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Becky · 04-09-2010, 05:07 AM

Emelie

I am so happy that you have had such great results. I am not sure of what to do. On one hand, I think you should continue Herceptin and Zometa. In the past, Herceptin was continued indefinitely but many Stage 4 women are coming off of it after being on several years. Most of what we have seen (at least on this board) is that NED women stay on Herceptin many, many years. These women are now coming off of Herceptin.

However, Ellie's point about resistance is a good one should you need therapy again. You could choose a middle of the road. Discuss with your onc why he is choosing this protocol for you. You can also discuss that all you have known in the past (via the board) is that patients stay on indefinitely. Then you can discuss this wide difference. You may end up really and truly agreeing with your onc's rationale. Or you may come to a middle ground and conclude to go with 6+ months of continued Herceptin alone. If your bones are healed, you would not need Zometa indefinitely.

Keep us posted and a huge hug to you.

04-09-2010, 05:07 AM	#11
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Feedback please.. Emelie I am so happy that you have had such great results. I am not sure of what to do. On one hand, I think you should continue Herceptin and Zometa. In the past, Herceptin was continued indefinitely but many Stage 4 women are coming off of it after being on several years. Most of what we have seen (at least on this board) is that NED women stay on Herceptin many, many years. These women are now coming off of Herceptin. However, Ellie's point about resistance is a good one should you need therapy again. You could choose a middle of the road. Discuss with your onc why he is choosing this protocol for you. You can also discuss that all you have known in the past (via the board) is that patients stay on indefinitely. Then you can discuss this wide difference. You may end up really and truly agreeing with your onc's rationale. Or you may come to a middle ground and conclude to go with 6+ months of continued Herceptin alone. If your bones are healed, you would not need Zometa indefinitely. Keep us posted and a huge hug to you. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"