Surgery for Skin Nodule
I had surgery last Friday for a pesky skin nodule that hasn't been responding to Tykerb/Avastin. We won't know until follow-up this Thursday with my surgeon whether it's a different cancer ie: er+(wouldn't that be nice!) or whether the chemo just hasn't been dosing it sufficiently due to it's location in the heavily radiated scar area.
Also, had to have a skin graft taken off my thigh to cover the excision, again due to the chest skin being so tight. Sigh.
The good news is we really like my new surgeon. I had to change because of insurance issues, and was a bit apprenhensive, but he's very good, so that's a relief.
I'll know more after Thursday, and will post with the path results.
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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