Hello Again

[wennydog]

I want to apologize for not getting back to those of you who tried to contact me and offer support. Pat was in the hospital again for a while but has been home now for a couple of months. I have finally stopped working to take care of her full time now. The latest chemo she tried was Ixempra but she is so weak and miserable that 3 weeks ago she finally told the doctor no more. None of the medicines can offer her any remission. She just suffers side effects and the cancer is kept at bay until the next dose. I am still able to get her to the doctor and she takes herceptin. It is so hard to give her up but I understand, we have been at this constantly for a year now.She is bedridden and on a dilaudid pump with a paralyzed arm and vocal cord. She is conscious and alert but very weak however we still manage to enjoy ice cream and chocolate each night. The doctor says she has about a month or so. Thank you to everyone for all your support an prayers. She is much more ok with all of this than I am. I think of this group almost everyday and wish all of you a wonderful holiday and long long remissions. Sincerely, Donna In Birmingham

Pat Bailey 55 yo
2001 DX DCIS, mastectomy & reconn
2003 dx mets to lungs, double thoracotomy for bx, herceptin, navelbene,carbpl,
2005chest wall reoccurrance, rads, repeat herceptin, navelbene,carbopl
2006more mets to chest wall, axillary and rt neck lymph system, Taxotere, herceptin
x 2 treatments, inflammtion to lungs,pneumonia, stop taxotere , rads
2007disease progression to small intestine, rt. axilla, lungs,epirub,5FU,cytoxan x 2 tx
disease halted but counts so low and so weak that chemo stopped.
July2007 disease progression, given 3 weeks to live. Began herceptin, doxorubicin
2 weeks later ready to leave hopitaland ambulatory with assistance. 1 week at home then
signs of lymphedema and epidermal skin rash returning. #2 dose of doxil given with no response.
Gemzar started while back in hospital with slow positive response. Back home but terrible weakness and stomatitis.
Stop doxil. Start Gemzar, tykerb and herceptin on 8/21/07
9/12/07 Diarrhea too devestating, Tykerb stopped. Gemzar every week still keeping cancer signs away.
11/07 Pat falls at home after trying to get up by herself. Hospital, home after a week and a half. Gemzar side effects- weakness too much.
11/07 One dose of Ixempra. Pat was very sick and weak with no quality time between doses. 12/10/07 Decision to stop all chemo. Continue Herceptin
Doctor says 1-2 months.<!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message -->