quitting herceptin

[pkw]

I am new to this group.

I was diagnosed May 2004 at age 50 with stage IV infiltrating ductal CA. It came as quite a shock, as the mammo I had January 2004 was negative. I had six rounds of chemo, started on herceptin in Oct. 2004. I had a L mastectomy in Nov., followed by radiation. I have been on herceptin weekly for a year now. My CT scans have shown the suspicious spots are either static, diminished, or gone. I have mets to the pleural cavity for sure. The liver and gall bladder maybe. My CA-125 has gone from over 100 at diagnosis to 17 as of a few weeks ago. I feel great and am living a "normal" life.

My doctor is considering stopping herceptin. I know that its use may cause heart problems. Since I also have L lymphedema, I am concerned with running out of veins in my R arm, given the weekly infusions. I understand that the type of cancer I have is very aggressive. I am weighing the risks of stopping treatment for now, or continuing it, since it seems to be working.

I would appreciate the comments of others who have faced this decision. Thank you.