Dear Ms. Andi -
The "Cancer Apron Strings" are very strong! They can become even more of a lifeline for us stage IV types than the proverbial "Mom's Apron Strings." You used some very large and sharp scissors, my lady!!
When your onc's paper is published, let us know and try to give us the link. It should be fascinating.
Congratulations for taking this ENORMOUS step. When I took a 3-month Herceptin Holiday in 2007, that was not too frightening, but to cut loose completely is something else.
Having taken Herceptin myself now for 7 solid years, I understand what you mean by the word "dependence." however, I feel that in my case it is not quite the right word. MY "dependence" is more on my own body to keep working with the drug in order to keep any new tumors from forming. 
Letting go of Herceptin for me would be more like keeping a team playing a good game without its coach.
__________________
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau
Live in the moment.
MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~
Found suspicious lump 9/2000
Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement
Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR -
Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds
36 rads - very little burning
3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum
Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED!
2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa
Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18
All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET
Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying
Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa
Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?)
2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava
2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec.
Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011
STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer
7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones
Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED
2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED.
Same news for 2016 and all of 2017.
Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.
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Hybrid Mode
