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Mandamoo · 10-06-2011, 11:44 PM

I was chatting to my oncologist about treatments and PBS. She said sadly that she believes the total blockade approach is the way of the future and that she doesn't believe the government will ever fund that - we are going to have to get loud to be heard. I think this frightens me the most - the lack of access to trying different meds that may help us in various combinations.
I guess for now trials are the go wherever possible but sometimes the parameters to get accepted are too difficult. I looked at the TDM1 trial but we felt the risk of being in the taxol herceptin arm was too big a risk for me so I am now on the Bolero trial and so far having a partial response. I am still ever so hopeful for some time NED.

10-06-2011, 11:44 PM	#5
Mandamoo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 432	Re: Australian Treatments and Access I was chatting to my oncologist about treatments and PBS. She said sadly that she believes the total blockade approach is the way of the future and that she doesn't believe the government will ever fund that - we are going to have to get loud to be heard. I think this frightens me the most - the lack of access to trying different meds that may help us in various combinations. I guess for now trials are the go wherever possible but sometimes the parameters to get accepted are too difficult. I looked at the TDM1 trial but we felt the risk of being in the taxol herceptin arm was too big a risk for me so I am now on the Bolero trial and so far having a partial response. I am still ever so hopeful for some time NED. __________________ Amanda xx 40 year old Mum to three gorgeous kids - son 5 and daughters 8 and 11 Wife to my wonderfully supportive husband of 17 years! 22 February 2011 - Diagnosed Early Breast Cancer IDBC Stage2b (ER/PR -ve, Her2+ve +++) - 38 years old (L) skin sparing mastectomy with tissue expander, axilla clearance (2/14 affected) clear margins. Fec3, Taxotere and herceptin2 - stopped due to secondary diagnosis June 24 2011 Stage IV - Skin met, axilla node, multiple lung lesions Bolero3 trial - Navelbine, Hereptin weekly, daily Everolimus/Placebo February 2012 - July 2012 Tykerb and Xeloda - skin mets resolved, Lungs initially dramatically reduced but growing again August 2012 (turn 40!) tykerb and herceptin (denied compassionate use of TDM1) while holidaying in Italy! September 2012 - January 2013 TDM1 as part of the Th3resa trial - lymph nodes resolved, lungs slowly progressing. January 2013 - herceptin, carboplatin and Perjeta (compassionate access) April 2013 - Some progression in lungs and lymph nodes - Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta July 2013 - mixed response - dramatic reduction of most lung disease, progression of smaller lung nodules and cervical and hilar nodes - ? Add avastin.