Using old treatments - Again

eric · 02-10-2009, 05:53 AM

Julie,

How long ago were you on it the first time? Studies have shown that you can go back to the well if it's been more than, I believe 2 years (might be 1 year...my memory stinks these days). Caryn went to NED on Gemzar/Herceptin and I'm planning on pushing for that when the time is right. I pray that this revisit brings back the magic for you. Please keep us informed.

Eric

julierene · 02-10-2009, 06:59 AM

For the first time in 4 months, the scans were finally better. The liver looked significantly better after only one month of this "old" treatment. The only thing they changed was they switched Taxol to Abraxane. There isn't too much difference in that, but it seems to be helping. The bone mets were stable, the liver looked better, and the CA 27/29 was a few points lower. It was only decreased from 132 to like 129... but I hope month 2 will be better. I was just surprised that the liver finally looked better. I had been off Herceptin for a while, so I wasn't willing to give up on it. I was more willing to think that the Navelbine wasn't working. I did feel like I had exhausted the efficacy of Tykerb - at least for a few years.

It was Dec 05 when I first did the Carboplatin/Herceptin/Taxol. It made everything disappear within 3 months. I don't know if that will happen this time, but I am sure hoping so! If not, we will be switching to Avastin + something. I have great hopes for Avastin. Anyway, it gets scary getting down to the point where the oncologist is telling you to look for trials and the drugs are limited.

Julie