone! Miraculous! The bad news is that the two brain tumors I have deeper in the brain tissue are now bigger - they have doubled in size since May with the largest being 1 cm. And there is also a new 4 mm tumor in the brain - for a total of three. Fortunately, I already have Gamma Knife scheduled for this Monday, August 22nd and these suckers will be blasted to oblivion once again. Now we'll just need to find a way for me to stop getting these darn things. Its getting really old. I don't like being a frequent customer at the Gamma Knife office. Thank you as always for your continued love, support and prayers. The ladies of this board have made and continue to make my journey all the more bearable and even enjoyable. __________________ 4/17/08: Dx Stage IV at age 30 - extensive mets to liver, lungs, and bones. Er/Pr-, Her2+++ April 08-Aug 08:Taxotere, Cytoxan, Herceptin, Zometa - complete response! Sept 08-Dec 08: Herceptin +Zometa for maintenance. Jan 09-April 09: Brain mets. Add Tykerb. Watch and wait. April 09: Gamma Knife 10 brain mets, add Xeloda. Sept 09: Gamma Knife to 1 brain met. Nov 09- April 10: Lung progression, add Gemzar to Herceptin, Zometa. May 10- Sept 10: HER2 Vaccine Trial Sept 10: Add Tykerb for more brain mets. Oct 10: Gamma Knife to 7 brain mets. Dec 10: Switch from Zometa to Denosumab. Jan 11: Gamma Knife to 3 brain mets. March 11: Gemzar/Herceptin for lung/bone progression. April 11: More brain mets - Intrathecal Herceptin June 11: Ixempra/Herceptin for lung, soft tissue progression. Aug 11: Gamma Knife Sep 11: Abraxane/Herceptin Future: NED Send me a PM if you'd like to follow my journey on Caringbridge.