A bit of good news (for just this one patient)

[Nguyen]

Hoping that I'm not jinxing my wife for posting this. To be sure, I'll write this again, knock on wood, hoping that I'm not jinxing my wife for posting this. Anyway, her latest CT and CA27.29 results show lung nodules are stabilizing. I was worried sick since the previous two tumour markers were rising consecutively. Knock on wood again, this year will be her 10th years (7 with mets) with this disease.

Just for informational (if you happen to have similar treatment history and tumour profile) purpose, below is what I would have asked for one of the below treatment if the current one fails. We added Herceptin to Femara in the current treatment. Her heart's ejection fraction was 72% at the start, it's now at 62%, so we probably could continue with Herceptin for the rest of this year. Her estradiol is still measureable at 9 pg/ml while being treated with Femara, so if the current treatment fails, I would lean toward Fulvestrant then Fulvestrant and Femara.

Here's a short summary for the next possible treatment as "match-up" with her treatment history:

Endocrine:
- Fulvestrant
- Fulvestrant and AI. There're data indicating the combination work better than either alone.
- Exemestane and Celecoxib

Biologic:
- Herceptin and Avastin
- Herceptin and Tykerb

Endocrine and Biologic in combination:
- temsirolimus (or everolimus) with Femara
- Herceptin and Tykerb and AI (mcf7 xenographt model all tumours went away)
Chemotherapy: Hopefully we won't need this for quite a while.

Nguyen

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Linda's treatment history:

01/2005 - current: Herceptin and Femara
07/2004: It returned again via several small nodules in the lung
10/2002: NED (via CT and CA27.29)!
10/2001 - 01/2005: Femara, (Fosamax)
12/2000 - 10/2001: Herceptin and Navelbine
12/2000: lung metastatic was diagnosed (a few small nodules)
02/1998 - 12/2000: Daily Tamoxifen
05/1997 - 04/1998: Modified Radical Mastectomy, many many cycles of chemo regiments (CAF,Taxol, Carpoplatin, Thiotepa, Navelbine, Taxotere), including HDC, and radiation
05/1997: First diagnosed with BC stage 3A, ER+, PR+, HER2 +, poorly differetiated, nuclear grade 3.

[Chelee]

I'm glad your wife got good news. I have pretty much the same DX as your wife. Her2/neu, 3+++, Er & Pr positive, 5 of 16 positive nodes, Richardson scale 9 of 9, poorly differetiated. I see your wife went through quite a few chemo trts but its so encouraging to others like me to see she is still doing well all things considered. I think what's made so much difference today as I am sure you know is having herceptin available. Had your wife had access to herceptin back in 1997 she probably wouldn't of had to go through all those chemo regimens.

But she sounds like an amazing lady and I am so thrilled she is doing so well. That is so awesome she is on ten years already and going strong. Makes my day to hear this. Thanks a million for sharing your post with us. I really appreciate it.

Sending lots of happy thoughts her way.

Chelee

[Joy]

that keeps us going! I'm so happy to here that things are stabilizing and will pray for regression. It was so great of you to share her progress and the ideas for the future as well as her history. I needed this post today as my markers have risen and I have only been on my current treatment since september. Scans on the 22nd will tell us more. Also, I feel as though I'm falling into the heavily pre-treated category and worry that things just won't work much any more. But your wife has been through a lot and still going. I'm excited about your 20th and again, thank you.

[Andi]

I, too, am glad to hear your wife is doing well. I have just recently been diagnosed with lung mets and have just begun treatment. It gives me hope to see that she is nearing her 10 year mark. Best of luck to her. Joy, you are also in my prayers that your tests on the 22nd will come back with some positive results.

[MGordon]

Nguyen -

Just a quick note to say congrats and point out how much credit you deserve too. I know the trials and tribulations of being a primary care giver and your fight is approaching 10 years! Keep up the good fight.