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Know a 16-yr survivor
Dear Lisa: I have met a woman who lives hear me who has lived with metastatic breast cancer for 16 years. Met another woman who has gotten 9 years out of Herceptin, from mets dx. Just read an email from someone who was in the ICU for 2 weeks with extensive mets to liver, bones and lungs, thought she was dying. That was 5 years ago and she's doing fine. So...the more you read and talk to people, the more long-term survivors you find. You must never put your foot in the grave until you are really really sick, and even then you probably shouldn't because some people come back.
I myself have yet to respond to any treatment (I'm stage IV, tried mastectomy, radiation, Epirubicin/cytoxin, Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin, Herceptin/Navelbine, five surgeries including getting ovaries out, numberous alternative supplements/treatments) so my cancer has just progressed steadily since dx in 11/03. I'm hopeful the new Tykerb/Xeloda (lapatanib/capecitabine) will get me some stability, I'm trying to start it next week. The key seems to be to get some kind of response to a drug. Herceptin has worked wonders for some, pity it did nothing for me. There are so many treatments to try out there, you should take heart.
Theresa in Hawaii
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