I can't believe it!! A break ...
Well, group -
The news for me was ALL good.
I had a PET/CT scan last week and had markers including HER2 serum drawn the week before when I got my 3-week Herceptin dose.
Her2 serum was down from the last one of 8.9 to 7.3. Other markers steady in low normal range.
Scan showed NED.
With that news I requested an Herceptin BREAK of 3-4 months. I have been taking the drug now for over 5 years. It has been a Godsend to me (I have already thanked Dr. Slamon and his associate in person!). My oncologist has agreed to my request with a marker check at 6 weeks when I have my port flush.
So, I am not completely unchained from the cancer center, but have a newfound sense of getting a little of my life back after being stage IV for over 5 years.
Since starting Herceptin (with Taxol and Navelbine weekly till NED) over 5 years ago, I have never had a new tumor with the exception of the two in my brain. So, I can say that however my cells are configured, it was with Herceptin in mind!
I am still tired and need a lot of sleep after all my head surgeries last year, but I will know what (if any) side effects I get from the Herceptin, which has been pretty easy on me.
Also, onc said NO MUGA for now, since I am off Herceptin and my last one was good.
So, for many of you who are ending their Herceptin round, I am sure you will have a cancer-free future, as this drug can work wonders! Even in the likes of ME - who was given a poor chance of surviving my onslaught of mets.
__________________
"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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