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01-10-2006, 12:34 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 722
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finally some good news...
I just hope it isn't eclipsed by some rotten news.
While Linda had her MUGA today, (we don't have results yet), my cell phone went off (no I don't turn it off in hospitals), and it was our insurance company.
The good news: Provided Linda gets her infusions at the private company we suggested, our extended health carrier will cover the costs of AVASTIN!
I'm very surprised as this is off-lavel for a drug that's still in infancy for BC trials. That means trips to the big city every two weeks but hey...
Perseverence pays off; I never have been able to accept no as an answer.
Thats for everyone's support and suggestions so far.
still coddling that warm beer,
Al
__________________
Primary care-giver to and advocate for Linda, who passed away April 27, 2006.
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01-10-2006, 01:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 198
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Al, that is great news!!! I am always pleasantly surprised when insurance companies are actually willing to work with you!!!
Also..and I'm sure Linda knows this, but she is sure lucky to have you!!
Tammy
__________________
Dx'd Dec'01 while 6mos preg. with #4. child (30yrsold)Mastectomy/AC chemo/radiation/ Recur:Mar'04 liver mets: 3 taxol/herceptin /liver resection/3 taxol/herceptin. Cured?
Recur: May'05 spine & Hip. New onc
treatment in Mexico Feb'06-Mar-06
back to Mexico June/July '06
Currently on herceptin/Zometa/Femara-recently added navelbine
Switched to arimidex Nov'06
ovaries removed June '07
ca15-3 in May'06 was 102
ca15-3 summer of '07 holding steady at 23!
ca15-3 slowly rising Dec & Jan 36, 38, 41 and Feb was 36
Feb '08 Liver, lung & Brain scan NED... bones are stable with even a couple spots gone. as compared with '06 scans
May '08 ca 15-3 is 55. Treatment is zometa, vinorelbine, herceptin and aromasin.
No signifcant changes.
Feb'09 Started Xeloda with herceptin..no more hormonals
Feb'09-June'09 tumor markers coming down again from 155 to 84
May'09 blood clots in lungs vena cava filter put in..Heparin shots daily for now.
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01-10-2006, 01:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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SO pleased for you both!!!
Al, whatever it took, that is really wonderful news.
Keep pushing that envelope, Neighbor....
AlaskaAngel
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01-10-2006, 01:31 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Fabuslous News!!!!
Go celebrate!
Rhonda Hoffman
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01-10-2006, 01:38 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Have a cold beer now my dear friend. All those hopes and prayers by all of us has worked for you and you are the most deserving for all you do for us.
Happiest wishes and regards
Becky
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01-10-2006, 01:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 50
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Perseverance! You got it, Al. Way to go!!!!!!!!! Celebrate every victory.
Congrats,
Cindi.
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01-10-2006, 05:00 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 52
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Great news Al!! Will she be starting it right away??? I've currently been taking navelbine with herceptin....not sure if it's working yet....tomorrow will be my 5th weekly treatment. How long has it taken for you to work with your insurance company to finally reached an agreed arrangement?? Wondering if I need to get the ball rolling????
Take care, Amy
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01-10-2006, 05:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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I'm so glad to hear this news!!! In a way, you can look on it as Linda's own personalized clinical trial! Way to go you guys 
<3 Lolly |
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01-10-2006, 06:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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This is music to my ears. You both deserve this break.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
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01-10-2006, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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That is wonderful news Al! You are like me you know what you have to do and you do it. My prayers were answered and I am so happy for you both. Now, I will pray that it works soon!! Sending you both a big hug to go with the beer. Sandy
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01-10-2006, 06:51 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Misty woods of WA State
Posts: 4,128
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I know you would spend every last cent ...
... for Linda's treatments if you thought it would do any good! But now you don't HAVE to. Just keep the premiums paid up and you are "good to go!"
Such great news that you actually penetrated that bureaucratic barrier and got through to someone who could make the difference.
Halaluyah!
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01-10-2006, 07:13 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 87
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Whoopee! Congratulations Linda & Al!! What wonderful news! Success for one of us is victory for all of us!
Keep the Faith!
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01-10-2006, 08:11 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 329
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Great news!
Al and Linda,
I'm so happy and hope this drug will do miracle for you. Please let me know whenever you come to Vancouver, I love to meet you both.
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01-10-2006, 08:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 73
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Yea!!!! So glad to hear the news. My onc says Avastin is looking very promising.
Best
Tami
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01-10-2006, 09:41 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 285
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Al,
Excellent news! My onc called me back today after I faxed him the suggestions you and others made. He said that in the U.S., insurance companies aren't yet accepting Avastin and that it costs $10,000 per dose. He said we would have to sign a form for the providers stating that we would pay out-of-pocket if the insurance co. didn't agree. Then we would get our treatments. If the insurance cos. don't pay, we would have to appeal. A risky enterprise.
But we hope the Avastin works so well that the FDA will approve soon! So tell Linda to help those statistics along.
Love and light,
Lisa
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01-11-2006, 04:58 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 202
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Dear Al and Linda,
Congratulations! I am so happy for you both. I hope you are keeping notes, I can see it now, Al's book for getting What you want from the insurance companies. How soon are you starting? Give my best to Linda.
__________________
Take care, k
DX: 10/29/03-Stage IIB, 3/12 nodes +, er/pr-,
Grade 3
MRM: 11/07/03
TX: TCH-BRICG Study-6 tx's; 12/15/03
Herceptin; til 12/14/04
Rads: 30 days
BRCA neg
S-Gap: 12/15/04
Oct 05: LAVH
NED
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01-11-2006, 05:36 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 568
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Way To Go
Al, please tell Linda that I am so happy for her - one less thing to have to worry about. Keep me posted on how it works for her.
__________________
Irene from Tampa
1996 - INFILT DUCTAL CAR.W/ LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. ADRIA/CYTOXIN/5FU
1999 - RECURR. TO AUXILA AND 2 TUMORS IN LIVER
TREAT: STEM CELL REPLACEMENT/HERCEPTIN.
2002 - RECUR TO LIVER
TREAT: NAVELBINE, THEN GEMZAR, THEN XELODA.
2004 - TUMORS STILL IN LIVER
TREAT: RFA TO LIVER
STABLE UNTIL
2004 - TUMOR PROGRESSION IN LIVER.
TREAT: RESECT HALF OF LIVER.
2005 - RECURR TO LYMPH NODE OUTSIDE OF LIVER.
TREAT: TAXOL/CARPO/HERCEPTIN. FAILED ON
THIS TRIO. STARTED ON ABRAXANE.
2006 - PROGRESS WITH 2ND TUMOR GROWTH.
TREAT: AUG. BEGAN ON TYKERB/XELODA
TRIAL. CONSIDERED STABLE TO DATE.
2007 - TAKEN OFF OF TYKERB/XELODA TRIAL DUE TO
PROGRESS STARTING TYKERB/AVASTIN.
NOV 2007 - SCANS SHOW PROGRESS TUMOR GROWTH
IN ABDOM. AND TWO NEW TUMORS IN NECK AREA.
BEGAN HERCEPTIN/AVASTIN/TAXOTERE
Feb 08 - Ixempra/Xeloda
June 08 - Her/DM1 trial
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY."
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01-11-2006, 06:20 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Al & Linda
PRAYERS DO WORK
Great news for the both of you and the rest of us.
Al, Linda and all of us are lucky to have such a determinated person in you...you are helping your wife and the rest of us!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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01-11-2006, 06:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: King & Queen County Virginia
Posts: 59
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Yay!
Al, I am so glad to hear the good news! Score one for the little guys! Praying for you both daily.
Hugs,
Nicola
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01-11-2006, 06:29 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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One less worry and a new door opened--keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Sassy
________
Ecig forum
Last edited by sassy; 08-22-2011 at 08:37 AM..
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