[Rolepaul]

Xeloda/Tykerb held Nina's Brain Mets in check, but had a few that needed radiation. We went to a new regime of intrathecal Herceptin and Topotecan with IV Herceptin and Navelbine. 12/15 we were told at best four months to live but this regimen has Nina looking for work and planning for our birthdays in July. No evidence of disease in the brain or spine (spinal involvement is very dire). This was a compassionate treatment regime, but the insurance gave the go ahead as did MD Anderson Cancer Center. MRI on the spine at least every 90 days but Xeloda/Tykerb only hurts the stuff and eventually something harder is needed to kill it. I hope your wife's results are as good as mine. By the way, her activities only slightly deteriorated during the time the disease progressed. Any weakness, tightness, or soreness in the lower back or upper thighs needs to have the spine MRI immediately. Methotrexate IT is to be avoided due to problems with hurting the meninges. I hope this helps.

Paul