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This time last year, I had endured 8 weeks of Navelbine+Herceptin that was ineffective, then 27 weeks on a clinical trial drug+Taxol that reduced the tumor load in my liver from "multiple, innumerable" to little speckles.My CT scans (every 6 weeks) appeared to be "stable" w/little significant decrease, so my doc took me off tx to give me a "break".The reasoning was that while chemo was continuing to hammer my body, it was no longer causing significant shrinking of the remaining tumor specks AND I could potentially be "stable" for an indefinite period.
I was VERY fearful, but it seemed to make sense.I took 3 weeks of ALL tx, NO HERCEPTIN in that 3 weeks.Unfortunately the follow up scan showed "suspicious activity" in my liver again & my lung.So I went back on tx-Herceptin+Taxol.
After 12 weeks my followup CT scans looked good, but the "speckles" were still there unchanged. I had a follow up PET scan and discovered that those speckles that had been unchanged for all those months were actually scar tissue.That meant I was NED!That was 8 months ago & counting.
I know it's a scary thought, but give your body a break if you & your doc agree it's a good time.Ask about a PET scan & definitely stay on Herceptin.Hope this is helpful.Take good care & keep the faith!
Jessica
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