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03-26-2007, 05:43 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: South Dakota.
Posts: 621
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Would you fly across country to see an associate?
I had talked to my onc about setting up an appointment for me to see a breast cancer specialist. I decided to ask to see Dr. Slamon, so this morning I called my onc's office and gave them the details.
The office later called back to let me know that Dr. Slamon's office would be calling me to get some information and that I may not be able to see Dr. Slamon, but rather an associate of his. She said that he is seeing fewer patients now, but he works closely with his associates.
Any suggestions? See the associate, try again for Dr. Slamon, or consider another specialist....
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Barbara
DX Oct 02 @ age 52 Stage 2B Grade 3 Mastectomy
"at least" 4.5 cm IDC 1+node ER+61% /PR-
Assiciated Intraductual component with Comedo Necrosis
Her2+ FISH8.6 IHC 2+
5 1/2 CEF Arimidex
Celebrex 400mg daily for 13 months
Prophylactic mastectomy
Estradiol #: 13
PTEN positive, "late" Herceptin (26 months after chemo)
Oct 05: Actonel for osteopenia from Arimidex.
May 08: Replaced Actonel with Zometa . Taking every 6
months.
Accepting the gift of life, I give thanks for it and live it in fullness.
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03-26-2007, 07:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Barbara,
Did they mention who the associate was...everyone who works with him
is very good. Dr. Slamon has been traveling alot...he just got back recently
after being out of the cancer center. Since Dr. Slamon is in charge I would
consider the associate.
Good Luck...and sending Prayers your way.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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03-26-2007, 07:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Of course....
I would try to get Dr. Slamon....let me know how it goes.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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03-27-2007, 05:49 AM
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#4
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Guest
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I wouldn't!
Is it feasible for your oncologist to send your case to Dr. Slamon for a review of your treatment. If Dr. Slamon thinks you should have additional tests, scans, etc., before he proposes a treatment, he could inform your doctor of this. In effect, if you use one of Dr. Slamon's associates that's about the same thing, with Dr. Slamon yea-ing or nea-ing the proposed treatment plan based on the information presented by the associate.
And if that doesn't work, I'd see another specialist.
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03-27-2007, 11:37 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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Dr. Mark Pegram
Thought I would mention that Dr. Pegram is one of Dr. Slamon's associates and that Esther consults with him. She has posted very satisfactorily about clinic visits with Dr. Pegram. You can look up her posts or contact her by private message.
Dr. Pegram is also a good friend of her2support.org, and will go out of his way for us gals who seek him out.
His credentials are awesome!
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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03-27-2007, 08:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Barbara,
I flew out to UCLA and I did see Dr. Slamon and if he is in fact not out of state
you will see him. But as Steph has said his associate is just great I met him
also while I was out there, as I said earlier I would not hesitate with that
group, they are wonderful! Why don't you call direct and speak with Dr.
Slamon's secretary she can inform you of his schedule etc. and if it doesn't fit
you can make an informed decision to see Dr. P....
Without knowing what your onc has planned - there is nothing like sitting in person with the dr. and going over each and every detail. After spending
three hours with Dr. Slamon we decided to have the TOPO 11 tested
(at that time there was not any or many doing that testing) Dr. Slamon
has his own lab and much research going on. He told me before the release
of the TCH and why it would prove to be a great choice of treatment
with much detail that helped me along me with my choices and feeling
confident about them. Also who knows, they could have another new approach test re:herceptin PTEN ...far too much to gain.
we discussed many other issues. Also, my treatment plan changed
greatly from the onc. in NY. (they did not even know about the TOPO 11
testing) Also the exam that I had was compared to none by his associate.
I think she felt every inch of my body.
Let us know how it goes.....but do go!
Hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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