Better news

[Pamelamary]

Hi to all,
Haven't posted since I came off the Marianne trial after developing liver mets as well. Had my second Taxotere/Herceptin treatment yesterday and got results of the latest scan. This was done more as an end to my participation in the trial and I didn't expect any joy. But it seems just one treatment has got the liver mets shrinking so I am going up the roller coaster again!
The first treatment hit me badly, but I did eventually feel vaguely human again, and now can see the point of it all.
Have read too much scary stuff about liver mets and prognoses, so would appreciate a few more positive stories.
Best wishes..... Pam

[Bunty]

That's good news Pam! It's a year since my liver met was discovered, and coming up to 5 years since my lung mets. All stable, and I feel fine (just back now from a fast 1.5 hour walk in the sunshine). Herceptin hopefully is keeping it in check. I recall being hit really hard on the first treatments of Taxol (lung) and Abraxane (liver), and my onc adjusted the dose down a notch or two, and then it was smooth sailing (more or less) for the remaining treatments. There are lots of good stories here Pam, and with the coming of Pertuzumab etc, we have lots of reason for hope!
Best wishes
Marie

[michka]

Pam what good news! You found what works for you. If you want a good liver met story, read StephN's story! There are many others. I hope the rest of your treatment will be easier. Michka

[StephN]

Hi -
Glad you have some hope now that the tumors are packing up!

Michka mentioned my liver mets story, but there are many others who have had success, especially if the tumors are hit hard.

We grin and bear the treatment, and do the best we can to help our bodies detox and be well nourished with REAL food.

All the best.

[Pamelamary]

Thanks everybody - and Steph, you are inspirational!
Pam

[Ellie F]

Glad you have some good news. Have you had taxotere before? It is certainly an effective drug even though the side effects can be difficult.
Ellie

[Lauriesh]

Hi Pam,

I also had success with taxotere for my liver mets. I had 2, one was 11 cm. After 6 months of Taxotere, the small one was gone, and the large one had shrunk to 3 cm. The dr actually thought that all that was left was scar tissue, as a pet scan did not show any activity in the tumor.

I ended up having rfa (radio frequency ablation) on that remaining tumor, just in case there was any cancer cells left in it.

Taxotere is rough, but hopefully you will continue to have good results on it.

Laurie

[Pamelamary]

No Ellie, never had Taxotere before - only chemo experience has been with T-DM1, so it's a bit of a shock. And yes, Laurie- if it works, I guess it's worthwhile. Feeling more positive than a couple of weeks ago, even though currently in the worst part of the chemo cycle.
Best wishes....Pam

[Mandamoo]

Pamela so glad you have better news. I am sure working with your Onc they can get the SE's under control.
Amanda x

[Vicki revised]

I had major success on TCH. After the 1st treatment to the astonishment of my drs the primary tumor in my breast was visably affected (I was small busted and my tumor grew so fast it was already visable to the naked eye prior to treatment).

6 rounds erradicated the 1 liver met, zapped all malignant nodes and a secondary breadt tumor while reducing original tumor from 11cm to 1.5cm with a 2.2 suv! The word "miracle" was used by my onc, radiologist and surgeon when they got the PET results after treatment was finished and before my bmx. It is rough stuff though, the results of some of the side effects are still with me, but I would do it again if I could now that my mets are back--it WORKED before.

As a side note, because of the toll TCH took on me, with Abraxane I am not receiving a bolus dose every 3 weeks--rather the dose is given steadily on a weekly basis. Taxotere can be given this way as well if need be.